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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 24:14
    The Oscar-nominated editors behind "Moonlight," Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders, discuss working with director Barry Jenkins, editing reality TV and making history at the Oscars; A new study from USC finds best picture Academy Award nominees rarely have characters over 60.; What are the trends for the current TV pilot season?
    The Oscar-nominated editors behind "Moonlight," Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders, discuss working with director Barry Jenkins, editing reality TV and making history at the Oscars; A new study from USC finds best picture Academy Award nominees rarely have characters over 60.; What are the trends for the current TV pilot season?
  • Listen 23:58
    The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is in settlement talks with all of the major movie studios after a lengthy investigation into how directors are hired in Hollywood. Is change coming? Then "La La Land" composer Justin Hurwitz reveals how he went about scoring the modern day movie musical that's become an Oscar favorite.
    The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is in settlement talks with all of the major movie studios after a lengthy investigation into how directors are hired in Hollywood. Is change coming? Then "La La Land" composer Justin Hurwitz reveals how he went about scoring the modern day movie musical that's become an Oscar favorite.
  • Listen 23:58
    The off-beat show "Baskets" is much closer to the actor's own comic and storytelling sensibilities. He calls it a "slapstick drama"; Facebook is hoping to add more music content to its influential platform.
    The off-beat show "Baskets" is much closer to the actor's own comic and storytelling sensibilities. He calls it a "slapstick drama"; Facebook is hoping to add more music content to its influential platform.
  • Listen 23:59
    The latest Marvel TV series doesn’t look anything like a Marvel TV series. And that’s what show creator Noah Hawley had in mind for “Legion”; "4.1 Miles" is a documentary whose title refers to a small strip of the Aegean Sea where tens of thousands of migrants try to make the treacherous crossing.
    The latest Marvel TV series doesn’t look anything like a Marvel TV series. And that’s what show creator Noah Hawley had in mind for “Legion”; "4.1 Miles" is a documentary whose title refers to a small strip of the Aegean Sea where tens of thousands of migrants try to make the treacherous crossing.
  • Listen 23:58
    The HBO documentary “Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis” recounts the band's experience in the Paris terrorist attacks; Sting collaborated with J. Ralph for the Oscar-nominated song, “The Empty Chair”; the Grammy Awards are like a car wreck: you can't look away.
    The HBO documentary “Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis” recounts the band's experience in the Paris terrorist attacks; Sting collaborated with J. Ralph for the Oscar-nominated song, “The Empty Chair”; the Grammy Awards are like a car wreck: you can't look away.
  • Listen 24:00
    French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre — who's nominated for a Grammy this year — takes us on a journey through the past, present and future of the electronica genre; It's no accident that five of the last 10 films starring David Oyelowo were directed by women, including his latest, "A United Kingdom"; Hollywood studio execs and filmmakers may get a new relationship with China later this month.
    French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre — who's nominated for a Grammy this year — takes us on a journey through the past, present and future of the electronica genre; It's no accident that five of the last 10 films starring David Oyelowo were directed by women, including his latest, "A United Kingdom"; Hollywood studio execs and filmmakers may get a new relationship with China later this month.
  • Listen 24:00
    Violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine proves that classical music and heavy metal have a whole lot in common. Solange Knowles breaks down her Grammy-nominated song “Cranes In the Sky" in a Song Exploder segment. And the Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer is trying to put an end to one of the oldest scams in Hollywood- pay to play casting agencies.
    Violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine proves that classical music and heavy metal have a whole lot in common. Solange Knowles breaks down her Grammy-nominated song “Cranes In the Sky" in a Song Exploder segment. And the Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer is trying to put an end to one of the oldest scams in Hollywood- pay to play casting agencies.
  • Listen 24:27
    Producer Dan Lin proved with "The Lego Movie" that he could make a critically and commercially successful film based on a toy. Now the pressure is on to do the same with "The Lego Batman Movie"; Dave and Pos of De La Soul reveal their innovative approach to making their latest album, which paid off with a Grammy nomination; can Warner Bros. help subvert the traditional way movies get distributed?
    Producer Dan Lin proved with "The Lego Movie" that he could make a critically and commercially successful film based on a toy. Now the pressure is on to do the same with "The Lego Batman Movie"; Dave and Pos of De La Soul reveal their innovative approach to making their latest album, which paid off with a Grammy nomination; can Warner Bros. help subvert the traditional way movies get distributed?
  • Listen 23:59
    Lin-Manuel Miranda may have turned Alexander Hamilton's life into a hit Broadway show, but he tells us that passion, not politics, drives his art, "Your job as an artist is to chase what inspires you and finish it"; Gaby Moreno's fusion of R&B with Spanish lyrics has earned her a Grammy nomination; The FTC calls out Vizio for using their TVs to collect data on their users without their consent.
    Lin-Manuel Miranda may have turned Alexander Hamilton's life into a hit Broadway show, but he tells us that passion, not politics, drives his art, "Your job as an artist is to chase what inspires you and finish it"; Gaby Moreno's fusion of R&B with Spanish lyrics has earned her a Grammy nomination; The FTC calls out Vizio for using their TVs to collect data on their users without their consent.
  • Listen 24:15
    "Moonlight" director Barry Jenkins has gone from virtual unknown to eight Academy Award nominations; "Saturday Night Live" finds comedy gold in the Trump presidency; veteran R&B singer William Bell has two Grammy nods for his comeback album.
    "Moonlight" director Barry Jenkins has gone from virtual unknown to eight Academy Award nominations; "Saturday Night Live" finds comedy gold in the Trump presidency; veteran R&B singer William Bell has two Grammy nods for his comeback album.
Episodes
  • Listen 24:00
    Writer/director John Ridley (far right, with actor Timothy Hutton) talks about his edgy new TV series, “American Crime"; We crash a viewing party for the breakout TV hit, “Empire"; Musician and attorney Joe Escalante on the fallout from the “Blurred Lines” verdict.
    Writer/director John Ridley (far right, with actor Timothy Hutton) talks about his edgy new TV series, “American Crime"; We crash a viewing party for the breakout TV hit, “Empire"; Musician and attorney Joe Escalante on the fallout from the “Blurred Lines” verdict.
  • Listen 23:47
    A jury ruled that Robin Thicke (pictured) and Pharrell Williams violated the copyright to Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up"; an assistant director on the film "Midnight Rider" was found guilty of charges relating to the death of a camera assistant; producer David Shore revived a TV project created a dozen years ago by Vince Gilligan, before his "Breaking Bad" success.
    A jury ruled that Robin Thicke (pictured) and Pharrell Williams violated the copyright to Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up"; an assistant director on the film "Midnight Rider" was found guilty of charges relating to the death of a camera assistant; producer David Shore revived a TV project created a dozen years ago by Vince Gilligan, before his "Breaking Bad" success.
  • Listen 25:30
    "Midnight Rider" director Randall Miller was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges resulting from the death of a crew member on the set; Clint Eastwood talks about "American Sniper" (pictured) becoming the biggest-grossing film released in 2014; actress Gillian Jacobs has added director to her resumé with a documentary about computer pioneer Grace Hopper.
    "Midnight Rider" director Randall Miller was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges resulting from the death of a crew member on the set; Clint Eastwood talks about "American Sniper" (pictured) becoming the biggest-grossing film released in 2014; actress Gillian Jacobs has added director to her resumé with a documentary about computer pioneer Grace Hopper.
  • Listen 25:05
    A fan laments that legendary radio DJ Art Laboe (pictured) can't be heard in L.A., at least for now; Robert Christgau, the Dean of American Rock Critics, has a memoir covering his 40-plus years on the music beat; Claire Keane is a third-generation artist who left a cushy job to write and illustrate children's books.
    A fan laments that legendary radio DJ Art Laboe (pictured) can't be heard in L.A., at least for now; Robert Christgau, the Dean of American Rock Critics, has a memoir covering his 40-plus years on the music beat; Claire Keane is a third-generation artist who left a cushy job to write and illustrate children's books.
  • Listen 25:30
    The trial for the lawsuit brought by Marvin Gaye's children against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams is nearing an end; how "Dead Man Walking" was transformed from a movie to an opera (pictured); comedian Wayne Federman rounds up his hilarious friends to host a film festival where they chose the lineup; comic book writer Scott Snyder put his anxieties into his version of "Batman."
    The trial for the lawsuit brought by Marvin Gaye's children against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams is nearing an end; how "Dead Man Walking" was transformed from a movie to an opera (pictured); comedian Wayne Federman rounds up his hilarious friends to host a film festival where they chose the lineup; comic book writer Scott Snyder put his anxieties into his version of "Batman."
  • Listen 24:00
    Ed Piskor’s "Hip Hop Family Tree” (pictured) takes a look at the music's history in a comic book series; young comedians test their chops in roast battles; the Writer's Guild examines the lack of racial and gender diversity among TV writers.
    Ed Piskor’s "Hip Hop Family Tree” (pictured) takes a look at the music's history in a comic book series; young comedians test their chops in roast battles; the Writer's Guild examines the lack of racial and gender diversity among TV writers.
  • Listen 24:00
    Late night host Conan O'Brien tells us about his trip to Cuba and his thoughts on the late night TV shuffle; Vulture.com's Margaret Lyons recommends some TV shows that have an air of optimism; comic book writer Ed Brubaker goes from Captain America and Batman to a Hollywood noir graphic novel.
    Late night host Conan O'Brien tells us about his trip to Cuba and his thoughts on the late night TV shuffle; Vulture.com's Margaret Lyons recommends some TV shows that have an air of optimism; comic book writer Ed Brubaker goes from Captain America and Batman to a Hollywood noir graphic novel.
  • Listen 23:34
    Will Smith's "Focus" (pictured) did middling business in its opening weekend, so where does this leave his career?; filmmaker Ed Burns on the highs and lows of his career since bursting on the scene with "The Brothers McMullen" in 1995; Valiant Entertainment has a simple goal: make comic books like they used to be made.
    Will Smith's "Focus" (pictured) did middling business in its opening weekend, so where does this leave his career?; filmmaker Ed Burns on the highs and lows of his career since bursting on the scene with "The Brothers McMullen" in 1995; Valiant Entertainment has a simple goal: make comic books like they used to be made.
  • Listen 24:00
    Leonard Nimoy (pictured) died today. We discuss his artistic journey as an actor, writer and photographer; the copyright trial pitting Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. against Marvin Gaye's children is underway; Will Forte is "The Last Man on Earth," a new Fox comedy.
    Leonard Nimoy (pictured) died today. We discuss his artistic journey as an actor, writer and photographer; the copyright trial pitting Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. against Marvin Gaye's children is underway; Will Forte is "The Last Man on Earth," a new Fox comedy.
  • Listen 24:00
    Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane (pictured) wrote "The Ambassador," a song cycle inspired by architectural landmarks around L.A.; Yann Demange's new film is set amidst the violent Northern Ireland conflict known as The Troubles; a new study concludes that watching even just one film can change minds about a topic as charged as politics.
    Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane (pictured) wrote "The Ambassador," a song cycle inspired by architectural landmarks around L.A.; Yann Demange's new film is set amidst the violent Northern Ireland conflict known as The Troubles; a new study concludes that watching even just one film can change minds about a topic as charged as politics.
  • Listen 24:00
    A new report by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA says movies and TV shows with diverse casts (such as "Empire," pictured) make good financial sense; Song Exploder breaks down the theme song for "House of Cards"; a new stage production at CalTech takes "Alice Through the Wormhole."
    A new report by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA says movies and TV shows with diverse casts (such as "Empire," pictured) make good financial sense; Song Exploder breaks down the theme song for "House of Cards"; a new stage production at CalTech takes "Alice Through the Wormhole."
  • Listen 24:05
    How did Amy Poehler's sitcom (pictured) survive seven seasons of average ratings?; Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, returns to his musical roots with "Archive Series Volume Number One"; Wes Anderson's Oscar-winning film is the subject of a new book; the L.A. Philharmonic stages a multimedia production of "Alice in Wonderland."
    How did Amy Poehler's sitcom (pictured) survive seven seasons of average ratings?; Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, returns to his musical roots with "Archive Series Volume Number One"; Wes Anderson's Oscar-winning film is the subject of a new book; the L.A. Philharmonic stages a multimedia production of "Alice in Wonderland."