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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 24:46
    Rock the Vote, the non-profit founded by music industry pros doing PSAs on MTV, is still rockin'. The organization has hired a former Bernie Sanders operative to do marketing and was present at both the GOP and Democratic conventions; Bonnie Raitt opens up about a life in music.
    Rock the Vote, the non-profit founded by music industry pros doing PSAs on MTV, is still rockin'. The organization has hired a former Bernie Sanders operative to do marketing and was present at both the GOP and Democratic conventions; Bonnie Raitt opens up about a life in music.
  • Listen 24:44
    Filmmaker Paul Greengrass returns to make a new Jason Bourne movie, this time with cyber security on his mind; Now that Verizon is buying Yahoo!, what will become of the search engine's streaming TV shows?; A Sophocles play gets a modern update with veterans in the cast; Bill Clinton, binge watcher.
    Filmmaker Paul Greengrass returns to make a new Jason Bourne movie, this time with cyber security on his mind; Now that Verizon is buying Yahoo!, what will become of the search engine's streaming TV shows?; A Sophocles play gets a modern update with veterans in the cast; Bill Clinton, binge watcher.
  • Listen 13:09
    What happens when an aspiring filmmaker works as a nanny for wealthy L.A. mothers? Naturally, she comes up with a movie idea. Writer-director Sian Heder talks motherhood, movie-making and "Tallulah;" and a “Star Wars” movie set accident that could have killed Harrison Ford ends with a guilty plea.
    What happens when an aspiring filmmaker works as a nanny for wealthy L.A. mothers? Naturally, she comes up with a movie idea. Writer-director Sian Heder talks motherhood, movie-making and "Tallulah;" and a “Star Wars” movie set accident that could have killed Harrison Ford ends with a guilty plea.
  • Listen 24:44
    The Congressman and civil rights icon was at Comic-Con to introduce the third part of his graphic novel memoir, "March"; there was plenty of news and previews at Comic-Con to keep the fanboys (and fangirls) happy.
    The Congressman and civil rights icon was at Comic-Con to introduce the third part of his graphic novel memoir, "March"; there was plenty of news and previews at Comic-Con to keep the fanboys (and fangirls) happy.
  • Listen 24:45
    The filmmaker leads a tour of the dwelling that houses his extensive collection of horror memorabilia and serves as his retreat; the Republican Convention had plenty of drama, but how much of it was scripted?
    The filmmaker leads a tour of the dwelling that houses his extensive collection of horror memorabilia and serves as his retreat; the Republican Convention had plenty of drama, but how much of it was scripted?
  • Listen 24:42
    The annual pop culture extravaganza is underway in San Diego, with more than 100,000 fans expected to attend; CURRENT: LA chose 16 artists to make water-themed site-specific artwork around the city; "Lights Out" producer Lawrence Grey on why every big Hollywood director secretly wants to do a horror film.
    The annual pop culture extravaganza is underway in San Diego, with more than 100,000 fans expected to attend; CURRENT: LA chose 16 artists to make water-themed site-specific artwork around the city; "Lights Out" producer Lawrence Grey on why every big Hollywood director secretly wants to do a horror film.
  • Listen 26:15
    Comedian Mike Birbiglia's new film is about improv, friendship and the struggles that go along with striving for your big break; "The Wolf of Wall Street" producer Red Granite Pictures is at the center of a federal complaint alleging that the film was financed with embezzled funds from Malaysia; We look into the history of pop song usage at political conventions.
    Comedian Mike Birbiglia's new film is about improv, friendship and the struggles that go along with striving for your big break; "The Wolf of Wall Street" producer Red Granite Pictures is at the center of a federal complaint alleging that the film was financed with embezzled funds from Malaysia; We look into the history of pop song usage at political conventions.
  • Listen 24:45
    R&B singer Irma Thomas never got the acclaim of Aretha Franklin or Etta James, but she is still the undisputed Soul Queen of New Orleans; actor LeVar Burton narrates the kids audio tour of The Broad museum because he's compelled to teach; after tragic shootings of police officers, the USA Network postpones its new series, "Shooter," to the fall.
    R&B singer Irma Thomas never got the acclaim of Aretha Franklin or Etta James, but she is still the undisputed Soul Queen of New Orleans; actor LeVar Burton narrates the kids audio tour of The Broad museum because he's compelled to teach; after tragic shootings of police officers, the USA Network postpones its new series, "Shooter," to the fall.
  • Listen 24:45
    Singer/songwriter Perla Batalla and playwright Oliver Mayer are collaborating on a new project about the iconic Mexican artist; California Light and Space artist Robert Irwin debuts a new work in West Texas; artists are going public with work at the Republican National Convention.
    Singer/songwriter Perla Batalla and playwright Oliver Mayer are collaborating on a new project about the iconic Mexican artist; California Light and Space artist Robert Irwin debuts a new work in West Texas; artists are going public with work at the Republican National Convention.
  • Listen 25:26
    Betty Buckley offers a feminist take on Edie Bouvier in the musical "Grey Gardens," adapted from the Maysles brothers documentary of the same name; musician Rubén Guevera recounts a life in rock and roll; movie marketing in a time when real violence is all too prevalent.
    Betty Buckley offers a feminist take on Edie Bouvier in the musical "Grey Gardens," adapted from the Maysles brothers documentary of the same name; musician Rubén Guevera recounts a life in rock and roll; movie marketing in a time when real violence is all too prevalent.
  • Listen 24:45
    Joe Weisberg and Joel Field, writers and executive producers for "The Americans," talk about the joy and surprise at getting the nominations that long eluded the show; Emmy-nominated hairstylist Amanda Mofield shares her secrets for creating hundreds of looks for "Key & Peele;" "Ghostbusters" screenwriter Katie Dippold defends her movie against critics.
    Joe Weisberg and Joel Field, writers and executive producers for "The Americans," talk about the joy and surprise at getting the nominations that long eluded the show; Emmy-nominated hairstylist Amanda Mofield shares her secrets for creating hundreds of looks for "Key & Peele;" "Ghostbusters" screenwriter Katie Dippold defends her movie against critics.
  • Listen 25:31
    Neil Druckmann is a writer and creative director who has won acclaim for his cinematic approach to video games such as "The Last of Us" and "Uncharted 4"; Eric Glatt was a lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against Fox Searchlight after working as an unpaid intern on "The Black Swan." The case has settled, but his mission to challenge what he calls "wage theft" continues.
    Neil Druckmann is a writer and creative director who has won acclaim for his cinematic approach to video games such as "The Last of Us" and "Uncharted 4"; Eric Glatt was a lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against Fox Searchlight after working as an unpaid intern on "The Black Swan." The case has settled, but his mission to challenge what he calls "wage theft" continues.