Too Beautiful to Live
Andrew Walsh has more than 15 years of experience producing public radio programs for New Hampshire Public Radio, Seattle's KUOW Radio, and WKSU in Kent, Ohio. Before joining KCRW, he hosted and produced The Andrew Walsh Show, a daily news analysis and culture show on Seattle's KIRO radio. He is currently co-host of the podcast Too Beautiful To Live.
Even Super Bowl commercials can't avoid politics The Super Bowl is this Sunday, pitting the New England Patriots against the Atlanta Falcons. We discuss one of the game’s most talked-about sideshows: the commercials.
Rain Lessons for L.A. Let’s be honest here: The rain is freaking us out. It’s coming down in sheets sometimes; we don’t know how to drive in it; we don’t know what to wear or where we put our umbrellas. Do we even have working umbrellas? We get some tips on how to deal from two Seattleites who know wet weather.
L.A. Football Fanaticism, 'Citizenfour,' and the Weird Politics of the Oscars Today, we start with a look at the football showdown shaping up in Los Angeles. There are competing plans to bring an N.F.L. team and stadium to the city; will any of them actually come to fruition? We also hear from a couple of hometown football fans about the heartbreak of being a Rams supporter in L.A.
Hospital Safety, A Sugar Warning, and “Finding Vivian Maier” Two patients have died at UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center from a drug-resistant superbug. Five additional patients have been infected and many more have been exposed. We look at the problem of medical errors and patient safety. Also, a panel of experts is recommending that the federal government create a sugar tax. Could it improve our health?
A Juicy Silicon Valley Legal Fight, “Virunga,” and the Plight of the Monarchs A high-profile court case alleging gender discrimination at a powerful venture capital firm heads towards trial this week. What are the issues at stake, and could the lawsuit have larger ramifications in the tech industry? Then, a look at how the app Snapchat is trying to branch out.
Immigration Hurdle, the “Latino Ferguson,” and Vietnam Then and Now A federal judge in Texas has halted, at least temporarily, President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. What will happen for the undocumented people preparing to apply for the programs this week? Also, a look at the shooting death of an unarmed 35-year-old man by the police in Pasco, Washington: a “Latino Ferguson”?
Walmart and Mexican Farm Conditions, SNL at 40, and a One-Way Ticket to Mars Two months ago, the Los Angeles Times documented in appalling detail the living conditions at Mexican megafarms that produce half our tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Now, Mexican growers and distributors and Walmart have vowed to improve the situation. But how?
Fifty Shades of Film, Geoengineering Our Climate, and Remembering David Carr Fifty Shades of Grey comes out this weekend and is expected to rake in $70 million by Sunday. We talk about the biggest Valentine’s Day release of all time and how it lives up to the hype. Also, we get a sneak preview of L.A.’s Broad Museum, which opens in seven months.
Ports Crisis, The Internet of Things, and the Art Laboe Connection A dispute between longshoremen and shipping companies has created a backlog that’s leaving cargo ships sitting offshore waiting to be unloaded and export goods languishing on the docks. What’s the fight about, and what’s the wider impact -- especially on California’s delicate citrus industry?
Cholesterol, Vaccinations, and the Rise and Fall of McQueen and Galliano The federal government plans to drop cholesterol warnings from its nutrition guidelines. What does the news mean for our diets? Also, a new book chronicles the rise and fall of fashion designers John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, who revolutionized the clothing industry but ultimately fell victim to their own demons.
City Council Salaries, Big Business of Education, and Soy Sauce History L.A. city councilmembers get paid more than the governor, members of Congress, and almost twice as much as California state lawmakers. How did that happen? And...is it possible anymore to talk about vaccines without devolving into a shouting match? Banner Photo Credit: Ken Lund
Merkel and Putin, Sochi One Year Later, and the Future of McDonald’s The White House and Germany are at odds over what to do about the crisis in Ukraine. We look at German chancellor Angela Merkel’s unique ability to negotiate with Putin, and what it means for the ongoing diplomacy. Then, it’s been one year since the Russian government spent $50 billion on the Winter Olympics in Sochi. What’s happening there now?
Brian Williams’ Memory Flub, Amy Pascal’s Departure, and a “Gravity” Lawsuit NBC’s Brian Williams has apologized for fabricating an experience he had reporting in Iraq 12 years ago. For years, he said his helicopter was hit by enemy fire, but admitted this week that it wasn’t. What does science say about how suggestible and reliable our memories are?
The Rise of ISIS, Jonathan Gold’s L.A., and Left Shark Madness Long-time foreign correspondent Patrick Cockburn has a new book out that tracks the swift rise of ISIS. We talk with him about some of the latest brutality by the extremist group and how it gained its power. We also look at the alleged connections between 9/11, Al Qaeda, and the Saudi Royal family.
Ghettoside, Marlborough Sex Offense Case, and Questioning D.A.R.E. A former teacher at the prestigious Marlborough School for girls has been charged with four felony sex crimes. We discuss the backstory. And 260 people were murdered in the city of Los Angeles last year. Nearly half of the victims were black.
Vaccines Get Political, “Smart” Drugs, and Harper Lee’s New Novel Vaccinations have turned political, with President Obama, Chris Christie, Rand Paul, and others all weighing in; is the politicization of the conversation a good thing or a bad thing? Also, Harper Lee is publishing a new novel, 55 years after “To Kill a Mockingbird.” What’s it about, and why now?
The Yellow Laugh A notorious dictator demands a recut of the documentary about him – or else.
Art as a Headache, Art as Medicine Edward Goldman talks about closed-minded versus open-minded interpretations of art.
Peter Jackson gives WWI footage new life in 'They Shall Not Grow Old' Peter Jackson generated whole worlds for his ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Hobbit’ trilogies. His latest project? A documentary that magically brings to life old footage shot on the front lines of World War One. The restoration of 100-year-old film was no easy feat. He tells us about his newest film, ‘They Shall Not Grow Old.’