Show for March 11, 2011. Gay Writers and Gay Rights.
In his new book, Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who Changed America, Christopher Bram says it was literature more than any other art form that opened America’s eyes to same-sex relationships and paved the way for gay rights. In the years following World War II, when homosexuality was taboo territory for movies, TV and other mass media, it was writers who broke the silence. Chris and I discussed the impact of writers such as Gore Vidal, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, James Baldwin and Allen Ginsburg; the sometimes nasty critical reaction to their work; and how Chris himself read his way out of the closet.
Chris’s previous nine books include Father of Frankenstein, the basis for the movie Gods and Monsters.
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Show for Feb 19, 2012: The Post-Valentine’s Day Massacre
This episode originally aired on Feb. 15, 2009. Seeing as it was the morning after, I took a few swipes at love and romance with the help of some great guests and lots of music. This year, my broadcast slot fell on Feb 19, close enough to Valentine’s Day to revive the show. Segments include:
- Science writer Hannah Holmes on the biology of hooking up and dogging around
- Critic Laura Kipnis on monogamy and marriage as social engineering
- Writer Jonathan Ames on love and its disappointments*
- Writer and musician Glenn Kurtz on the death of dreams
- Edie and Simone on the real meaning of valentines
Click the Play arrow above to listen to the show, or you can download the MP3 here (if using a Mac, control-click the link and choose “Save Link As…” If using a PC, right-click and choose Save Target As…”)
*At the time, Jonathan was developing his HBO comedy series, Bored to Death, starring Jason Schwartzman as “Jonathan Ames.” The show debuted later that year and has become a hit, now going into its 4th season. Update (Mr 20, 2012): I’ve just learned from John Hodgman, an occasional cast member of BTD, that the show has been cancelled despite critical acclaim and an enthusiastic following. John talks more about that in an interview I’ll be airing April 1.
Show for Dec 26, 2010: Voices from Juvenile Hall (Rebroadcast)
A year ago, I paid a visit to Santa Cruz Juvenile Hall just before Christmas to learn about a writing program and publication for incarcerated youths called The Beat Within. I recorded interviews with some of the kids who participate, as well as Beat Within workshop leaders Dennis Morton and Jill Wolfson. While some of the kids I talked to have since moved on, all the other details remain completely current. That includes the fact that The Beat Within still needs financial support (more than ever, in fact) to keep going. Go here to donate to the Santa Cruz chapter or here for the main Beat Within website.
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Show for July 18, 2010. Lives in Art: Harvey Pekar and Jonathan Ames.
In part 1, a 2006 interview with Harvey Pekar, who died this past week on July 12. We talked about his brawling youth, his autobiographical comics American Splendor and The Quitter, the impact of fame, his run-ins with David Letterman and other topics. In part 2, a 2009 interview with Jonathan Ames, discussing his own semi-autobiographical graphic novel The Alcoholic, the movie adaptation of his novel The Extra Man and his HBO comedy series Bored to Death.
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Show for Jan 3, 2010. Voices from Juvie
“The Beat Within” is a weekly magazine that collects writings by teens in California juvenile halls. I talked to kids in the Santa Cruz Juvenile Hall who participate in the program, and who told me about their lives, hopes and writing. Also: Beat Within workshop leaders Jill Wolfson and Dennis Morton.
Click the arrow above to listen. If you don’t have Flash player or have other playback problems, click this link for the MP3.
