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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 15:59
    It's a rarity for a woman to direct a big budget, comic superhero movie, but Jenkins has torn down the walls with her critically-acclaimed box office smash.
    It's a rarity for a woman to direct a big budget, comic superhero movie, but Jenkins has torn down the walls with her critically-acclaimed box office smash.
  • Listen 16:00
    Broadway will honor the best in theater on Sunday night at the 71st annual Tony Awards. But there's one group of performers who will not be recognized, despite the fact that they often make up the majority of the cast in a musical. The Ojai Music Festival highlights an arts collective from the South Side of Chicago that launched 50 years ago by giving the west coast premiere of an opera about the collective titled "Afterward."
    Broadway will honor the best in theater on Sunday night at the 71st annual Tony Awards. But there's one group of performers who will not be recognized, despite the fact that they often make up the majority of the cast in a musical. The Ojai Music Festival highlights an arts collective from the South Side of Chicago that launched 50 years ago by giving the west coast premiere of an opera about the collective titled "Afterward."
  • Listen 15:19
    “Beatriz at Dinner” is set at a dinner party in a Southern California mansion. The filmmakers and long-time collaborators open up about how they sought to use the setting as a means to unpack "casual racism," and comparisons between John Lithgow's character and Donald Trump.
    “Beatriz at Dinner” is set at a dinner party in a Southern California mansion. The filmmakers and long-time collaborators open up about how they sought to use the setting as a means to unpack "casual racism," and comparisons between John Lithgow's character and Donald Trump.
  • Listen 15:59
    Movie trailers are both art and advertising. A co-founder of the annual Golden Trailer Awards breaks down what goes into the making of a trailer and why they honor the best and the worst each year. And filmmaker Trey Edward Shults says that dealing with his father's death and his own fear of dying informed his new thriller "It Comes At Night."
    Movie trailers are both art and advertising. A co-founder of the annual Golden Trailer Awards breaks down what goes into the making of a trailer and why they honor the best and the worst each year. And filmmaker Trey Edward Shults says that dealing with his father's death and his own fear of dying informed his new thriller "It Comes At Night."
  • Listen 15:59
    Bill Maher’s use of a racial epithet on his HBO show has led to calls for Maher's firing and ignited debate over who can say the N-word. We get reaction from NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates and "Dear White People" filmmaker Justin Simien; Brett Haley's new movie, “The Hero," looks at our admiration of cinematic heroes through the life of an aging actor whose public persona is defined by a role he played on screen.
    Bill Maher’s use of a racial epithet on his HBO show has led to calls for Maher's firing and ignited debate over who can say the N-word. We get reaction from NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates and "Dear White People" filmmaker Justin Simien; Brett Haley's new movie, “The Hero," looks at our admiration of cinematic heroes through the life of an aging actor whose public persona is defined by a role he played on screen.
  • Listen 25:16
    Artist Jeff Koons has his detractors, but he is an undeniable force in contemporary art; blues veterans Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' have finally made an album together; George Pérez is the DC Comics writer and artist who revived "Wonder Woman" in the 1980s.
    Artist Jeff Koons has his detractors, but he is an undeniable force in contemporary art; blues veterans Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' have finally made an album together; George Pérez is the DC Comics writer and artist who revived "Wonder Woman" in the 1980s.
  • Listen 24:00
    Between the White House Correspondents Dinner, his "Daily Show" gig and Netflix special, comedian Hasan Minjaj is having a good year; a playwriting workshop tries to help veterans re-connect with civilian life; Spotify settles a class action lawsuit that was filed by songwriters claiming they weren’t being properly compensated.
    Between the White House Correspondents Dinner, his "Daily Show" gig and Netflix special, comedian Hasan Minjaj is having a good year; a playwriting workshop tries to help veterans re-connect with civilian life; Spotify settles a class action lawsuit that was filed by songwriters claiming they weren’t being properly compensated.
  • Listen 23:58
    Sheila Nevins talks about how she navigated the workforce early in her career as assumptions about women were changing in America; Now that the DGA and WGA contracts are signed, it’s time for SAG-AFTRA to step to the negotiating table; Mexican-American singer Lila Downs has a new album that takes the romantic ballad genre known as bolero and pairs it with topical lyrics.
    Sheila Nevins talks about how she navigated the workforce early in her career as assumptions about women were changing in America; Now that the DGA and WGA contracts are signed, it’s time for SAG-AFTRA to step to the negotiating table; Mexican-American singer Lila Downs has a new album that takes the romantic ballad genre known as bolero and pairs it with topical lyrics.
  • Listen 23:58
    After a performance in blackface at an inaugural gala for President Ronald Reagan in 1981, Ben Vereen's career suffered. Artist Edgar Arceneaux has written an experimental play that explores the Broadway legend's intent; Vulture.com's Kyle Buchanan gives a recap on the most striking moments of this year's Cannes Film Festival.
    After a performance in blackface at an inaugural gala for President Ronald Reagan in 1981, Ben Vereen's career suffered. Artist Edgar Arceneaux has written an experimental play that explores the Broadway legend's intent; Vulture.com's Kyle Buchanan gives a recap on the most striking moments of this year's Cannes Film Festival.
  • Listen 24:00
    Reed Morano talks about being executive producer and director for the first three episodes of "The Handmaid's Tale"; Zoe Lister-Jones' directed "Band Aid" with marriage and music in mind.
    Reed Morano talks about being executive producer and director for the first three episodes of "The Handmaid's Tale"; Zoe Lister-Jones' directed "Band Aid" with marriage and music in mind.
Episodes
  • Listen 26:28
    Director Josie Rourke talks about her mission to reconsider history through a modern perspective on gender, power and sexuality; former L.A. Philharmonic music director Esa-Pekka Salonen will succeed Michael Tilson Thomas at the San Francisco Symphony; two generations of African-American harpists talk about their musical tradition.
    Director Josie Rourke talks about her mission to reconsider history through a modern perspective on gender, power and sexuality; former L.A. Philharmonic music director Esa-Pekka Salonen will succeed Michael Tilson Thomas at the San Francisco Symphony; two generations of African-American harpists talk about their musical tradition.
  • Listen 9:50
    The pianist and composer talks about and performs music from the movie about Don Shirley; what were the most streamed songs and albums of 2018?
    The pianist and composer talks about and performs music from the movie about Don Shirley; what were the most streamed songs and albums of 2018?
  • Listen 26:57
    Gabriel Cordell's attempt to roll across the country in a manual wheelchair is the subject of Lisa France's documentary; the endless options for TV cord-cutters
    Gabriel Cordell's attempt to roll across the country in a manual wheelchair is the subject of Lisa France's documentary; the endless options for TV cord-cutters
  • Listen 25:55
    Executive producer Eric Newman talks about pivoting the focus of the Netflix series from Colombia to Mexico; YouTube is scaling back the scripted output for its streaming service; music veterans Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore collaborate on an album, "Downey to Lubbock."
    Executive producer Eric Newman talks about pivoting the focus of the Netflix series from Colombia to Mexico; YouTube is scaling back the scripted output for its streaming service; music veterans Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore collaborate on an album, "Downey to Lubbock."
  • Listen 27:03
    Yalitza Aparicio went from being a fledgling school teacher to playing a pivotal role in Alfonso Cuarón's "Roma"; the New York Times reports that a faded talent agent and an actress client of his could ruin Les Moonves' chance of receiving any severance from CBS; this season's crop of new Christmas music has a little bit of everything.
    Yalitza Aparicio went from being a fledgling school teacher to playing a pivotal role in Alfonso Cuarón's "Roma"; the New York Times reports that a faded talent agent and an actress client of his could ruin Les Moonves' chance of receiving any severance from CBS; this season's crop of new Christmas music has a little bit of everything.
  • Listen 26:40
    The filmmaker has made some downright odd movies (e.g., "The Lobster"), but he takes a more accessible route with his new period drama; Emma Stone talks about her role in "The Favourite"; who's getting into the 2019 Sundance Film Festival?
    The filmmaker has made some downright odd movies (e.g., "The Lobster"), but he takes a more accessible route with his new period drama; Emma Stone talks about her role in "The Favourite"; who's getting into the 2019 Sundance Film Festival?
  • Listen 26:58
    The playwright and director talks about the real-life events in California's Central Valley that inspired the WWII-era drama, "Valley of the Heart"; Fox Nation launches as a streaming service; the pioneering post-punk band, The Raincoats.
    The playwright and director talks about the real-life events in California's Central Valley that inspired the WWII-era drama, "Valley of the Heart"; Fox Nation launches as a streaming service; the pioneering post-punk band, The Raincoats.
  • Listen 27:01
    The former Monty Python member revisits his life and career in the memoir, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography"; Luciana Souza puts Leonard Cohen poems to music.
    The former Monty Python member revisits his life and career in the memoir, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography"; Luciana Souza puts Leonard Cohen poems to music.
  • Listen 27:01
    To make "Of Fathers and Sons", documentary filmmaker Talal Derki put his life on the line when he embedded with a Syrian terrorist grooming his sons for Jihad; an art installation at The Broad museum in downtown LA is a tribute to American liberalism; and what to watch on TV over Thanksgiving weekend.
    To make "Of Fathers and Sons", documentary filmmaker Talal Derki put his life on the line when he embedded with a Syrian terrorist grooming his sons for Jihad; an art installation at The Broad museum in downtown LA is a tribute to American liberalism; and what to watch on TV over Thanksgiving weekend.
  • Listen 27:34
    The actor plays a nightclub bouncer who is hired to drive a black pianist (Mahershala Ali) through the segregated South; director Steve McQueen directs "Widows," a heist film with a twist.
    The actor plays a nightclub bouncer who is hired to drive a black pianist (Mahershala Ali) through the segregated South; director Steve McQueen directs "Widows," a heist film with a twist.
  • Listen 27:00
    The director had the unenviable task of making sure Melissa McCarthy was an unsympathetic character in the new movie; Disney's challenge to promote princesses in a changing culture.
    The director had the unenviable task of making sure Melissa McCarthy was an unsympathetic character in the new movie; Disney's challenge to promote princesses in a changing culture.
  • Listen 16:30
    For "Roma," filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón meticulously recreated his childhood home and cast lookalikes to play his family, his nanny and his neighbors. He tells John Horn about mining his and others' memories to tell the collective story of his family and his nanny from one tumultuous year in the early 1970's.
    For "Roma," filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón meticulously recreated his childhood home and cast lookalikes to play his family, his nanny and his neighbors. He tells John Horn about mining his and others' memories to tell the collective story of his family and his nanny from one tumultuous year in the early 1970's.