Today on AirTalk, we break down the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we discuss the potential for AI simulating therapeutic conversations; review the newest movie releases with our KPCC film critics; and more.
COVID-19 AMA: SF To Require Vaccinations Among City Workers, 3 In 5 Californians Have Received At Least One Vaccine And More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Annabelle De St. Maurice from University of California Los Angeles/Mattel Children’s hospital.
Today’s topics include:
San Francisco to mandate vaccinations among city workers
3 in 5 Californians have received at least one vaccine
Concerns of new variant in India
FDA to add warning about heart inflammation to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
99% of LA COVID-19 deaths in the past 6 months were among unvaccinated people
10% of Americans have missed their second dose
Delta variant is driving a third wave across Africa, experts say
53% of health care workers reported at least one mental health condition during COVID-19 pandemic, study shows
Delta variant outbreak in Israel infects vaccinated adults
Poll: What Americans think about getting the vaccine
Guest:
Annabelle De St. Maurice, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics in the division of infectious diseases and the co-chief infection prevention officer at University of California Los Angeles/Mattel Children’s hospital; she tweets
Can An AI Provide Effective Therapy?
Most mental health experts agree that cheaper and more easily available care would be a positive for patients - but what about if that care is provided via AI?
According to reporting in the New York Times, the chatbox app Woebot is attempting to simulate conversations with a therapist, mimicking real conversation and identifying and addressing problematic patterns in a patients’ narrative. Can it be an effective tool? Can AI ever replace therapy, or does therapy by its nature need to be a two-human process?
Guest:
Jess Wright, M.D., a psychiatrist who studies digital forms of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); he is the director of the University of Louisville Depression Center
Cast And Creators Of Bosch Talk Final Season, Series Wrap, And Larry’s Cameo!
The seventh and final season of Amazon's hit streaming series "Bosch" releases today on Prime Video. The police procedural based on author Michael Connelly's character from his many novels, LAPD Homicide Detective Harry Bosch, is a favorite show of Larry Mantle’s not only because of the superb cast and compelling writing, but also because of the diverse, rich portrait of Los Angeles that it paints. Larry’s grandfather, Arnold Hubka, was himself a detective in the Hollywood Robbery and Homicide Division, the same division where the fictional Bosch works, during the 1940s and 50s. So when the creators of the show reached out to me earlier this year and asked me to lend my voice to a scene, Larry jumped at the chance! And in the process, we thought it'd be an opportunity for us to get some of the people behind the show together to reflect on its final season.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll share part of our conversation with the cast and creatives behind “Bosch” to reflect on the show’s final season.
You can watch our full conversation with the cast and creators of “Bosch” here.
Guests:
Amy Aquino, actor; she stars as Lt. Grace Billets
Henrik Bastin, executive producer on Amazon's "Bosch" and executive producer on the upcoming untitled "Bosch" spinoff series on IMDb TV
Michael Connelly, bestselling author and creator of LAPD Detective Hieronymous “Harry” Bosch, the central character in his Bosch series of novels and Amazon’s television adaptation, Bosch; his books include The Black Echo, Blood Work, The Lincoln Lawyer and more
Jamie Hector, actor; he plays Detective Jerry Edgar
Madison Lintz, actor; she plays Maddie Bosch
Titus Welliver, actor and producer; stars as Detective Harry Bosch
FilmWeek: ‘F9:The Fast Saga,’ ‘Summer Of Soul,’ ‘Zola’ And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on-demand platforms.
"F9: The Fast Saga," in wide release
"Summer of Soul, "at El Capitan Theatre June 25-July 6; Hulu on July 2
"Zola," in wide release
"Sweat," at Laemmle’s NoHo 7
"LFG," on HBO Max
"Rebel Hearts," Laemmle’s Glendale; on Discovery+ on June 27
"I Carry You with Me," AMC Sunset 5 (West Hollywood), The Landmark (West LA); Laemmle Playhouse 7 & Town Center 5 on July 2 (additional Laemmle theaters on July 9)
"Fathom," on Apple TV+, Laemmle’s Monica Film Center
"Wolfgang," on Disney+
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:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC, film writer for The New York Times and host of the podcast ‘Unspooled’ and the podcast miniseries “Zoom”; she tweets
Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ podcast; she tweets
Questlove On His Directorial Debut “Summer Of Soul” And The Significance Of The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival
The 1960s was a decade that held a lot of historical markers for American history. For the Black community, social inequality and systemic racism lead to political action in many different forms.
The end of the decade saw the death of many integral leaders to the civil rights movement, which led to more civil unrest and mourning. One way this community was able to get through this moment in history was through the power of music. The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival was a special moment in musical and Black history that was all a product of the other 8 years prior to it.
It’s a historical marker for Harlem that Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s film “Summer of Soul” depicts in-depth, bringing this story to life using archival footage and interviews. The Harlem Cultural Festival took place for 6 weeks, having some of the greatest Black musical acts the world has ever seen. Through this communal experience, attendees found themselves at ease with artists like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and the 5th Dimension bringing this community of Harlem residents together.
Today on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson about his feature directorial debut, “Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” and its chronicling of a major point in African American history.
Guest:
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, director of the documentary “Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” drummer for The Roots and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon; he tweets