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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 25:00
    The film is an attempt to understand the motives behind the horrific 2011 attack at a teen camp in Norway; Taylor Swift showed her political leanings this week, but can she make a difference?
    The film is an attempt to understand the motives behind the horrific 2011 attack at a teen camp in Norway; Taylor Swift showed her political leanings this week, but can she make a difference?
  • Listen 25:40
    The Academy Award-winning director takes on a biopic of astronaut Neil Armstrong; "American Saga: Gunshot Medley: Part 1" is a new play about the struggle against systemic racism.
    The Academy Award-winning director takes on a biopic of astronaut Neil Armstrong; "American Saga: Gunshot Medley: Part 1" is a new play about the struggle against systemic racism.
  • Listen 25:49
    Cinematographer Matthew Libatique talks about shooting the film's live concert scenes at Coachella and other venues; New York Times culture critic Amanda Hess on how the new TV season is addressing the #MeToo movement; Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, breaks down her song, "Woman."
    Cinematographer Matthew Libatique talks about shooting the film's live concert scenes at Coachella and other venues; New York Times culture critic Amanda Hess on how the new TV season is addressing the #MeToo movement; Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, breaks down her song, "Woman."
  • Listen 26:46
    It's been 11 years since the writer/director's last film, and she returns with a personal movie about infertility; singer Luciana Souza has a new album based on Leonard Cohen's poetry.
    It's been 11 years since the writer/director's last film, and she returns with a personal movie about infertility; singer Luciana Souza has a new album based on Leonard Cohen's poetry.
  • Listen 26:32
    The man who made crucial contributions to the music of Duke Ellington gets a tribute in David Rousséve's "Halfway to Dawn"; a dozen years after his death, James Brown's estate remains a muddled mess; Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson has a riveting video installation at The Broad.
    The man who made crucial contributions to the music of Duke Ellington gets a tribute in David Rousséve's "Halfway to Dawn"; a dozen years after his death, James Brown's estate remains a muddled mess; Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson has a riveting video installation at The Broad.
  • Listen 26:42
    The dissident Chinese artist has three current exhibitions in Los Angeles; the Kavanaugh-Ford hearing gets a theatrical treatment with the gender roles reversed; Manhattan's High Line is the setting for "The Mile Long Opera."
    The dissident Chinese artist has three current exhibitions in Los Angeles; the Kavanaugh-Ford hearing gets a theatrical treatment with the gender roles reversed; Manhattan's High Line is the setting for "The Mile Long Opera."
  • Listen 25:59
    He's currently in the films "The Sisters Brothers" and "Venom," he's about to perform in the title role of "Hamlet" for Netflix, while also furthering his career as a rapper; Donald Trump's presidency is the ultimate reality show, but will it get renewed in 2020?
    He's currently in the films "The Sisters Brothers" and "Venom," he's about to perform in the title role of "Hamlet" for Netflix, while also furthering his career as a rapper; Donald Trump's presidency is the ultimate reality show, but will it get renewed in 2020?
  • Listen 26:33
    Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek and the film's writer/director talk about what may or may not be the actor's final role; actress Chantal Cousineau on California's new sexual harassment laws; New Yorker magazine cartoonist Liana Finck.
    Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek and the film's writer/director talk about what may or may not be the actor's final role; actress Chantal Cousineau on California's new sexual harassment laws; New Yorker magazine cartoonist Liana Finck.
  • Listen 28:08
    The primary lyricist for Los Lobos is also a visual artist and he has paired his lyrics and drawings and paintings in a new book, "Good Morning Aztlán"; Sarah Jones' "Sell/Buy/Date" is a one-woman play with many views of the sex industry.
    The primary lyricist for Los Lobos is also a visual artist and he has paired his lyrics and drawings and paintings in a new book, "Good Morning Aztlán"; Sarah Jones' "Sell/Buy/Date" is a one-woman play with many views of the sex industry.
  • Listen 27:26
    The iconic L.A. artist leads John Horn on a tour of his vast workspace and talks about his past and current work; media scholar Robert Thompson talks about the historic nature of Judge Brett Kavanaugh's televised confirmation hearings; Cuban pianist Dayramir Gonzalez is a rising star in jazz.
    The iconic L.A. artist leads John Horn on a tour of his vast workspace and talks about his past and current work; media scholar Robert Thompson talks about the historic nature of Judge Brett Kavanaugh's televised confirmation hearings; Cuban pianist Dayramir Gonzalez is a rising star in jazz.
Episodes
  • Listen 24:00
    Alice Armendariz, aka Alice Bag, became part of L.A.'s punk scene in the late '70s and she's still keeping that spirit alive; members of SAG-AFTRA want a share of revenue from the lucrative video game industry; Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire At Sea” is about African migrants risking their lives in the Mediterranean.
    Alice Armendariz, aka Alice Bag, became part of L.A.'s punk scene in the late '70s and she's still keeping that spirit alive; members of SAG-AFTRA want a share of revenue from the lucrative video game industry; Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire At Sea” is about African migrants risking their lives in the Mediterranean.
  • Listen 24:00
    Actress Naomie Harris wasn’t sure about playing a drug-addicted mother in “Moonlight,” but she couldn’t resist the powerful coming-of-age story; Donald Trump's campaign hosted a Facebook Live show before, during and after the debate; the latest album by Natalie Mering, aka Weyes Blood, was inspired by growing up in a devoutly religious household
    Actress Naomie Harris wasn’t sure about playing a drug-addicted mother in “Moonlight,” but she couldn’t resist the powerful coming-of-age story; Donald Trump's campaign hosted a Facebook Live show before, during and after the debate; the latest album by Natalie Mering, aka Weyes Blood, was inspired by growing up in a devoutly religious household
  • Listen 23:59
    Documentarian Dawn Porter had a legal career before picking up a film camera. Now she uses her legal knowledge to look at social issues such as abortion rights in her new film, "Trapped"; "Hamiltunes LA" was created by a group of superfans whose love of the Broadway musical, "Hamilton," led to the sing-along event that's now being replicated nationwide
    Documentarian Dawn Porter had a legal career before picking up a film camera. Now she uses her legal knowledge to look at social issues such as abortion rights in her new film, "Trapped"; "Hamiltunes LA" was created by a group of superfans whose love of the Broadway musical, "Hamilton," led to the sing-along event that's now being replicated nationwide
  • Listen 24:00
    Actress Rebecca Hall knew nothing of troubled news reporter Christine Chubbuck before she received the script for "Christine." She discusses the larger issues at work in Chubbuck's life; China's Wanda Group announced plans for a huge new studio facility in China and a hefty production incentive to lure filmmakers; After the election, will Donald Trump create his own media empire?
    Actress Rebecca Hall knew nothing of troubled news reporter Christine Chubbuck before she received the script for "Christine." She discusses the larger issues at work in Chubbuck's life; China's Wanda Group announced plans for a huge new studio facility in China and a hefty production incentive to lure filmmakers; After the election, will Donald Trump create his own media empire?
  • Listen 22:30
    In the HBO series "Westworld," Thandie Newton plays a robot prostitute who's one of the "hosts" in the dystopian theme park. She opens up about how this role is empowering in that it gives her the opportunity to challenge sexism and the objectification of women; Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno talks about why she moved to LA and she reflects on border culture in her new album "Illusion."
    In the HBO series "Westworld," Thandie Newton plays a robot prostitute who's one of the "hosts" in the dystopian theme park. She opens up about how this role is empowering in that it gives her the opportunity to challenge sexism and the objectification of women; Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno talks about why she moved to LA and she reflects on border culture in her new album "Illusion."
  • Listen 23:59
    Filmmaker Gavin O'Connor worked with Ben Affleck to make sure the actor's portrayal of a character on the autism spectrum was accurate and respectful; Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and an army of former Prince collaborators were on hand for the tribute; Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig from the band Lucius on working with the Pink Floyd legend.
    Filmmaker Gavin O'Connor worked with Ben Affleck to make sure the actor's portrayal of a character on the autism spectrum was accurate and respectful; Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and an army of former Prince collaborators were on hand for the tribute; Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig from the band Lucius on working with the Pink Floyd legend.
  • Listen 24:23
    The New Yorker editor David Remnick on Bob Dylan's literary cred; Jonás Cuarón explains why he made a movie about immigration as an action-thriller; Amazon wants your music streaming business; "A Nation Engaged": "Fresh Off the Boat" creator Nahnatchka Khan; Neon Trees singer Tyler Green comes out and leaves the Mormon church.
    The New Yorker editor David Remnick on Bob Dylan's literary cred; Jonás Cuarón explains why he made a movie about immigration as an action-thriller; Amazon wants your music streaming business; "A Nation Engaged": "Fresh Off the Boat" creator Nahnatchka Khan; Neon Trees singer Tyler Green comes out and leaves the Mormon church.
  • Listen 23:43
    America Ferrera says she's as much an activist as she is an actress, and she proves it in a documentary for the Epix cable channel; is NBC's attempt at synergy to blame for the Donald Trump/Billy Bush tape debacle?; visual artist Edgar Arceneaux imagines a better future for creatives.
    America Ferrera says she's as much an activist as she is an actress, and she proves it in a documentary for the Epix cable channel; is NBC's attempt at synergy to blame for the Donald Trump/Billy Bush tape debacle?; visual artist Edgar Arceneaux imagines a better future for creatives.
  • Listen 23:58
    "Improvisos Peligrosos" (Dangerous Improvisations) is diversifying the improv comedy scene in L.A.; Actress Constance Wu on what it means to be an American; "Newtown" is a portrait of the small Connecticut town in the wake of the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
    "Improvisos Peligrosos" (Dangerous Improvisations) is diversifying the improv comedy scene in L.A.; Actress Constance Wu on what it means to be an American; "Newtown" is a portrait of the small Connecticut town in the wake of the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
  • Listen 24:50
    How did NBC get beat on its own "Access Hollywood" tape of Donald Trump and Billy Bush? What does this tell us about the blurring of lines between news and entertainment?; the first weekend of Desert Trip was full of music, politics and high-end food; "The Birth of a Nation" underwhelms at the box office; "A Nation Engaged": playwright Jon Robin Baitz
    How did NBC get beat on its own "Access Hollywood" tape of Donald Trump and Billy Bush? What does this tell us about the blurring of lines between news and entertainment?; the first weekend of Desert Trip was full of music, politics and high-end food; "The Birth of a Nation" underwhelms at the box office; "A Nation Engaged": playwright Jon Robin Baitz
  • Listen 25:11
    In the 1973 movie "Westworld," Michael Crichton created a fantasy world that now doesn't seem so far-fetched in the new HBO series; Desert Days may be jokingly called "Oldchella," but the promoters are laughing all the way to the bank; Get Lit was founded with the goal of using poetry to increase teen literacy ... and it’s working.
    In the 1973 movie "Westworld," Michael Crichton created a fantasy world that now doesn't seem so far-fetched in the new HBO series; Desert Days may be jokingly called "Oldchella," but the promoters are laughing all the way to the bank; Get Lit was founded with the goal of using poetry to increase teen literacy ... and it’s working.
  • Listen 24:00
    “Delusion: His Crimson Queen” is a haunt for people who will pay for the privilege of being scared, while "Hollywood Premiere Party: The Show" lets movie fans have the red carpet treatment; as rumors swirl about Netflix being sold, the streaming service continues to throw its weight around.
    “Delusion: His Crimson Queen” is a haunt for people who will pay for the privilege of being scared, while "Hollywood Premiere Party: The Show" lets movie fans have the red carpet treatment; as rumors swirl about Netflix being sold, the streaming service continues to throw its weight around.