
The Colin McEnroe Show
The Colin McEnroe Show is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called The Nose for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.
Latest episodes

Dec 20, 2022 • 50min
Beauty and the Butt: A look ‘back’ at our complicated relationship with butts
Whether we love or loathe our butt is deeply influenced by race, gender, and whether the shape and size of our butt is in or out of style. This hour, a look ‘back’ at the science, history, and culture of butts, including how it took on so much meaning beyond its basic function and why it’s so hard to find pants that fit. GUESTS: Heather Radke: Contributing editor and reporter at Radiolab and the author of Butts: A Backstory Alex Bartlett: Co-owner of Planet Pepper and a costume supervisor for television and theater Vincent Cuccia: Co-owner of Planet Pepper; he teaches public relations at the City University of New York Shomara Garcia: CEO and founder of Muneca Private Care Recovery Services and a licensed massage therapist The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Cat Pastor, Lily Tyson, and Jonathan McNicol contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 16, 2022 • 44min
The Nose looks at ‘The Fabelmans’ and ‘The White Lotus’
The second season of Mike White’s The White Lotus concluded on HBO this week. Its first season won the most awards at the Emmys this year: 10, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. The second season is now nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, including Best Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film. The White Lotus has been renewed for a third season. And: The Fabelmans is the 34th feature film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is written by Spielberg and Tony Kushner, and it’s Spielberg’s sixth feature film writing credit — his first in 21 years. The Fabelmanswas nominated, this week, for five Golden Globe Awards, including Best Picture — Drama, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take: Stephen Boss, Dancer and Reality TV Star Known as tWitch, Dies at 40 Mr. Boss spent nine years with “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” as D.J., guest host and, eventually, an executive producer. Angelo Badalamenti, David Lynch’s Composer on ‘Blue Velvet,’ ‘Twin Peaks’ and More, Dies at 85He also wrote songs recorded by Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Bassey and Mel Tillis and themes for ‘Inside the Actors Studio’ and the Barcelona Summer Olympics. Lee Lorenz, 90, Cartoonist and Gatekeeper at The New Yorker, Dies Over 40 years at the magazine he drew hundreds of cartoons and covers and served as art and cartoon editor, recruiting new talent and deciding who got published. Gabrielle Beaumont, Pioneering TV Director, Dies at 80 The prolific Emmy nominee helmed episodes of ‘Dynasty’ (and helped get Joan Collins on the show) and also worked on ‘Hill Street Blues,’ ‘MAS*H’ and three ‘Star Trek’ series. Richard Miller Dies: Sculptor Behind Princess Leia’s Gold Bikini Was 80 Golden Globes 2023: Complete Nominations List Highbrow Films Aimed at Winning Oscars Are Losing Audiences The kind of critically praised dramas that often dominate the awards season are falling flat at the box office, failing to justify the money it takes to make them. Steven Spielberg’s Movie Magic Has a Dark Side And no one knows it better than he does. Judd Hirsch Can Tell You a Story or Three. ‘The Fabelmans’ Is Just the Latest. The veteran actor has been singled out for his rousing performance in Steven Spielberg’s drama. It’s the latest chapter in a long career full of anecdotes. When Jewish Artists Wrestle With Antisemitism In this unsettling moment, comedians, filmmakers, playwrights and others have been struggling against a long-ingrained American response to look away. ‘Westworld’ & ‘The Nevers‘ Pulled Off HBO Max, Marking Victorian Drama’s Formal End Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Returns to No. 1 The singer’s holiday anthem, first released in 1994, ends Taylor Swift’s six-week run atop the Hot 100 singles chart. Christopher Nolan Recreated a Nuclear Weapon Explosion Without CGI, Developed New IMAX Film for ‘Oppenheimer’: ‘A Huge Challenge’ Elon Musk’s new Twitter Blue logo is perfectly awful The ’80s throwback logo is shiny, poorly kerned, and barely legible. But it’s also an accurate representation of what Twitter has become. Olivia Wilde Is Getting Backlash After People Actually Watched “Don’t Worry Darling” And Learned The Truth About Those “Female Pleasure” Sex Scenes It appears that Miss Flo was right all along. The Intertwining History of the ‘Avatar’ Papyrus Font and the ‘SNL’ Sketch That Spoofed It It surely is odd that James Cameron chose to use such a ridiculed typeface for his 2009 mega-blockbuster, but he wasn’t exactly acting like a thoughtless child wandering by a garden, yanking leaves along the way CNN Cancels ‘Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy’ as Part of Originals Pullback The actor is still exec producing the spinoff ‘Searching for Mexico,’ and could be involved if the show is shopped elsewhere. ‘Luddite’ Teens Don’t Want Your Likes When the only thing better than a flip phone is no phone at all. GUESTS: Carolyn Paine: An actress, comedian, and dancer; she is founder, director, and choreographer of CONNetic Dance Irene Papoulis: Teaches writing at Trinity College Gene Seymour: A “writer, professional spectator, pop-culture maven, and jazz geek” The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show. Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 15, 2022 • 42min
The Nose’s holiday gift guide
Almost every week, at the end of the show, The Nose spends a segment on endorsements, on recommendations of things from the world of pop culture. This hour — for the first time ever — a gift-idea themed, all-endorsements show: The Nose’s holiday gift guide. GUESTS: John Dankosky: Director of news and radio for Science Friday and cohost of the Connecticut Mirror’s Untold podcast Illeana Douglas: Official Movie Star of The Colin McEnroe Show Taneisha Duggan: Associate producer at Octopus Theatricals David Edelstein: America’s Greatest Living Film Critic Xandra Ellin: A producer at Pineapple Street Media Sam Hadelman: Works in music public relations and hosts The Sam Hadelman Show at Radio Free Brooklyn Sabrina Herrera: Community engagement and social media editor at Connecticut Public Jacques Lamarre: A playwright and chief communications officer at Buzz Engine Jennifer LaRue: A freelance producer for The Colin McEnroe Show Carlos Mejia: Manager of media insights and analytics for WWE Shawn Murray: A stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of the Nobody Asked Shawn podcast Carolyn Paine: An actress, comedian, and dancer; she is founder, director, and choreographer of CONNETIC Dance Jessica Severin de Martinez: Produces Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public Radio Chion Wolf: Hosts Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public Radio Tracy Wu Fastenberg: Development officer at Connecticut Children’s Bill Yousman: Professor of Media Studies at Sacred Heart University The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show. Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 14, 2022 • 53min
"I have learned so much in the last ten years": The lasting impact of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
Wednesday, December 14, 2022, marks 10 years since 20 children and six educators were killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. This hour, a look at the emotional impact of the day and post-traumatic growth in its aftermath. If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For suicide prevention resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here. GUESTS: Dannel Malloy: Former governor of Connecticut; he is currently chancellor of the University of Maine system Scarlett Lewis: Founded the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement after her son, 6-year-old Jesse Lewis, was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting John Woodall: Psychiatrist, medical director of Newtown TMS, and the representative for the Baha’i community to the Newtown Interfaith Council The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Eugene Amatruda, Cat Pastor, and Catie Talarski contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 13, 2022 • 41min
Saying goodbye to the leap second, misinterpreting animism, and a look at verdicts
This hour: why timekeepers are getting rid of the leap second, how animism is misinterpreted, and whether we should have a spectrum of verdicts beyond “guilty” and “not guilty.” GUESTS: Judah Levine: Professor of Physics at the University of Colorado and a Physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Justine Buck Quijada: Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Wesleyan University Barry Lam: Philosophy Professor at the University of California, Riverside, and Executive Producer of Hi-Phi Nation, a philosophy podcast Join the conversation onFacebook and Twitter.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 12, 2022 • 42min
Brainwashing: From the Korean War to cults to today
The term “brainwashing” has been used throughout history by scientists, politicians, and journalists, as well as in movies and literature. This hour: a look at the history and science of brainwashing. GUESTS: Joel Dimsdale: Distinguished professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry at University of California San Diego and the author of Dark Persuasion: A History of Brainwashing from Pavlov to Social Media Timothy Melley: Professor of English at Miami University The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, Cat Pastor, and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired April 20, 2022. Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 9, 2022 • 42min
The Nose investigates ‘She Said’ and ‘Bone Valley’
She Said is a feature film adaptation of the book by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, and it follows their New York Times investigation of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct. It is directed by Maria Schrader and written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz. Its $2.2 million domestic opening is among the worst ever for a movie showing in more than 2,000 theaters. And: Bone Valley is a true crime podcast that covers the 1987 murder of 18-year-old Michelle Schofield. Her husband, Leo, who has always proclaimed his innocence, was convicted for the murder and sentenced to life in prison. Recently, another man has given a detailed confession to the murder, but Leo remains incarcerated. Bone Valley is hosted by investigative journalist Gilbert King, the author of Devil in the Grove, which won the Pulitzer Prize. Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take: Bob McGrath, Original, Longtime Resident of ‘Sesame Street,’ Dies at 90 He performed on ‘Sing Along With Mitch’ and was a teenage idol in Japan before spending 46 years on the iconic kids TV program. Kirstie Alley, ‘Cheers’ and ‘Look Who’s Talking’ Star, Dies at 71 Keke Palmer: I Have Sex, and Now I’m Pregnant!!! Big Reveal On ‘SNL’ ‘Goblin mode’: new Oxford word of the year speaks to the times We’re Out of Movie Stars. Whose Fault Is That? There are fewer films now that allow an actor to grow a persona and a Tom Cruise level of stardom. It’s a crisis, and the movies know it. Best Comedy of 2022 Stand-up specials like “Rothaniel” pushed boundaries this year, and Netflix’s financial setbacks could mean that its dominance in comedy is slowing. BuzzFeed to Cut 12 Percent of Workforce Amid “Audience Shift to Vertical Video,” CEO Says The layoffs are expected to cost $8 million to $12 million in restructuring charges, the company said in an SEC filing. The College Essay Is Dead Nobody is prepared for how AI will transform academia. The Grinchiest Cities in the U.S. (2022) The Goonies House Is on the Market ‘Stomp’ to Close After Nearly Three Decades Off-Broadway The award-winning show’s North American and European tours will continue to run after the January closure. Box Office Bust: ‘Black Adam’ Faces Theatrical Losses Every “chronically online” conversation is the same At what point does discourse become punishment? Why A Hard Reboot Is Probably The Best Choice For The New DC Movie Universe GUESTS: Theresa Cramer: A freelance writer and editor and the co-founder of Quiet Corner Communications Taneisha Duggan: Associate producer at Octopus Theatricals Tracy Wu Fastenberg: Development officer at Connecticut Children’s The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show. Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 8, 2022 • 49min
Has everything original been done?
Has everything original been done? It’s a question that’s been asked about storytelling, music, fine art, movies, and so much more. This hour, we attempt to answer that question and discover if everything has already been done. Along the way, we explore the idea of originality and our tolerance for novelty and talk to artists who are reckoning with these questions. GUESTS: Martha Buskirk: Professor of art history and criticism at Montserrat College of Art and author of Is It Ours? Art, Copyright, and Public Interest, among other books Jill Magid: Artist, writer, and filmmaker Kirby Ferguson: Filmmaker and a creator of the Everything Is a Remix series Brian Slattery: Arts editor for the New Haven Independent The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 7, 2022 • 49min
The triple-demic is here
COVID is on the rise again. The flu is setting all-time records, and is especially bad in Connecticut. Oh, and there’s still a respiratory syncytial virus situation going on. This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that people “wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.” But it’s hard to imagine that very many people are about to actually do that. This hour, an update on the pandemic or the triple-demic or whatever we want to call this ongoing mess at this point. GUESTS: Gregg Gonsalves: Associate professor of epidemiology (microbial diseases) at the Yale School of Public Health and the public health correspondent for The Nation Eric Topol: A physician and scientist; he writes the Ground Truths Substack, and he’s founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute Katherine J. Wu: A staff writer at The Atlantic The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 6, 2022 • 53min
From The NY Times’ ‘Spelling Bee’ to orthography, a look at all things spelling
This hour: spelling — what it is, why it matters, and why some of us actually find it fun. There will be a test. GUESTS: Deb Amlen: Crossword columnist and senior staff editor of the crossword column Wordplay for The New York Times; she also writes the weekly Diary of a Spelling Bee Fanatic column Richard Gentry: Education consultant and the author, most recently, of the Spelling Connectionsseries Peter Sokolowski: Editor at large at Merriam-Webster and a member of the Word Panel for the Scripps National Spelling Bee The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Taylor Doyle, Jacob Gannon, Jonathan McNicol, Cat Pastor, and Lily Tyson contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.