Boomerang! Episodes » history

Episode 32 Featuring Pablo Neruda and Immigration

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:46:01 +0000

Big Talk: Why do parents insist on finishing what they’re doing before they help?… Turning Points: Pablo Neruda was a poet who happened to get involved in international politics. Laura goes back in time to speak with this Chilean wordsmith… On Boom Radio, Clodagh is licking her chops about new software applications…. Dave Schmave tells the story about a doctor who needs a bit of Schmave’s medicine… You never know when you’re going to have to count to ten in French… Immigration laws may decide who becomes our next President. On The Big Idea, Hayley & the King of Complicated Stuff discuss this complex subject and tell the tale of one illegal immigrant… Natalie makes her room REALLY her room on Power-up… Widget and Whack turn to physics to discover what killed Spiderman’s girlfriend.

Episode 30 Featuring Sitting Bull, Spying and Privacy

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:06:32 +0000

Big Talk: Do you drop the hammer on that “special dish”?… Turning Points: Sitting Bull was the last great chief of the buffalo-hunting Sioux. Laura goes back in time to speak with him at the moment of his greatest sorrow … Boom Radio: Word meanings DO change you know, and Clodagh finds this especially interesting… Dave Schmave tells the tale of luck– and confidence…. Widget and Whack explain a law of physics, using as an example the man of steel himself… Freedom, safety, privacy– it’s a complicated world out there these days, and Hayley tries to sort it out on The Big Idea. … News Update: Forget football and baseball— it’s time for badminton … White-tailed deer are some of the most common wild animals. But as Natalie explains, that doesn’t diminish her Natural Wonder.

Episode 29 Featuring George Washington and Is Our History True?

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:01:16 +0000

Big Talk: Why does Mom eat out of the pan in the kitchen?… Turning Points: Laura goes back to speak with Founding Father, Commander in Chief of the first US Military, and first American President, George Washington…. On Boom Radio Clodagh tells of a startling new technical development… Tucker Jones tries to figure out who in the world would secretly GIVE candy to his client… Think you’re smart? Freddie has some Weird Words just for you … Slavery wasn’t so bad as long as you took good care of your property, right? Hayley and the King wrestle with this and other “facts” suggested by American history textbooks… On News Update we discover being silly isn’t really so silly AFTER all… Toby & Gramps are traveling through the land of salmon, lumberjacks and rainforests in western Washington.

Episode 28 Featuring Walt Whitman, Steroids and Ethics

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:44:15 +0000

Big Talk: Does your Mom sing in the car? … Turning Points: In the early 1800s the world had not yet discovered a truly American poet. Laura goes back in time to interview the first real candidate: Walt Whitman…. On Boom Radio Clodagh makes it clear she does NOT have a crack in her windshield… Tucker Jones is on the trail of a stolen car… Getting glabrous? Freddie Finklehammer tells you what that means on Weird Words… As steroid use is rocking baseball, the King of Complicated Stuff & Hayley discuss the role of ethics in the matter… On News Update, Josh wrestles with the question: What is art — and what isn’t? … Toby & Gramps take to the wilderness of Yellowstone Park, despite bluff grizzly charges, buffalo, wolves and… signs.

Episode 27 Featuring Tecumseh and The New China

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:42:27 +0000

Big Talk: Should you let your Dad chaperone a school dance?… Turning Points: You hear of many different Native American tribes fighting to keep their land and way of life. On Turning Points, Laura goes back to 1811 to speak to Tecumseh, a chief who worked to unite ALL tribes as one… Cloe has an idea for “reality” TV on Boom Radio… Dave Schmave tells the story of D-Day through the eyes of a pilot shot down in France… Bartzie Boy takes over for the wandering Freddie Finklehammer on Weird Words… China has always been that country “way over there,” that people didn’t know much about. But there’s a “new” China that will be difficult to ignore as Hayley reports on The Big Idea… News Update: If you like pink we have the restaurant for you… Natural Wonder: They’re slimy, they’re sneaky, and they would love to eat your tomato plants. Other than that, slugs are just regular folks…

Episode 26 Featuring Wright Brothers and Road to Mars II

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:40:35 +0000

Big Talk: Does Mom want my help or NOT?… Turning Points: Orville & Wilbur built and repaired bicycles until they turned their attention to the skies. Laura goes back to interview the Wright brothers… Boom Radio: Yup, it’s time to plan ahead for holiday presents… When Tucker Jones happens upon a poster for a lost caterpillar, his curiosity gets the better of him .. Now We’re Cookin’: Natalie and her French chef sidekick introduce a truly healthful breakfast dish: Gooey Cinammon Toast… Hayley & the King of Complicated Stuff host the THE Big Idea’s second chapter on the exploration of Mars… News Update: Do we act like chimpanzees, or do chimps act like us? … They don’t come along very often. In this issue’s Natural Wonder, Natalie listens to cicadas

Episode 25 Featuring Henry Thoreau and Road to Mars I

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:37:46 +0000

Big Talk: How come Dad always falls asleep 15 minutes into the movie?… Turning Points: Writer, philosopher, naturalist, poet, farmer, bean farmer, surveyor– that’s not even half the goods on this month’s historical interview subject: Henry David Thoreau… Boom Radio’s Ben Jammin’ is a little suspicious about these “learn while you sleep” deals… On Schmave’s Elevator, Dave discovers people don’t come in cardboard cut-outs… THE Big Idea: Hayley & the King of Complicated Stuff weigh the new rush of interest in human exploration of Mars… Power-up: Natalie discovers you get what you give… News Update: Professional athletes are being all they can be — and THEN some… American Journey: Toby gets to play in the mud in a piece of earth that time forgot — Maryland’s Finzel Swamp.

Episode 24 Featuring John Kennedy, Harry Potter, Science and Magic

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:35:07 +0000

Big Talk: Just how bad is Mom’s memory going to get? Turning Points: A sickly boy who went on to become a war hero and president of the United States, Laura talks to John Kennedy… Boom Radio: Ben Jammin’ doesn’t like the idea of these new cell phones… Someone is framing the snowman — or ARE they? Tucker Jones is on the case… Weird Words: Prepare your belly button; Freddie Finklehammer has a new game show for us. … In The Big Idea, Hayley and the King of Complicated Stuff study the connection between magic, science — and Harry Potter… News Update: The King of Sea Monkeys is DEAD! … They’re powerful, large and silent as a ghost. In this issue’s Natural Wonder, Kayla discovers some unusual aspects of the cougar.

Episode 23 Featuring Jules Verne and The Great Pyramid

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:31:54 +0000

Big Talk: Are YOUR parents kind of nosy?… Turning Points: Jules Verne combined adventure with amazing insights into the future. Laura — our new Turning Point interviewer — travels back in time to France to speak with Mr. Verne… Boom Radio: Peaches are on Ben Jammin’s mind this issue… When Tucker’s Mom challenges him to keep his room clean, he runs into an unexpected obstacle… If you turn up your nose at what YOUR folks put on the table, get a load of these dishes from your parents’ childhood…THE Big Idea: The Great Pyramid was an amazing work of engineering. Hayley and King explain not only the mystery behind this ancient wonder, but how it was put together … News Update: Care for some subway music?… American Journey: Gramps and Toby contemplate fairies in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Episode 22 Featuring Woody Guthrie and Buy Now! Free!

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:29:42 +0000

Big Talk: Why does Mom want me to play outside? Turning Points: A lot of people have heard of poet and songwriter, Woody Guthrie, but few know his incredible story. Kelsey goes back in time to 1946 for an interview… Boom Radio: Ben Jammin thinks Hummers are kid stuff …. In News Update, Devin discovers at least one good reason to save a few locks of hair. Hayley ponders the sociable customs of the walrus — all 3,000 pounds of them — in her Natural Wonder…. THE Big Idea: Alicia and the King of Complicated Stuff demonstrate how differently the world is seen by “buyers” and “sellers”… Freddie returns from his yearly vacation in lower Iceland for another game of Weird Words… Schmave’s Elevator: Schmave’s Dad goes on a long trip, annointing him “the man of the house.” Dave figures out what that means — the hard way.