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From coast to coast, an insider's guide to the stories and people shaping the USA today

From coast to coast, an insider's guide to the stories and people shaping the USA today.

Americana: 18/04/2011

18/04/2011

BBC World Service - Americana, 18/04/2011

As US companies celebrate record growth, Matt Frei examines the gap between rich and poor

As US companies celebrate record growth, Matt Frei examines the gap between rich and poor.

Wall Street may be booming and businesses are now reporting the fastest growth in profits for almost 60 years, but while their CEOs pocket stock options and salary increase - they aren't hiring more workers. On Main Street, unemployment is rife. Americana explores the ever-widening gap between nation's rich and poor. 

One year on since the start of the BP disaster, the oil may have dissipated but the tough times for Louisiana continue. Musician Tab Benoit talks to Americana from the edge of bayou. 

And director Morgan Spurlock, famous for his criticism of the fast food industry in the film Super Size Me, talks about his newest work, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, which is entirely funded by product placement. Americana explores the value and place that commercial advertising have in the US today.

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