After Sen. Al Franken was accused of sexual harassment, many Democrats are struggling with the same dilemma Republicans face regarding Roy Moore: follow ethics and call for his resignation, or support him because he’ll vouch for their values in office? We also review this week’s releases on FilmWeek; are smart toys changing how children interact with humans?; and more.
Should Franken and Moore be ousted? Accountability, personal values and the most pragmatic path forward
After being accused of sexual harassment by radio anchor Leeann Tweeden, Democratic Minnesota Senator Al Franken issued two apologies, admitting to his behavior and calling for an ethics investigation into his own conduct.
Many on the left say this isn’t enough and are calling on Franken to resign from office. This New York Times op-ed contends that if Franken doesn’t resign, other women who’ve faced sexual harassment might hesitate to come forward and that democrats must keep riding the current movement for accountability.
Others are defending Franken for his track record on women’s issues, saying calling for his resignation wouldn’t be politically pragmatic and would set a bad precedent for future democratic politicians whose misconduct comes to light. In this Washington Post op-ed, the author argues that it’s better to create a pathway to reform and keep a liberal in office than to oust them and leave a gap for a Republican who would vote against women’s interests.
Meanwhile Republican Roy Moore is denying mounting allegations of sexual harassment and assault of minors against a background of mixed GOP reactions, ranging from calls for him to drop out of the U.S. senate race by GOP leaders such as Mitch McConnell and continued support from the Alabama Republican Party.
While these are different situations with different facts, both Moore and Franken present a pragmatic challenge to their respective parties – to remove them from their political positions or to keep them in power so they can continue representing their respective party values; personal values versus political ones.
So what is to the greater benefit to each party? What will this mean for the national conversation about accountability for sexual harassers? And which is the more pragmatic route?
Guest:
Jessica Taylor, lead digital political reporter for NPR in DC who’s been following the story
They’re alive! Are smart toys changing how children interact with humans?
It’s cute when a kid asks, “Alexa, did you farted?,” but as the realm of smart technology quickly evolves from household voice assistants to tangible, intelligent toys, how should we monitor children’s relationship with AI?
Take Cozmo for example. The tiny and adorable Wall-E-esque robot created by Anki can recognize your child’s face and respond with gleeful eyes to make them (and you) feel warm and fuzzy inside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVLFyTTdTPk
The built-in “emotion engine” also allows it to adapt and respond to its surroundings with a range of reactions, including boredom, frustration and anger – you don’t want to drop him.
So it’s no surprise that children quickly develop a deep sense of attachment and emotional responsibility for their smart robots, transcending conventional ties to a stuffed bear or favorite video game. But how authentic are these connections? And if more of their attention continues to divert towards technology, how can parents ensure real human relationships are still formed throughout childhood?
We speak with two experts on children’s interactions with artificial intelligence.
Guests:
Sandra Calvert, professor of psychology at Georgetown University and director of the Children’s Digital Media Center
Stefania Druga, research assistant at MIT Media Lab, which studies interactions between humans and technology; she was the lead author of the MIT study “‘Hey Google is it OK if I eat you?’ Initial Explorations in Child-Agent Interaction”
FilmWeek: ‘Justice League,’ ‘The Star,’ ‘Wonder’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Lael Loewenstein, Tim Cogshell, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases including:
- "Justice League" in wide release
- "The Star" in wide release
- "Wonder" in wide release
- "Mudbound" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center, Laemmle's NoHo, The Landmark and on Netflix
- "The Breadwinner" at the Nuart Theatre
- "Roman J. Israel, Esq." at AMC Century City and ArcLight Hollywood
- "The Divine Order" at Laemmle's Playhouse and Laemmle's Royal
- "Wait For Your Laugh" at Laemmle's Royal, Laemmle's Town Center and The Egyptian (Saturday night's showing at The Egyptian will be followed by a discussion with director Jason Wise, Dick van Dyke and Dan Harmon)
Critics' Hits
Tim: "Mudbound" & "The Divine Order"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xucHiOAa8Rs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMArK-cowTs
Lael: "The Breadwinner," "Mudbound" & "The Divine Order"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAuX-paLc20
Charles: "The Breadwinner"
Mixed Feelings
Tim: "Roman J. Israel, Esq."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CItEtnp3nPY
Lael: "Justice League" & "Wonder"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9-DM9uBtVI
Charles: "Wait For Your Laugh"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHrXsf-Z3dw
Misses!
Lael & Charles: "The Star"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NjvYZtwk00
Guests:
Lael Loewenstein, KPCC film critic
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
From Vaudeville to Dick Van Dyke and beyond, Rose Marie reflects on her prolific career in new documentary ‘Wait For Your Laugh’
Before Barbara, Cher, Liza, Madonna, or Beyoncé, Rose Marie was the original single-name star.
Pretty much since she could walk, Rose Marie Mazetta has been in the spotlight. From starring in early talking films under the name “Baby Rose Marie” at age 3, to a brief run on Broadway, to her iconic work on shows like The Doris Day Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show, her career in show business has spanned almost 90 years and nearly every medium there is.
In his new documentary ‘Wait For Your Laugh,’ director Jason Wise takes us on the almost nine decade journey that is Rose Marie’s career, covering her rise to fame, how she came to be known by only her first name and what it was like being a woman in a male-dominated industry. Though biographical, the film is also a story of perseverance, the role of women as writers and performers in televisions and film, and the evolution of the entertainment industry.
The documentary features interviews with collaborators and colleagues like Carl Reiner, Tim Conway, and Dick Van Dyke.
At 94, Rose Marie is still cracking jokes like she was decades ago, and she never has to wait long for a laugh. Larry Mantle talks with the timeless star and the documentary director about her long career, the friends and admirers she’s made along the way, and what’s next for her.
Guests:
Rose Marie, actress and singer; she stars in the new documentary about her life and career, ‘Wait For Your Laugh’; she tweets
Jason Wise, director and co-writer of ‘Wait For Your Laugh”; he tweets