Press Play with Madeleine Brand
GM Recall, Gmail Turns 10, TV Roundup
GM recalls 2.6 million cars, Gmail turns 10, 'How I Met Your Mother' wraps up its nine-season run, a Brit in SoCal, and new protections for temp workers.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenGeneral Motors CEO Mary Barra testified on Capitol Hill today about an ignition switch defect linked to more than a dozen deaths. Why did it take a decade for GM and the National Highway Traffic Safety administration to recall 2.6 million cars? Also, today is the 10th birthday of Gmail. Some say the email service not only changed the way we think of electronic correspondence, but launched the modern web as we know it. Our weekly TV roundup includes talk of How I Met Your Mother, The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. We also talk to an Englishman documenting his experiences living in Los Angeles, and hear about a new bill that would protect temp workers in California.
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In this episode
5 storiesGM Defends Itself
GM’s CEO testified on Capitol Hill today on why it took more than 10 years for the company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall 2.6 million cars with faulty ignition switches. The cars could suddenly turn off while driving if the ignition was bumped or jostled.
Read the story9 minA Decade of Gmail
Every year on this date, April 1st, Google gets in on the April Fools fun by announcing a new fake product. That’s why, 10 years ago today, many assumed it was a prank when they unveiled Gmail. It was no joke though, and a decade later, some say it not only changed the way we think of email, but the way we use the web.
Read the story7 minKilling Our Favorite Characters
In our regular TV roundup, we review the week on the small screen. We start today with the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, which finally delivered on the promise of its title last night after more than 200 episodes. We also discuss the season four finale of The Walking Dead, which drew a staggering 15.7 million viewers.
Read the story9 minLouis Theroux's LA Stories
L.A.’s sunny skies and laid-back lifestyle have always been alluring for rain-soaked, uptight Brits. In return, the Brits get to enjoy snarky missives from their expats about how ludicrous Hollywood can be. In that vein, BBC TV presenter Louis Theroux has produced a series of offbeat documentaries about Southern California called LA Stories.
Read the story14 minTemp Worker Protections
Temporary workers have long been near the bottom of the employment totem pole. In places like warehouses, farms and hotels, temps can face more wage violations and injuries than permanent employees. And they have few protections when things go wrong. Now, a new California bill aims to change that.
Read the story6 min
