23 May 2013

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Critic Proof

Alyssa Rosenberg (Think Progress, The Atlantic, The XX Factor) and Emily Nussbaum (The New Yorker)

On Critic Proof, Alyssa and Emily compare two TV shows about Washington, House of Cards and Scandal. They explain how they came around to Scandal. They discuss the show's sex scenes and handling of race, which seem edgy by network television standards, and ponder whether it will go off the rails. Turning to House of Cards, Alyssa explains why she's been underwhelmed by the much-hyped Netflix drama. Does either show capture DC journalism accurately? And why is it so hard to write a compelling show about politics? (Spoilers throughout.)

Recorded: Feb 20   Posted: Feb 27, 2013
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Critic Proof | Feb 27, 2013 | Alyssa Rosenberg & Emily Nussbaum

Is Toronto’s mayor a crackhead?

Jonathan Kay and John Moore discuss Rob Ford, the notorious Canadian populist who allegedly appears in a video smoking crack.   Play entire video

Zora Neale Hurston on affirmative action

John McWhorter cites the words of the author of Their Eyes Were Watching God, but Glenn Loury disputes the quote's significance. Plus: Race and employment tests.   Play entire video

The ugly truth about fairness

Laurie Santos and Alex Shaw discuss. Plus: The real origins of fairness.   Play entire video

The IRS scandal and the perils of bureaucracy

Kevin Glass and CJ Ciaramella argue that big government is at the root of Obama's latest troubles. Plus: How simultaneous scandals could help Obama.   Play entire video

Nawaz Sharif 3.0

Neil Bhatiya and Colin Cookman discuss the return to power of Pakistan's former prime minister. Plus: The future of US-Pakistan relations.   Play entire video

Is eating organic food conservative?

Bill Scher and Matt Lewis consider. Plus: The politics of scandal.   Play entire video

Growing up fundamentalist

Sarah Posner and Sigal Samuel reflect on the complex choices facing Orthodox Jewish women in secular society. Plus: Fighting for the right to pray.   Play entire video

Is there a democratic rollback in Latin America?

Rob Farley and Colin Snider consider. Plus: A remarkable conviction in Guatemala.   Play entire video

A liberal’s argument for intervention in Syria

Zaid Jilani makes the case, but Ali Gharib is very skeptical. Plus: Debating intervention.   Play entire video