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  1. BBC Radio 4
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  3. Americana
  4. 08/11/2009

08/11/2009

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Last broadcast on Sun, 8 Nov 2009, 19:15 on BBC Radio 4.

Synopsis

Americana heads west to sun-soaked Los Angeles. Guest host David Willis is joined by satirist, comedian and commentator Harry Shearer to examine the week's top news through lively discussion, and maybe even a song.

David takes flight with Amelia Earhart, but this Earhart has no record of crashing - she sticks to reporting the traffic over the packed streets of Los Angeles. David rides in the news helicopter with this distant relative of the first lady in flight.

It's a thin line between loving the entertainment world and causing trouble. David Willis tags along with the LA's paparazzi to learn more about the industry and to discuss how much is too much love of the stars - even for Hollywood.

American country music singer Toby Keith visits Americana with songs that embody the spirit of the USA. Keith's music tackles topics from beer, to trucks, to romance, and discusses how politics, too, can become intertwined.

Guest: Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer is a satirist, commentator and actor. He is the voice of a variety of characters on The Simpsons and a fraction of the hair that is Spinal Tap. His most recent album of songs is called Songs of the Bushmen.

Harry Shearer

Guest: Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart is a traffic reporter in Los Angeles, California.

Amelia Earhart's traffic reports

Useful Link: TMZ

"TMZ.com is a celebrity news website which debuted in December 2005, and is a collaboration between AOL and Telepictures Productions, a division of Warner Bros. (all of which are owned by Time Warner)."

tmz.com

Guest: Toby Keith

Country music singer Toby Keith has sold over 25 million albums and has had 19 number one hits. His newest album "American Ride" was released this fall.

Toby Keith

Broadcast

  1. Sun 8 Nov 2009
    19:15

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Duration

30 minutes

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