Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'embarrassment'

For Chicago's Second City, Scandal Is A Gift

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

The Blagojevich scandal was embarrassing to most people in Illinois — but for Chicago comedy institution Second City, it was an embarrassment of riches.

Amid Affair Claims, Democrat Denies Breaking Law

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:19:00 EDT

Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) has admitted to causing "embarrassment and heartache" in his marriage but denied paying hush money to a former aide to be quiet about an affair. Mahoney won his seat because of sex allegations surrounding Republican Rep. Mark Foley.

In Vice Presidential Debates, Some Lessons

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:38:00 EDT

Some vice presidential debates — like 1988 — have been memorable, others — like 1992 — embarrassing. But all have produced lessons that may apply as Sarah Palin and Joe Biden get ready for their debate on Thursday.

A Filmmaker's Excruciating Return To Adolescence

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:16:00 EDT

One of the worst fears of adolescence is throwing a party that no one attends. This actually happened to director Paul Weiland, who was left alone at his Bar Mitzvah because of the 1966 World Cup. Now, Weiland recreates his embarrassment for the amusement of others in his new movie Sixty Six.

How To Avoid A Hot Mic Disaster

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EDT

It happens again and again; a politician, celebrity or TV anchor wearing a microphone says something embarrassing, followed shortly by, "Oh, is this thing on?" Our resident humorist takes on "hot mic" disasters.

China Trains Cheerleaders To Rally The Masses

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:43:00 EDT

The Chinese government is training 300,000 cheerleaders in the hopes that their peppy slogans will drown out any embarrassing lapses in sportsmanship at the Beijing Olympics. Still, such conformist cheerleading invites comparison to China's mass campaigns of the past.

The Naked Nirvana Baby, 17 Years Later

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:21:00 EDT

Before he was old enough to say "embarrassing," millions of people saw Spencer Elden in his birthday suit on the cover of Nevermind. Now a teenager, he's trying to make sense of his very public image.

Tough Moments On The Campaign Trail

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain both found themselves at an embarrassing loss for words this week. Obama's problems came at a Wednesday night fundraiser, while McCain had to field a question about Viagra.

Sedaris, Bares Body and Soul in 'Engulfed'

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:33:00 EDT

Whether he's lancing boils, getting crabs from thrift store pants or sitting in a hospital waiting room dressed only in his underwear, one thing is clear: David Sedaris is not shy about sharing embarrassing, cringe-worthy moments.

Gates Forces Out Air Force Chiefs

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has obtained the resignations of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley and Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne. The move follows a series of embarrassments.

Sundance Takes on Online Video

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:00:00 EDT

If anyone has the creativity to make eye-grabbing content for online video, it ought to be the Sundance Channel and the Independent Film Channel. And yet TV critic Andrew Wallenstein says their first efforts online are kind of embarrassing.

An Embarrassment for McCain

Mon, 19 May 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving discusses the latest reverend problems and other bumpy matters. Then, he explores what we can expect from Democratic primaries in Oregon and Kentucky.

Mexican Police, Politicians Unite after Drug Shooting

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:00:00 EDT

After a shootout left 13 people dead over the weekend, Mexican officials in Tijuana — just across the border from San Diego — announced Tuesday that they're cracking down on drug cartels. It was a massive show of force among police, military and elected officials after the brutal killings — and after an embarrassing letter alleged law enforcement is rife with corruption. Amy Isackson reports from member station KPBS.

Homework: Cross-Cultural Blunders

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:05:00 EDT

Everyone's had those moments when learning a new language where they mean to say one thing, but say something completely different. Listeners share their most embarrassing foreign language flubs.

Locals Battle About Remaking Key West's Image

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Duval Street in Key West is famous for its open-air bars, strip clubs and raunchy T-shirt shops. As the city has gone more upscale in recent years, some residents and business owners are embarrassed by the seedy, beer-soaked main drag. But can you clean up the street without sacrificing its end-of-the-road, anything-goes appeal?

Heathrow's New Terminal a National Joke

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:16:00 EDT

One week after it opened, Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 is cause for deep embarrassment for British Airways and the London Airport's owners. Flights are still delayed, and thousands of passengers are still without their luggage, making the terminal a national joke.

Trader Sues Over 'Serious Injuries' from Lap Dance

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:00:00 EDT

This might be a case for Eliot Spitzer, attorney at law. The ex-governor is parodied on Saturday Night Live, announcing that he's going into private practice and specializing in embarrassing lawsuits over sex. But this is a real case in New York: Securities trader Stephen Chang filed a lawsuit over a lap dance. He says the woman swung around and hit him with the heel of her shoe. He says he suffered "serious injuries" when the heel poked his eye.

National Security Immunity Sought for Phone Firms

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:30:00 EST

Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell says phone companies that cooperated with government eavesdropping programs after the Sept. 11 attacks deserve retroactive immunity from civil rights lawsuits. But is the Bush administration, which is pressing Congress to extend the immunity, simply trying to avoid embarrassing disclosures?

New 'Letters from Mississippi' Addresses Omissions

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:23:00 EDT

The 1965 book documented the experiences of volunteers who registered black voters in so-called freedom schools in the summer of 1964. It was dismissed by many of the volunteers who were embarrassed that it included the experiences of white volunteers only.

Chinese Embarrassed by License Plates

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:37:00 EDT

U.S. car owners add vanity plates to their new wheels but motorists in China want some things off their new plates. The new license plates use the initials "WC," the same as "Water Closet." That was the delicate word for "toilet" in Victorian England.

Secretary Rice Won't Take Chances on Ice

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:42:00 EDT

The U.S. and Russia may not have found common ground on America's proposed anti-missile defense system. But at least there were no embarrassing ice skating mishaps for America's top diplomat. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice declined a chance to show off her ice skating prowess.

Football Season Is Off to a Busy, Troubled Start

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:46:00 EDT

Peyton Manning led the Indianapolis Colts to a win last night against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL's first regular season game of the year. Wall Street Journal sportswriter Stefan Fatsis says that's a welcome distraction for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who has had to deal with a string of incidents that have embarrassed the league: assaults, gun charges, DUIs, and of course, dogfighting. Fatsis also comments on what some are calling the greatest upset of all time, last week's Appalachian State-Michigan game, which has led the Associated Press to include lower-division schools in its ranking poll.

Candidates Return Tainted Campaign Funds

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:00:00 EDT

Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton and a slew of other prominent Democrats are returning campaign contributions from Norman Hsu, a man wanted in California for failing to appear for sentencing on a 1991 grand theft charge. It's not the first time a candidate has been embarrassed by a tainted contributor.

Safety Agency: Importers Must Meet U.S. Standards

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:21:00 EDT

Mattel is the latest company to be embarrassed by defective products from China. It recalled toys with lead paint and small magnets children could swallow. Nancy Nord, acting chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, talks with Renee Montagne.

Sharing Private Shame for Public Laughs

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 08:00:00 EDT

Across the world, people are digging out old diaries and journals and reading the embarrassing bits out loud in public. The trend started in Brooklyn, where the aptly named "cringe readings" are still going strong.