Karen Tongson

author of “Normporn: Queer Viewers And The TV That Soothes Us,” professor of gender and sexuality, English, and American studies at USC

A professor at USC, panelist on the Pop Rocket podcast and the author of a new book called “Why Karen Carpenter Matters.”

Karen Tongson on KCRW

The genre “normporn” includes sedate, soothing family dramas that usually grapple with race and sexuality as a nonissue, and show a fantasy of what family should be.

‘Normporn’ TV appeals to viewers’ ‘universal desire for peace’

The genre “normporn” includes sedate, soothing family dramas that usually grapple with race and sexuality as a nonissue, and show a fantasy of what family should be.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The word “queer” insinuated someone’s sexual “deviance” in the 19th century. Now it’s used proudly to refer to the LGBTQ+ community. KCRW traces this evolution.

Queer: The word’s meaning has evolved since the 19th century

The word “queer” insinuated someone’s sexual “deviance” in the 19th century. Now it’s used proudly to refer to the LGBTQ+ community. KCRW traces this evolution.

from Greater LA

The Dodgers reinvited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to their Pride Night celebration, after disinviting them over conservative backlash.

Dodgers are in a mess over drag charity group and Pride Night

The Dodgers reinvited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to their Pride Night celebration, after disinviting them over conservative backlash.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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A new Culver City gym filled with “American Ninja Warrior” staff is ready to scale any obstacle as the sport heads to the Olympics.

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Proposition 3 would enshrine the right for same-sex couples to marry in the California constitution. It would also repeal and replace language from 2008 that says otherwise.

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While we're off this week, we want to introduce you to a new show made by our pals over at Maximum Fun.

from Lost Notes

The Line Fire has scorched The Keller Peak Fire Lookout Tower, which has been around for nearly 100 years, making it the oldest observatory in the Angeles National Forest.

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SoCal Democrats anxious to help win the presidential election for Kamala Harris are road-tripping to swing states where they can make a bigger impact.

from KCRW Features

The founder of Famous Amos Cookies, Wallace “Wally” Amos, died this week at age 88.

from KCRW Features

An audio folk story examining the tradition of Black watermelon long-haulers, who drive to farms in the South for watermelon and sell them in Black neighborhoods around the US.

from Lost Notes

The tobacco-free nicotine pouch Zyn has been in short supply all summer. How did flavored pouches become the hottest nic fix?

from KCRW Features