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Simon Says "Weekend Edition Saturday" host Scott Simon shares his perspective on news and events both large and small.
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Simon Says

NPR's Scott Simon Shares His Take On Events Large And Small

Saturday

Opinion: Don't call this coffee an Americano!

Coffee shop menu in Toronto displaying Canadiano as an option. Avi Cohen hide caption

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Avi Cohen

Opinion

Opinion: Don't call this coffee an Americano!

Canadians fed up with tariff threats and suggestions of Canada becoming the 51st state are now calling Americano coffee drinks "Canadianos." NPR's Scott Simon explains.

ESSAY 3-8-2025

Listen · 2:27
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Saturday

Gene Hackman as coach Norman Dale on the set of 1986's Hoosiers.

Gene Hackman as coach Norman Dale on the set of 1986's Hoosiers. Tom Strickland/AP/AP hide caption

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Tom Strickland/AP/AP

Opinion

Opinion: Remembering Gene Hackman

NPR's Scott Simon remembers Gene Hackman, who played everymen, cops and villains over his long movie career. The 95 year old actor and his wife were found dead this week in their New Mexico home.

ESSAY 3-1-2025

Listen · 2:32
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Saturday

Daniel Craig, who played James Bond in five films, at the Germany premiere of Spectre in 2015.

Daniel Craig, who played James Bond in five films, at the Germany premiere of Spectre in 2015. (Michael Sohn/AP) Michael Sohn/AP hide caption

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Michael Sohn/AP

Opinion

Opinion: Amazon to deliver a new James Bond

Amazon has acquired the creative license to the long-running James Bond franchise. But how do they plan to deliver?

ESSAY 2-22-2025

Listen · 2:29
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Saturday

TOPSHOT - Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures during his trial at a Moscow courthouse on August 27, 2018. A Moscow court on August 27, 2018 gave a 30-day jail sentence to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny over an unsanctioned protest earlier this year, just days before another planned political rally. (Photo by Vasily MAXIMOV / AFP) (Photo by VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures during his trial at a Moscow courthouse on August 27, 2018. VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP via Getty Images/AFP hide caption

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VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP via Getty Images/AFP

Opinion

Opinion: Navalny's words of love

NPR's Scott Simon remembers Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died a year ago Sunday in a Russian prison.

ESSAY 2-15-2025

Listen · 2:29
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Saturday

The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will happen.

The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will happen. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP hide caption

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Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP

Opinion

Opinion: What if football players chose love instead of the game?

NPR's Scott Simon considers the stenciled messages in the end zones of the Super Bowl — "CHOOSE LOVE" and "IT TAKES ALL OF US" — and imagines how players could take those messages to heart.

ESSAY 2-8-2025

Listen · 2:25
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Saturday

English singer, actress and '60s icon Marianne Faithfull.

English singer, actress and '60s icon Marianne Faithfull. Fred Mott/Getty Images/Hulton Archive hide caption

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Fred Mott/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

Opinion

Opinion: Remembering Marianne Faithfull

NPR's Scott Simon remembers English singer and actor Marianne Faithfull, who died this week at the age of 78.

ESSAY 2-1-2025

Listen · 2:06
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Saturday

The Pacific Ocean is seen in the distance beyond palm trees and the charred remains of homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 13, 2025.

The Pacific Ocean is seen in the distance beyond palm trees and the charred remains of homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 13, 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Opinion

Opinion: Great writers on Los Angeles

NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the wildfires in Los Angeles, and the words of writers who were drawn to the city.

ESSAY 1-19-2025

Listen · 2:35
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Saturday

President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Jan. 14, 1981 prior to appearing on national television to deliver his farewell address. (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi)

President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Jan. 14, 1981 prior to appearing on national television to deliver his farewell address. (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi) Charles Tasnadi/AP hide caption

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Charles Tasnadi/AP

Opinion

Opinion: When Jimmy Carter and I spoke about UFOs

NPR's Scott Simon recalls a conversation he once had with the late President Jimmy Carter about the possibility of UFOs.

ESSAY 1-11-2025

Listen · 2:23
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Saturday

Scott Simon's Christmas tree and Hanukkah candles.

Scott Simon's Christmas tree and Hanukkah candles. Caroline Simon hide caption

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Caroline Simon

Opinion

Opinion: Prayers are messages for our own hearts

Hanukkah began on Christmas this year. A reflection on celebrating both holidays in a multi-faith family.

ESSAY 12-28-2024

Listen · 1:49
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Saturday

Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Andrew Medichini/AP hide caption

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Andrew Medichini/AP

Opinion

Opinion: The Pope wants priests to lighten up

A reflection on the comedy stylings of Pope Francis, who is telling priests to lighten up and not be so dour.

Opinion: The Pope wants priests to lighten up

Listen · 2:17
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Saturday

A general view of Rome's Colosseum.

A general view of Rome's Colosseum. Gregorio Borgia/AP hide caption

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Gregorio Borgia/AP

Opinion

Opinion: Airbnb will recreate gladiator drama in the Colosseum

NPR's Scott Simon details the "gladiator experience" that 16 lucky — or unlucky — people might have next year inside the Roman Colosseum. Will they not be entertained?

Opinion: Airbnb will recreate gladiator drama in the Colosseum

Listen · 2:16
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Saturday

This image released by the U.S. Coast Guard, shows Connie the container dog, which was found trapped inside a shipping container on Jan. 31, 2024.

This image released by the U.S. Coast Guard, shows Connie the container dog, which was found trapped inside a shipping container on Jan. 31, 2024. Petty Officer 1st Class Lucas Loe/U.S. Coast Guard/AP hide caption

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Petty Officer 1st Class Lucas Loe/U.S. Coast Guard/AP

Opinion

Opinion: The life and work of Seuk Kim, pilot and animal rescuer

NPR's Scott Simon remembers Seuk Kim, a volunteer animal rescue pilot who died in a crash earlier this week, transporting several dogs.

ESSAY 11302024

Listen · 2:35
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Saturday

Mourners pay respects to late Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov during a memorial service at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg on November 21, 2024.

Mourners pay respects to late Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov during a memorial service at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg on November 21, 2024. OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images/AFP hide caption

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OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images/AFP

Opinion

Opinion: Remembering Vladimir Shklyarov, a dancer for the people

NPR's Scott Simon remarks on the death of ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov. Reports from Russian media say he fell from a 5th floor balcony.

ESSAY 11232024

Listen · 2:40
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Saturday

A false color view of Uranus made from images taken by Voyager 2 in January 1986.

A false color view of Uranus made from images taken by Voyager 2 in January 1986. AFP/via Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/via Getty Images

Opinion

Opinion: Uranus was having a bad hair day. Hey, it was the '80s!

Scientists are reconsidering old information about Uranus. NPR's Scott Simon explains the problem with photos taken of the planet 38 years ago.

ESSAY 11162024

Listen · 2:39
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Saturday

A "Vote Here" sign taken in Washington, D.C.

A "vote here" sign in Washington, D.C. Vincent Ni/NPR hide caption

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Vincent Ni/NPR

Opinion

Opinion: Witnessing my daughters' first votes was a moment to remember

NPR's Scott Simon accompanied his daughters to the polls, as they voted in their first presidential election.

ESSAY 10-09-24

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