Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Migrant Boat Disaster, 'Sabado Gigante,' and a History of American Radicalism
Today, EU leaders are meeting to talk about the crisis of migrants dying during dangerous boat rides from Africa to Europe over the Mediterranean Sea. Also, after more than 50 years, Spanish language variety show Sabado Gigante is going off the air in September.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenToday, EU leaders are meeting to talk about the crisis of migrants dying during dangerous boat rides from Africa to Europe over the Mediterranean Sea. What can countries do to curb the problem, especially as warm weather is expected to bring more dangerous boat rides? Then, in our regular television roundup, Louie and Daredevil. In other television news, we take a look at the long-running Spanish language variety show Sabado Gigante, which, after more than 50 years, will go off the air in September. Next, Madeleine interviews an author who's written a fascinating and exhaustive history of the homegrown violent revolutionary groups of the 1970s. And finally, how did "420" become associated with marijuana?
Photo: Armed Forces of Malta personnel in protective clothing carry the body of a dead immigrant off Italian coastguard ship Bruno Gregoretti as surviving migrants watch in Senglea, in Valletta's Grand Harbour, April 20, 2015. (Darrin Zamm/Reuters)
In this episode
5 storiesDying at Europe's Doorstep
Sobering news out of Europe over the weekend: at least 700 people died after a boat carrying migrants from Africa capsized in the Mediterranean over the weekend. The UN is calling this disaster the worst massacre ever seen in the Mediterranean.
Read the story9 minTV Roundup: 'Louie' and 'Daredevil'
In our regular television segment this week, it's all about the niche outlets. The fifth season of Louie debuted on the cable channel FX, and Daredevil is a Netflix original series based on a Marvel comic. We get the scoop on both from our regular TV contributors.
Read the story8 min'Sabado Gigante' Signs Off
Now we turn to a program that's popular across all ages and backgrounds. The Univision show Sabado Gigante is a three-hour, Spanish-language, Saturday night variety show that's often goofy and campy. It airs in 40 countries and has tens of millions of viewers every week, including two million here in the US.
Read the story9 minA History of America's Radical Underground
It's hard to imagine today, but during the 1970's, the United States was in a kind of chaotic, violent anarchy. Bombs went off every day in the early 70's, planted by revolutionaries. Police were targeted, banks were robbed, and a wealthy heiress was kidnapped and turned into an armed warrior.
Read the story14 minHow 4/20 Became 420
Today is April 20. For some people, that's just the day after April 19. For others, it's the unofficial marijuana holiday. The story about how "420" became associated with pot has been clouded by an aromatic haze over the years. But one thing's for sure, it's not just an underground term anymore.
Read the story7 min
