Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Is there a better way to do presidential debates?
Should we throw out the current format of the presidential debates? And who is Pepe the Frog and why is Donald trump Jr. tweeting about the stoned cartoon character?
By Madeleine Brand • • 53m ListenThe first presidential debate is on Monday, but many critics say that the current debate format has overstayed its welcome. Why not run a crisis simulation instead? Then, a seemingly harmless cartoon character has been co opted by racist elements of the alt-right. We’ll explain the phenomenon of Pepe the Frog. Our weekly movie segment tackles The Magnificent Seven, Storks, Goat and The Dressmaker. Proto pop/punk musician Bob Mould has a show at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend. Mould tells Madeleine Brand about his new record. And finally, the LAPD has a new program to deal with the homeless. It’s called HOPE - Homeless Outreach and Proactive Engagement - and the officers involved have already housed dozens of formerly-homeless people.
In this episode
5 storiesMake presidential debates great again
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump meet for their first debate Monday night. But many critics of the current debate format complain that voters don’t actually learn much during these debates. One idea to disrupt the debates - make the candidates do crisis simulations to see how they make decisions under pressure.
Read the story8 minHow Pepe the Frog was co-opted by the alt-right
In an election season that’s been criticized as cartoonish, it must be noted that actual cartoons are also playing a role. For example, Pepe the Frog. Pepe is a cartoon frog with sleepy eyes. He looks stoned and a bit self-satisfied. You may have encountered Pepe the Frog on the internet.
Read the story8 minMovie roundup: 'The Magnificent Seven' and 'Storks'
We’re on the cusp of the prestige pictures dropping on audiences across the nation - it’s nearly Oscars season after all. Nearly. For now, we’ve got a Western remake, an animated film that doesn’t quite explain where babies come from and a couple indies like The Dressmaker and Goat.
Read the story11 minPop-Punk pioneer Bob Mould
It’s tough to imagine Husker Du’s fans sitting in their boxes at the Hollywood Bowl drinking chardonnay. But a lot of them will be there this weekend to see the band’s frontman Bob Mould. He, like his audience, has mellowed a bit. But not that much.
Read the story14 minLAPD's new program to police the homeless with empathy
Police in LA have often been criticized for their approach to the homeless - rousting them, throwing away their belongings and arresting them for minor offenses. Now the city has a new strategy for policing the homeless. It’s based on compassion. A new team of police officers are acting more like social workers than cops.
Read the story6 min
