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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 23:55
    Yuja Wang is an internationally recognized piano genius who is in L.A. for the next two weeks to perform Bartók's piano concertos with the L.A. Phil; David Michod talks about how he’d been looking to make a film about America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for about a decade before he came across Michael Hastings’ book.
    Yuja Wang is an internationally recognized piano genius who is in L.A. for the next two weeks to perform Bartók's piano concertos with the L.A. Phil; David Michod talks about how he’d been looking to make a film about America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for about a decade before he came across Michael Hastings’ book.
  • Listen 23:59
    Luhrmann's love of hip-hop history brought him on to the series 'The Get Down' which Netflix has just decided not to renew for a second season. He discusses his first foray into television– an ambitious project that Luhrmann says was like producing a Broadway show in every episode. And The Frame visits writer-director Robin Swicord on the set of her Bryan Cranston-Jennifer Garner movie 'Wakefield.'
    Luhrmann's love of hip-hop history brought him on to the series 'The Get Down' which Netflix has just decided not to renew for a second season. He discusses his first foray into television– an ambitious project that Luhrmann says was like producing a Broadway show in every episode. And The Frame visits writer-director Robin Swicord on the set of her Bryan Cranston-Jennifer Garner movie 'Wakefield.'
  • Listen 23:58
    "Long Strange Trip" documents how The Grateful Dead found its sound and made Jerry Garcia a reluctant leader. "Wait Wait Don't Kill Me" is a podcast musical that satirizes the podcast "Serial," but it's also about our fascination with true crime and murder. Can Snapchat build an audience for short form shows by well-known TV celebs like Conan O'Brien?
    "Long Strange Trip" documents how The Grateful Dead found its sound and made Jerry Garcia a reluctant leader. "Wait Wait Don't Kill Me" is a podcast musical that satirizes the podcast "Serial," but it's also about our fascination with true crime and murder. Can Snapchat build an audience for short form shows by well-known TV celebs like Conan O'Brien?
  • Listen 23:58
    Documentary filmmaker Ryan White's investigation of a nun's murder led to uncovering a sex abuse scandal in Baltimore; music critic Ann Powers on the connection between young girls and live music.
    Documentary filmmaker Ryan White's investigation of a nun's murder led to uncovering a sex abuse scandal in Baltimore; music critic Ann Powers on the connection between young girls and live music.
  • Listen 23:58
    "Black Mirror" creator Charlie Brooker and co-executive producer Annabel Jones on their sci-fi show that has become a touchstone for certain moments in real life; promoters of the ill-fated Fyre Festival are reportedly facing a federal fraud investigation.
    "Black Mirror" creator Charlie Brooker and co-executive producer Annabel Jones on their sci-fi show that has become a touchstone for certain moments in real life; promoters of the ill-fated Fyre Festival are reportedly facing a federal fraud investigation.
  • Listen 23:58
    'Guardians of the Galaxy' director James Gunn opens up about how Marvel Comics and Alice Cooper made him realize he wasn't alone in the world. He explains the importance of score and music to the success of the 'Guardians' franchise; Daniel Fienberg, TV critic for The Hollywood Reporter, and Jeanine Poggi, media reporter at AdAge, recap Upfronts 2017.
    'Guardians of the Galaxy' director James Gunn opens up about how Marvel Comics and Alice Cooper made him realize he wasn't alone in the world. He explains the importance of score and music to the success of the 'Guardians' franchise; Daniel Fienberg, TV critic for The Hollywood Reporter, and Jeanine Poggi, media reporter at AdAge, recap Upfronts 2017.
  • 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.
Episodes
  • Listen 25:40
    As the actress wraps up the final season of "Veep," she looks back and ahead; why are so many theater productions based on old movies and TV shows?
    As the actress wraps up the final season of "Veep," she looks back and ahead; why are so many theater productions based on old movies and TV shows?
  • Listen 25:36
    The music producer has worked with Randy Newman, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt and Los Lobos, and occasionally releases his own music; highlights and lowlights from week one of Coachella; the Write Girl program provides mentoring for teens by actors and writers.
    The music producer has worked with Randy Newman, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt and Los Lobos, and occasionally releases his own music; highlights and lowlights from week one of Coachella; the Write Girl program provides mentoring for teens by actors and writers.
  • Listen 25:19
    Emma Thompson dropped out of a Skydance movie after the studio hired disgraced former Pixar CEO, John Lasseter. The she wrote a public letter about it. She tells us why. We discuss what's next in the on-going fight between the WGA and talent agencies. And we sample new features coming to a movie theater near you.
    Emma Thompson dropped out of a Skydance movie after the studio hired disgraced former Pixar CEO, John Lasseter. The she wrote a public letter about it. She tells us why. We discuss what's next in the on-going fight between the WGA and talent agencies. And we sample new features coming to a movie theater near you.
  • Listen 26:34
    The comedian's new Hulu series is a fictionalized version of his life growing up in New Jersey as the son of Egyptian immigrant parents; inside the memorial service for Nipsey Hussle; the all-girl Japanese band, Chai.
    The comedian's new Hulu series is a fictionalized version of his life growing up in New Jersey as the son of Egyptian immigrant parents; inside the memorial service for Nipsey Hussle; the all-girl Japanese band, Chai.
  • Listen 27:21
    Re-animated artists have become a big part of the concert business, now including Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and opera star Maria Callas; why is Netflix buying the Egyptian Theatre?; an experimental production of "King Lear" leaves the king offstage.
    Re-animated artists have become a big part of the concert business, now including Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and opera star Maria Callas; why is Netflix buying the Egyptian Theatre?; an experimental production of "King Lear" leaves the king offstage.
  • Listen 26:29
    The Tony Award-winning actor takes on the role of newsman Howard Beale in a stage adaptation of the 1976 movie; with 'Game of Thrones' about to resume, we visit with the show's weapons master.
    The Tony Award-winning actor takes on the role of newsman Howard Beale in a stage adaptation of the 1976 movie; with 'Game of Thrones' about to resume, we visit with the show's weapons master.
  • Listen 27:03
    Since going viral after the 2017 Women's March, the song by MILCK has taken on a life of its own; what's in store for fans at Coachella this weekend?; the indie hip-hop duo Closegood blends experimental hip-hop with poetry and emo music.
    Since going viral after the 2017 Women's March, the song by MILCK has taken on a life of its own; what's in store for fans at Coachella this weekend?; the indie hip-hop duo Closegood blends experimental hip-hop with poetry and emo music.
  • Listen 26:29
    The company specializes in abridged versions of The Bard's works that are played strictly for yuks; what are the challenges facing movie theater owners?; Yo-Yo Ma is embarked on a wildly ambitious Bach Project.
    The company specializes in abridged versions of The Bard's works that are played strictly for yuks; what are the challenges facing movie theater owners?; Yo-Yo Ma is embarked on a wildly ambitious Bach Project.
  • Listen 25:41
    Emilio Estevez writes, directs and stars in the movie, about a library that's a refuge for homeless patrons; "Fresh Off The Boat" hits 100 episodes – what is its lasting impact on the TV landscape?; at CinemaCon, AMC announced theaters in Saudi Arabia, and Helen Mirren yells "F--- Netflix."
    Emilio Estevez writes, directs and stars in the movie, about a library that's a refuge for homeless patrons; "Fresh Off The Boat" hits 100 episodes – what is its lasting impact on the TV landscape?; at CinemaCon, AMC announced theaters in Saudi Arabia, and Helen Mirren yells "F--- Netflix."
  • Listen 26:36
    The singer's 1972 gospel concert film finally arrives in theaters after decades of technical and legal challenges; the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles is trying to move on from leadership controversies; the Los Angeles Poverty Department has been making theater with the residents of Skid Row for nearly 35 years.
    The singer's 1972 gospel concert film finally arrives in theaters after decades of technical and legal challenges; the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles is trying to move on from leadership controversies; the Los Angeles Poverty Department has been making theater with the residents of Skid Row for nearly 35 years.
  • Listen
    From "M*A*S*H" to "The Big Chill" to her lead role in the new indie movie, "Diane," Mary Kay Place reflects on her career as a writer and actor; we meet Clementine Creevy, frontwoman of the L.A.-based band Cherry Glazerr; movie theater owners and Hollywood studios meet for their annual Las Vegas pep rally known as CinemaCon.
  • Listen 25:31
    The annual exhibit of site-specific public art has visitors flocking to the Palm Springs area for more than the usual fun-in-the-sun; rapper Nipsey Hussle left behind a legacy of music and community activism.
    The annual exhibit of site-specific public art has visitors flocking to the Palm Springs area for more than the usual fun-in-the-sun; rapper Nipsey Hussle left behind a legacy of music and community activism.