Patt Morrison for Friday, April 27, 2012

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Friday, April 27, 2012

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:19 OPEN

 

1:21 – 1:39 OPEN

 

1:41:30 – 1:58:30

Black ensemble film “Think Like A Man” debuts No. 1, ushers in broad appeal

Call it the $12 million budget film that could, and did. Mostly black ensemble romantic comedy “Think Like A Man,” based on comic Steve Harvey’s book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” not only had a smash debut weekend after opening April 20, grossing $33.6 million, it beat out Hollywood juggernaut “The Hunger Games” at the box office, coming in No. 1. Directed by Tim Story, whose credits include 2002’s “Barbershop,” “Think Like A Man” stars actresses Taraji P Henson, Gabrielle Union and actor-comedian Kevin Hart.  The movie has a battle-of-the-sexes premise, revolving around four couples. The women and men in them strategize against each other, citing advice from Harvey’s book. The film is only being shown in roughly 2,000 theaters, compared to “The Hunger Games,” which has been in more than 4,100 theaters since its March release. Though movie critics have given “Think Like A Man” mixed reviews, supporters cite its wittiness and universal themes of romance and competition. Director-actor Tyler Perry has already created an empire based on his films geared to the African-American experience. Is “Think Like A Man”’s box office triumph a sign-to-come of ensemble movies starring black actors being watched by larger, diverse audiences?

 

Guests:

 

Christopher Witherspoon, entertainment editor at TheGrio.com (GREE-oh), an NBC News affiliated video news website devoted to providing African-Americans with stories underrepresented in existing national news outlets.

 

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune film critic

 

2:06 – 2:19

Rodney King speaks, 20 years after the riots

The man whose videotaped beating by police sparked the 1992 riots talks about his 20 years since. Rodney King has struggled addiction, and has had several run-ins with the law, but keeps a positive perspective. Does he feel guilt over the riots? Does he hold a grudge against the officers who forever changed his life? He answers these questions and more as Patt sits down with him to talk about his life, his future, and his country.

 

Guest:

Rodney King, victim in a police brutality case involving the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on March 3, 1991; author of the The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption

 

2:21:30 – 2:39

DogTV: Will dogs want to watch TV shows made just for them?

Have you ever wondered if your dog likes watching TV? The makers of DogTV are betting your furry friend does, which is why they’ve created the first cable network to deliver 24-hour programming for dogs. According to producers, the idea is to stimulate doggy viewers to keep them relaxed and entertained while their owners are away. The shows on DogTV are actually three to six minute segments featuring grassy fields, bouncing balls and humans rubbing dog tummies. Executives at the network say their programming is scientifically designed to appeal to dogs and to potentially help comfort canines who suffer from separation anxiety. However, some veterinarians doubt that DogTV programming will actually make dogs happier and suspect that the concept is more of a gimmick to make humans feel less guilty about leaving their pets home alone. A test of DogTV at the Escondido Humane Society in California, found that exposure to the channel at least temporarily helped reduce barking and antsy behavior. DogTV has been available through cable providers in San Diego since February and can also be accessed online. Its purveyors are planning to make it available on cable systems nationwide by the end of the year. Does your dog currently watch TV? Would you pay for special programming designed specifically for your four-legged friend?

Guest:

Michael Chill, dog trainer and behavior specialist

 

2:41:30 – 2:58:30

‘Sacre Bleu’! Portrait of an artist, his girlfriend, van Gogh and paintings … gone

New York Times bestselling writer Christopher Moore, author of 11 novels, returns with a tale of love, mystery and art in his new book “Sacre Bleu,” translated from French to English as “sacred blue.” Baker’s son Lucien Lessard, a young artist, falls deeply in love with Juliette, whom he paints wearing a lovely blue dress. One day, however, Lucien shows up to his studio, and voila! His girl is gone, and also his paintings. Juliette is apparently linked to a strange little person called the Colorman, who is giving Lucien's contemporaries, including Vincent van Gogh, a glorious but dangerous shade of blue paint known as sacre bleu. The book revises van Gogh’s long reported suicide as actually a murder at the hands of the Colorman, who, in the novel, fatally shoots the famed painter. Ohio-born Moore is known for his zippy, comic plots, including a comedic vampire romance trilogy. Join Patt as she speaks with the author about his new novel. Are you a fan of Moore? If so, have you read “Sacre Bleu”? What about Moore’s books captures your attention? Do you agree with reimaging van Gogh’s death?

 

Chris Moore, author most recently of Sacre Bleu and Bite Me: A Love Story

IN STUDIO

 

 

Dave Coelho

Senior Producer, Patt Morrison

Southern California Public Radio - 89.3 KPCC

626-583-5280 office

323-632-5885 cell