Episodes
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October 2, 2025 - Walter Mosley, Viola's Room at The Shed, and Oliver Jeffers
Celebrated writer Walter Mosley joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book in his Easy Rawlins series, “Gray Dawn: An Easy Rawlins Mystery.” Easy has led readers through Los Angeles — from the 1940s to the turbulent 1970s — with stories that combine the pace of classic crime fiction and the depth of literary character. In “Gray Dawn” a search for a missing woman drags Easy back into secrets from his past. Tonight you can catch Walter Mosley at Harvard Book Store at 7:00. To learn more go here.From there we enter the moonlit world of “Viola’s Room.” The immersive experience, which is at The Shed in New York City through November 16th. Created by Punchdrunk, a pioneer in immersive theatrical experiences, we talk to founder and artistic director, Felix Barrett. To learn more about “Viola’s Room” go here.Finally, Oliver Jeffers—author-illustrator and studio artist – joins The Culture Show. His picture books live on nightstands worldwide; his portraits and projects test what we remember and what we miss. Now with a solo exhibition at Praise Shadows Art Gallery he joins us to talk about how he thinks about story, image, and time. “Dipped Paintings: Oliver Jeffers” is on view through November 8th. To learn more go here. -
October 1, 2025 - Watch Party: Coming to America and Mahesh Daas
Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley, and Edgar B. Herwick III host our inaugural Wednesday Watch Party with a comedy classic: Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America. The 1988 hit follows a prince who trades royal privilege for a crash course in Queens. At the time critics were divided, audiences were not. It was a box office smash at the time, now we ask you, nearly 40 years later, does it hold up. From there Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College, joins The Culture Show for his monthly appearance. Today he’s discussing the best way to power AI: geothermal power. Boston Architectural College pioneered this over a decade ago with eight wells under their Green Alley. Mahesh Daas is the author of four books including Towards A Robotic Architecture and I, Nobot, a graphic novella exploring relationships among artificial intelligence, robotics, and cities. -
September 30, 2025 - Art at the Clark and the Norman Rockwell Museum, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and Matisse at War
We continue our Countdown to 2026 series with Andrea Puccio, Director of the Library at The Clark Art Institute. She gave us an overview of their new exhibition “Back Bay to the Berkshires: Celebrating 250 Years of Art in Massachusetts.” Russell Lord, Chief of Curatorial Affairs at the Norman Rockwell Museum, also joined us with a preview of their upcoming exhibition “Visions of a Nation: 250 Years from Revolution to Rockwell.”From there we looked at how Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has become the streamer’s most-watched film ever, showing the global pull of Korean pop culture. Ray Seol, Associate Professor of Professional Music at Berklee College of Music, helps us unpack how the movie builds on K-Pop’s history and what it reveals about Korean culture today.Finally, Henri Matisse. He’s known for paintings of light and joy, but his wartime years tell another story. Historian Christopher C. Gorham joins us to discuss his new book Matisse at War, which explores how the artist endured Nazi occupation, family hardship, and illness — transforming adversity into some of his boldest work. Tonight you can catch Christopher C. Gorham at Harvard Book Store at 7:00. To learn more go here. -
September 29, 2025 - Author Stephen Greenblatt, Our Town at the Lyric Stage Boston, and Enchanted Analytics
Pulitzer Prize–winning author Stephen Greenblatt joins The Culture Show, to talk about his latest book, “Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Times and Fatal Genius of Shakespeare’s Greatest Rival.” It traces the meteoric rise and violent end of Christopher Marlowe—playwright, poet, spy, and heretic—whose genius endures today. Stephen Greenblatt is the John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University.From there Courtney O’Connor, Producing Artistic Director for Lyric Stage Boston, gives us an overview of their production of “Our Town,” which is onstage through October 19th. To learn more go here.Finally dating coach Caitlyn Hana joins us to talk about her approach to helping people meet the right match. Her aim is to help smart, quirky people find love in Boston, the Bay Area, and New York. She runs Enchanted Analytics. To learn more go here. -
September 26, 2025 - Jimmy Kimmel, the Olive Garden review that went viral, and Bad Bunny
Culture show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review. First up: Jimmy Kimmel is back on late night. After ABC pulled his show, he returned with a monologue defending satire and drawing his biggest audience in years.From there, Apple TV+ has postponed “The Savant,” Jessica Chastain’s thriller about infiltrating extremist circles. While Apple cites political tensions, Chastain says the show’s urgent themes need to be heard.Plus, Bad Bunny wrapped a historic 31-show residency in Puerto Rico with a finale streamed worldwide. His run was both a love letter to the island and a global cultural moment.Finally, food critic Marilyn Hagerty, whose glowing Olive Garden review went viral in 2012, has died. She spent decades championing small-town diners, truck stops, and chain restaurants. -
September 25, 2025 - Simon Curtis on Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Rock Bottom: The Musical, and McGonagle's Pub
Acclaimed filmmaker Simon Curtis joins The Culture Show to talk about directing “Downton Abbey:The Grand Finale.” To learn more go here.Boston comedian Tony V has collaborated with renowned musicians on “Rock Bottom: The Musical,” which debuts tonight as part of National Recovery Month. To learn more go here.McGonagle’s Pub has landed a spot on “The New York Times” list of America’s best restaurants, making it the first Irish pub to get this national recognition. Chef Aidan McGee joins The Culture Show to talk about how he is reimagining pub fare. Aidan McGee is the chef patron of The Dubliner and McGonagle's Pub. -
September 24, 2025 - Joyce Kulhawik, Reimagining Lilith Fair at Passim, and public art around Nubian Square
Joyce Kulhawik joins the Culture Show with Balancing Acts, a look at the latest plays in the area with a focus on what to prioritize amid an abundance of productions. Joyce Kulhawik is an Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter, president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association and you can find her reviews on joyceschoices.comFrom there we get a preview of Club Passim’s “Reimagining Lilith Fair.” The event celebrates women, queer, and gender expansive artists in the Greater Boston music scene, highlighting the next wave of feminism and the wide breadth of talent in our city. Created and curated by Naomi Westwater, they join us along with participating artist, Amanda Shea. Reimagining Lilith Fair is Saturday, September 27th. To learn more go here.Finally, Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes on a virtual tour of Nubian Square where the public art is created for the community.. Julia Swanson is a multidisciplinary artist and award winning photographer who is the creator of The Art Walk Project – a series of self-guided micro tours of art across Greater Boston. -
September 23, 2025 - Barry Bostwick, Susanne Simpson from Masterpiece, and Jeremy Sewall
Actor Barry Bostwick joins The Culture Show ahead of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Spectacular” at Emerson Colonial Theatre. The celebration includes the unedited film, a live shadow cast, audience participation, a costume contest, and VIP meet-and-greets— it’s the full midnight-movie experience. The event is on Wednesday, October 1st. To learn more go here.From there Susanne Simpson, Executive Producer of “MASTERPIECE” reflects on the legacy of “Downton Abbey” and she previews what’s next – from the costume drama “The Forsytes,” to the crime drama “The Gold,” and the return of fan favorites such as “All Creatures Great and Small.” To keep on top of all of MASTERPIECE’s programming go here.Finally, Jeremy Sewall, Chef and Owner of Row 34, shares recipes and stories from his new cookbook “Everyday Chef: Simple Dishes for Family and Friends,” which illustrates how restaurant expertise can translate into simple, satisfying meals at home. -
September 22, 2025 - La Padrona, CineFest Latino Boston, and Primary Trust
Boston’s dining scene just scored a national spotlight: “The New York Times” has named La Padrona one of the best restaurants in America. The Back Bay restaurant is the vision of Eric Papachristos and chef Jody Adams. Eric Papachristos joins The Culture Show to talk about this recognition and the state of Boston’s restaurant scene; he’s a co-founder and CEO of A Street Hospitality Group.From there Film takes center stage with CineFest Latino Boston, running September 24–28 at venues across the city. The annual festival celebrates films by and about Latinos, showcasing stories that span countries, cultures, and genres. Sabrina Avilés, an independent filmmaker and the festival’s founder and executive director, joins us for a sneak preview. To learn more go here.Finally, Dawn M. Simmons, Artistic Director of SpeakEasy Stage joins The Culture Show to talk about the Pulitzer Prize–winning play “Primary Trust.” Written by Eboni Booth, it follows Kenneth, a man bound by years of routine, whose life opens up –for the better–in the face of an abrupt change. Staging. “Primary Trust’ is on through October 11th. To learn more go here. -
September 19, 2025 - Robert Redford, Ben & Jerry's, and Somerville's new cat mayor
Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III host our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Late-night just got quieter. ABC has yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after the host’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination sparked outrage from conservatives and the FCC.From there, after nearly 50 years, Jerry Greenfield is leaving Ben & Jerry’s, saying their parent company is silencing their social activism, despite promises to let them remain independentAnd we remember Robert Redford, the star, the storyteller, and the visionary who reframed American cinema.Finally, Somerville crowned Minerva, a black feline with a one-word platform—“Crime”—as its Bike Path Mayor.
