Episodes
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April 18, 2024 - Leslie Odom Jr, Chad Smith, and the legacy of the Drop Nineteens
The Culture Show Podcast April 18, 2024. -
April 17, 2024 - Gordon Clapp, Alison Bechdel, and Janie Barnett
The Culture Show Podcast April 17, 2024. -
April 16, 2024 - Imari Paris Jeffries, the Boston Public Quartet, and Children of Ukraine
The Culture Show Podcast April 16, 2024. -
April 15, 2024 - Ruth Carter and Michael Cunningham
In 2019 costume designer Ruth E. Carter won her first Academy Award for her work in the 2018 film, “Black Panther,” where she created the Afrofuturist aesthetic of Wakanda. Super-heroism clearly runs in the family. Only four years later, Ruth E. Carter became a superhero in her own right, earning her second Oscar for her work in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” She made history with this win, not only as the first Black woman to receive two Academy Awards, but as the first person to win for both the original and the sequel of a movie. From the superheroes of “Black Panther” to the real-life heroes in films such as “Selma,” Ruth Carter has been creating visual universes on film and TV for thirty years. Her truly colorful career is the focus of her new book, “The Art of Ruth E. Carter: Costuming Black History and the Afrofuture from Do the Right Thing to Black Panther”.From there, we'll sit down with author Michael Cunningham. In 1999, Cunningham won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel “The Hours, ” which follows three women, in three different decades, through one day in their lives. By carefully observing that single day, Cunningham finds large emotional truths in the quiet, ordinary moments of the everyday—that in totality, seem rather epic by the final page. In his latest novel, Cunningham returns to the framework of the single day to wade around in the vagaries of human nature. Titled “Day,” the book unfolds in three acts, each set on a single day in April over three sequential years: 2019 through 2021. -
April 12, 2024 - Week in Review: OJ Simpson, Curb your Enthusiasm, and Museum Mischief
Coming up on The Culture Show, live from the GBH studio at the Boston Public Library, it’s our arts and culture week in review. First up, the cultural influence of OJ SImpson. First, as “The Juice,” a star football player who ran through the field with almost unmatched success. Then as the actor who starred in Hertz commercials and hit movies. Finally, as the man who was acquitted in the grisly murders of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her companion Ron Goldman, in the “trial of the century.” From there it's total recall of the total eclipse, from regional tourism to epic traffic jams. Then it's onto Boston’s own Folk American Roots Hall of Fame and their list of inaugural inductees, from The Band to Oscar Brand.And along the way we unleash our enthusiasm for “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” final episode. -
April 11, 2024 - Tracy K. Smith and Kevin Young
Through her poetry, Tracy K. Smith probes the meaning of life, she meditates on what happens to our souls when we die, she communes with the dead. She uses poetry to explore her own role in the world as a mother, making the personal profound. Her poems also scrutinize historical racial oppression, the paradox that is the American dream, and the injustices that plague our nation. All of these themes come together in her lyrical, haunting and ultimately hopeful new book, “To Free the Captives: A Plea for the American Soul.” It is part manifesto, part memoir–and all parts mesmerizing.In 1761 a young girl crossed the Atlantic on a slave ship. Captured in West Africa, she arrived in Boston where she was purchased by John and Susanna Wheatley. They named her Phillis, after the name of the slave ship that brought her to America. They taught Phillis to read and write. Able to express herself on the page, she went on to become the first African American to publish a book of poetry. Wheatley traveled to England to promote the volume and on her voyage back to America she wrote the poem, “Ocean.”The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture recently acquired this rare, handwritten manuscript along with a trove of other texts that shed light on the life –and the life of the mind—of Phillis Wheatley. Joining us to talk about what is the largest collection of Wheatley material in public hands is Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. -
April 10, 2024 - Hallyu!, Michael Jackson tribute concert, and Brockton High's drama club
The Korean wave makes a big splash in Boston.A new exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts is a high amp historical remix of Korean culture and pop culture. It’s a celebration of everything South Korea has to offer, from K-Pop to K-dramas, from fine art to fashion. And the dynamism of this show originates from the juxtaposition of traditional customs with the fast-paced, innovative society that South Korea is today. All that AND the opportunity to get your full K-Pop dance on–right inside the galleries. We’ll talk to the curator. From there, we’re getting off the wall with Berklee professor Tia Fuller. As the Executive Director of the upcoming Michael Jackson tribute concert, she discusses how his music resonates across generations, which includes her students.Finally, we check in with the Brockton High drama club to find out what it means to be the state champions. That’s next on The Culture Show. -
April 9, 2024
Anthony Rapp, the actor and singer, went from being a Starbucks Barista to a Broadway star by way of the hit musical “Rent.” But, his meteoric rise was tempered by the death of Jonathan Larson, “Rent’s” 35-year-old composer and librettist who had an aortic aneurysm on the eve of the show’s debut. Then, a year later, he lost his mother to cancer.These seminal events are the making of Rapp’s one-man-show, “Without You.”Then, it’s the one-man media conglomerate: Matt Farley. For him quality IS quantity. The Danvers based singer-songwriter is prolific. He’s written, produced and recorded more than 25,000 songs. He also makes movies, hosts podcasts and writes books. How does he do it all? Stay tuned to find out.Finally, the Arnold Arboretum is springing back to life, with flowers emerging from trees and shrubs. And that includes the blossoming of their cherry trees. Joining us to talk about their upcoming cherry blossom celebration–and other signs of life at this urban oasis is Jessica Pederson, the head of public programs at the Arnold Arboretum. -
April 8, 2024
In 1970, when Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Company” first opened on Broadway, his main character Bobby was a 35-year old unmarried man, whose paired-up friends were pressuring him to leave his bachelor days behind.A few years ago Tony-award winning director Marianne Elliott ran with a revelation: to reverse genders and have the main character, Bobbie…be a woman. It was a eureka moment that earned her another Tony.Now “Company,” is onstage by way of Broadway in Boston. Marianne Eliott joins us to talk about reimagining “Company” for the 21st century.From there, what CAN comedian Daniel Sloss say? And what doesn’t he say? The Scottish standup joins us to talk about finding laughter in the darkest subject matter and what that means in a culture that is quick to cancel.Finally, Edgar B Herwick III joins us from the path of totality. -
April 5, 2024 - Week in Review: Lizzo, Women's March Madness, and AI
Live from the GBH studio at the Boston Public Library, it’s our arts and culture week in review. First up, A Tik Toker’s hot take lands her in hot water for saying that SNL has never hired a – you guessed it–hot woman. From there, pop star Lizzo- gives new meaning to “quitting while you’re ahead,” And when it comes to the NCAA, there’s no denying that these women ARE hot–a hot ticket that is, literally –with the price of women’s final four tickets far outpricing the men’s. And from the final four, it’s the food finalists. With two local restaurants scoring James Beard nominations.Finally, it’s follow-up Friday where we give you the latest news on the developing stories we’ve been covering, from Artificial Intelligence to Elvis.
