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Wisconsin Public Radio

WILD WORLD OF SPORTS

Program 09-01-25-A

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Many people treat it as a national holiday. More Americans watch it than vote in presidential elections. And it leaves an economic footprint larger than the Gross Domestic Product of 49 countries. It's Super Bowl Sunday. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll go behind the scenes of the greatest day in American sport. Also, "A People's History of Sports in the United States."

SEGMENT 1:

Allen St. John is the author of "The Billion Dollar Game: Behind the Scenes of the Greatest Day in American Sport — Super Bowl Sunday." He tells Jim Fleming about the Fox game coverage strategy that has made the broadcast so iconic and recalls some of the greatest televised moments of Superbowls past. And, of course, we hear all of them.

SEGMENT 2:

Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht is a professor of literature at Stanford University and author of "In Praise of Athletic Beauty." He tells Steve Paulson that Immanuel Kant's concept of Beauty is useful when applied to the world of sports, and that such Beauty approaches the sacred. Also, Melissa Joulwan is the author of "Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track." And she ought to know. Joulwan plays for a roller derby team under the name "Melicious." She tells Anne Strainchamps why the sport's enjoying a renaissance, and why most of the players are feminists who enjoy playing with the sexual and warrior imagery.

SEGMENT 3:

Dave Zirin may be the best young sportswriter in America. He's the author of "A People's History of Sports in the United States: 250 Years of Politics, Protest, People and Play." He talks with Steve Paulson about topics ranging from Michael Jordan's phenomenal commercial success to the lack of acceptance faced by gay professional athletes.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 09-01-25-A.

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Books & CDs:

Allen St. John, The Billion Dollar Game: Behind the Scenes of the Greatest Day in American Sport Super Bowl Sunday (Doubleday)
Dave Zirin, A People's History of Sports in the United States (The New Press)
Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, In Praise of Athletic Beauty (Harvard University Press)
Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan, Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track (Touchstone)

Websites:

• -- Allen St. John
  http://www.allenstjohn.com/
  http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl/9780385523547.html
  
• -- Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht
  http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/GUMPRA.html?show=reviews
  http://www.stanford.edu/dept/HPS/gumbrecht.html
  
• -- Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan/ROLLERGIRL
  http://www.rollergirlthebook.com/
  
• -- Dave Zirin
  http://www.edgeofsports.com/
  http://www.thenewpress.com/index.php?option=com_title&task=view_title&metaproductid=1482

Clips:

• -- from NFL Films

Music:

• -- "All Kinds of Time"/Fountains Of Wayne
  from the CD, "Welcome Interstate Managers" (S-Curve Records/Virgin)
  http://www.fountainsofwayne.com/
  
• -- "Pick Up The Pieces"/AWB
  from the CD, "Rock Instrumental Classics, Volume 3: The Seventies" (Rhino)
  http://www.rhino.com/store/ProductDetail.lasso?Number=71603
  http://www.rhino.com/
  
• -- "Rock and Roll, Part 2"/Gary Glitter
  from the CD, "Rock Instrumental Classics, Volume 3: The Seventies" (Rhino)
  http://www.rhino.com/store/ProductDetail.lasso?Number=71603
  http://www.rhino.com/
  
• -- "Green Onions"/Booker T. & The MG's
  from the CD, "Rock Instrumental Classics, Volume 4: Soul" (Rhino)
  http://www.rhino.com/store/ProductDetail.lasso?Number=71604
  http://www.rhino.com/

Distribution dates: week of 01/25/2008 - hour 1 click HERE for timings and cues

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

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