Sports
6:00 am
Sat December 17, 2011

Sports: Patriots Vs. Tebow's Faith; Bonds Sentenced

Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos face Tom Brady and the Boston Patriots; will angels on high find it hard to choose? Also, an NFL wide receiver is cut for drugs, selling, not using. Plus, Barry Bonds will have to spend a month in his mansion under house arrest. ESPN's Howard Bryant talks with host Scott Simon about the week in sports.

From Our Listeners
6:00 am
Sat December 17, 2011

Your Letters: Laura Nyro; The Christmas Krampus

Lots of comments came in this week about host Scott Simon's remembrance of Laura Nyro. We also heard from several Krampus revelers, who celebrate the Christmas Krampus, a horned, mythical kind of dark sidekick to Santa Claus. Host Scott Simon reads listener reaction to last week's program.

Performing Arts
6:00 am
Sat December 17, 2011

Grandma The Clown Is Leaving The Tent

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon.

(SOUNDBITE OF CIRCUS MUSIC)

SIMON: When the bright lights beam under the Big Top of the Big Apple Circus, Grandma shuffles in. She's got a silver hair, a slow walk, a sly smile, and a purse so huge you think she might have New Jersey somewhere in there. I mean Grandma the Clown.

Read more
Commentary
6:00 am
Sat December 17, 2011

Phones In Hand, Busy Mourners Miss The Story

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

Gadgets, like cell phone cameras and digital tablets, can turn almost anybody into some kind of amateur journalist. But writer Gwen Thompkins wonders when the amateurs will realize that what the professionals already know - recording an event often stops people from experiencing what's right in front of them.

(SOUNDBITE OF PEOPLE TALKING)

Read more
Technology
6:00 am
Sat December 17, 2011

Top Gadgets And 'Best Innovations' Of The Year

Nothing says "Happy Holidays" better than 3-D goggles. Or perhaps an inflatable wetsuit for big-wave surfing. Those are two of the top gadgets of the year, according to Popular Science magazine's "100 Best Innovations" issue. To tell us a little more about some of those innovations, Editor-In-Chief Mark Jannot joins host Scott Simon.

Around the Nation
6:00 am
Sat December 17, 2011

Penn State Officials Face Trial In Sex Abuse Case

Originally published on Sat December 17, 2011 8:24 am

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

Read more
Politics
6:00 am
Sat December 17, 2011

A Freshman's Year In A Dysfunctional Congress

Originally published on Sat December 17, 2011 8:24 am

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

We're going to go to a Republican member of the House, Congressman Bill Huizenga of Michigan. He represents the 2nd district in western Michigan. We check in with him from time to time throughout his first year in Congress. Congressman, welcome back.

REPRESENTATIVE BILL HUIZENGA: Hey. Good to be with you, Scott.

SIMON: Now, let me ask about - are these stop-gap measures just the new way of doing business in Congress, and does that just kick the can down the road a couple of months?

Read more
Politics
6:00 am
Sat December 17, 2011

Congress Reaches Short-Term Compromise At 11th Hour

Originally published on Sat December 17, 2011 8:24 am

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

Read more
Food
5:54 am
Sat December 17, 2011

Coquito: A Tropical Twist On The Holiday Classic

Credit iStockphoto.com
Coquito is eggnog, Puerto Rican style, enriched by a delicious addition: a dollop of coconut.

Coquito, an eggnog made with rum and coconut, is as integral to a Puerto Rican Christmas as presents under the tree.

In New York on Saturday, 12 coquito makers are battling to be this year's Coquito Masters champion. It's the 10th year of the contest. Trolleys will take fans to different locations in Spanish Harlem to sample coquito and vote for their favorite drinks in blind taste tests.

Read more
Simon Says
5:36 am
Sat December 17, 2011

Christopher Hitchens And The Delight Of Defying Labels

It may be telling that Christopher Hitchens should die in this season. I don't mean the holiday season but a contentious season in Congress and on the campaign trail, with politicians jabbing fingers and accusing each other of inconsistency.

Read more

Pages