Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 vaccine news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we answer your Thanksgiving cooking questions; KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Christy Lemire and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases; and more.
COVID-19: Vaccines Could Be Distributed To States As Early As Mid-December
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kimberly Shriner, infectious disease specialist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.
Today’s topics include:
- The Hill: 6.4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses expected to be shipped to states by mid-December
- LAT: Coronavirus infections are higher than ever, but COVID-19 deaths are not. Why?
- LAT: New L.A. County ‘Safer at Home’ restrictions revealed as COVID-19 surge worsens
- WSJ: CDC finalizing recommendation to shorten COVID-19 quarantine time
Guest:
Kimberly Shriner, M.D., infectious disease specialist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena
This Year’s Black Friday Will Be Unlike Any We’ve Seen Before. How Are Retailers Preparing?
One of the trademarks of our pandemic lives is the avoidance of large gatherings—concerts, parties— but if there’s one thing Black Friday is known for, it’s crowds.
We’ve all seen the viral videos of disgruntled people fighting over discount televisions, or shoppers sleeping in tents while waiting in crowded hours-long lines outside big box stores. But with COVID-19 cases spiking around the country, retailers are having to adapt the American shopping tradition into something markedly smaller in order to keep shoppers safe. Pressure will be on virtual sales, a years-long shifting trend that will likely be accelerated this year. Though many people are unemployed and financially anxious, forecasters are anticipating pent-up demand that could salvage Black Friday sales goals.
How are you planning to shop Black Friday sales this year? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 to join the conversation.
Guests:
Rachel Michelin, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, the trade group representing all aspects of retail in the state; she tweets
Sucharita Kodali, e-commerce analyst at Forrester Research, a technology research and advisory firm based in Cambridge, MA; she tweets
First Time Baking Turkey? Making Thanksgiving For Two? We’ve Got You
The pandemic has set the table for an unusual Thanksgiving meal this year, with as many unique situations as there are people.
Some folks used to being invited to the feast are now cooking for themselves for the first time. Those isolating alone or with one other person are in the position of creating a smaller spread, agonizing over whether to make mashed potatoes or mac-n-cheese. And the increase in smaller Thanksgivings has created a tiny turkey shortage (no, really).
Whether you’ve never made a turkey in your life or are a connoisseur in the kitchen looking to spice up your sides this year, we want to hear from you at 866-893-5722. We’ve got two incredible chefs to answer your questions, soothe your anxieties and advise you towards culinary greatness.
Guests:
Noelle Carter, chef, food writer and culinary consultant for Noelle Carter Food, a website sharing recipes, cooking techniques and helpful kitchen tips for the home cook; she is the former director of the Los Angeles Times Test Kitchen; she tweets
Nyesha Arrington, chef, culinary creative and host of Eater’s YouTube show “Improv Kitchen,” the second season of which comes out today; she tweets
FilmWeek: ‘Lovers Rock,’ ‘The Croods,’ ‘Zappa,’ And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Christy Lemire and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases.
- "Lovers Rock" on Amazon Prime Video Nov. 27
- "The Croods: A New Age" showing at the Studio Movie Grill (Simi Valley) & Regency Theatres Directors Cut Cinema (Laguna Niguel) & Regency Theaters Plant (Van Nuys)
- "Happiest Season" on Hulu
- "Zappa" on VOD (including iTunes, FandangoNOW & Vudu); Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema on Nov. 27
- "Princess of the Row" on VOD (including iTunes, Vudu & FandangoNOW) Nov. 27
- "The Mystery of D.B. Cooper" on HBO and HBO Max
- "Uncle Frank" on Amazon Prime Video
- "Insert Coin" on Alamo on Demand and Laemmle's Virtual Cinema
- "Black Beauty" on Disney+ Nov. 27
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:
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he 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
Director Steve McQueen On The Making Of ‘Small Axe’ And The Need For Resilience
Director Steve McQueen, also known for the film “12 Years A Slave,” has a new film anthology out on Amazon Prime Video. The series is called “Small Axe” and tells personal stories from London’s West Indian community as lives are shaped by resilience amid widespread racism. The second film in the five-part series, “Lover’s Rock,” is out this week. KPCC’s John Horn spoke with McQueen about the making of the series, how the idea of community shapes his storytelling and the importance of the small revolutions taking place at people’s kitchen tables.
Guest:
Steve McQueen, director of the new five-part film anthology “Small Axe,” which releases weekly on Amazon Prime Video