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AirTalk

AirTalk for August 7, 2015

Republican presidential candidates arrive on stage for the Republican presidential debate on August 6, 2015 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. From left are:  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie;  Florida Sen. Marco Rubio;  retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson; Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker; real estate magnate Donald Trump; former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz; Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul; and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.  AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGAN        (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidates arrive on stage for the Republican presidential debate on August 6, 2015 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. From left are: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; Florida Sen. Marco Rubio; retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson; Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker; real estate magnate Donald Trump; former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz; Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul; and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
(
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
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Listen 1:34:15
Early numbers suggest last night’s Republican debate wasn’t only the most-watched primary debate in history, but might have even garnered twice as large an audience as the record it broke. Also, a new survey released by Metro finds a slight decrease in the number of passengers that have experienced sexual harassment on buses and subways since last spring. Then, Los Angeles plays a role in film and TV, and sometimes is even the star.
Early numbers suggest last night’s Republican debate wasn’t only the most-watched primary debate in history, but might have even garnered twice as large an audience as the record it broke. Also, a new survey released by Metro finds a slight decrease in the number of passengers that have experienced sexual harassment on buses and subways since last spring. Then, Los Angeles plays a role in film and TV, and sometimes is even the star.

Early numbers suggest last night’s Republican debate wasn’t only the most-watched primary debate in history, but might have even garnered twice as large an audience as the record it broke. Also, a new survey released by Metro finds a slight decrease in the number of passengers that have experienced sexual harassment on buses and subways since last spring. Then, Los Angeles plays a role in film and TV, and sometimes is even the star.

Gaffes, zingers, drinking game: Bipartisan operatives weigh in on first GOP debate

Listen 24:11
Gaffes, zingers, drinking game: Bipartisan operatives weigh in on first GOP debate

Early numbers suggest last night’s Republican debate wasn’t only the most-watched primary debate in history, but might have even garnered twice as large an audience as the record it broke.

And by most accounts, the debate did not disappoint. Despite promises to tone down his provocative rhetoric, Donald Trump showed up in true form, refusing to pledge he wouldn’t run as a third party candidate should he lose the Republican nomination, and shooting barbs back at debate moderator Megyn Kelly.

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who had been jettisoned to the so-called “happy Hour” debate, made a primetime appearance and GOP insiders were overall impressed with Ohio governor John Kasich, Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, but public opinion was all over the place.

Who do you think came out on top? What did you think of the debate?

Guests:

Matt Rodriguez, Democratic strategist, Rodriguez Strategies; former senior Obama adviser in 2008. He tweets @RodStrategies

Robert G. de Posada, President of ONE Marketing & Research Inc., a public relations and communications firm in D.C. He is the founder of  the nonprofit, The Latino Coalition, and had served on the National Commission to Save and Strengthen Social Security under George W. Bush. He tweets @rdeposada

One in 14 Metro riders has experienced sexual harassment, new survey finds

Listen 22:32
One in 14 Metro riders has experienced sexual harassment, new survey finds

A new survey released by Metro finds a slight decrease in the number of passengers that have experienced sexual harassment on buses and subways since last spring, the last time riders were polled.

Still, almost one in 14 Metro passengers reported having been fondled or groped, and one in 10 has been subjected to indecent exposure.

The survey was conducted by Metro in May and June. Some 20,000 passengers took part in the the poll.

Guests:

Paul Gonzales, Senior Media Relations Officer, Metro

Genevieve Berrick, founder and site leader of Hollaback L.A., which brings attention to harassment of women in public spaces

Filmweek: 'Fantastic Four,' 'The Gift,' 'Shaun the Sheep Movie,' and more

Listen 33:42
Filmweek: 'Fantastic Four,' 'The Gift,' 'Shaun the Sheep Movie,' and more

It would not be a summer 2015 weekend without another superhero movie. Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Andy Klein, Claudia Puig, and Charles Solomon review this week's releases, including "Fantastic Four," the promising thriller "The Gift," the animated feature "Shaun the Sheep Movie," and more. TGI-Filmweek!

The Best Oscar Performances of All Time

Guest:

Andy Klein, film critic for KPCC and L.A. Times Community Paper Chain

Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and USA today

Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine

Ready for my close up: The evolution of Los Angeles as a character in film and TV

Listen 13:48
Ready for my close up: The evolution of Los Angeles as a character in film and TV

Los Angeles is often referred to as the most photographed city in the world.

It’s the birthplace and home of the film industry and its sprawling landscape, sunny weather, and diverse neighborhoods make it a near perfect backdrop for a movie or TV show.

Yet, maybe more so than any other city, Los Angeles plays a role in film and TV, and sometimes is even the star.

HBO’s original series ‘True Detective,’ features Los Angeles this way, using it not only as a backdrop for a gritty series about crime and corruption, but also as a character in the way the different counties, suburbs, and L.A. neighborhoods interact and coexist. Plenty of films throughout history have featured L.A. in a supporting or starring role...think L.A. Confidential, Double Indemnity, Blade Runner, or even The Big Lebowski.

How has Los Angeles evolved as a character over the course of film and TV history? What are some examples of movies or shows that have best utilized L.A. as a character? What makes L.A. better characterizations or personifications than other cities like New York, Chicago, or Miami?

Guests:

Andy Klein, film critic for KPCC and L.A. Times Community Paper Chain

Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and USA today

Kevin Ferguson, host and creator of Welcome To Vinci, a podcast exploring Southern California with the HBO original series ‘True Detective.’ He’s also a producer and reporter for KPCC’s ‘Off-Ramp’