By Saturday mornings from 8-10 am
ON IDEAS 89.5 HD3 – For millions of listeners, Bob Edwards is public radio. During his 30 years hosting news programs at NPR, he created a bond with listeners that has no match in public broadcasting. As host of NPR's "Morning Edition" for nearly 25 years, Edwards built the largest weekly audience in morning broadcasting radio or television. Edwards' newest adventure in public radio is "Bob Edwards Weekend," an in-depth interview program that reflects the style of its host. The program's interviews are closer to conversations thought-provoking rather than gratuitously provocative, frank rather than confrontational. And the new format gives Edwards more time to be himself. It's the same understated, calm style listeners are familiar with, but they get to hear a more personal side of Edwards. The interviews reflect his interests, his wry wit, and his sense of humor.
The new format is looser. The length of an interview is determined by its quality, not whether it fits into some pre-determined program segment. Some interviews run twelve minutes, others an hour. This weekly two-hour program features newsmakers, historians, authors, artists, musicians, business leaders, scientists, actors and other folks with something interesting to say. Each hour includes a variety of interviews and sound music, readings and film clips to create solid, compelling radio.
Bob Edwards, a valued and respected journalist, has extraordinary rapport with guests and listeners. He understands that public radio audiences want to hear conversations that are intelligent, entertaining and interesting. Interviews have ranged from Nonagenarian Writer/ Director/ Producer Norman Corwin to comedy writers Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello; from musical collaborators Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopfler to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s lieutenant and speechwriter Clarence Jones; from novelist Cynthia Ozick to cartoonist Jules Feiffer.
The host is backed by an all-star team of producers drawn from six different NPR news programs and three public radio member stations. It's a staff committed to using sound to enhance one's listening experience.
And Edwards travels the country. He flew to Eastern Kentucky to gather tape for an hour long documentary about Mountain Top Removal coal mining; to Santa Fe to talk about current environmental politics with Stewart Udall, the Interior secretary during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations; to the Homegirl Caf in Los Angeles to talk to former gang members and the priest who helps them turn their lives around; and he drove out to the Birchmere Music Hall in Virginia to chat backstage with Australian band The Waifs before their concert.
Edwards is a proven audience builder. He is the only NPR host to anchor two #1 programs his second, "Morning Edition," overtaking his first, "All Things Considered," as the most popular program in all of public radio. He continues to amass listeners for XM Satellite Radio, whose subscriber base doubled from 2.5 million to 5 million in his first year.
"Bob Edwards Weekend" grew out of his love for public radio. He continues to visit stations and supports local fundraising efforts. This new partnership with PRI adds a rich dimension to stations' weekend schedules and will be welcomed enthusiastically by his millions of loyal fans. Learn More