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17/05/2010

Bailing out the banks, American minimalism, a new TV series on white supremacists, and the presidential grape. Presented by Matt Frei.

Americana, presented by Matt Frei from Washington DC.

So Wall Street needs new rules: This week Matt hears from Elizabeth Warren, Gottlieb Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. She's devoted much of the past three decades to studying the economics of middle class families. Now she talks about her achievements as chair of the five-member Congressional Oversight Panel created to oversee the implementation of the $700 billion bank bailout.

Also - one of America's most celebrated composers John Adams joins us. The master of the minimalist, he makes the case for leaving popular culture at the door.

Director Neil N. LaBute is with us too - perhaps best known for films like The Shape of Things, Death at a Funeral and In the Company of Men. On Americana he reveals what reactions he hopes to provoke with his latest project; a TV series about white supremacists.

And the food critic Todd Kliman pops the cork on America's best keep vineal secret. Once the favourite tipple of Presidents and the envy of European vintners, the Norton grape is coming back at last, albeit quietly.

Our email is americana@bbc.co.uk
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28 minutes

Last on

Tue 18 May 2010 03:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 17 May 2010 11:32GMT
  • Mon 17 May 2010 15:32GMT
  • Mon 17 May 2010 23:32GMT
  • Tue 18 May 2010 03:32GMT