Culture & The Arts

  • 304: Telling Stories About the Past: Historians on Historical Fiction

    On Christmas Day, the sixth film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved 1868 novel Little Women hits theaters nationwide. The movie reflects the ongoing popularity of historical fiction, a genre that has captivated audiences for decades and shows no si

  • The Dead Consensus

    As House leaders begin drafting articles of impeachment, examples from the Nixon and Clinton eras abound. This week, On the Media rewinds to the 19th century — and the turbulent impeachment of Andrew Johnson. Plus, what a debate between two right-wing in

  • Paula Cole: Where Have All The Puzzles Gone?

    Singer-songwriter and activist Paula Cole shares how jazz inspired her to find her own Grammy-winning sound, and plays games that show off her anatomical and ornithological knowledge. Then, contestants play an audio quiz that reminds them why they should always turn off their cell phones before a show.

  • Alex Talks to Rom-Com Revolutionary Aline Brosh McKenna

    Aline Brosh McKenna got her big break as the screenwriter of The Devil Wears Prada. But even after successful box office hits and many years in Hollywood, she found herself having to compromise her vision over and over again. So she took matters into her own hands.

  • Turning The Tables In Latin Music

    Alt.Latino draws the lines between Latin music and some of the eight women who invented popular music.

  • Kathryn Hahn

    Join us as we dig in the archives and revisit our conversation with Kathryn Hahn. You’ve seen her in comedy films like Step Brothers, the Anchorman movies, and many more. These days you can catch her on HBO’s Mrs. Fletcher. But when Hahn joined us a couple years ago she starred in Amazon’s I Love Dick, based on the Chris Klaus book by the same name. Hahn and Jesse talk about the inherently feminist space that I Love Dick inhabits, and the deeply complex character that Kathryn plays on the show. She talks about working with Jill Soloway, and the special and deeply creative environment that Soloway creates on set.

  • Little Women / Knives Out / A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

    Costume dramas, biopics, elite directors and their passion projects: the prestige movie season is upon us. But if Greta Gerwig’s new LITTLE WOMEN adaptation and Marielle Heller’s Fred Rogers biopic A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD could be considered Oscar bait, they are also among the best films of the year according to Adam and Josh. And they’ve got praise to spare for Rian Johnson’s star-studded – and politically potent – whodunit KNIVES OUT.0:00 - Billboard0:57 - Review: “Little Women”Haim, “Hallelujah”27:51 - Next Week/Notes35:06 - Best of ‘19 Poll / Massacre Theatre46:06 - Reviews: “Knives Out,” “A Beautiful Day…“1:15:55 - Outro / Outtake Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock ‘N’ Roll, Opinions on Leonard Cohen & Sudan Archives

    Beat writer William S. Burroughs had a profound impact and interaction with rock and hip-hop music from the 1960s through his death in the late 1990s. Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Casey Rae about his book on Burroughs and “the cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” They also review new albums from Leonard Cohen and singer and violinist Sudan Archives.