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MYTHS & MAKEOVERS

Program 05-05-01-A

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During rehearsals of Shakespeare's tragedy, MacBeth, one young actor found himself in the mood for mirth. And then, like a specter rising from the mists, something began to take shape. A new MacBeth for the ages - but this time around, fewer daggers, more donuts. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, the Simpsons do Shakespeare in the one-man comedy, MacHomer.

SEGMENT 1:

Pop culture critic Camille Paglia talks with Anne Strainchamps about our obsession with makeovers and the human impulse to mythologize public figures. Paglia's latest book is called "Break, Blow, Burn." Also, Ted Cowan teaches Scottish history at Glascow University. He tells Jim Fleming the real MacBeth was a good man and a successful king who's been defamed by "...the scribbler of Stratford." Although it's probably too late to make any difference, members of the Scottish Parliament have signed a motion calling for MacBeth's achievements to be recognized.

SEGMENT 2:

Rick Miller wrote a one man show that he now performs worldwide. It's called "MacHomer" and is a fusion of "MacBeth" and "The Simpsons" with Miller doing all the voices. We hear excerpts and Miller tells Steve Paulson how he keeps all those characters apart, and who his fans are.

SEGMENT 3:

Sarah Churchwell is the author of "The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe." Churchwell tells Steve Paulson that Marilyn Monroe was an ambitious, complex woman not simply the victim of the Hollywood star machine. And her original identity as Norma Jean Baker was itself a fabrication.

Cassette copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 05-05-01-A.

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Books:

• Sarah Churchwell, The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe (Metropolitan Books)
• Camille Paglia, Break, Blow, Burn (Pantheon)

Music:

• --Pop Life/ Prince
  
• -- Intro/ Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band/ Monarch Recordings
  
• --The Simpsons Main Title Theme (Extended Version)/ "The Simpsons: Songs in the key of Springfield"/ Rhino
  
• --Candle in the Wind/ Elton John
  
• --Night and Day/ The Secret 7 "The Unexpected"/ Raymond Scott/ Top Rank

Distribution dates:

week of 08/27/2006 - hour 2 week of 05/01/2005 - hour 1

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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