Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Families of Prisoners, Reality TV Culture, and Water Rules
Today on Press Play: Emmy nominations, a preview of the World Cup final, the fight for water, and teens with family in prison.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenThe Emmy nominations were announced this morning; we look at Emmy campaigns and the reality TV category. Next, we get a preview of this Sunday’s World Cup final between Germany and Argentina with the comedy-sports duo the Sklar Brothers. Then, California’s drought continues to drag on. We look at two water-related stories: A new lawsuit against the Department of Water and Power’s union and a state proposal for new water restrictions. Finally, host Madeleine Brand stepped outside the studio recently to meet with a group of Venice high school students with family members in prison.
Banner Image Credit: Robert Couse-Baker
In this episode
6 storiesAre Emmy Campaigns Out of Control?
The Emmy nominations were announced this morning, without many surprises. But there was an awful lot of jockeying for position leading up to this morning’s announcements. While movies are known for elaborate Oscar campaigns, Emmy campaigns are getting to be a big deal as well.
Read the story9 minReality TV
News around the Emmy announcements generally focuses on best drama, best actors, and high-budget shows. But more Americans watch reality TV than True Detective. We look at the state of reality TV in 2014 and what it says about our culture.
Read the story7 minWorld Cup Fever
It’s down to two teams! Germany and Argentina are headed to the World Cup Championship game this weekend. Germany’s trouncing of Brazil was the most lopsided win in a World Cup semifinal. And Argentina only beat the Netherlands in penalty kicks. The Sklar Brothers join us to talk World Cup and other sports news.
Read the story11 minWater Funds Fight
Some 40 million dollars of rate payer money has been squirreled away in two mysterious funds controlled by the Department of Water and Power’s union. The head of that union, Brian D’Arcy, has refused to disclose how the money is being spent. So now City Attorney Mike Feuer has sued to get a court-appointed receiver to take over the funds.
Read the story5 minWater Fines
The state wants to create emergency drought regulations. The new rules would ban wasteful watering -- cutting back on things like hosing down driveways and sidewalks, lawn sprinklers and car washing. If adopted, the rules would impose fines as expensive as 500 dollars for unnecessary water use. What could it mean for Angelenos?
Read the story5 minTeens With Family in Prison
We visit a dilapidated high school class room where students gather to discuss one of the most painful aspects of their lives: Their family members who are in prison.
Read the story8 min
