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In Heated Season, Politics Infuse Pop Culture

Media watchers say recent book and film trends suggest a "perfect storm" of politically motivated popular culture, which has been building for years. Books from the left and right top best-seller lists, while films like Fahrenheit 9/11 draw box-office crowds. Hear NPR's Lynn Neary.

In Heated Season, Politics Infuse Pop Culture

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Marking 20 Years of Infomercials

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Steve Dworman, publisher of the Infomercial Marketing Report, about the 20th anniversary of the infomercial being celebrated in Las Vegas at the Electronic Retailing Assn. conference. Dworman says major TV networks are starting to incorporate infomercial programming into their traditional lineups. "Oprah did it with the car giveaway," he says. "That was essentially an hour-long infomercial."

Marking 20 Years of Infomercials

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Curious Path from Internet Donation to Political Ad

NPR's Mike Pesca reports on how one woman in New Jersey sent a political donation through the Internet to a group in Texas, and how that group made an advertisement aimed at influencing voters in Oregon.

Curious Path from Internet Donation to Political Ad

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Business

In Concert Business, Jam Productions Takes on a Giant

NPR's Catrin Einhorn reports on how Chicago-based Jam Productions is struggling to compete against media behemoth Clear Channel Communications, which dominates the U.S. concert promotion business.

In Concert Business, Jam Productions Takes on a Giant

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Middle East Radio Station Seeks Balance

The Israeli-Palestinian All for Peace radio currently broadcasts material in Hebrew, Arabic and English, attempting to bridge gaps between cultures and people. The station's managers hope to start FM broadcasts soon. NPR's Linda Gradstein reports.

Middle East Radio Station Seeks Balance

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Opinion

Reading the 'New Yorker' and Seeing White

Commentator John McWhorter just started reading New Yorker magazine. He was surprised to find that most of the cartoons depict white New Yorkers while modern day Manhattan is a place full of people of color.

Reading the 'New Yorker' and Seeing White

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Digital Life

New Fall TV Season Kicks Off

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Ken Tucker, editor of Entertainment Weekly, about the fall TV lineup. It's populated with some dramas meant to compete for cable viewers -- an airliner crashes and survivors must share an island with a monster in Lost. For reality TV buffs, ABC debuts Wife Swap, in which wives switch families, and socio-economic classes.

New Fall TV Season Kicks Off

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FCC Fines CBS Stations for Super Bowl Incident

The Federal Communications Commission is fining each of the 20 CBS-owned television stations $27,500 for broadcasting indecent material. The total of $550,000 in fines stems from the Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" incident during the 2004 Super Bowl. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

FCC Fines CBS Stations for Super Bowl Incident

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Slate's Press Box: The CBS 'Memogate' Apology

CBS News admitted it can't verify the authenticity of memos about President Bush's National Guard service featured in a recent 60 Minutes investigation. NPR's Noah Adams talks with Slate media critic Jack Shafer about the CBS apology, and what it says about the current state of network television news.

Slate's Press Box: The CBS 'Memogate' Apology

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Eisner Will Not Seek Disney Chairman Position

Chief Executive Michael Eisner told Fortune magazine that he does not expect to become chairman of the board when his contract with Disney expires in 2006. Yahoo CEO Terry Semel is emerging as a contender for Eisner's job. NPR's Kim Masters reports.

Eisner Will Not Seek Disney Chairman Position

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