Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Host Madeleine Brand looks at news, culture and emerging trends through the lens of Los Angeles.

Jonathan Van Ness is the grooming expert on Netflix’s “ Queer Eye ,” a podcast host, gymnastics and figure skating superfan , and now an author.

‘Queer Eye’ star Jonathan Van Ness on sexual abuse and self-worth

Jonathan Van Ness is the grooming expert on Netflix’s “ Queer Eye ,” a podcast host, gymnastics and figure skating superfan , and now an author.

In the Netflix series “Living With Yourself,” Miles’ marriage is falling apart and his career is stagnant.

In ‘Living With Yourself,’ being cloned and being better

In the Netflix series “Living With Yourself,” Miles’ marriage is falling apart and his career is stagnant.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is heading to Congress on Wednesday. He’s expected to testify about his plans to create a cryptocurrency called Libra.

Mark Zuckerberg to testify on cryptocurrency, election security, and antitrust

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is heading to Congress on Wednesday. He’s expected to testify about his plans to create a cryptocurrency called Libra.

William Taylor, the acting ambassador to Ukraine, testified behind closed doors before three House committees today.

Impeachment: what we know and where the investigation is headed

William Taylor, the acting ambassador to Ukraine, testified behind closed doors before three House committees today.

KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez shares some of his recent music picks:  “Big Girls” by Masego “You and I” by Jakob Ogawa “You Don’t Want Me” by Wesley Bright and the Honey…

New music: Jakob Ogawa, Masego, and more

KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez shares some of his recent music picks:  “Big Girls” by Masego “You and I” by Jakob Ogawa “You Don’t Want Me” by Wesley Bright and the Honey…

The impeachment saga continues as Bill Taylor, former United States ambassador to Ukraine, is set to testify on Tuesday.

Impeachment depositions: who’s complying and who’s not?

The impeachment saga continues as Bill Taylor, former United States ambassador to Ukraine, is set to testify on Tuesday.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House -- made up of 27,000 beige textile blocks -- is perched high above the Hollywood Hills in Los Feliz.

Ennis House sells for $18 million

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House -- made up of 27,000 beige textile blocks -- is perched high above the Hollywood Hills in Los Feliz.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today that he cannot form a governing majority.

Netanyahu announces he can't form a government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today that he cannot form a governing majority.

Not long ago, Justin Trudeau was being fawned over by the left for his youthful charisma and progressive politics.

Canada’s Justin Trudeau is fighting for his political life

Not long ago, Justin Trudeau was being fawned over by the left for his youthful charisma and progressive politics.

You’ve probably experienced that awkward moment: You pay for your pastry or coffee at a cafe, then the cashier turns that iPad-like screen towards you and it asks how much you’d like…

iPad tipping ramps up anxiety

You’ve probably experienced that awkward moment: You pay for your pastry or coffee at a cafe, then the cashier turns that iPad-like screen towards you and it asks how much you’d like…

On Thursday night at a campaign rally in Texas, President Trump played to his base by calling multiple investigations into his conduct as a personal attack on his supporters and the…

Searching for clarity in Trump’s chaotic week

On Thursday night at a campaign rally in Texas, President Trump played to his base by calling multiple investigations into his conduct as a personal attack on his supporters and the…

About 10 years ago, a group of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan killed innocent civilians for sport and covered it up by framing the victims.

Alexander Skarsgård on playing an Army captain who forces his platoon to murder civilians

About 10 years ago, a group of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan killed innocent civilians for sport and covered it up by framing the victims.

The head of Pacific Gas and Electric, Bill Johnson, recently admitted that his utility did a poor job of overseeing the scheduled blackouts in the Bay Area last week.

What can California’s utilities learn from San Diego’s planned blackouts?

The head of Pacific Gas and Electric, Bill Johnson, recently admitted that his utility did a poor job of overseeing the scheduled blackouts in the Bay Area last week.

Our critics review “Jojo Rabbit,” from part-Jewish director Taika Waititi, who plays Adolf Hitler in this comedy; “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” the sequel to the 2014 orginal film…

‘Jojo Rabbit’ finds absurd humor in the Holocaust

Our critics review “Jojo Rabbit,” from part-Jewish director Taika Waititi, who plays Adolf Hitler in this comedy; “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” the sequel to the 2014 orginal film…

The movie “Parasite” centers on two families in South Korea. The Kims live in a basement apartment. The Parks live in a mansion on a hill.

‘Parasite’ director Bong Joon Ho on class conflict and drawing from Hitchcock

The movie “Parasite” centers on two families in South Korea. The Kims live in a basement apartment. The Parks live in a mansion on a hill.

Vice President Mike Pence announced today that Turkey would halt its invasion of northern Syria so a Kurdish-led militia could withdraw from the region.

Turkey agrees to a ceasefire in Syria. What is the Pentagon’s new strategy in the region?

Vice President Mike Pence announced today that Turkey would halt its invasion of northern Syria so a Kurdish-led militia could withdraw from the region.

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney today announced that President Trump awarded next year’s G7 Summit of world leaders to his own resort near Miami.  Mulveney also…

White House withheld aid to Ukraine for political reasons

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney today announced that President Trump awarded next year’s G7 Summit of world leaders to his own resort near Miami.  Mulveney also…

For the last 30 years, Shirin Neshat has used different media to explore complicated political realities, with a particular focus on Iran and America.

Iranian American artist Shirin Neshat opens the largest US exhibit yet

For the last 30 years, Shirin Neshat has used different media to explore complicated political realities, with a particular focus on Iran and America.

Country singer Tanya Tucker was only 13 years old when her first single “Delta Dawn” became a major success.

Country star Tanya Tucker on her first album in nearly 20 years

Country singer Tanya Tucker was only 13 years old when her first single “Delta Dawn” became a major success.

Scotty Bowers died earlier this week. He was 96. He was a matchmaker of sorts in Hollywood.

Remembering Scotty Bowers, the ‘male madame to the stars’

Scotty Bowers died earlier this week. He was 96. He was a matchmaker of sorts in Hollywood.