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Alex Cohen profiles designer Paul Frank, who gained fame as the creator of a well-known sock monkey named Julius. Critics are debating whether Julius is a commercial product or a work of art.

Biofuel advocate David Blume talks about common misconceptions about the use of ethanol for fuel, and about his vision for decentralized, community supported ethanol production in the United States.

Rock songs tailored to specific baseball players are just part of the multimedia extravaganza at big-league ballparks these days. Behind the scenes at venues like Baltimore's Oriole Park at Camden Yards are high-tech sound and video productions that aim to keep the athletes -- and their fans -- plugged into the game. Jeffrey Katz reports. (7:12

does to promote his country's products and it's political positions.

NPR's Ted Clark reports on the list of Chinese products that are targeted for heavy tariffs if the Beijing government does not make progress in snuffing out piracy of American movies, music, and software. The list has been tailored to minimize the effect on American consumers.

NPR's David Molpus reports that although diversity training is now fairly commonplace in American companies, a majority of these companies report being dissatisfied with the results of these programs. Some experts in the field say this is partly due to unrealistic expectations, but also because some trainers use inappropriate and counter-productive techniques.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that broadcasters, computer manufacturers and consumer electronic companies have agreed on a standard for future TV and computer screens. This opens the way for the large-scale production and retailing of digital High Definition Television by 1998. HDTV features wide, very sharp, movie-like images on the screen.

For years, liquor companies have conformed to an unwritten moratorium on advertisements for their products on television and radio. But NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that the Seagrams company has decided to defy the ban, insisting the industry's restraint has placed it at a competitive disadvantage to wine and beer companies who regularly buy tv and radio time for their ads.

Noah talks with Bob Dorfman, a sports endorsement expert with Foote, Cone & Belding/San Francisco. They discuss which athletes from the Olympics stand to profit from endorsements, and which could stand a little more polishing before they'll be able to cash in on the lucrative product endorsement trade.

Power shortages in the west are not just affecting California. The governors of Oregon and Washington are asking their residents to cut back on electricity use. The two states are also relaxing environmental standards that have hampered power production - and they're calling on California to do the same. Tom Banse reports from Olympia, Washington.

NPR's Jackie Northam reports on efforts by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall hazardous toys. Twelve items are on the CPSC's dangerous dozen including the Pokemon Ball originally given out by Burger King, and the Skydancer Doll,.and while these toys are no longer on the market, they could still be in consumer homes.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the reissue of the original cast album of the legendary 1954 Theatre de Lys Off-Broadway production of Kurt Weills Threepenny Opera starring Lotte Lenya. Its on the Decca label.

Host Scott Simon reflects on two Broadway productions and what they have to tell us during this holiday season. (2:30)

Fifty years ago, renowned composer Gian Carol Menotti's opera, The Consul, dramatized the plight of people who confront bureaucracy and indifference. A new production is being performed by the Washington Opera. Menotti talks to Robert about his work and what inspires him now, at the age of 89.

NPR's Margot Adler reports on a new play, The Exonerated, which is based on interviews with eleven people on Death Row who barely escaped being executed. The first performance featured ten actors who donated their time to the production, including Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, long-time death penalty opponents.

Member states of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries agree to boost oil output by 1.5 million barrels a day beginning in February. The production increase comes in the wake of ongoing strikes in Venezuela and fears of a possible war in Iraq. Eugen Freund reports.

Researchers in Michigan have observed a protein in mice that blocks the production of fat and creates bigger and stronger bones. The discovery could lead to new treatments for osteoporosis. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

We rebroadcast an interview with late mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt. She had been called the "reigning Handel diva of our day." She appeared in Peter Sellars' productions of Handel and Mozart. This interview originally aired on April 8, 1996.

Soaring energy prices are expected to top the agenda as global finance leaders meet in Washington, D.C., Saturday. President Bush is pressing for increased energy production at home, as well as renewed efforts at conservation and improvements in research.

The dairy industry has funded an ad campaign promoting a connection between eating more dairy products and weight loss. But some researchers are skeptical.