A new report reveals that Russian officials were systematically doping over 1,000 athletes for the Olympic Games; the latest on the impeachment of South Korea’s president; 30 years later, we revisit CA’s warning labels – do they actually make a difference?; plus, Larry and KPCC film critics review ‘La La Land,’ ‘Office Christmas Party’ and other recent movie releases. TGI-FilmWeek!
New report shows doping institutional and systemic among Russian athletes
The Russian state government conspired with thousands of athletes and coaches to undertake a doping program in the Olympic games, according to a latest report.
The research, commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, is an update to the initial discovery of doping in July earlier this year. What the latest round of investigation found is abuse of performance enhancing drugs on an unprecedented scale. “A systematic and centralized cover-up” served over a 1000 athletes, stated Canadian investigator Richard McLaren. Over 30 sports, including football, were affected.
What will happen to the gold medals now if the athletes are found guilty of doping? What mechanism is really in place for international anti-doping agencies to police individual states? How did the institutional agenda assist the sportsmen and vice versa?
Host Larry Mantle checks in with Ed Hula, editor in chief of Around the Rings, and Dr. John Gleaves, professor in Kinesiology at Cal State Fullerton, on the latest with regard to the doping scandal in the Olympic games.
Guests:
Ed Hula, editor in chief of Around the Rings, a publication devoted to covering the Olympics
John Gleaves, assistant professor in Kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton. He specializes in the history and sociology of performance enhancing drugs in sports.
Asia Round-up: South Korea’s president impeached, Trump taps China ambassador
After months of corruption scandals, South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye has been impeached Friday, with a final vote of 234-56 in the National Assembly, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn will replace her, and has called a meeting of security officials Friday, promising to stand strong on any potential threat from their northern neighbors. We dive into the impeachment and discuss what’s next for South Korea, with Tufts Professor of Korean Studies, Sung Yoon Lee.
Meanwhile, Trump tapped Iowa governor Terry Branstad as ambassador to China. According to the New York Times, Branstad has called China’s president Xi Jinping an “old friend” – and Branstad’s new role may signal a friendlier U.S.-China relationship. Host Larry Mantle explores the possibilities with Clayton Dube, director of the USC U.S.-China Institute.
Guests:
Sung Yoon Lee, an expert on the Koreas, and a professor in Korean Studies at Tufts University
Clayton Dube, director of the USC U.S.-China Institute
Debating the effectiveness of Prop 65, CA’s cancer warning labels law, 30 years later
In California, the passage of “The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986” -- also popularly known as Prop 65 -- ushered in an era of product warning labelling for chemicals that could cause cancer or birth defects.
Critics have argued that the law, passed in the form of a ballot measure, too loose and general, but proponents argue that the law ensures transparency and empower consumers.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Harvard and Vanderbilt University argues that warning labels aren’t effective because of how ubiquitous they have become. They go on to say that consumers simply skip over them.
Thirty years after its passage, AirTalk debates the efficacy of Prop 65.
What do you think? Have you changed your purchasing decision because of a product warning label?
Guests:
David Roe, a former attorney at the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund who helped wrote the The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Prop 65
Kevin Haroff, San Francisco Managing Partner of Marten Law, LLC, a law firm specializing in environmental laws. He has represented companies in Prop 65 compliance and enforcement since the law went into effect
FilmWeek: ‘La La Land,’ ‘Office Christmas Party’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson and Peter Rainer review this week’s new movie releases including the LA-set musical, “La La Land;” an ensemble set of comic actors, such as Kate McKinnon and Jason Bateman, star in “Office Christmas Party,” a psychosexual noir romance called “Frank & Lola” with Michael Shannon and Imogen Poots; and more.
TGI-FilmWeek!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kao3t0NBMU
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Peter's Hits
- "La La Land"
- "Land of Mine"
- "Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America"
- "Harry Benson: Shoot First"
Amy's Hits
Mixed Reviews
- Amy: "La La Land," "Office Christmas Party," "808"
- Amy & Peter: "The Founder," "The Brand New Testament," "I Am Not Your Negro"
This Week's Misses
- Amy & Peter: "Frank & Lola"
Guests:
Peter Rainer, Film Critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Amy Nicholson, Film Critic for KPCC and Chief Film Critic, MTV News; she tweets
Love on the silver screen: A look at some of film’s most iconic on-screen couples
Damien Chazelle’s new film "La La Land" releases this weekend and tells the story of a struggling actress in Hollywood who falls for a jazz pianist and how their respective career successes interfere with their love affair.
Whether or not Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s performances as Sebastian and Mia will be remembered amongst the most iconic on-screen couples of all time remains to be seen. But it got us thinking about which ones already fall under that umbrella.
Pulling off an on-screen relationship takes more than good acting. It’s about the chemistry between the actors involved and how that chemistry translates into each actor’s portrayal of his or her character. Maybe it’s a tale of a hopeless romantic like Nick Cage’s Ronny Cammareri trying to prove his love to the traditional (and engaged to his brother) Loretta Castorini, played by Cher, in the 1987 classic "Moonstruck." Or maybe it’s the match-made-in-heaven chemistry seen between Nick and Nora Charles, played by William Powell and Myrna Loy in "The Thin Man" movies from the 1930s. And who could forget the story of star-crossed lovers whose love conquers class and culture in James Cameron’s 1997 film "Titanic."
Who are your favorite on-screen couples of all time? What made them memorable?
Guests:
Peter Rainer, Film Critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Amy Nicholson, Film Critic for KPCC and Chief Film Critic, MTV News; she tweets