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The Final Day Robert MacNeil Hosts "The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour."

Television anchor and author Robert MacNeil. He steps down tonight as co-anchor of the PBS news show The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour. Terry talked with him this week. We'll hear that interview and one from 1989. His books include, Wordstruck, a memoir that explores the roots of MacNeil's fascination with language and the best-selling The Story of English. (Contains excerpt of MacNeil's March 14, 1989 interview).

22:06
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Other segments from the episode on October 20, 1995

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, October 20, 1995: Interview with Robert MacNeil; Interview with David Brinkley; Interview with Walter Cronkite; Review of the film "Get Shorty."
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14:51

From the Archives: David Brinkley Discusses His Career and New Book.

Veteran TV journalist David Brinkley. His book, Washington Goes to War, was a surprise best-seller. The book, based on Brinkley's personal experiences and reflections, told the story of Washington in the early 40s, and how both the government and town itself were transformed by the responsibilities thrust on them as a result of the war. (REBROADCAST from 7/6/89). Brinkley has a new book: David Brinkley: A Memoir (Knopf).

Interview
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05:55

From the Archives: Journalist Walter Cronkite.

Journalist and former anchor of the CBS News, Walter Cronkite. Cronkite worked at CBS News for 31 years. This interview took place in 1993 after his documentary "The Faltering Dream," in which he interviewed notable black leaders including Reverend Jesse Jackson and Spike Lee about race relations. (REBROADCAST from 10/12/93)

Interview

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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The False Crisis of Poor Enunciation

Linguist Geoff Nunberg says that the attention paid to how people talk says more about class status and regionalism than a decline in effective communication. He explains.

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A "Wordstruck" Journalist's New Memoir

Robert MacNeil hosts the Newshour program with Jim Lehrer. His latest book is about how his childhood experiences led him to a career in the news, and the importance of language and diction in his professional life.

Interview

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