A Media Company Used A.I. To Bring The Late George Carlin Back For A Comedy Special – Now, His Family Is Suing
The estate of George Carlin is suing the media company behind a fake hour long comedy special that purportedly uses artificial intelligence to recreate the late standup comic’s style and material. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday asks that a judge order the podcast outlet Dudesy to immediately take down the audio special, “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,” in which a synthesis of Carlin delivers commentary on current events. Carlin died in 2008. Carlin’s daughter, Kelly Carlin, said in a statement that the work is “a poorly-executed facsimile cobbled together by unscrupulous individuals to capitalize on the extraordinary goodwill my father established with his adoring fanbase.” The lawsuit is among the first in what is likely to be an increasing number of major legal moves made to fight the regenerated use of celebrity images and likenesses. The AI issue was a major sticking point in the resolution of last year’s Hollywood writers and actors strikes. Joining us today on AirTalk to discuss this case and its broader implications is entertainment and technology attorney at Feig/Finkel, Jonathan Handel.
With files from the Associated Press.
It’s Okay To Say ‘No’ To People. The World Won’t End. Even Research Says
When you don’t want to go to that party, when you don’t want to go to the movies with a friend, when you’d rather be doing anything else, why is it so hard to say no? Most of us are probably worried about a fall out with a friend or family member. But even research finds that saying no to a social event likely doesn’t bear the negative consequences we think it will. Joining us to discuss is Colleen Kirk, associate professor of marketing at the New York Institute of Technology and co-author of a recent study looking at the ramifications of saying no to social invitations, and Sharon Martin, licensed therapist and counselor who focuses on people-pleasing, perfectionism and overthinking. We also want to hear from you. Do you have trouble saying no? Share your story by calling 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
Today’s Special: The Art Of Restaurant Menus
If restaurants are a kind of theater, menus are the script. Beyond just a list of items and how much they cost, they tell the story of the restaurant before any food hits a patron’s taste buds. By interpreting menu design choices–placement of dishes, how they’re categorized, aesthetics–diners know exactly what kind of establishment they’re patronizing, and the scene is set for their meal. Intentional menu design also benefits restaurants by nudging customers to make certain choices (market-price ribeye for two, anyone?). So, what are the current menu trends? And what do they say about how we eat today? Joining us to talk menus is Alison Pearlman, professor of art history at Cal Poly Pomona and author of May We Suggest: Restaurant Menus and the Art of Persuasion.
New Study Finds Your Favorite Coffee Isn’t Genetically Different Than Your Most Hated
People will tend to find that their favorite cup of coffee is considered more quality than their most hated— but what really separates the beans that make either of those pours? According to a new study published by Nature… not much. A group of researchers found that arabica coffee beans, the ones most Americans use to make their caffeinated bean water, has very little variation in the way of genetics. So what does that mean? Well, it means that most of the quality differences happens after a coffee plant is capable of making those beans.
To help us understand some of the science behind arabica coffee’s development, and also understand what goes into making it seem different after, we’ve got some coffee savants. Today on AirTalk, Austin Cross talks to Santos Barrera, plant breeding and genomics expert and research scientist for World Coffee Research, and Larry Jones, co-owner of Jones Coffee Roasters.
FilmWeek: ‘The Greatest Night In Pop,’ ‘The Underdoggs,’ Sundance Updates And More
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Wade Major and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms; Los Angeles Times and NPR’s “Fresh Air” film critic Justin Chang updates us on Sundance films to look out for and more:
“The Greatest Night In Pop” Streaming On Netflix Jan. 29th
“Sometimes I Think About Dying” AMC The Grove 14 | Expands To Select Theaters Feb. 2nd
“Under The Fig Trees” Available On VOD
“Behind The Haystacks” Streaming on Film Movement Plus
“Badland Hunters” Streaming On Netflix
“The Underdoggs” Streaming On Amazon Prime
FilmWeek Feature: Larry Mantle Interviews The Trio Of Directors For 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse'
The animated film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” continues the story of Miles Morales as he tirelessly balances home life and high school alongside his secret life as Spider-Man. In Across the Spider-Verse, Morales finds himself once again caught up in a multidimensional struggle, this time encountering a team of Spider-People in charge of overseeing and stabilizing the multiverse. Today on FilmWeek, Larry sits down with all three co-directors (Justin K. Thompson, Kemp Powers and Joaquim Dos Santos) to talk about the meaning of an Oscar Nomination, how they leaned into their individual talents for the film, and what’s next for them.
