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The Frame Tile

The Frame

A daily chronicle of creativity in film, TV, music, arts, and entertainment, produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from November 2014 – March 2020. Host John Horn leads the conversation, accompanied by the nation's most plugged-in cultural journalists.

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  • Listen 25:52
    The comedian talks about his new stand-up special, which is aptly titled "End Times Fun"; for animators, the show must go on; comedian John Thomas insists “Everything's Gonna Be Okay.”
    The comedian talks about his new stand-up special, which is aptly titled "End Times Fun"; for animators, the show must go on; comedian John Thomas insists “Everything's Gonna Be Okay.”
  • Listen 25:42
    The co-hosts of the New York Times culture podcast, "Still Processing," talk about their new season of episodes; podcast expert Nick Quah on what he's recommending these days.
    The co-hosts of the New York Times culture podcast, "Still Processing," talk about their new season of episodes; podcast expert Nick Quah on what he's recommending these days.
  • Listen 25:51
    We devote our entire show today to pop music, asking creators how they’re coping in the Age of Covid. We’ll hear from singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman, country musician Jessi Alexander, and A.J. Jackson, the lead singer from the band Saint Motel, which had to cancel its world tour.
    We devote our entire show today to pop music, asking creators how they’re coping in the Age of Covid. We’ll hear from singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman, country musician Jessi Alexander, and A.J. Jackson, the lead singer from the band Saint Motel, which had to cancel its world tour.
  • Listen 24:51
    Bob Thiele leads The Forest Rangers, a band that was spawned by the "Sons of Anarchy" TV series; comedian Andy Kindler takes no prisoners when he gives his annual State of the Industry speech; a filmmaker is challenging the copyright claim to "Happy Birthday to You," which keeps the song out of many TV shows and movies.
    Bob Thiele leads The Forest Rangers, a band that was spawned by the "Sons of Anarchy" TV series; comedian Andy Kindler takes no prisoners when he gives his annual State of the Industry speech; a filmmaker is challenging the copyright claim to "Happy Birthday to You," which keeps the song out of many TV shows and movies.
  • Listen 23:57
    When Marlon Brando died, he left hundreds of hours of himself on tape, which were culled for the documentary, "Listen to Me Marlon"; a 1965 gospel concert at L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium was special not only for its stars, but also because it was recorded — a rarity for its day; NBC Universal will reportedly invest $250 million in BuzzFeed's growing digital empire.
    When Marlon Brando died, he left hundreds of hours of himself on tape, which were culled for the documentary, "Listen to Me Marlon"; a 1965 gospel concert at L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium was special not only for its stars, but also because it was recorded — a rarity for its day; NBC Universal will reportedly invest $250 million in BuzzFeed's growing digital empire.
  • Listen 24:00
    Five finalists were chosen to develop pilot scripts for a TV series that calls for a female engineer protagonist; Summer can be a great time to watch TV, if you know where to look; the singer Little Boots was once signed to Atlantic Records, but she decided having her own label is a better fit.
    Five finalists were chosen to develop pilot scripts for a TV series that calls for a female engineer protagonist; Summer can be a great time to watch TV, if you know where to look; the singer Little Boots was once signed to Atlantic Records, but she decided having her own label is a better fit.
  • Listen 24:07
    A comedy writer has sued Conan O'Brien, claiming his show stole jokes that were first posted on Twitter; on "Song Exploder," Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie dissects "El Dorado"; director James Ponsoldt was initially skeptical that a book about being on tour with writer David Foster Wallace could be a movie.
    A comedy writer has sued Conan O'Brien, claiming his show stole jokes that were first posted on Twitter; on "Song Exploder," Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie dissects "El Dorado"; director James Ponsoldt was initially skeptical that a book about being on tour with writer David Foster Wallace could be a movie.
  • Listen 24:06
    The Beijing-based Wanda Group financed "Southpaw," just the latest example of Chinese investments in Hollywood; The Next MacGyver contest hopes to encourage women engineers with the promise of a TV pilot; Juilliard-trained Brad Segal has become the go-to composer for reality shows.
    The Beijing-based Wanda Group financed "Southpaw," just the latest example of Chinese investments in Hollywood; The Next MacGyver contest hopes to encourage women engineers with the promise of a TV pilot; Juilliard-trained Brad Segal has become the go-to composer for reality shows.
  • Listen 24:02
    The British actor reunites with director Bill Condon to play a 93-year-old version of Sherlock Holmes in "Mr. Holmes" (pictured); Chinese authorities have returned the passport of dissident artist Ai Weiwei, who had been unable to leave the country since 2011; the makers of the documentary about crowd-funding, "Capital C," financed their film through a crowd-funding campaign.
    The British actor reunites with director Bill Condon to play a 93-year-old version of Sherlock Holmes in "Mr. Holmes" (pictured); Chinese authorities have returned the passport of dissident artist Ai Weiwei, who had been unable to leave the country since 2011; the makers of the documentary about crowd-funding, "Capital C," financed their film through a crowd-funding campaign.
  • Listen 24:17
    Noted muralist Kent Twitchell (pictured) has created a new work for the Special Olympics; playwright Todd Almond was inspired by Matthew Sweet's 1991 album, "Girlfriend," for his musical about growing up gay; the Teragram Ballroom tries to carve out a niche on the local live music landscape.
    Noted muralist Kent Twitchell (pictured) has created a new work for the Special Olympics; playwright Todd Almond was inspired by Matthew Sweet's 1991 album, "Girlfriend," for his musical about growing up gay; the Teragram Ballroom tries to carve out a niche on the local live music landscape.
  • Listen 24:28
    Kurt Sutter has been writing film scripts while working on demanding TV shows, and now his first feature, "Southpaw" (pictured), is being released; the singer Miguel talks about growing up mixed-race in his beloved L.A.; the box office for "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" and "Dope" hasn't measured up to their indie darling hype.
    Kurt Sutter has been writing film scripts while working on demanding TV shows, and now his first feature, "Southpaw" (pictured), is being released; the singer Miguel talks about growing up mixed-race in his beloved L.A.; the box office for "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" and "Dope" hasn't measured up to their indie darling hype.
  • Listen 24:29
    A landmark album from 1966 (pictured) pairing the singer and bandleader is revisited as part of a Sinatra tribute at the Hollywood Bowl; YouTube is betting that audiences will pay for a commercial-free service; Camp Reel Stories is a summer camp designed to introduce teenaged girls to filmmaking.
    A landmark album from 1966 (pictured) pairing the singer and bandleader is revisited as part of a Sinatra tribute at the Hollywood Bowl; YouTube is betting that audiences will pay for a commercial-free service; Camp Reel Stories is a summer camp designed to introduce teenaged girls to filmmaking.
  • Listen 24:00
    Lisa Hanawalt's lifelong equine obsession pays off in her role as production designer for the animated series, "BoJack Horseman" (pictured); with embassies re-opening in Washington and Havana, cultural exchange could be on the upswing; costume designers for superhero movies take comic book drawings and turn them into flashy but practical outfits.
    Lisa Hanawalt's lifelong equine obsession pays off in her role as production designer for the animated series, "BoJack Horseman" (pictured); with embassies re-opening in Washington and Havana, cultural exchange could be on the upswing; costume designers for superhero movies take comic book drawings and turn them into flashy but practical outfits.
Episodes
  • Listen 51:32
    Hear from a wide range of nominees including David Byrne (alternative album); Linda Perry (producer of the year); H.E.R. (album of the year, best new artist); Yuja Wang (classical solo performance); Janelle Monáe (album of the year); Mary Gauthier (folk album); Mark Ronson (song of the year); Boz Scaggs (contemporary blues album); and Max Baca of Los Texmaniacs (regional Mexican album)
    Hear from a wide range of nominees including David Byrne (alternative album); Linda Perry (producer of the year); H.E.R. (album of the year, best new artist); Yuja Wang (classical solo performance); Janelle Monáe (album of the year); Mary Gauthier (folk album); Mark Ronson (song of the year); Boz Scaggs (contemporary blues album); and Max Baca of Los Texmaniacs (regional Mexican album)
  • Listen 28:34
    Nadine Labaki directed Lebanon's entry to the Academy Awards, which tells the heartbreaking story of a 12-year-old boy who just wants a future; Spotify makes a big podcast play by purchasing Gimlet Media; singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman's new album, "Peace of Mind," is released song-by-song as a podcast.
    Nadine Labaki directed Lebanon's entry to the Academy Awards, which tells the heartbreaking story of a 12-year-old boy who just wants a future; Spotify makes a big podcast play by purchasing Gimlet Media; singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman's new album, "Peace of Mind," is released song-by-song as a podcast.
  • Listen 28:31
    Filmmaker Joe Berlinger talks about his current docu-series and his coming feature film about the serial killer; how is Hollywood lining up behind Democratic presidential candidates?; Kurt Farquhar went from being homeless to becoming a prolific composer for TV shows.
    Filmmaker Joe Berlinger talks about his current docu-series and his coming feature film about the serial killer; how is Hollywood lining up behind Democratic presidential candidates?; Kurt Farquhar went from being homeless to becoming a prolific composer for TV shows.
  • Listen 28:25
    Ganatra talks about the film she directed, which was written by Kaling and was a big hit at Sundance; the latest study from USC's Inclusion Initiative has some distressing news about women in the music industry; the search to replace a legendary drummer and professor at a prominent music program.
    Ganatra talks about the film she directed, which was written by Kaling and was a big hit at Sundance; the latest study from USC's Inclusion Initiative has some distressing news about women in the music industry; the search to replace a legendary drummer and professor at a prominent music program.
  • Listen 28:18
    The actor immersed himself in the painter's life for "At Eternity's Gate"; what is, and isn't coming to your TV in the coming months; actor Bill Pullman on what it takes to play the president.
    The actor immersed himself in the painter's life for "At Eternity's Gate"; what is, and isn't coming to your TV in the coming months; actor Bill Pullman on what it takes to play the president.
  • Listen 29:25
    The rock/folk music veteran recounts his life and career in the documentary, "David Crosby: Remember My Name"; Domee Shi's "Bao" has an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short.
    The rock/folk music veteran recounts his life and career in the documentary, "David Crosby: Remember My Name"; Domee Shi's "Bao" has an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short.
  • Listen 26:56
    Comedian Abby McEnany is at the festival debuting her TV pilot, in which she co-stars with Julia Sweeney; John Horn reports from Sundance on the festival's final weekend; Lynell George reviews the new project by musician Anthony Wilson that combines his songs and photography.
    Comedian Abby McEnany is at the festival debuting her TV pilot, in which she co-stars with Julia Sweeney; John Horn reports from Sundance on the festival's final weekend; Lynell George reviews the new project by musician Anthony Wilson that combines his songs and photography.
  • Listen 27:02
    The director becomes the rare woman to helm an action thriller; GLAAD puts the spotlight on LGBTQ-inclusive film scripts; the documentary "Of Fathers and Sons" is nominated for an Academy Award.
    The director becomes the rare woman to helm an action thriller; GLAAD puts the spotlight on LGBTQ-inclusive film scripts; the documentary "Of Fathers and Sons" is nominated for an Academy Award.
  • Listen 27:19
    The singer/songwriters put their talents together for the album, “Better Oblivion Community Center”; an artificial intelligence company has an algorithm that writes movie scripts; cinematographer and Academy Award nominee Matthew Libatique ("A Star Is Born").
    The singer/songwriters put their talents together for the album, “Better Oblivion Community Center”; an artificial intelligence company has an algorithm that writes movie scripts; cinematographer and Academy Award nominee Matthew Libatique ("A Star Is Born").
  • Listen 26:55
    Rachel Lears on her documentary about a quartet of progressive women who ran for Congress, "Knock Down the House"; L.A. Times reporter Jen Yamato recaps her time at Sundance; Richard Ladkani's documentary, "Sea of Shadows," is about the tragic and illegal harvesting of fish in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
    Rachel Lears on her documentary about a quartet of progressive women who ran for Congress, "Knock Down the House"; L.A. Times reporter Jen Yamato recaps her time at Sundance; Richard Ladkani's documentary, "Sea of Shadows," is about the tragic and illegal harvesting of fish in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
  • Listen 27:02
    The actor re-teams with writer/director Dan Gilroy ("Nightcrawler") for a horror film set in L.A.'s contemporary art world; film critic Claudia Puig assesses the first few days of Sundance; Alexandre O. Philippe, writer/director of the documentary, “Memory: The Origins of Alien.”
    The actor re-teams with writer/director Dan Gilroy ("Nightcrawler") for a horror film set in L.A.'s contemporary art world; film critic Claudia Puig assesses the first few days of Sundance; Alexandre O. Philippe, writer/director of the documentary, “Memory: The Origins of Alien.”
  • Listen 26:31
    John Horn and a couple of producers are at the Sundance Film Festival where they will provide a daily recap of which films are getting the most buzz; also today: the director of "Untouchable," a documentary about Harvey Weinstein that is premiering at the very festival where he once ruled the roost.
    John Horn and a couple of producers are at the Sundance Film Festival where they will provide a daily recap of which films are getting the most buzz; also today: the director of "Untouchable," a documentary about Harvey Weinstein that is premiering at the very festival where he once ruled the roost.