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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 24:00
    Writer/director John Ridley (far right, with actor Timothy Hutton) talks about his edgy new TV series, “American Crime"; We crash a viewing party for the breakout TV hit, “Empire"; Musician and attorney Joe Escalante on the fallout from the “Blurred Lines” verdict.
    Writer/director John Ridley (far right, with actor Timothy Hutton) talks about his edgy new TV series, “American Crime"; We crash a viewing party for the breakout TV hit, “Empire"; Musician and attorney Joe Escalante on the fallout from the “Blurred Lines” verdict.
  • Listen 23:47
    A jury ruled that Robin Thicke (pictured) and Pharrell Williams violated the copyright to Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up"; an assistant director on the film "Midnight Rider" was found guilty of charges relating to the death of a camera assistant; producer David Shore revived a TV project created a dozen years ago by Vince Gilligan, before his "Breaking Bad" success.
    A jury ruled that Robin Thicke (pictured) and Pharrell Williams violated the copyright to Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up"; an assistant director on the film "Midnight Rider" was found guilty of charges relating to the death of a camera assistant; producer David Shore revived a TV project created a dozen years ago by Vince Gilligan, before his "Breaking Bad" success.
  • Listen 25:30
    "Midnight Rider" director Randall Miller was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges resulting from the death of a crew member on the set; Clint Eastwood talks about "American Sniper" (pictured) becoming the biggest-grossing film released in 2014; actress Gillian Jacobs has added director to her resumé with a documentary about computer pioneer Grace Hopper.
    "Midnight Rider" director Randall Miller was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges resulting from the death of a crew member on the set; Clint Eastwood talks about "American Sniper" (pictured) becoming the biggest-grossing film released in 2014; actress Gillian Jacobs has added director to her resumé with a documentary about computer pioneer Grace Hopper.
  • Listen 25:05
    A fan laments that legendary radio DJ Art Laboe (pictured) can't be heard in L.A., at least for now; Robert Christgau, the Dean of American Rock Critics, has a memoir covering his 40-plus years on the music beat; Claire Keane is a third-generation artist who left a cushy job to write and illustrate children's books.
    A fan laments that legendary radio DJ Art Laboe (pictured) can't be heard in L.A., at least for now; Robert Christgau, the Dean of American Rock Critics, has a memoir covering his 40-plus years on the music beat; Claire Keane is a third-generation artist who left a cushy job to write and illustrate children's books.
  • Listen 25:30
    The trial for the lawsuit brought by Marvin Gaye's children against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams is nearing an end; how "Dead Man Walking" was transformed from a movie to an opera (pictured); comedian Wayne Federman rounds up his hilarious friends to host a film festival where they chose the lineup; comic book writer Scott Snyder put his anxieties into his version of "Batman."
    The trial for the lawsuit brought by Marvin Gaye's children against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams is nearing an end; how "Dead Man Walking" was transformed from a movie to an opera (pictured); comedian Wayne Federman rounds up his hilarious friends to host a film festival where they chose the lineup; comic book writer Scott Snyder put his anxieties into his version of "Batman."
  • Listen 24:00
    Ed Piskor’s "Hip Hop Family Tree” (pictured) takes a look at the music's history in a comic book series; young comedians test their chops in roast battles; the Writer's Guild examines the lack of racial and gender diversity among TV writers.
    Ed Piskor’s "Hip Hop Family Tree” (pictured) takes a look at the music's history in a comic book series; young comedians test their chops in roast battles; the Writer's Guild examines the lack of racial and gender diversity among TV writers.
  • Listen 24:00
    Late night host Conan O'Brien tells us about his trip to Cuba and his thoughts on the late night TV shuffle; Vulture.com's Margaret Lyons recommends some TV shows that have an air of optimism; comic book writer Ed Brubaker goes from Captain America and Batman to a Hollywood noir graphic novel.
    Late night host Conan O'Brien tells us about his trip to Cuba and his thoughts on the late night TV shuffle; Vulture.com's Margaret Lyons recommends some TV shows that have an air of optimism; comic book writer Ed Brubaker goes from Captain America and Batman to a Hollywood noir graphic novel.
  • Listen 23:34
    Will Smith's "Focus" (pictured) did middling business in its opening weekend, so where does this leave his career?; filmmaker Ed Burns on the highs and lows of his career since bursting on the scene with "The Brothers McMullen" in 1995; Valiant Entertainment has a simple goal: make comic books like they used to be made.
    Will Smith's "Focus" (pictured) did middling business in its opening weekend, so where does this leave his career?; filmmaker Ed Burns on the highs and lows of his career since bursting on the scene with "The Brothers McMullen" in 1995; Valiant Entertainment has a simple goal: make comic books like they used to be made.
  • Listen 24:00
    Leonard Nimoy (pictured) died today. We discuss his artistic journey as an actor, writer and photographer; the copyright trial pitting Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. against Marvin Gaye's children is underway; Will Forte is "The Last Man on Earth," a new Fox comedy.
    Leonard Nimoy (pictured) died today. We discuss his artistic journey as an actor, writer and photographer; the copyright trial pitting Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. against Marvin Gaye's children is underway; Will Forte is "The Last Man on Earth," a new Fox comedy.
  • Listen 24:00
    Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane (pictured) wrote "The Ambassador," a song cycle inspired by architectural landmarks around L.A.; Yann Demange's new film is set amidst the violent Northern Ireland conflict known as The Troubles; a new study concludes that watching even just one film can change minds about a topic as charged as politics.
    Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane (pictured) wrote "The Ambassador," a song cycle inspired by architectural landmarks around L.A.; Yann Demange's new film is set amidst the violent Northern Ireland conflict known as The Troubles; a new study concludes that watching even just one film can change minds about a topic as charged as politics.
Episodes
  • Listen 25:40
    The writer and stand-up comedian has a new book and a newfound passion for performing; TV networks preview their coming shows, including the next season of "Fargo," starring Chris Rock and Jason Schwartzman; the exhibit "Natural History of Horror" looks at how real events inspired some favorite scary movies.
    The writer and stand-up comedian has a new book and a newfound passion for performing; TV networks preview their coming shows, including the next season of "Fargo," starring Chris Rock and Jason Schwartzman; the exhibit "Natural History of Horror" looks at how real events inspired some favorite scary movies.
  • Listen 25:40
    There aren't many women working as second unit directors on movies, much less African-Americans, but Victoria Mahoney has broken through; Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman make their sales pitch for Quibi.
    There aren't many women working as second unit directors on movies, much less African-Americans, but Victoria Mahoney has broken through; Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman make their sales pitch for Quibi.
  • Listen 25:49
    Zahra Noorbakhsh, an Iranian-American comedian who regularly incorporates her identity into her act, now has some new material; actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II played Doctor Manhattan on "Watchmen" and this year, he’ll star in two high profile movies; the man behind The Daptone Sound.
    Zahra Noorbakhsh, an Iranian-American comedian who regularly incorporates her identity into her act, now has some new material; actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II played Doctor Manhattan on "Watchmen" and this year, he’ll star in two high profile movies; the man behind The Daptone Sound.
  • Listen 25:50
    The pianist has taken full advantage of his role as bandleader for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"; breaking down the Directors Guild Award nominations.
    The pianist has taken full advantage of his role as bandleader for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"; breaking down the Directors Guild Award nominations.
  • Listen 25:40
    Stars and executive producers Kate Moenning and Leisha Hailey talk about the reboot of the Showtime series; Harvey Weinstein's trial gets underway in New York City; the influential L.A.-based artist John Baldessari has died.
    Stars and executive producers Kate Moenning and Leisha Hailey talk about the reboot of the Showtime series; Harvey Weinstein's trial gets underway in New York City; the influential L.A.-based artist John Baldessari has died.
  • Listen 51:00
    "Watchmen" star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is in high profile movies this year from Jordan Peele and Aaron Sorkin; John Horn reviews the evolution in film, television, pop music and theater over the last decade; we meet the band Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles.
    "Watchmen" star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is in high profile movies this year from Jordan Peele and Aaron Sorkin; John Horn reviews the evolution in film, television, pop music and theater over the last decade; we meet the band Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles.
  • Listen 25:42
    The highlights and lowlights from the 2010s in movies with Manohla Dargis (New York Times) and culture critic Tre'vell Anderson, and pop music with Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding of the podcast, “Switched on Pop.”
    The highlights and lowlights from the 2010s in movies with Manohla Dargis (New York Times) and culture critic Tre'vell Anderson, and pop music with Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding of the podcast, “Switched on Pop.”
  • Listen 25:41
    The highlights and lowlights from the 2010s in TV with Lorraine Ali (Los Angeles Times) and Daniel Fienberg (The Hollywood Reporter), and theater with Jesse Green (New York Times).
    The highlights and lowlights from the 2010s in TV with Lorraine Ali (Los Angeles Times) and Daniel Fienberg (The Hollywood Reporter), and theater with Jesse Green (New York Times).
  • Listen 16:00
    In his memoir, "Acid For The Children," the bass player from the Red Hot Chili Peppers (born Michael Peter Balzary) details his wild days as a child and teen before forming the band in Los Angeles.
    In his memoir, "Acid For The Children," the bass player from the Red Hot Chili Peppers (born Michael Peter Balzary) details his wild days as a child and teen before forming the band in Los Angeles.
  • Listen 16:00
    The singer/songwriter's memoir reflects on death, sex, motherhood and misogyny.
    The singer/songwriter's memoir reflects on death, sex, motherhood and misogyny.
  • Listen 30:04
    Yes, a lot of media outlets are currently re-capping the past decade —and we've been here for half of it! Join us for many of our favorite moments.
    Yes, a lot of media outlets are currently re-capping the past decade —and we've been here for half of it! Join us for many of our favorite moments.
  • Listen 16:01
    The veteran actor has lately been starring in some dark roles ("Get Out," The Handmaid's Tale"), but he has switched things up with the sitcom, "Perfect Harmony."
    The veteran actor has lately been starring in some dark roles ("Get Out," The Handmaid's Tale"), but he has switched things up with the sitcom, "Perfect Harmony."