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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 25:52
    Taylor Mac is the theater artist, drag performer, MacArthur fellow and creative mind behind a 24-hour-long retelling of American history through popular songs; was James Levine allowed to remain in power at the Metropolitan Opera because of "maestro worship"?
    Taylor Mac is the theater artist, drag performer, MacArthur fellow and creative mind behind a 24-hour-long retelling of American history through popular songs; was James Levine allowed to remain in power at the Metropolitan Opera because of "maestro worship"?
  • Listen 25:24
    Boots Riley of the hip-hop group The Coup talks about his directing debut, "Sorry To Bother You" – a satire about race in America; “High Maintenance” co-creator Katja Blichfeld says she and fellow co-creator Ben Sinclair kept the show intact despite their breakup; the massive SxSW tech, film and music fest is underway in Austin.
    Boots Riley of the hip-hop group The Coup talks about his directing debut, "Sorry To Bother You" – a satire about race in America; “High Maintenance” co-creator Katja Blichfeld says she and fellow co-creator Ben Sinclair kept the show intact despite their breakup; the massive SxSW tech, film and music fest is underway in Austin.
  • Listen 25:10
    "A Wrinkle In Time" author Madeleine L'Engle mixed spirituality and science in her controversial book, now it's a big Disney movie; filmmaker Alma Har'el challenges the advertising business to hire more women to direct commercials; Spotify promises to expand your musical choices, but does it?
    "A Wrinkle In Time" author Madeleine L'Engle mixed spirituality and science in her controversial book, now it's a big Disney movie; filmmaker Alma Har'el challenges the advertising business to hire more women to direct commercials; Spotify promises to expand your musical choices, but does it?
  • Listen 24:59
    Hiro Murai had only directed music videos when Donald Glover tapped him to direct "Atlanta"; Amy Adrion's documentary, "Half the Picture," takes an empowering view of women in filmmaking; Tom Brosseau's latest album is titled "Treasures Untold."
    Hiro Murai had only directed music videos when Donald Glover tapped him to direct "Atlanta"; Amy Adrion's documentary, "Half the Picture," takes an empowering view of women in filmmaking; Tom Brosseau's latest album is titled "Treasures Untold."
  • Listen 25:28
    The company that produced "The Wolf of Wall Street" is fined $60 million in embezzlement case; Shawn Colvin's new album is made for kids and their parents; Quiara Alegría Hudes' trilogy of plays gets a first-ever simultaneous staging.
    The company that produced "The Wolf of Wall Street" is fined $60 million in embezzlement case; Shawn Colvin's new album is made for kids and their parents; Quiara Alegría Hudes' trilogy of plays gets a first-ever simultaneous staging.
  • Listen 25:38
    Aparna Nancherla manages to find comic relief in her own depression and anxiety; how to fix an Academy Awards broadcast that hit an all-time ratings low; Tamar-kali's score for "Mudbound" is "the blood beneath the mud."
    Aparna Nancherla manages to find comic relief in her own depression and anxiety; how to fix an Academy Awards broadcast that hit an all-time ratings low; Tamar-kali's score for "Mudbound" is "the blood beneath the mud."
  • Listen 25:52
    From the diversity seen on the red carpet and onstage, to the pointed messages delivered during the ceremony, the movie industry is at a tipping point.
    From the diversity seen on the red carpet and onstage, to the pointed messages delivered during the ceremony, the movie industry is at a tipping point.
  • Listen 27:44
    We take one last look at the nominees and the larger cultural and political issues surrounding the ceremony; talent agencies have been in the middle of Hollywood's abuse scandals. Maha Dakhil talks about what role the agencies should play to protect their clients.
    We take one last look at the nominees and the larger cultural and political issues surrounding the ceremony; talent agencies have been in the middle of Hollywood's abuse scandals. Maha Dakhil talks about what role the agencies should play to protect their clients.
  • Listen 25:52
    Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Fritz's book, “The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies,” examines the fallout from Sony's computers being hacked; Spotify seeks cash infusion as it prepares to sell stocks in the company; the Independent Spirit Awards take place on the eve of the Oscars.
    Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Fritz's book, “The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies,” examines the fallout from Sony's computers being hacked; Spotify seeks cash infusion as it prepares to sell stocks in the company; the Independent Spirit Awards take place on the eve of the Oscars.
  • Listen 54:05
    John Horn & Rebecca Keegan of Vanity Fair look at key Academy Award nominees in a year that saw significant contributions by women. And, at least this year, it's not #OscarsSoWhite.
    John Horn & Rebecca Keegan of Vanity Fair look at key Academy Award nominees in a year that saw significant contributions by women. And, at least this year, it's not #OscarsSoWhite.
Episodes
  • Listen 26:17
    Producer David Klawans and writer Jeff Maysh find unusual real-life stories, turn them into long-form articles and pitch them to Hollywood; the Netflix docuseries "Wild Wild Country" tells the remarkable true story of the friction and violence that ensued when an Indian guru tried to create a massive utopia in Oregon in the 1980s.
    Producer David Klawans and writer Jeff Maysh find unusual real-life stories, turn them into long-form articles and pitch them to Hollywood; the Netflix docuseries "Wild Wild Country" tells the remarkable true story of the friction and violence that ensued when an Indian guru tried to create a massive utopia in Oregon in the 1980s.
  • Listen 25:55
    The new Spike Lee film 'BlacKkKlansman' tells the amazing true story of Ron Stallworth, the black police detective who fooled the KKK into letting him join their ranks; Rosie & the Riveters play folk music with a feminist bent.
    The new Spike Lee film 'BlacKkKlansman' tells the amazing true story of Ron Stallworth, the black police detective who fooled the KKK into letting him join their ranks; Rosie & the Riveters play folk music with a feminist bent.
  • Listen 25:59
    Nico sang with the influential Velvet Underground, but this film chronicles the latter part of her career and life; the U.S. Justice Dept. is reviewing a longtime prohibition on movie studios owning their own theaters; mariachi students from around the country are in SoCal for a workshop and competition
    Nico sang with the influential Velvet Underground, but this film chronicles the latter part of her career and life; the U.S. Justice Dept. is reviewing a longtime prohibition on movie studios owning their own theaters; mariachi students from around the country are in SoCal for a workshop and competition
  • Listen 25:58
    The song list is part of Turning the Tables, an ongoing project from NPR Music dedicated to recasting the popular music canon in more inclusive – and accurate – ways; With the sale of 20th Century Fox's studio to the Walt Disney Co., film historian and author Leonard Maltin looks at Fox's movie legacy.
    The song list is part of Turning the Tables, an ongoing project from NPR Music dedicated to recasting the popular music canon in more inclusive – and accurate – ways; With the sale of 20th Century Fox's studio to the Walt Disney Co., film historian and author Leonard Maltin looks at Fox's movie legacy.
  • Listen 25:43
    The actress makes her directing debut with a film about two young girls on a journey to avenge their mother's death; the National Hispanic Media Coalition is targeting movie studios over lack of Latino representation; teenaged jazz bassist Anna Abondolo is going places.
    The actress makes her directing debut with a film about two young girls on a journey to avenge their mother's death; the National Hispanic Media Coalition is targeting movie studios over lack of Latino representation; teenaged jazz bassist Anna Abondolo is going places.
  • Listen 25:37
    The company that revolutionized moviegoing is floundering as movie theater chains launch similar pass programs; first-time novelist Elizabeth Klehfoth sold her book to Hollywood before she even had a publisher; Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' bring their blues collaboration to the Hollywood Bowl.
    The company that revolutionized moviegoing is floundering as movie theater chains launch similar pass programs; first-time novelist Elizabeth Klehfoth sold her book to Hollywood before she even had a publisher; Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' bring their blues collaboration to the Hollywood Bowl.
  • Listen 26:09
    The director and co-writer of "The Spy Who Dumped Me" turns the action-comedy genre on its head; what's the fate of CBS chief Les Moonves?; Netflix and Amazon preview their coming attractions at the TV Critics Assn. press tour.
    The director and co-writer of "The Spy Who Dumped Me" turns the action-comedy genre on its head; what's the fate of CBS chief Les Moonves?; Netflix and Amazon preview their coming attractions at the TV Critics Assn. press tour.
  • Listen 25:40
    The Texas native shot her indie feature in her home state, with a script based on her own teenage years there; the Idyllwild Arts Academy appears to have escaped the fire that's ravaging the area; the use of "white voice" by black characters in current films is a comment on white privilege.
    The Texas native shot her indie feature in her home state, with a script based on her own teenage years there; the Idyllwild Arts Academy appears to have escaped the fire that's ravaging the area; the use of "white voice" by black characters in current films is a comment on white privilege.
  • Listen 25:47
    On her latest album, the French singer and actress pays tribute to her family legacy and also mourns her sister's death; Spotify is paying advances to some artists, but says it's not actually signing artists the way record labels do. But if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck ...
    On her latest album, the French singer and actress pays tribute to her family legacy and also mourns her sister's death; Spotify is paying advances to some artists, but says it's not actually signing artists the way record labels do. But if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck ...
  • Listen 25:20
    The photographer has shot virtually every famous face for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and other magazines; the Venice and Toronto film festivals have released their schedules — let the award campaigning begin!; streaming services aren't as encyclopedic as you might think.
    The photographer has shot virtually every famous face for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and other magazines; the Venice and Toronto film festivals have released their schedules — let the award campaigning begin!; streaming services aren't as encyclopedic as you might think.
  • Listen 25:40
    The veteran singer/guitarist's lifelong passion for the genre is evident on his new album, "Out of the Blues"; playwright Young Jean Lee's provocative "Straight White Men" opens on Broadway; composer Max Richter plans to put Grand Park campers to "Sleep."
    The veteran singer/guitarist's lifelong passion for the genre is evident on his new album, "Out of the Blues"; playwright Young Jean Lee's provocative "Straight White Men" opens on Broadway; composer Max Richter plans to put Grand Park campers to "Sleep."
  • Listen 25:23
    "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn is the latest figure to come under fire in an industry that no longer tolerates an "anything goes" culture; the documentary, "Far From the Tree," examines what happens to a family when one child has a difference that sets them apart; Naia Izumi, winner of NPR's Tiny Desk Concert competition.
    "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn is the latest figure to come under fire in an industry that no longer tolerates an "anything goes" culture; the documentary, "Far From the Tree," examines what happens to a family when one child has a difference that sets them apart; Naia Izumi, winner of NPR's Tiny Desk Concert competition.