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.

Settlers from Plymouth England shared an autumn feast with the Wampanoag tribe in Massachusetts 400 years ago — a tradition we’ve come to call Thanksgiving.

The ‘dystopian horror story’ of the US’ founding, and how Americans still cannot admit fault

Settlers from Plymouth England shared an autumn feast with the Wampanoag tribe in Massachusetts 400 years ago — a tradition we’ve come to call Thanksgiving.

Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor William Bryan were deemed guilty today for murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a Black 25-year-old, when he was out jogging in…

Guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery: 3 white defendants face verdicts from nearly all-white jury

Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor William Bryan were deemed guilty today for murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a Black 25-year-old, when he was out jogging in…

What would your version be of a Thanksgiving that was less work and maybe last minute?

Easy last-minute Thanksgiving: Sandwich buffet with hardly-used condiments and any veggies you have

What would your version be of a Thanksgiving that was less work and maybe last minute?

Critics review “Licorice Pizza,” about a couple navigating love in the San Fernando Valley in the early 1970s; “Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City,” the latest flick based on the…

‘Encanto’ is fun for whole family, with songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda as he’s in ‘Moana mode,’ says critic

Critics review “Licorice Pizza,” about a couple navigating love in the San Fernando Valley in the early 1970s; “Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City,” the latest flick based on the…

Press Play looks at this year’s slate of holiday offerings: “Single All The Way,” about a single man who persuades his best friend to pretend to be his boyfriend for a holiday trip…

‘Single All the Way,’ ‘Real Housewives of the North Pole’: Which Christmas films are worth watching?

Press Play looks at this year’s slate of holiday offerings: “Single All The Way,” about a single man who persuades his best friend to pretend to be his boyfriend for a holiday trip…

Real trees are nearly twice as expensive compared to 2015, and artificial tree retailers had to increase prices by 20-30% this season, according to the Christmas Tree Association.

Buying a Christmas tree this year? Find one ASAP and be prepared to pay more

Real trees are nearly twice as expensive compared to 2015, and artificial tree retailers had to increase prices by 20-30% this season, according to the Christmas Tree Association.

AAA expects more than 53 million people to travel for Thanksgiving this year, nearly matching pre-pandemic levels amid hopes of a semi-formal holiday season.

Flying this holiday? Bring patience amid long waits and sympathy for airport staff

AAA expects more than 53 million people to travel for Thanksgiving this year, nearly matching pre-pandemic levels amid hopes of a semi-formal holiday season.

Governor Gavin Newsom says “substantially more” law enforcement officers will be near busy retail stores this Thanksgiving week.

From SF to LA, luxury retail stores face brazen robberies. How is law enforcement responding?

Governor Gavin Newsom says “substantially more” law enforcement officers will be near busy retail stores this Thanksgiving week.

Press Play speaks to the screenwriter of “House of Gucci,” a new film about the backstabbing and murderous family behind the iconic fashion brand.

‘House of Gucci’: New film shows family betrayal, vengeance, and murder behind the iconic fashion brand

Press Play speaks to the screenwriter of “House of Gucci,” a new film about the backstabbing and murderous family behind the iconic fashion brand.

Closing arguments began today in the trial against the three white men charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man, in Brunswick, Georgia.

Ahmaud Arbery and Kyle Rittenhouse cases: ‘Reasonable suspicion’ is tied to race and place in America

Closing arguments began today in the trial against the three white men charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man, in Brunswick, Georgia.

This Thanksgiving, Press Play is revisiting interviews with the authors and chefs behind some of our favorite 2021 cookbooks.

Thanksgiving 2021: Skip turkey. How about hummus, dumplings, ancient grains, cocktails?

This Thanksgiving, Press Play is revisiting interviews with the authors and chefs behind some of our favorite 2021 cookbooks.

“Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson" examines that infamous Super Bowl halftime performance and how it damaged Jackson’s career for years.

‘Malfunction’ at Super Bowl halftime: Gender inequity and media derailed Janet Jackson, fans saved her

“Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson" examines that infamous Super Bowl halftime performance and how it damaged Jackson’s career for years.

Critics review “King Richard,” a biographical drama starring Will Smith as the father and coach of famed tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams; “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” the newest…

Will Smith delivers Oscar-worthy performance in ‘King Richard,’ says critic

Critics review “King Richard,” a biographical drama starring Will Smith as the father and coach of famed tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams; “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” the newest…

Journalist Sam Quinones talks about his new book, “The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth."

How fentanyl and meth exploded nationwide and led to more mental illness, homelessness, and deaths

Journalist Sam Quinones talks about his new book, “The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth."

“I really want to give up. The only thing that keeps me going is the virtues from my family. Otherwise … 90% of me just doesn't want to care anymore.

‘I really want to give up’: San Jose doctor on feeling disillusioned, distraught during COVID

“I really want to give up. The only thing that keeps me going is the virtues from my family. Otherwise … 90% of me just doesn't want to care anymore.

“What this means for the people who are left behind is a crushing spiral where their jobs are already hard.

Burnout, compassion fatigue, poor treatment from admin: 20% of health care workers quit amid COVID

“What this means for the people who are left behind is a crushing spiral where their jobs are already hard.

The experience of the pandemic has brought home how important it is for each of us to look beyond ourselves to support those in need.

Want to volunteer or donate this holiday? Get involved with Miry’s List, Sova, Food Forward and more

The experience of the pandemic has brought home how important it is for each of us to look beyond ourselves to support those in need.

Julia Child was the first celebrity TV chef beginning in the early 1960s.

Julia Child’s diaries and private letters reveal details of her personal life and marriage

Julia Child was the first celebrity TV chef beginning in the early 1960s.

Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday urged all California adults to get a booster shot. At a high school in the San Joaquin Valley, he said, “We are going to see an increase in cases.

Clarifying booster confusion: CA tells all adults to get third COVID shot, feds haven’t said the same

Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday urged all California adults to get a booster shot. At a high school in the San Joaquin Valley, he said, “We are going to see an increase in cases.

Columnist Amanda Mull suggests people should look at whether compulsive shopping is the best use of time, energy, and resources.

Too much shopping is fueling supply chain backlog and waste. This holiday, buy nothing?

Columnist Amanda Mull suggests people should look at whether compulsive shopping is the best use of time, energy, and resources.