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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 25:39
    The anniversary festival is up in the air as the promoter and his one-time backer are at odds; Max Joseph made a film that's a paean to bookstores and reading; Song Exploder deconstructs a song from The Cranberries' final album.
    The anniversary festival is up in the air as the promoter and his one-time backer are at odds; Max Joseph made a film that's a paean to bookstores and reading; Song Exploder deconstructs a song from The Cranberries' final album.
  • Listen 26:15
    "Gay of Thrones" is the hilarious Funny or Die web series that recaps each episode of the HBO hit; Georgia's governor signed an abortion bill that might impact film and TV production in the state; the singer who goes by Cimafunk is known as "the Cuban James Brown."
    "Gay of Thrones" is the hilarious Funny or Die web series that recaps each episode of the HBO hit; Georgia's governor signed an abortion bill that might impact film and TV production in the state; the singer who goes by Cimafunk is known as "the Cuban James Brown."
  • Listen 25:13
    The Korean boy band performed two shows to loud audiences, cementing its place in the global pop music world; filmmaker Mike Mills made an unlikely collaboration with the band, The National; the Write Girl program gives teen girls a boost.
    The Korean boy band performed two shows to loud audiences, cementing its place in the global pop music world; filmmaker Mike Mills made an unlikely collaboration with the band, The National; the Write Girl program gives teen girls a boost.
  • Listen 25:38
    Latinos go the movies in numbers that far surpass their percentage of the U.S. population. So why don't studios cater more to that audience?; the HBO documentary, "At the Heart of Gold," looks at the U.S. gymnastics sexual abuse scandal; creating a soundtrack for "Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes."
    Latinos go the movies in numbers that far surpass their percentage of the U.S. population. So why don't studios cater more to that audience?; the HBO documentary, "At the Heart of Gold," looks at the U.S. gymnastics sexual abuse scandal; creating a soundtrack for "Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes."
  • Listen 25:40
    Bruce Springsteen's long-time guitarist has his first solo album in 20 years —and it's just one of his many gigs; Democratic presidential hopefuls are starting to make the rounds in Hollywood.
    Bruce Springsteen's long-time guitarist has his first solo album in 20 years —and it's just one of his many gigs; Democratic presidential hopefuls are starting to make the rounds in Hollywood.
  • Listen 25:41
    The streaming service, now mostly owned by Disney, unveiled its new projects that include big stars and an expansion of the company's comic book properties; playwright Eleanor Burgess deals with 'The Niceties'; Jonny Pierce leads the way for the band The Drums.
    The streaming service, now mostly owned by Disney, unveiled its new projects that include big stars and an expansion of the company's comic book properties; playwright Eleanor Burgess deals with 'The Niceties'; Jonny Pierce leads the way for the band The Drums.
  • Listen 25:41
    The musical "Hadestown" led the way with 14 nods, but the big surprise was the omission of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Network" in the best new play category; Michelle and Robert King talk about their hit TV series, "The Good Fight."
    The musical "Hadestown" led the way with 14 nods, but the big surprise was the omission of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Network" in the best new play category; Michelle and Robert King talk about their hit TV series, "The Good Fight."
  • Listen 26:37
    The campaigns of the rookie Congresswoman and three other candidates are documented in a Netflix film; filmmaker John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood") died today at the age of 51; with "Avengers: Endgame" breaking box office records, what's next for the Marvel movie universe?
    The campaigns of the rookie Congresswoman and three other candidates are documented in a Netflix film; filmmaker John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood") died today at the age of 51; with "Avengers: Endgame" breaking box office records, what's next for the Marvel movie universe?
  • Listen 25:42
    Former CBS executive speaks out about the workplace culture at CBS which she says is toxic. Then, the Victoria Riskin, daughter of Hollywood legends, writes a memoir. And one Armenian-American musician strives to keep her culture's musical history alive.
    Former CBS executive speaks out about the workplace culture at CBS which she says is toxic. Then, the Victoria Riskin, daughter of Hollywood legends, writes a memoir. And one Armenian-American musician strives to keep her culture's musical history alive.
  • Listen 25:44
    Aaron Sorkin was approved by Harper Lee to adapt "To Kill A Mockingbird" to the stage but just months before it was due to premiere her estate sued. The issues got resolved and now the play is a timely Broadway blockbuster. And, "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's future on the show is unknown but last night his character made TV history.
    Aaron Sorkin was approved by Harper Lee to adapt "To Kill A Mockingbird" to the stage but just months before it was due to premiere her estate sued. The issues got resolved and now the play is a timely Broadway blockbuster. And, "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's future on the show is unknown but last night his character made TV history.
Episodes
  • Listen 23:27
    A new study concludes that the people who rate films for the MPAA are becoming desensitized to violence; "Fury" rolls over the weekend box office; and a "Mad Men" actor goes back in time again.
    A new study concludes that the people who rate films for the MPAA are becoming desensitized to violence; "Fury" rolls over the weekend box office; and a "Mad Men" actor goes back in time again.
  • Listen 23:08
    How filmmaker Jorge Gutierrez (far right) got Guillermo del Toro to produce his feature debut, "The Book of Life"; a look at Brad Pitt's WWII drama, "Fury," and other new films out today; and musician Marissa Lauren talks about opening for Lena Dunham.
    How filmmaker Jorge Gutierrez (far right) got Guillermo del Toro to produce his feature debut, "The Book of Life"; a look at Brad Pitt's WWII drama, "Fury," and other new films out today; and musician Marissa Lauren talks about opening for Lena Dunham.
  • Listen 24:06
    Director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu flies high with “Birdman"; undocumented students tell their own stories on stage in “Dreaming Sin Fronteras"; and playwright Dael Orlandersmith confronts family matters in “Forever.”
    Director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu flies high with “Birdman"; undocumented students tell their own stories on stage in “Dreaming Sin Fronteras"; and playwright Dael Orlandersmith confronts family matters in “Forever.”
  • Listen 23:48
    HBO will launch a streaming service, but Warner Bros. studios must cut $200 million in overhead; What makes a hit song? Ask the "Song Exploder"; and California tries cultural diplomacy in China.
    HBO will launch a streaming service, but Warner Bros. studios must cut $200 million in overhead; What makes a hit song? Ask the "Song Exploder"; and California tries cultural diplomacy in China.
  • Listen 23:29
    "The Walking Dead" debuted to big numbers — meanwhile, Nielsen's hold on the ratings business is being challenged; Foxygen releases a new album; and the Encuentro Theater Festival launches.
    "The Walking Dead" debuted to big numbers — meanwhile, Nielsen's hold on the ratings business is being challenged; Foxygen releases a new album; and the Encuentro Theater Festival launches.
  • Listen 22:02
    The networks seek Latino viewers with "Cristela" and "Jane the Virgin"; "Gone Girl" stays on top at the box office; and director David Dobkin switches genres for "The Judge."
    The networks seek Latino viewers with "Cristela" and "Jane the Virgin"; "Gone Girl" stays on top at the box office; and director David Dobkin switches genres for "The Judge."
  • Listen 26:40
    Comedian Dan Mintz talks about his new stand-up album and his "Bob's Burgers" character, Tina; Grae Drake of Rotten Tomatoes dissects this weekend's film releases; and John Lydon, née Rotten, speaks his mind.
    Comedian Dan Mintz talks about his new stand-up album and his "Bob's Burgers" character, Tina; Grae Drake of Rotten Tomatoes dissects this weekend's film releases; and John Lydon, née Rotten, speaks his mind.
  • Listen 24:24
    Move over Sundance — the L.A. neighborhood adds an independent film festival; The band OK Go on the new album, “Hungry Ghost”; and Joan Baez adapts to her changing voice.
    Move over Sundance — the L.A. neighborhood adds an independent film festival; The band OK Go on the new album, “Hungry Ghost”; and Joan Baez adapts to her changing voice.
  • Listen 23:10
    29-year-old writer/director Damien Chazelle (in red shirt) makes his feature film debut with "Whiplash"; Deaf West Theatre hits it big with the 2006 Tony Award winner; and Slate's popular podcast comes to L.A. for a live stage show.
    29-year-old writer/director Damien Chazelle (in red shirt) makes his feature film debut with "Whiplash"; Deaf West Theatre hits it big with the 2006 Tony Award winner; and Slate's popular podcast comes to L.A. for a live stage show.
  • Listen 30:24
    "The Judge" is the first release from Robert and Susan Downey's new production company; PBS' "Makers" series looks at women in the entertainment business; Common Sense Media lends its imprimatur to film studios; and a life in photos with Led Zep's guitarist.
    "The Judge" is the first release from Robert and Susan Downey's new production company; PBS' "Makers" series looks at women in the entertainment business; Common Sense Media lends its imprimatur to film studios; and a life in photos with Led Zep's guitarist.
  • Listen 25:47
    Visual effects artists prepare for the day when virtual reality is a filmmaking reality; a low-budget horror film rakes in the bucks; touring tips from Belle & Sebastian's singer.
    Visual effects artists prepare for the day when virtual reality is a filmmaking reality; a low-budget horror film rakes in the bucks; touring tips from Belle & Sebastian's singer.
  • Listen 20:32
    Director John Leonetti joins us to talk about 'Annabelle,' the prequel to the wildly successful "The Conjuring"; we visit the unlikely cultural hub of Marfa, Texas for its annual music festival; and Nicolas Cage takes a dubious step into the rapture film genre.
    Director John Leonetti joins us to talk about 'Annabelle,' the prequel to the wildly successful "The Conjuring"; we visit the unlikely cultural hub of Marfa, Texas for its annual music festival; and Nicolas Cage takes a dubious step into the rapture film genre.