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Four smiling people in the center of a colorful graphic with the words "The Culture Show" written beneath them
Weekdays from 2 to 3 p.m.

GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen and a rotating panel of cultural correspondents and co-hosts provide an expansive look at society through art, culture and entertainment, driving conversations about how listeners experience culture across music, movies, fashion, TV, art, books, theater, dance, food and more. To share your opinion, email [email protected] or call/text 617-300-3838.

The show also airs on CAI, the Cape, Coast and Islands NPR station.

Come see The Culture Show LIVE at the  GBH BPL Studio every Friday at 2pm, and streaming on  GBH News YouTube.

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Listen to previous shows

  • Kneecap. The Belfast-based rap group join The Culture Show ahead of their sold-out show at Paradise to talk about their debut album and biopic, “Kneecap.”From there, is it easy being green? With “Shrek the Musical” now on tour, Morning Edition Co-host Jeremy Siegel goes behind the scenes to find out what it takes to become the beloved, outsized ogre.Finally, Grammy-nominated composer Carlos Simon. He is the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Deborah and Philip Edmundson Composer Chair, a three-season position in which Simon will contribute several new works to the BSO's repertoire, curate concert programs, and lead educational and outreach programs. He joins The Culture Show to talk about this inaugural position and upcoming performances.
  • In 2018 Hannah Gadsby experienced seismic success with Nanette, a Nextflix special that upended standup comedy. Since then Gadsby has had other solo shows, written a memoir and hosted the recent Netflix comedy special, “Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda.”Now their latest standup tour, titled “Woof!” is bringing them to the Emerson Colonial Theatre on September 19th for two performances. They join The Culture Show to talk about everything from Taylor Swift to the world on the verge of a nervous breakdown.From there Ran Bechor and Karin Sharav Zalkind, co-founders of Adam Theater, a theater company committed to high-quality theater for children, join The Culture Show. They discuss their current production, the musical play “Library Lion,” a site specific performance at the Boston Public Library. The production will have a second run in January at The Huntington at the Calderwood Pavilion.Finally Kiernan Schmitt joins us to talk about his new book “Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide,” which takes us into the curious corners and around town. Kiernan Schmitt co-hosts the “Out of Office” travel podcast with Ryan Davis.
  • Writer Zadie Smith’s latest novel, “The Fraud” is historical fiction, set in Victorian England. Based on real events in 19th century Jamaica and England, her characters are grappling with many of the issues that we’re grappling with today: class, gender, and the reverberations of slavery.This is a work that is about so much – it’s a novel about a mediocre novelist falling out of favor, it’s about the relationship between England and Jamaica, and it’s an exposition on truth. Zadie Smith joins us ahead of her event at Brookline Booksmith.From there Robin Dawson, executive director of Boston Film Festival, joins us for an overview of their 40th season, which kicks off this Thursday, bringing a diverse slate of films and world premieres to the city,Finally, “The Gun Violence Memorial Project.” The exhibition showcases the magnitude of gun violence in America and it also makes it personal, featuring victims of gun violence, their mementos and the stories that they leave behind. “The Gun Violence Memorial Project,” is created by MASS Design Group and Songha & Company, along with gun violence prevention organizations Purpose Over Pain and Everytown for Gun Safety. Now on display in Boston, Jha D. Amazi, a principal at MASS Design Group joins us to talk about launching this project and bringing it to Boston.
  • On today’s arts and culture week-in-review Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons, the artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Festival and program manager at Mass Cultural Council, go over the latest headlines.First up, Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president and encourages everyone over the age of 18 to register to vote. Will this make an impact on the race?From there we remember the magisterial and masterful actor James Earl Jones and preview this Sunday’s Emmy awards.Finally, we look at Glenn Lowry, the director of the Museum of Modern Art. He is the latest high-profile leader to exit the museum world. What will the next generation of leaders bring to our major arts institutions and what challenges do they face?
  • Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston and José C. Massó III, the longtime host of WBUR’s “¡Con Salsa!,” join The Culture Show to preview The Embrace Massó "¡Con Salsa!” International Music Festival, a celebration of music, culture, and social justice. From there it’s Swampscott native Spencer Charnas. The frontman of the horror metal band Ice Nine Kills is also the curator of The Silver Scream Con. He joins us ahead of its Friday the 13th kickoff in Worcester.Finally Mary Grant, president of MassArt, joins The Culture Show for her monthly segment to talk about a range of topics, which this month includes colleges teaching AI, Governor Ron DeSantis’ severe budget cuts to the arts, and the story of a museum, an ancient broken jug, and forgiveness.