The Colin McEnroe Show

President Trump leaves chaos in his wake. There is chaos in Syria. Turkish artillery fire is targeting the Kurdish-led militia that has been allied with U.S. Special Forces over the last five years in their war against ISIS. Syrians are fleeing their homes, ISIS prisoners are escaping from prisons no longer guarded by the Kurds, and the last U.S. troops pulled out on Sunday. The developing crisis has heightened criticism of President Trump, who agreed to move American troops out of Turkey’s way in a phone call with Turkey’s president last week, despite strong opposition from U.S. military officials and the State Department.  There is chaos surrounding the impeachment inquiry. The White House is threatening to defy subpoenas of documents and witnesses key to the investigation. The president is defending his personal lawyer whose behavior is being investigated and lashing out on Twitter about those who oppose him.  Today, we have two segments. The first will be with a guest on the unfolding crisis in Syria. The second is your phone calls. What are your predictions for what's going to happen in the House impeachment inquiry? Where will we be on January 1? On March 1?  GUEST: Robin Wright - Correspondent for The New Yorker and the author of seven books on the Mideast, most recently, Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World. She’s a joint fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson Center. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joker is director Todd Phillips's modern take on movies like Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. It stars Joaquin Phoenix in the title role in what happens also to be... a Batman movie. It's been called "a gloriously daring and explosive film" and "a movie that borders on genius" but also "bleak and juvenile" and "a movie of a cynicism so vast and pervasive as to render the viewing experience even emptier than its slapdash aesthetic does." And: Toy Story 4 is out on Blu-ray and iTunes and such this week. In its theatrical run, it became the highest-grossing G-rated movie ever made, the fifth-highest-grossing animated movie ever made, and the third-highest-grossing movie of the year so far. And it is "perhaps the bleakest (and most beautiful)" of all the Toy Story movies. Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take: Le Creuset Announces STAR WARS Line of Cookware Raking leaves again this fall? Stop right now Filming the Show: Pardon the Intrusion? Or Punish It?A seized phone. A stopped concert. A text from Rihanna. All are new fuel for a heated debate about theater etiquette in the digital age. Trustworthy and chill: Alex Trebek, we're rooting for you New Dr Pepper and Cream Soda is Coming Soon GUESTS: James Hanley - Co-founder of Cinestudio at Trinity College Irene Papoulis - Teaches writing at Trinity College Pedro Soto - President and CEO of Hygrade Precision Technologies Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 31, 2018, Kristin and Mike Song's 15-year-old son Ethan Song, accidentally shot and killed himself at his friend's house. They were handling a gun they knew was kept in a bedroom closet. The gun was one of three guns owned by the friend's father. They were in a cardboard box inside a tupperware container that was hidden in a bedroom closet. The guns had locks but the keys and ammunition were in the same box.  The son was charged with manslaughter. The dad was not charged. There was a loophole in Connecticut's law. The Song's channeled their grief into political action that led to "Ethan's Law." Today, we talk about how citizens can use their power of self-government to make change happen at a time when so many of us feel powerless. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen Wednesday at 1:00 pm.  Jimmy Webb was possibly the most successful songwriter of the 1960's and 1970's. Classics like "Galveston," "Wichita Lineman," "Up, Up, and Away," and "MacArthur Park," were recorded by hundreds of artists from Glen Campbell to Donna Summer. Webb wrote the songs that others made famous. Colin has wanted to interview Mr. Webb for a very long time, and on September 5, the CMS team made the trek to Glen Cove, New York to meet the musician, and his wife Laura Savini, at a recording studio.  Our adventure was not without adversity. We had to catch a very early ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson and drive across Long Island. A flat tire forced us to miss our ferry back home to Connecticut (and our dinner). It didn't matter though. What we took home from our day were the sweet remains of time spent with friends, great music, and a spectacular sunset.  For the first time in CMS history, we decided to create two shows from our time with Mr. Webb. It was too good to cut. Today, we bring you part two of our two-hour show with Jimmy Webb. Listen to Part One.  GUEST:  Jimmy Webb - Songwriter, pianist, composer, storyteller. He’s won Grammy Awards for his music, lyrics and orchestration. His songs include “Galveston,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “MacArthur Park.” He’s the author of Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting, and his 2017 memoir, The Cake and the Rain. His latest album is Slipcover. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re exploring the world of Barbershop Harmony; from its roots in the African American community to its influence in other genres, Barbershop is an important piece of the puzzle in the American music scene. For many, Barbershop calls to mind old people, singing old songs - but ask any Barbershopper and they’ll tell you nothing can be further from the truth. For them, there is a youthful joy, a sense of family, a love for the music and the performance in a dynamic and empowering setting. And if you let them, they’ll gladly share it with you. So sit back and enjoy the sounds of Barbershop. Hopefully, we’ll ring a few chords along the way.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court begins a new session Monday. It will be the first full term since the more conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh replaced the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. It's shaping up to be one of the most significant sessions in a long time with the potential to significantly limit reproductive and LGBTQ rights, put DACA recipients at risk for deportation, and expand gun rights.  Also this hour: An attorney for the whistle-blower concerned that President Trump's July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posed a national security risk, confirms that he's now representing a second whistle-blower who works in the intelligence community and has first-hand knowledge of the president's actions. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netflix limited series Unbelievable stars Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, and Kaitlyn Dever. It tells the true story of a serial rapist and the investigation that caught him, and it's based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Marshall Project and ProPublica article "An Unbelievable Story of Rape" and the This American Life episode based on that. Other possible topics include: McDreamy, McSteamy, and McConnellCongressional fan fiction is real, it's glorious, and it might be reshaping our political world. Aidy Bryant's SNL Gigglefest Is Chaotic Good Joaquin Phoenix isn't joking around in his awkward Jimmy Kimmel Live interview Joaquin Phoenix and Jimmy Kimmel Play Up the Joker Controversy by Airing Profane "Outtake" Fiona Apple Is Still Calling BullshitThe singer spends most of her time at home, working on a new album. That doesn't mean she's not paying attention. Reese Witherspoon Learning TikTok From Her Son Is The End-All"The Morning Show" star is a hoot as she tries out the short-form video app with her 15-year-old, Deacon Phillippe. No boys allowed: Women-only hotel opens in Spain on dreamy island of Mallorca Snoop Dogg reminds Tekashi 6ix9ine that Martha Stewart didn't snitch on anybody Beer Vendor Accused Of Charging $724 For Two Beers At Dolphins Game A Big Question About Prime Numbers Gets a Partial AnswerThe twin primes conjecture has bedeviled mathematicians for more than a century. Now there's a solution for one version of it. Bill Maher on the perils of political correctness. I Regret To Inform You the Comedians Are Filling Their Big Diapers AgainUh oh, comedians are afraid that woke meanies are censoring all their jokes Curious Kids: Why do old people hate new music? GUESTS: Rebecca Castellani - A writer for The Red Hook Star-Revue Cara McDonough - Freelance writer; you can read her blog at caramcduna.com Carolyn Paine - An actress, comedian, and dancer; founder, director, and choreographer of CONNetic Dance Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October is upon us. Pumpkin spice everything is here. Leaf peeping is just around the corner. Your one slightly odd neighbor has put out his 37 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns. But more than any of that, what October brings with it is October sports. And this year, in Connecticut, that means two things: The Connecticut Sun is in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2005. The best-of-five series, against the Washington Mystics, is tied at one game apiece. Game Three will be at Mohegan Sun on Sunday. And the New York Yankees won 103 games (they're one of four 100-win teams this year) and the American League East pennant. Their Division Series starts Friday night against the Minnesota Twins. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox are -- [checks notes] -- not playing any more games? Can that be right? Huh. That's too bad. Plus, the rules have changed in Mexico's pro baseball league, and American-born players are now allowed. Their stories ring familiar. GUESTS: Joseph Bien-Kahn - Los Angeles-based writer who covers tech, culture, and odd desert things Lindsay Gibbs - Covers the Washington Mystics for The Athletic; co-host of the feminist sports podcast Burn It All Down Frankie Graziano - Reporter for Connecticut Public Radio Eric Stephen - Baseball writer and writer of other things for SB Nation's news desk Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen Tuesday at 1:00 pm. On September 5, our team traveled to Glen Cove, New York to interview legendary songwriter, Jimmy Webb.  The interview has been on our "to do" list for four years, and it was worth every minute of the wait. For the first time in CMS history, we've decided to create two shows from Webb's stories and music. (Part two will be available next Wednesday, October 9.) The day was not without adversity. We had to catch a very early ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson and drive across Long Island to a recording studio near Mr. Webb's home. A flat tire forced us to miss our ferry back home to Connecticut (and our dinner). We were hungry and tired. Yet, the day was special for us all. We bonded, met kind people, and we reveled in Webb's stories and artistry. To cap it off, the late ferry we caught to Connecticut brought us a sunset we would never have seen if our day had gone as planned.   It's funny how adversity can turn into serendipity.     GUESTS: Jimmy Webb - Songwriter, pianist, composer, storyteller. He’s won Grammy Awards for his music, lyrics and orchestration. His songs include “Galveston,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “MacArthur Park.” He’s the author of Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting, and his 2017 memoir, The Cake and the Rain. His latest album is Slipcover. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's show might get a bit dicey. In fact,  it's almost certainly headed for Trouble. And all we can say is Sorry, that's Life! Okay, fine, let's drop the Charades. Today's show is about board games. Is that a big enough Clue? From classics like Monopoly, Candyland, and Scrabble to current megahits like Magic, Gloomhaven, and Dungeons and Dragons, board games have been bringing people together for ages. And in a time full of polarizing issues and digital divides, maybe that's just what we need. This hour, we'll talk with board-game designers and industry experts about the best new titles on the market, what it takes to make a really great game and where the industry is going next. We'll also explore the ancient Chinese game Go, and hear how Google's new AlphaGo program is squaring off against today's top players.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.