NPR: Playback Podcast

This month we look at July 1983, where show you how to get over your fear of flying. We also hear an interview with the original voice of Snow White, Adriana Caselotti, a guided tour of through Paris, France's Bois de Boulogne, and learn how to make weird mouth noises from Frederick Newman.

It's June 1983 but we look back to the 1960s in this especially retro episode of Playback. We tune in to alien broadcasts, talk with Jack Parr, and commemorate the death of Robert Kennedy. Also in this episode: Sally Ride's historic flight and the Grateful Dead.

It's May 1983 and we're sweating to a radio Disco exercise program, listening to Muddy Waters, and reading the Playboy advice column! We also chat with the Star Wars sound effects guru who earned an Academy Award for bringing lightsabers to life. All that and more...

Spring has sprung in 1983 and NPR's Playback is there for the tryouts for the Morning Edition Orchestra. We'll also have stories about the bombing of a U.S. embassy in Beirut, the fiftieth anniversary of King Kong and NPR's Danny Zwerdling gets down with the language of the streets. All that plus the birth of the original ringtone.

March 1983 springs forth with more stories from the NPR archives including a look at President Reagan's new high tech missile defense program and celebrating the 50th anniversary of FDR's famous fireside chats. Also hear NPR's Ira Flatow discuss a new emerging digital technology for listening to music, AND try out a few new pick up lines from 1983. All that and more...

March 1983 springs forth with more stories from the NPR archives including a look at President Reagan's new high tech missile defense program and celebrating the 50th anniversary of FDR's famous fireside chats. Also hear NPR's Ira Flatow discuss a new emerging digital technology for listening to music, AND try out a few new pick up lines from 1983. All that and more...

It's February 1983 at Playback and we tune in to catch the winners of the Grammy's. We also remember Tennessee Williams who died that month with profile of the American playwright. Plus a report from NPR's Scott Simon about the heated mayoral race in Chicago. All that and more!

Kick off the new year (1983 that is) with a look back at President Reagan's State of the Union address with a special guest appearance by Robert Krulwich and Doreen, the singing mouse. Plus, coincidentally, the birth of Apple computer's first mouse, a farewell to the TV Series MASH and an interview about Randy Newman's album "Trouble in Paradise."

It's October 1982, a time with some scary news: Hear about the fallout after poisoned Tylenol surfaces in Chicago and the subsequent candy scare during Halloween. Also listen to Cokie Robert's report about an emerging political gender gap. Plus interviews with cartoonist Jules Feiffer and funny man Sid Caesar.

We're at the end of another year, closing out 1982 with a look at the stories of November and December: We give a rundown of the year's top headlines. Plus a report predicting global warming, hear about Time Magazine's strange selection for "Man of the Year," and find out if "decades" really matter.

It's October 1982, a time with some scary news: Hear about the fallout after poisoned Tylenol surfaces in Chicago and the subsequent candy scare during Halloween. Also listen to Cokie Robert's report about an emerging political gender gap. Plus interviews with cartoonist Jules Feiffer and funny man Sid Caesar.

1982 rolls along into September where we at Playback look back once more at the developments on the war between Lebanon and Israel. Also, USA Today makes its debut, Grace Kelley and Bullwinkle are remembered, and G.I. Joe and Lois Lane get an '80s update.

It's August 1982 as we get a modern day update on the war in Lebanon from NPR engineer Marty Kurcias. We also take a look back at the life of Henry Fonda who died that month and hear the verdict of a court case that convicted a college student for failing to register with selective service. All that and a star turn from the original valley girl -- Moon Unit Zappa.

What is New Wave and Ska? Do Lifesavers create a spark? Whatever happened to the electric car? This month we take a look back at July 1982 to answer all these questions. All this plus a look at the developing war between Israel and Lebanon, we hear from Maya Lin and speak with a computer.

This month, as we move forward to June 1982 we take a look at the final verdict in the Hinkley trial, see the beginning of the 1982 Lebanon war, and take a look at the Equal Rights Amendment debate. Also director Steven Spielberg talks about a certain extra -terrestrial and we hear a commentary on the emerging micro-computer revolution and its potential for everyday use. All that and more...

May 1982 was a month to remember as NPR's Playback continues to look at the war in the Falklands, get an insight into the disturbing psyche of John Hinckley Jr. and briefly chat with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Plus hear NPR's own Susan Stamberg reflect on a captivating interview...with herself.

It's April 1982 here at Playback where we take a look back at the NPR archives twenty five years. This month we remember the beginnings of Argentina's invasion of the Falklands, Israel's withdrawal from Sinai. We also revisit the legacy of the nuclear age and commemorate Dick Clark and American Bandstand.

Spring has sprung at Playback. It's now March 1982, a month that sees a heroic, yet cautionary NASA shuttle return, filmmaker Robert Altman discusses future home entertainment and NPR's Scott Simon gives us a horrific glimpse at the conflict in El Salvador. All this, plus money falling from the sky!

It's February 1982, and while nothing earth-shattering happened in this truncated month, there was still plenty going on. President Reagan announced his policy on the Caribbean nations, jazz legend Thelonious Monk died, and curious automated machines began appearing that would dispense cash from a bank account. All this, and an illustration of budget policy courtesy of some mice.

It's January 1982 in Playback-land, and the country is buzzing with new communications possibilities. The break-up of Ma Bell; an ill-fated hybrid of electronic and snail mail known as E-COM; and tourism goes high-tech with a talking travel brochure. Tragedy also struck the nation's capital when an airplane plunged into the icy Potomac River.