The Supreme Court Takes On Presidential Immunity
The Supreme Court will hear arguments today over whether Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in a case charging him with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. It’s a historic day for the court, with the justices having an opportunity to decide once and for all whether former presidents can be prosecuted for official acts they take while in the White House. Central to Trump’s immunity argument is the claim that only a former president who was impeached and convicted by the Senate can be criminally prosecuted. Trump was impeached over his efforts to undo the election in the run-up to the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But he was acquitted, not convicted, by the Senate in 2021. Trump’s lawyers cite as backup for their argument a provision of the Constitution known as the Impeachment Judgment Clause that says an officeholder convicted by the Senate shall nevertheless be “liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment” in court. Prosecutors say the Trump team is misreading the clause and that conviction in the Senate is not a prerequisite for a courtroom prosecution. Joining us to discuss are Ilya Somin, professor of law at George Mason University and the B. Kenneth Simon Chair in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute and Meghan Blanco, criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor.
With files from the Associated Press.
Who’s Laughing Now? The History Behind TV Laugh Tracks
In 1999, TIME magazine declared the TV laugh track as, “one of the hundred worst ideas of the twentieth century.” At the time, TV sitcoms had been riddled with pre-recorded laughs and snorts for decades, having become a kind of base coating for successful TV comedies. Whether in classics like Leave It To Beaver or more contemporary comedies like Seinfeld or Everybody Loves Raymond, its presence was ubiquitous… and often criticized, particularly for questioning the audience’s intelligence. However, at the turn of the century, with the rise of single-camera shows like Arrested Development and the U.S. adaptation of The Office, the laugh track slowly began to fade out of frame, leaving many to wonder: where are all the laughs, now? And what prompted the industry to leave us to chuckle alone?
Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by Robert Thompson, professor of Television and Pop Culture at Syracuse University, to dive into the history of the laugh track, its recent disappearance, and its cultural significance for early TV audiences. We’d also like to hear from you: do you miss the laugh track or are you glad we’ve moved on? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or write us an email at atcomments@laist.com.
What’s The Future Hold For Beloved Kid’s Show ‘Bluey’?
Rumors are flying about the Heeler’s future, the family of Australian cattle dogs depicted in the series Bluey. The wildly popular kid’s series, which was co-commissioned by ABC and BBC Studios and streams on Disney+, has struck a nerve with adults and kids alike. So when a 28-minute episode (four times the length of a typical episode) titled “The Sign” dropped on the platform, many began to wonder if the end was near for Bluey. According to the BBC, a producer confirmed it is not the end and more surprises await. Kathryn VanArendonk, television critic for Vulture and Bluey connoisseur, joins to discuss the latest episodes and why this kid’s show is standing out. Do you have a special Bluey story or experience to share? Call 866-893-5722 or write us in an email at atcomments@laist.com.
TV-Talk: ‘The Bon Jovi Story,’ ‘Under The Bridge,’ ‘Velma’ And More
Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching with Entertainment Weekly tv critic Kristen Baldwin, and NPR tv critic Eric Deggans.
This week’s shows:
- Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story (Hulu)
- Under The Bridge (Hulu)
- Conan O'Brien Must Go (Max)
- Velma [Season 2] (Max)
- The Jinx: Part Two [Season 2] (Max)
