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Culture

Saturday

Music Interviews

Let Me Entertain You: The Songs of Jule Styne

Jule Styne wrote some of the most popular songs in American history, including "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow," and "Three Coins in a Fountain." Saturday, Dec. 31 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Let Me Entertain You: The Songs of Jule Styne

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Poetry

End-of-Year Reflections from Ted Kooser

As we reach the end of the year, U.S. poet laureate Ted Kooser joins host Melissa Block to read a reflection — in prose — on welcoming in a new year, from his book Local Wonders.

End-of-Year Reflections from Ted Kooser

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Top Music Picks for 2005

Songs from a Year of 'Music Lust'

Nic Harcourt, host of KCRW's popular Morning Becomes Eclectic and author of Music Lust, talks about his book, along with some of the best music you've probably missed this past year.

Songs from a Year of 'Music Lust'

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Friday

Day to Day

Slate's Culturebox: A 'Dinner for One' Tradition

Farai Chideya talks to Slate contributor Jude Stewart, reporting from Berlin, about an unexpected New Year's Eve tradition in Germany. Every year, tens of millions watch an old British television comedy sketch called "Dinner for One."

Slate's Culturebox: A 'Dinner for One' Tradition

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78th Annual Academy Awards

Bob Mondello's Top Films for 2005

Despite penguins, lions and gorillas battling for Hollywood supremacy, 2005 will go down as a box office disappointment. But NPR critic Bob Mondello says the year's films were high on quality.

Bob Mondello's Top Films for 2005

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Thursday

Performing Arts

Opening Up Language Through Tongue Twisters

The students in Judith Sloan's theater program in Queens, N.Y., are mostly new immigrants. Like any high school kids, they can be hard to motivate. So, Sloan turns to tongue twisters and clapping games to help them prepare for a performance.

Opening Up Language Through Tongue Twisters

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Actor Gene Wilder: 'Kiss Me Like a Stranger'

Fresh Air

Gene Wilder made his film debut as a kidnap victim in the 1967 Bonnie and Clyde. He is known for his work with Mel Brooks, in addition to the classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Wilder has written a new memoir, Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art.

Actor Gene Wilder: 'Kiss Me Like a Stranger'

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Wednesday

Slate's Ad Report Card

Slate's Ad Report Card: The Gap's Slick Campaign

Slate contributor Seth Stevenson dissects a new Gap ad the company developed to explain upcoming store renovations in certain cities. Stevenson says the company missed an opportunity to poke fun at its image troubles by using a big-budget, well-directed ad.

Slate's Ad Report Card: The Gap's Slick Campaign

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Opinion

Technology

Slate's Culturebox: Rapping to 'Chronicles of Narnia'

Farai Chideya talks to Slate contributor Josh Levin about a recent Saturday Night Live rap parody called "Lazy Sunday" that follows two SNL stars as they wake up late, get cupcakes and go see a movie -- all to a hard-core hip-hop beat. The video has been a popular download on the Web, and Levin says it's evidence the rap music industry may need to re-evaluate its direction...

Slate's Culturebox: Rapping to 'Chronicles of Narnia'

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Technology

'Serious' Video Games for Education, Activism

Tech guru Mario Armstrong explains an emerging genre of educational videos games known as "serious games" -- engrossing virtual worlds that help players learn how to control pain, train soldiers on how the military works, and even how to be a successful activist on a college campus.

'Serious' Video Games for Education, Activism

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