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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 24:00
    Alice Armendariz, aka Alice Bag, became part of L.A.'s punk scene in the late '70s and she's still keeping that spirit alive; members of SAG-AFTRA want a share of revenue from the lucrative video game industry; Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire At Sea” is about African migrants risking their lives in the Mediterranean.
    Alice Armendariz, aka Alice Bag, became part of L.A.'s punk scene in the late '70s and she's still keeping that spirit alive; members of SAG-AFTRA want a share of revenue from the lucrative video game industry; Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire At Sea” is about African migrants risking their lives in the Mediterranean.
  • Listen 24:00
    Actress Naomie Harris wasn’t sure about playing a drug-addicted mother in “Moonlight,” but she couldn’t resist the powerful coming-of-age story; Donald Trump's campaign hosted a Facebook Live show before, during and after the debate; the latest album by Natalie Mering, aka Weyes Blood, was inspired by growing up in a devoutly religious household
    Actress Naomie Harris wasn’t sure about playing a drug-addicted mother in “Moonlight,” but she couldn’t resist the powerful coming-of-age story; Donald Trump's campaign hosted a Facebook Live show before, during and after the debate; the latest album by Natalie Mering, aka Weyes Blood, was inspired by growing up in a devoutly religious household
  • Listen 23:59
    Documentarian Dawn Porter had a legal career before picking up a film camera. Now she uses her legal knowledge to look at social issues such as abortion rights in her new film, "Trapped"; "Hamiltunes LA" was created by a group of superfans whose love of the Broadway musical, "Hamilton," led to the sing-along event that's now being replicated nationwide
    Documentarian Dawn Porter had a legal career before picking up a film camera. Now she uses her legal knowledge to look at social issues such as abortion rights in her new film, "Trapped"; "Hamiltunes LA" was created by a group of superfans whose love of the Broadway musical, "Hamilton," led to the sing-along event that's now being replicated nationwide
  • Listen 24:00
    Actress Rebecca Hall knew nothing of troubled news reporter Christine Chubbuck before she received the script for "Christine." She discusses the larger issues at work in Chubbuck's life; China's Wanda Group announced plans for a huge new studio facility in China and a hefty production incentive to lure filmmakers; After the election, will Donald Trump create his own media empire?
    Actress Rebecca Hall knew nothing of troubled news reporter Christine Chubbuck before she received the script for "Christine." She discusses the larger issues at work in Chubbuck's life; China's Wanda Group announced plans for a huge new studio facility in China and a hefty production incentive to lure filmmakers; After the election, will Donald Trump create his own media empire?
  • Listen 22:30
    In the HBO series "Westworld," Thandie Newton plays a robot prostitute who's one of the "hosts" in the dystopian theme park. She opens up about how this role is empowering in that it gives her the opportunity to challenge sexism and the objectification of women; Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno talks about why she moved to LA and she reflects on border culture in her new album "Illusion."
    In the HBO series "Westworld," Thandie Newton plays a robot prostitute who's one of the "hosts" in the dystopian theme park. She opens up about how this role is empowering in that it gives her the opportunity to challenge sexism and the objectification of women; Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno talks about why she moved to LA and she reflects on border culture in her new album "Illusion."
  • Listen 23:59
    Filmmaker Gavin O'Connor worked with Ben Affleck to make sure the actor's portrayal of a character on the autism spectrum was accurate and respectful; Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and an army of former Prince collaborators were on hand for the tribute; Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig from the band Lucius on working with the Pink Floyd legend.
    Filmmaker Gavin O'Connor worked with Ben Affleck to make sure the actor's portrayal of a character on the autism spectrum was accurate and respectful; Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and an army of former Prince collaborators were on hand for the tribute; Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig from the band Lucius on working with the Pink Floyd legend.
  • Listen 24:23
    The New Yorker editor David Remnick on Bob Dylan's literary cred; Jonás Cuarón explains why he made a movie about immigration as an action-thriller; Amazon wants your music streaming business; "A Nation Engaged": "Fresh Off the Boat" creator Nahnatchka Khan; Neon Trees singer Tyler Green comes out and leaves the Mormon church.
    The New Yorker editor David Remnick on Bob Dylan's literary cred; Jonás Cuarón explains why he made a movie about immigration as an action-thriller; Amazon wants your music streaming business; "A Nation Engaged": "Fresh Off the Boat" creator Nahnatchka Khan; Neon Trees singer Tyler Green comes out and leaves the Mormon church.
  • Listen 23:43
    America Ferrera says she's as much an activist as she is an actress, and she proves it in a documentary for the Epix cable channel; is NBC's attempt at synergy to blame for the Donald Trump/Billy Bush tape debacle?; visual artist Edgar Arceneaux imagines a better future for creatives.
    America Ferrera says she's as much an activist as she is an actress, and she proves it in a documentary for the Epix cable channel; is NBC's attempt at synergy to blame for the Donald Trump/Billy Bush tape debacle?; visual artist Edgar Arceneaux imagines a better future for creatives.
  • Listen 23:58
    "Improvisos Peligrosos" (Dangerous Improvisations) is diversifying the improv comedy scene in L.A.; Actress Constance Wu on what it means to be an American; "Newtown" is a portrait of the small Connecticut town in the wake of the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
    "Improvisos Peligrosos" (Dangerous Improvisations) is diversifying the improv comedy scene in L.A.; Actress Constance Wu on what it means to be an American; "Newtown" is a portrait of the small Connecticut town in the wake of the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
  • Listen 24:50
    How did NBC get beat on its own "Access Hollywood" tape of Donald Trump and Billy Bush? What does this tell us about the blurring of lines between news and entertainment?; the first weekend of Desert Trip was full of music, politics and high-end food; "The Birth of a Nation" underwhelms at the box office; "A Nation Engaged": playwright Jon Robin Baitz
    How did NBC get beat on its own "Access Hollywood" tape of Donald Trump and Billy Bush? What does this tell us about the blurring of lines between news and entertainment?; the first weekend of Desert Trip was full of music, politics and high-end food; "The Birth of a Nation" underwhelms at the box office; "A Nation Engaged": playwright Jon Robin Baitz
Episodes
  • Listen 25:49
    On today's show: jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard's interest in social issues comes through in his choice of projects, such as his score for “BlacKkKlansman,” the forthcoming film by Spike Lee; documentary films are having a renaissance, evidenced by the success of "RBG" and "Won't You Be My Neighbor."
    On today's show: jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard's interest in social issues comes through in his choice of projects, such as his score for “BlacKkKlansman,” the forthcoming film by Spike Lee; documentary films are having a renaissance, evidenced by the success of "RBG" and "Won't You Be My Neighbor."
  • Listen 26:11
    On today's show: filmmaker Debra Granik says if studios are the equivalent of big agriculture, she is the organic farmer; off the court, LeBron James has a big Hollywood presence; singer-songwriter Sam Buck contrasts '90s pop country with personal anecdotes of queer identity.
    On today's show: filmmaker Debra Granik says if studios are the equivalent of big agriculture, she is the organic farmer; off the court, LeBron James has a big Hollywood presence; singer-songwriter Sam Buck contrasts '90s pop country with personal anecdotes of queer identity.
  • Listen 17:00
    On today's show: Sarah Silverman is ramping up for the second season of her Hulu series, in which she travels the country to examine the causes of America’s polarization through a comedic lens.
    On today's show: Sarah Silverman is ramping up for the second season of her Hulu series, in which she travels the country to examine the causes of America’s polarization through a comedic lens.
  • Listen 16:49
    On today's show: "Woman Walks Ahead" tells the story of Catherine Weldon, a real-life activist and artist who traveled from Brooklyn to the Standing Rock Reservation in the 1880s to paint a portrait of Sitting Bull. Jessica Chastain plays Weldon and is also an activist herself — for equal pay and equal opportunities for women in Hollywood.
    On today's show: "Woman Walks Ahead" tells the story of Catherine Weldon, a real-life activist and artist who traveled from Brooklyn to the Standing Rock Reservation in the 1880s to paint a portrait of Sitting Bull. Jessica Chastain plays Weldon and is also an activist herself — for equal pay and equal opportunities for women in Hollywood.
  • Listen 27:12
    On today's show: filmmaker Tim Wardle tells the unreal story of three men who discovered siblings they never knew existed; the mixed messages of the Motion Picture Academy's latest membership push; two exhibitions bring street art inside Chinatown galleries.
    On today's show: filmmaker Tim Wardle tells the unreal story of three men who discovered siblings they never knew existed; the mixed messages of the Motion Picture Academy's latest membership push; two exhibitions bring street art inside Chinatown galleries.
  • Listen 16:57
    On today's show: the lead singer of Imagine Dragons is a practicing Mormon, but he questions the church's stance on LGTBQ issues in the HBO documentary, "Believer."
    On today's show: the lead singer of Imagine Dragons is a practicing Mormon, but he questions the church's stance on LGTBQ issues in the HBO documentary, "Believer."
  • Listen 17:15
    On today's show: The actress produced and narrates the documentary, which is based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Safran Foer. She wants you to think twice about being a meat-eater; filmmaker Eugene Jarecki goes in search of the America that produced Elvis Presley.
    On today's show: The actress produced and narrates the documentary, which is based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Safran Foer. She wants you to think twice about being a meat-eater; filmmaker Eugene Jarecki goes in search of the America that produced Elvis Presley.
  • Listen 27:45
    Steven Canals, co-creator of the FX series about the underground club culture, talks about re-creating those elaborate scenes; why is the Pasadena Museum of California Art shutting its doors?; Ben Lewin's film, "The Catcher Was a Spy," is about a major league baseball player who lived a double life during World War II.
    Steven Canals, co-creator of the FX series about the underground club culture, talks about re-creating those elaborate scenes; why is the Pasadena Museum of California Art shutting its doors?; Ben Lewin's film, "The Catcher Was a Spy," is about a major league baseball player who lived a double life during World War II.
  • Listen 27:29
    Writer/director Shana Feste's father was a troubled but charismatic man who inspired her new film; in the Vice series, "Minority Reports," Lee Adams explores racial angles of fish-out-of-water stories; Rosie & the Riveters play folk music with a feminist bent.
    Writer/director Shana Feste's father was a troubled but charismatic man who inspired her new film; in the Vice series, "Minority Reports," Lee Adams explores racial angles of fish-out-of-water stories; Rosie & the Riveters play folk music with a feminist bent.
  • Listen 27:43
    On today's show: After going dark for five years, LALIFF has been revived by its co-founder, Edward James Olmos; Disney makes a counteroffer for properties being sold by Fox; The documentary, "Half the Picture," looks at the long history of systemic discrimination against women filmmakers.
    On today's show: After going dark for five years, LALIFF has been revived by its co-founder, Edward James Olmos; Disney makes a counteroffer for properties being sold by Fox; The documentary, "Half the Picture," looks at the long history of systemic discrimination against women filmmakers.
  • Listen 28:04
    On today's show: comedian Hannah Gadsby grew up in Tasmania, where being gay wasn't just dangerous, it was criminalized. Now, she’s sharing her story in a Netflix special; WeTransfer creates a platform for artists and other creatives to showcase their work; Anna Abondolo is a teen musician who's going places.
    On today's show: comedian Hannah Gadsby grew up in Tasmania, where being gay wasn't just dangerous, it was criminalized. Now, she’s sharing her story in a Netflix special; WeTransfer creates a platform for artists and other creatives to showcase their work; Anna Abondolo is a teen musician who's going places.
  • Listen 27:43
    On today's show: Beyoncé and Jay thrilled their fans by dropping a surprise album over the weekend; playwright Stephen Karam turned a bad family Thanksgiving dinner into "The Humans"; real life paleontologist Jack Horner inspired the Sam Neill character in the "Jurassic" franchise.
    On today's show: Beyoncé and Jay thrilled their fans by dropping a surprise album over the weekend; playwright Stephen Karam turned a bad family Thanksgiving dinner into "The Humans"; real life paleontologist Jack Horner inspired the Sam Neill character in the "Jurassic" franchise.