Barbie

Hold the chocolates and roses. Eleni Mandell’s love songs skew way more bitter than sweet. Listeners share their haiku on the failing economy. And after decades of drastic haircuts and career changes, the Barbie doll turns fifty.

This week, Kurt heads to a dog park and learns how to take the perfect pet portrait. Plus, the story behind “Share A Smile Becky,” Mattel’s attempt at creating a Barbie doll that used a wheelchair. And Carter Burwell, who scored the music for films by directors including Sidney Lumet and the Coen Brothers, defines the lexicon of film composers.