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.

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.

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 first US exhibit

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

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…

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.

Today a former top aide to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is testifying to House committees about why he abruptly left his post.  The committees are also hearing more from Kurt…

As impeachment inquiry ratchets up, who are the ‘Three Amigos?’

Today a former top aide to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is testifying to House committees about why he abruptly left his post.  The committees are also hearing more from Kurt…

Scientists say climate change is an urgent problem that needs drastic action, but not everyone buys it.

Reframing climate change as a symptom of evolutionary success

Scientists say climate change is an urgent problem that needs drastic action, but not everyone buys it.

After Tuesday’s fourth Democratic debate, one question is on voters’ minds: is there an alternative to the front-runners?

What are moderate voters looking for in a presidential candidate?

After Tuesday’s fourth Democratic debate, one question is on voters’ minds: is there an alternative to the front-runners?

Several weeks ago, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg warned his company about the risks that an Elizabeth Warren presidency would pose for their bottom line.

The responsibility of Facebook and social media in the 2020 election

Several weeks ago, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg warned his company about the risks that an Elizabeth Warren presidency would pose for their bottom line.

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith announced his resignation at the end of last week. He strove to be as even-handed as possible when reporting the news.

Shepard Smith, a rare voice for balance, leaves Fox News

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith announced his resignation at the end of last week. He strove to be as even-handed as possible when reporting the news.

On February 18, 1965, a crowd of more than 700 people packed Cambridge University’s debate hall for an intellectual clash for the ages.

Buckley-Baldwin debate still speaks to America’s racial divide

On February 18, 1965, a crowd of more than 700 people packed Cambridge University’s debate hall for an intellectual clash for the ages.

It can strike fear into the hearts of the best groomsmen, maids of honor, fathers and mothers of the bride: the dreaded wedding toast.

Tips for writing better wedding toasts -- from a pro

It can strike fear into the hearts of the best groomsmen, maids of honor, fathers and mothers of the bride: the dreaded wedding toast.

The stage at North Hollywood’s Palomino Club has hosted the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, and Linda Ronstadt.

Historic Palomino Club reopens Tuesday for a country music concert

The stage at North Hollywood’s Palomino Club has hosted the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, and Linda Ronstadt.

Congress returns to the Capitol this week, amid a growing fight between House Democrats and President Trump over the impeachment inquiry.  This weekend, President Trump threatened to…

Will Trump be able to sue Pelosi and Schiff?

Congress returns to the Capitol this week, amid a growing fight between House Democrats and President Trump over the impeachment inquiry.  This weekend, President Trump threatened to…

The U.S. is withdrawing about 1,000 troops from northern Syria.

What does US military withdrawal from Syria mean for ISIS?

The U.S. is withdrawing about 1,000 troops from northern Syria.