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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 24:20
    In "The Handmaid's Tale" Yvonne Strahovski plays Serena Joy. Her cruelty and coldness toward Offred (Elisabeth Moss) — who is essentially a sex slave — made her easy to hate. But as the Hulu series unfolds so do the layers of her character. Dwain Worrell was living an expat's life in China when he submitted his script for "The Wall" to an online Amazon contest. Quickly it got greenlit and now it's a film, starring John Cena and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
    In "The Handmaid's Tale" Yvonne Strahovski plays Serena Joy. Her cruelty and coldness toward Offred (Elisabeth Moss) — who is essentially a sex slave — made her easy to hate. But as the Hulu series unfolds so do the layers of her character. Dwain Worrell was living an expat's life in China when he submitted his script for "The Wall" to an online Amazon contest. Quickly it got greenlit and now it's a film, starring John Cena and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
  • Listen 23:58
    Sam Hodges and Michael Killen are commercial directors turned TV showrunners whose debut series “Downward Dog" premieres tonight on ABC; Playwright Anna Ziegler puts a microscope on the issue of consent and sexual assault on college campuses in her provocative new play, "Actually."
    Sam Hodges and Michael Killen are commercial directors turned TV showrunners whose debut series “Downward Dog" premieres tonight on ABC; Playwright Anna Ziegler puts a microscope on the issue of consent and sexual assault on college campuses in her provocative new play, "Actually."
  • Listen 23:58
    Did Conan O'Brien steal jokes from another comedian? A jury may soon deliberate over that very question. Actor and playwright Wallace Shawn wrote "The Designated Mourner" in 1996. Now the play, which is about totalitarianism and anti-intellectualism, is being remounted by director André Gregory. And the artist known as Perfume Genius breaks down a song off his new album in an episode of Song Exploder.
    Did Conan O'Brien steal jokes from another comedian? A jury may soon deliberate over that very question. Actor and playwright Wallace Shawn wrote "The Designated Mourner" in 1996. Now the play, which is about totalitarianism and anti-intellectualism, is being remounted by director André Gregory. And the artist known as Perfume Genius breaks down a song off his new album in an episode of Song Exploder.
  • Listen 23:58
    Bryan Fuller and Michael Green open up about turning the Neil Gaiman book 'American Gods' into the new television series for Starz. They discuss how they approached issues of religion, race, immigration, sex and violence in the show. And Brad Grey, the former CEO of Paramount Pictures, passed away last night. In the wake of his death we discuss his legacy and the fact that he was the sort of movie mogul that Hollywood studios don't hire anymore.
    Bryan Fuller and Michael Green open up about turning the Neil Gaiman book 'American Gods' into the new television series for Starz. They discuss how they approached issues of religion, race, immigration, sex and violence in the show. And Brad Grey, the former CEO of Paramount Pictures, passed away last night. In the wake of his death we discuss his legacy and the fact that he was the sort of movie mogul that Hollywood studios don't hire anymore.
  • Listen 23:58
    Eleanor Coppola writes and directs her first feature film 'Paris Can Wait.' She opens up about her marriage with Francis, her daughter Sophia, and her lifelong struggle to find artistic fulfillment. An LA actor takes his Trump impersonation into the land of improv. A star-studded cast in NY engages in "documentary theater" with a reading of the play “All the President’s Men?”
    Eleanor Coppola writes and directs her first feature film 'Paris Can Wait.' She opens up about her marriage with Francis, her daughter Sophia, and her lifelong struggle to find artistic fulfillment. An LA actor takes his Trump impersonation into the land of improv. A star-studded cast in NY engages in "documentary theater" with a reading of the play “All the President’s Men?”
  • Listen 23:58
    Yes, there is too much TV content these days, but the field is winnowing; Graham Nash says he's found a new life at the ripe young age of 75; Diane Rodriguez's play, "The Sweetheart Deal," looks at labor politics and personal sacrifice in California, circa 1970.
    Yes, there is too much TV content these days, but the field is winnowing; Graham Nash says he's found a new life at the ripe young age of 75; Diane Rodriguez's play, "The Sweetheart Deal," looks at labor politics and personal sacrifice in California, circa 1970.
  • Listen 23:58
    Actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead has coveted a part in FX's "Fargo," and she finally got her wish in the current third season; Summer will bring the usual slate of remakes and sequels, but there are also some promising original films on the horizon.
    Actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead has coveted a part in FX's "Fargo," and she finally got her wish in the current third season; Summer will bring the usual slate of remakes and sequels, but there are also some promising original films on the horizon.
  • Listen 23:58
    Now that ABC is resurrecting "American Idol," we discuss why the network would do such a thing; how will TV networks prove that they're still the best place for advertisers to spend their ad money?; playwright Dan O'Brien tells us how he created a play out of his family’s history of betrayal, isolation and secrets.
    Now that ABC is resurrecting "American Idol," we discuss why the network would do such a thing; how will TV networks prove that they're still the best place for advertisers to spend their ad money?; playwright Dan O'Brien tells us how he created a play out of his family’s history of betrayal, isolation and secrets.
  • Listen 23:58
    A new documentary aims to give proper credit to storyboard artist Harold Michelson and his researcher wife, Lillian; John Oliver once again goes after the FCC over net neutrality debate; San Miguel Perez recorded his debut album in L.A. with help from Colin Hay of Men at Work.
    A new documentary aims to give proper credit to storyboard artist Harold Michelson and his researcher wife, Lillian; John Oliver once again goes after the FCC over net neutrality debate; San Miguel Perez recorded his debut album in L.A. with help from Colin Hay of Men at Work.
  • Listen 23:58
    “The Lost City of Z,” writer/director James Gray talks about how he approached adapting the source book for the screen; Facebook announced it’s shutting down its in-house virtual reality studio; “The Circle” director James Ponsoldt about his film and his own social media habits.
    “The Lost City of Z,” writer/director James Gray talks about how he approached adapting the source book for the screen; Facebook announced it’s shutting down its in-house virtual reality studio; “The Circle” director James Ponsoldt about his film and his own social media habits.
  • Listen 23:59
    Does the Netflix series, “13 Reasons Why,” glorify teen suicide? How can the streaming service better warn audiences about sensitive topics?; Why Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House in L.A. was built for theater but didn't stage a play until now; Brett Berns makes "Bang! The Bert Berns Story," a documentary tracking his father's legendary career in the music business.
    Does the Netflix series, “13 Reasons Why,” glorify teen suicide? How can the streaming service better warn audiences about sensitive topics?; Why Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House in L.A. was built for theater but didn't stage a play until now; Brett Berns makes "Bang! The Bert Berns Story," a documentary tracking his father's legendary career in the music business.
  • Listen 23:58
    Debra Winger co-stars in the new movie "The Lovers" with Tracy Letts. It's the kind of character-driven film that Hollywood movie studios might have made in the 1980's when Winger was racking up Oscar nominations. She reflects on the changing business and her place in it. Hulu made news today at the Newfronts with streaming deals for "This is Us" and "Atlanta" and their live TV bundle.
    Debra Winger co-stars in the new movie "The Lovers" with Tracy Letts. It's the kind of character-driven film that Hollywood movie studios might have made in the 1980's when Winger was racking up Oscar nominations. She reflects on the changing business and her place in it. Hulu made news today at the Newfronts with streaming deals for "This is Us" and "Atlanta" and their live TV bundle.