Today on AirTalk, we take a look at how Biden can secure Latino voters. Also on the show, we review the Democratic National Convention; our FilmWeek critics discuss the weekend's releases; and more.
Recap And Key Takeaways From This Year’s Virtual Democratic National Convention
Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden officially accepted his party’s presidential nomination.
Biden spoke Thursday night from Wilmington, Delaware, as he closed out the fourth and final night of the all-virtual Democratic National Convention. With no physical gathering place, Biden delivered his speech as the Democratic presidential nominee without a cheering crowd, a standing ovation or waves of balloons and confetti breaking over his head. Biden’s been boxed into a more subdued position because of the novel coronavirus that has shocked the U.S. economy and killed over 170,000 Americans.
The virus forced organizers to put on a remote event with delegates and politicians beaming in via video from around the country, zapping the energy from what’s usually a political jamboree. But the event has also given Biden a chance to present a curated vision of his party and principles, showcasing a diverse Democratic coalition and a still-open door to bipartisan governing that many see as a relic of a different Washington.
The theme for Thursday night was “America’s Promise” and the programming includes musical performances by The Chicks, John Legend and Common.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Ron Elving, senior editor and correspondent on the Washington Desk for NPR News; he tweets
Latinos Make Up Largest Non-White Voting Population In 2020. How Can Biden Secure Their Vote?
The Latino population this year makes up the largest non-white voting group, according to Axios. That’s why many political experts say it’s critical for Presidential Nominee Joe Biden to clinch the young Latino vote, which is one of the nation’s fastest growing populations.
According to a recent piece in the Atlantic, Biden can learn from strategies used in Bernie Sanders’ campaign. Sanders handily won over that population in the California primary. The campaign drew on success from coordinated outreach to Latinos, and experts say that will be important for Biden’s success as well. But even if the Dems win the presidency in November, Julian Castro has warned there could be a loss of support in the long run. Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with political experts about the challenges ahead for both presidential candidates and how to secure support from this complex electorate. Do you have thoughts or questions? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Sonja Diaz, the founding executive director of the Latino Policy and Politics Initiative at UCLA, a non partisan think tank; she’s also a practicing civil rights attorney and policy adviser; she tweets
Louis DeSipio, professor of political science and Chicano/Latino studies at UC Irvine
COVID-19 AMA: What We Know About Antibodies, U.S. Expands Flu Shot Access And More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil from UC Irvine’s School of Medicine.
Topics today include:
The CDC chief predicted the COVID-19 deaths would start dropping next week
LA County’s Chief Medical Officer said cases may drop enough that elementary schools could apply for waivers to reopen. How realistic is that prediction?
There was fear that COVID-19 would devastate homeless encampments in L.A., but that hasn’t seemed to happen
What do we know about how coronavirus antibodies work?
In the face of a looming double threat, U.S. expands access for flu shots at pharmacies
Can secondhand smoke carry the coronavirus?
A small study indicates that kids might play a larger role in community spread than previously believed, by having high viral loads while asymptomatic
Guest:
Shruti Gohil, M.D., professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine
FilmWeek: “The One And Only Ivan,” “Tesla,” “Coup 53,” And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Angie Han, Christy Lemire and Charles Soloman review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.
"The One & Only Ivan" on Disney+
"Tesla" at the Mission Tiki Drive-In Theater & VOD (iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube & DirecTV)
"Coup 53" at Laemmle's Virtual Cinema, UCLA Film & TV Archive Virtual Cinema & LA Creative Pro User Group Virtual Cinema
"Words On Bathroom Walls" at The Vineland Drive-In Theater
"Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula" at The Vineland Drive-In Theater
"Cut Throat City" at The Vineland Drive-In Theater
"The 24th" at Laemmle's Virtual Cinema & VOD (iTunes, FandangoNow & Vudu)
"Desert One" at Laemmle's Virtual Cinema & VOD September 4th
Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.
Guests:
Angie Han, film critic for KPCC and deputy entertainment editor at Mashable; she tweets
Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ podcast; she tweets
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
10 Years And A Personal Connection: Director And Writer Discuss What It Took To Make ‘Coup 53’
Director Taghi Amirani wanted to shine a light on Britain’s involvement in the 1953 coup that overthrew then prime minister of Iran, Mohammad Mossadegh. The documentary “Coup 53” released this week on the anniversary of the events. According to the New York Times, British involvement isn’t a secret, and the United State’s involvement has also been acknowledged.
The documentary uses Amirani’s personal connection and desire to track down information to detail the events, capturing the director and writer throughout his work on the investigation. It also uses archival footage that spans across years creating the narrative that leads up to the overthrow. While the film investigates the details of a historic event, it leaves room for dialogue around the existing impacts to today. Larry speaks with Amirani and co-writer Walter Murch about the newly released film, what it took to visually capture the events and how Amirani’s personal connections with Iran and Britain played into the storytelling.
Guests:
Taghi Amirani, director and co-writer of “Coup 53”; he tweets
Walter Murch, co-writer of “Coup 53”
How To Laugh During A Pandemic, Samantha Bee Talks What It’s Like Making Comedy Right Now
We could all use a good laugh right now. Comedian and TV host Samantha Bee included. The pandemic has upended our lives and in times of distress, we look to comedy to help provide us with momentary relief. But with the entertainment industry at a stand still and studios halting their production, it’s been an adjustment for entertainers like Bee to continue trying to make audiences smile.
The comedian’s late night talk show “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” has been operating at Bee’s house, with the host performing the show in her own backyard. When and how to go safely back to normal production is something Bee has been thinking a lot about. But for the time being, audiences are getting used to her show’s change of scenery. John Horn spoke with the comedian about what that change to a “work from home” operation has been like, the need to support POC creatives, and the challenges to making comedy in the midst of a pandemic for the podcast “Hollywood, The Sequel.”
With contributions from John Horn
Guest:
Samantha Bee, comedian and host of “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” on TBS; she tweets