the Verge
PROFILE
Elizabeth Lopatto
Guest
FROM Elizabeth Lopatto
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How 'natural' are nature documentaries? The signature scene in the Oscar-winning 1958 Disney documentary “White Wilderness” features a mass suicide of lemmings. That scene was disturbing for the faint of heart, but that’s not why the film is now infamous. It turned out the whole thing was staged and the lemmings did not voluntarily jump to their deaths – they were pushed to their deaths by the film crew. Filmmakers have gotten better about not engaging in outright animal cruelty these days, but nature documentaries still fake quite a lot, like adding sound effects in post-production. Are filmmakers being dishonest or is a certain amount of fakery to be expected?
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The Business
Industry insights and lessons learned from memorable guests We have interesting guests on The Business, and sometimes our conversations are too long to fit into one show. This week we give you stories that were too good to leave on the cutting room floor, including some sharp insights on making it in the industry from David Mandel, David Simon, Shawn Levy and Matt Reeves.
The Treatment
Hua Hsu: A Floating Chinaman Author Hua Hsu stops by to discuss his book A Floating Chinaman, recounting the life of 1930's actor/writer H.T. Tsiang and his struggles entering the American literary world.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Accusations of lying fly between James Comey and White House During his testimony Thursday, former FBI Director James Comey accused President Trump and other White House officials of lying when they said the FBI was in disarray and its staff had lost confidence in him. President Trump’s lawyer said Comey was wrong -- that the president never asked for his loyalty, and never asked him to back off the investigation into former NSA director Michael Flynn.
Good Food
Shaking up the USDA, 'The Beef Cookbook' and 'Tartine All Day' Peggy Lowe explains why Trump’s pick for USDA Secretary is rattling rural America. Dario Cecchini talks future plans for Chianti ramen, and Richard Turner shares cuts from “PRIME: The Beef Cookbook.” Writer Matthew Sedacca looks at the controversy behind liquid smoke. Jonathan Gold tries Chengdu-style dishes, and Elisabeth Prueitt of Tartine fills us in on the latest. Plus, chef Michael Beckman shares a recipe for cactus confit.