Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'faux'

Web Site Helps Prevent Sartorial Faux Pas

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST

The Web rises to solve yet another social nightmare — the horror of showing up at a formal event and seeing someone else wearing the same dress. Andrew Jones, co-founder of dressregistry.com, talks about how his site works.

Cajun Carols: New Orleans Christmas Jazz

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:08:00 EST

In New Orleans, December brings only faux snow, so Papa Noel packs his presents on a pirogue pulled by alligators. Feux de Joie bonfires are lit along the Mississippi River to light his way to the bayous. Papa might not have a stereo on board, but if he does, you might hear a few of these Cajun carols around the Crescent City area.

Framingham State's 'Blah' Fundraising Faux Pax

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EDT

A recent fundraising attempt by one Massachusetts college tried humor, but went over poorly. The letter from Framingham State College read: "With the recent economic downturn and loan crisis, it has become even more important for Framingham State College to receive your support. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah." The school has since apologized to insulted alums.

Original Fashion Police, Mr. Blackwell Dies At 86

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:32:00 EDT

Before the fashion police were everywhere, there was only one: Mr. Blackwell. He began his annual worst-dressed list back in 1960 — targeting the fashion faux pas of the famous. Mr. Blackwell castigated Britney Spears for her "bra-topped collection of Madonna rejects." And for Bjork: "She dances in the dark — and dresses there, too." Still, he said he admired the celebrities on his list. Richard Blackwell was 86, when he died Sunday in Los Angeles.

Princeton Honors Colbert for 'Understandable Vanity'

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Princeton University awarded "The Great Princeton Class of 2008 Understandable Vanity Award" to Stephen Colbert. In accepting the honor, the faux conservative Comedy Central host told graduates that while they may want to change the world, "Please don't do that, OK? Some of us like the way things are going now."

Writers Respond to a 'Faux Memoir' of Gang Life

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:24:00 EDT

Writers respond to the revelation that a memoir describing a woman's childhood as a half-white, half-Native-American girl on the streets of South Central Los Angeles was actually written by a white girl from an affluent suburb.

Clinton Pokes Fun at Campaign Reporters

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:43:00 EST

Hillary Clinton welcomed reporters onboard her campaign plane with a faux flight attendant speech. She began: FAA regulations prohibit the use of any cell phones or wireless devices that may be used to transmit a negative story about me.

Guys are Beefing Up for Halloween

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:15:00 EDT

"Muscle" costumes are a new development in Halloween fashion. While girls have been accused of tarting it up for years, boys and men are now looking for less scary, more beefy outfits that let them flaunt faux superhero bodies.

Chicago Chef Offers 'Faux Gras'

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 18:12:00 EDT

Chicago's city council famously barred foie gras from the city's tables last summer, on the grounds that it is cruel to force feed geese or ducks. As several other states consider banning the fatty delicacy, Chicago chef Tony Mantuano has come up with an alternative.

Puppy Bowl Offers Paws in the Action

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 06:35:00 EST

TV watchers had many Super Bowl alternatives, but none cuter than Animal Planet's 3rd Annual Puppy Bowl. For three hours, puppies tumbled around a football-themed playroom with faux commentary from a deep-voiced announcer.

The Super Bowl: Much More than a Game

Sat, 03 Feb 2007 17:21:00 EST

There's just one day left before the faux American holiday that comes at the end of every football season: the Super Bowl.

The Cake Lady: Welcome at the Office

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:24:00 EDT

Every Monday, Melissa Gray bakes a different cake for her colleagues at NPR. That's nearly 40 confections in nine months, with no repeats, no mixes, no margarine, no low-fat sour cream, no faux sugar. She shares what she's learned.

The Minds Behind 'Brothers of the Head'

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 17:06:00 EDT

The new film Brothers of the Head tells the story of conjoined twins who become rock stars in mid-1970's England. The faux-documentary project is the work of Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe, the two directors who made Lost in La Mancha, the acclaimed documentary about Terry Gilliam's failed attempt to film, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.

Oh No! A Faux Van Gogh...

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 16:28:00 EDT

For decades, visitors to Australia's National Gallery of Victoria have admired the Dutch artist's "Portrait of a Man." But Dr. Frank Whitford is one of the art critics who believe the painting is a fake.

The Rules for Wearing White Pants

Fri, 22 Jul 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Fashion contributor Najwa Moses looks at a popular summer fashion -- and possible summer faux pas: white pants. She shares tips for what to shop for, depending on your body type.

Faux French Rock with Les Sans Culottes

Sat, 02 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EST

A French-style '60s band has taken New York by storm. But most of the members of Les Sans Culottes are Americans. Their act is a musical takeoff on the French pop music of an era far more famous in America for the British invasion led by The Beatles.