Sponsor
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
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.

Show your support for The Frame

LAist relies on your listener support to power the shows you love. Your donation today enables us to create more great programming for you.
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
  • 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 23:58
    Writer-director David Lowery had a tiny budget for "A Ghost Story," but he managed to attract Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara to the cast; Errol Morris is known for his serious documentaries, but he switches gears with The B-Side," a profile of photographer Elsa Dorfman.
    Writer-director David Lowery had a tiny budget for "A Ghost Story," but he managed to attract Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara to the cast; Errol Morris is known for his serious documentaries, but he switches gears with The B-Side," a profile of photographer Elsa Dorfman.
  • Listen 23:58
    Jay-Z's new album, "4:44," may be a hit, but the business model behind his music streaming service Tidal is in question; Two leaders of Outfest — the Los Angeles LGBT film festival — discuss how far has event has come and the history of queer cinema in Hollywood; How the New York Times became an outlet for documentary filmmakers.
    Jay-Z's new album, "4:44," may be a hit, but the business model behind his music streaming service Tidal is in question; Two leaders of Outfest — the Los Angeles LGBT film festival — discuss how far has event has come and the history of queer cinema in Hollywood; How the New York Times became an outlet for documentary filmmakers.
  • Listen 24:00
    Comedian Hasan Minhaj is doing more with his stand-up act than just making people laugh. He’s representing a vision of America. With the release of the album "The Hamilton Instrumentals," super fans like the people behind Hamiltunes LA get their wish. And keyboardist Benmont Tench, plays his ode to LA in the backseat of a car.
    Comedian Hasan Minhaj is doing more with his stand-up act than just making people laugh. He’s representing a vision of America. With the release of the album "The Hamilton Instrumentals," super fans like the people behind Hamiltunes LA get their wish. And keyboardist Benmont Tench, plays his ode to LA in the backseat of a car.
  • Listen 24:00
    Two music supervisors who work on TV shows like "Fargo" and "Breaking Bad" say they love what they do but they discourage others from going into the field. And 50 years later, a new book looks at the legacy of the Summer of Love.
    Two music supervisors who work on TV shows like "Fargo" and "Breaking Bad" say they love what they do but they discourage others from going into the field. And 50 years later, a new book looks at the legacy of the Summer of Love.
  • Listen 23:59
    This year, the Emmy Awards will finally recognize music supervision. In the first of a two-part interview, John Horn chats with Maggie Phillips (“Fargo”) and Thomas Golubic (“Breaking Bad”) about their work; Andrew Jay Cohen makes the leap from writing to directing with “The House,” a comedy starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler.
    This year, the Emmy Awards will finally recognize music supervision. In the first of a two-part interview, John Horn chats with Maggie Phillips (“Fargo”) and Thomas Golubic (“Breaking Bad”) about their work; Andrew Jay Cohen makes the leap from writing to directing with “The House,” a comedy starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler.
  • Listen 23:59
    “The Big Sick” tells the true story of how comedian Kumail Nanjiani and writer Emily V. Gordon became a couple; The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited a record 744 actors, writers, directors and other movie industry workers; Ginnifer Goodwin and Allen Leech star in “Constellations," a play that combines a love story with physics.
    “The Big Sick” tells the true story of how comedian Kumail Nanjiani and writer Emily V. Gordon became a couple; The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited a record 744 actors, writers, directors and other movie industry workers; Ginnifer Goodwin and Allen Leech star in “Constellations," a play that combines a love story with physics.
  • Listen 24:00
    Writer-director Jeff Baena turned a series of 14th-Century novellas set in a convent into a bawdy sex comedy; The Kronos Quartet is expanding the repertoire of contemporary music for string quartets; American movie studios benefit from taking on Chinese partners.
    Writer-director Jeff Baena turned a series of 14th-Century novellas set in a convent into a bawdy sex comedy; The Kronos Quartet is expanding the repertoire of contemporary music for string quartets; American movie studios benefit from taking on Chinese partners.
  • Listen 23:31
    Paul Dano stars in “Okja,” the story of a seemingly benevolent conglomerate working to help feed the world through genetically modified animals. Dano speaks about the issues raised in the film, and about working with director Bong Joon-Ho; The Arroyo Seco Weekend attracted about 24,000 people for each day of the two-day music festival on the grounds of the Rose Bowl. Two L.A. Times music writers have different takes.
    Paul Dano stars in “Okja,” the story of a seemingly benevolent conglomerate working to help feed the world through genetically modified animals. Dano speaks about the issues raised in the film, and about working with director Bong Joon-Ho; The Arroyo Seco Weekend attracted about 24,000 people for each day of the two-day music festival on the grounds of the Rose Bowl. Two L.A. Times music writers have different takes.
  • Listen 24:39
    Broken Social Scene wants to make music memories. They talk about their love of festivals and bringing music "to the people." And Pasadena City Councilmember Steve Madison says why he wanted to bring music to his city with the Arroyo Seco Weekend. And where are all the film scoring jobs going these days? Two people in the industry tell us why California needs to include film scoring in its production incentive program.
    Broken Social Scene wants to make music memories. They talk about their love of festivals and bringing music "to the people." And Pasadena City Councilmember Steve Madison says why he wanted to bring music to his city with the Arroyo Seco Weekend. And where are all the film scoring jobs going these days? Two people in the industry tell us why California needs to include film scoring in its production incentive program.
  • Listen 24:40
    Coal magnate sues John Oliver for defamation just days have the HBO host's scathing "Last Week Tonight" segment. The tumultuous love story of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera is now a bilingual opera called "Frida." And two of the lead actors in the play "The Pride" open up about the personal and political reasons they wanted to tell this story of gay men in love.
    Coal magnate sues John Oliver for defamation just days have the HBO host's scathing "Last Week Tonight" segment. The tumultuous love story of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera is now a bilingual opera called "Frida." And two of the lead actors in the play "The Pride" open up about the personal and political reasons they wanted to tell this story of gay men in love.
  • Listen 24:38
    Kulap Vilaysack discusses her Seeso reality TV spoof “Bajillion Dollar Propertie$” and the documentary she's making about the search to find her biological father. Variety's Brent Lang reports on why and how the directors of the Han Solo spinoff movie were fired. And The Frame contributor Tim Grieving visits with the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet at Walt Disney Concert Hall to hear how they're reinventing what percussion is and could be.
    Kulap Vilaysack discusses her Seeso reality TV spoof “Bajillion Dollar Propertie$” and the documentary she's making about the search to find her biological father. Variety's Brent Lang reports on why and how the directors of the Han Solo spinoff movie were fired. And The Frame contributor Tim Grieving visits with the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet at Walt Disney Concert Hall to hear how they're reinventing what percussion is and could be.
  • Listen 25:05
    'Time: The Kalief Browder story' recounts the tragic life and death of a teenager who was held a Rikers Island for years without being tried of a crime. The series' writer-director Jenner Furst puts his story into a larger context. Was Gal Gadot underpaid for starring in the smash hit “Wonder Woman?” The internet thinks so. Vulture's Kyle Buchanan helps us sort fact from fiction. Common Sense Media which rates movies and TV shows for language, violence, sex and drug use now assesses for gender stereotypes.
    'Time: The Kalief Browder story' recounts the tragic life and death of a teenager who was held a Rikers Island for years without being tried of a crime. The series' writer-director Jenner Furst puts his story into a larger context. Was Gal Gadot underpaid for starring in the smash hit “Wonder Woman?” The internet thinks so. Vulture's Kyle Buchanan helps us sort fact from fiction. Common Sense Media which rates movies and TV shows for language, violence, sex and drug use now assesses for gender stereotypes.