Conversations at KCTS 9: 2008 Season
Our Guests:
Sherman Alexie
One of the Northwest’s most fascinating and prestigious authors, Sherman Alexie recently won the National Book Award, among the highest honors a writer can receive. Alexie won for his new novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, a semi-autobiographical story and his first book for teens. Enrique Cerna about talks intimately with Alexie about his childhood on the Spokane Indian Reservation, overcoming illness and alcoholism, and the inspiration behind his award-winning novel.
Apolo Anton Ohno
From Olympic medals to the championship on Dancing with the Stars, when Seattle skater Apolo Anton Ohno sets his sight on something, watch out! Now he’s in training for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Enrique Cerna sits down with one of the Northwest’s most famous athletes to find out where he gets his inspiration and drive to win, and how the Vancouver games would be a homecoming of sorts. Plus, hear about the stunt Apolo pulled as a teenager that nearly ended his skating career before it began.
Phil Donahue
A true pioneer in television, Donahue is the father of daytime talk. Before there was Oprah or Rosie, there was Donahue. Now, this esteemed former TV host is turning his considerable talents to film, co-producing a new documentary called Body of War, a critical examination of the war in Iraq through the eyes of a young soldier who was shot and paralyzed days after arriving in Baghdad. KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna talks with Donahue about his film, the war, politics today, and a career in television and journalism that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Watch Donahue's Interview:
Pepper Schwartz
You could call her the Northwest’s Dr. Ruth. For more than 30 years, University of Washington sociologist Pepper Schwartz has focused her research and attention on pretty much one thing: sex. She's one of the nation’s leading experts on sexuality and relationships, with numerous books, articles and television appearances—including Oprah, Dateline and Dr. Phil—to her credit. Her latest book, Prime: Advice and Adventures on Sex, Love and the Sensuous Years, describes her own experiences as a single woman after 23 years of marriage. Enrique Cerna sits down with Dr. Schwartz for a revealing conversation about love, sex and relationships with the nation’s top sexologist.
Watch Schwartz's Interview:
Fareed Zakaria
If you want to know more about the world, there are few better people to ask than Fareed Zakaria. The editor of Newsweek International and former host of public television's Foreign Exchange has written nearly a half dozen books and appeared as an analyst and expert on programs such as ABC News and This Week with George Stephanopoulos. This summer, he launches Fareed Zakaria GPS, a new program about international affairs on CNN. His latest book, The Post-American World, is a critical look at America’s foreign policy and an examination of what he calls “the rise of the rest.” From developing nations in Africa and South America to emerging superpowers such as China and India, Zakaria explains why America might soon play a less dominant role in world politics. Enrique Cerna has a blunt conversation with Zakaria about his book, our country’s position in the world, and the greatest threats facing America today.
Watch Zakaria's Interview:
Aaron Brown
He has been an anchorman for ABC News and CNN, reporting on the biggest national and international stories over the last 20 years, including widely-hailed coverage of 9/11 from New York City. But Aaron Brown made his bones in Seattle. Starting as an overnight assignment desk assistant for KING 5 News , Brown worked his way up to become one of Seattle's premier reporters and anchormen. This year, he was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northwest Chapter's hall of fame, the Silver Circle . Now teaching at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, Brown is returning to television with PBS as the host of this season’s Wide Angle. Enrique Cerna sits down with his former KING colleague to talk about Brown’s storied career in Seattle, his entry into the world of public television, and an unflinching look at the state of journalism in America today.
Roger Mudd
Few people have a more comprehensive view of U.S. history in the last century than Roger Mudd. The Peabody and Emmy award-winning journalist has a career in broadcasting spanning more than 50 years, witnessing and covering some of the most turbulent times in America. From his start as an ambitious radio reporter in Washington, D.C., to anchoring CBS News, NBC News and NBC’s Meet the Press, Mudd has seen and covered it all. In this intimate interview, Enrique Cerna talks with Roger Mudd about some of the pivotal moments in his life and career: witnessing the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968; filling in on the CBS Evening News for Walter Cronkite, but eventually losing the job to Dan Rather; and a groundbreaking 1971 interview with then-Presidential candidate Ted Kennedy that many say cost Kennedy the Democratic nomination. Don’t miss this rare interview with a journalist who not only covered history, but helped shape it as well.
Watch Mudd's Interview:
Rick Steves
He is known for his wildly popular public television program Rick Steves’ Europe, and for his travel books, syndicated column and weekly radio program. But there’s more to Rick Steves than just a travel guru. Steves recently traveled to Iran, which he called “a mission” to diffuse tensions and build understanding and peace. In this episode of Conversations, Enrique Cerna talks with Steves about his controversial trip to Iran, and how Steves sees himself as more than just a travel writer ever since 9/11. Plus, his outspoken view about legalizing marijuana in America.