Hot Media with Bob Mann

The Trump Administration reportedly plans to ask Congress to cut funding for PBS and NPR. On this episode of Hot Media, titled "Public Media In Peril," host Bob Mann talks with Fordham University Professor Paul Levinson about the Administration's motivation, what public media means to the nation and what NPR and PBS must do to stay alive. 

The HBO Sports documentary series Celtics City tells compelling stories about the impact of the Boston Celtics franchise on basketball, the City of Boston and race relations in America. More than anything, it's the story of the people who have been part of the Celtics dynasty. Bob's guest is Gabe Honig, the Co-Executive Producer and Show Runner for Celtics City. 

Reality shows dominate broadcast TV, cable and streaming. The genre has now made it to to the university campus. On this month's episode of Hot Media, host Bob Mann talks with Fordham University Associate Professor Brandy Monk-Payton about her course which examines the ethics of reality television. Dr. Monk-Payton and her students explore what she calls the genre's "messy moral compass."

The debates are over, but the role of media grows even larger in the final month of the Presidential campaign. Attack ads on TV, angrier speeches and candidate appearances on podcasts and entertainment shows are all in play. Bob talks about it with journalist and professor Rem Rieder.  

The September episode of Hot Media with Bob Mann focuses on the role played by media in the last weeks of the Presidential election. Just how important are debates and TV ads? What, if anything, can sway undecided voters? Bob's guest is Professor Paul Levinson of Fordham University.

The July episode of Hot Media with Bob Mann focuses on media fallout from the June 27th televised Presidential debate. Bob's guest is journalist and professor Rem Rieder. Topics include the NY Times editorial calling for President Biden to step down as Democratic nominee, critiques of CNN moderators and how the debate will shape ads and news spin between now and election day. 

From Cannes and the Palme d'Or to the MCU blockbusters, Hot Media with Bob Mann previews the 2024 Summer movie season with film expert Ryan Rolandelli. 

The May 2024 episode of Hot Media with Bob Mann features a conversation with Malcolm Moran. Malcolm, a Hot Media regular, talks with Bob about coverage of the upcoming Olympics. Throughout the television era, broadcasting the Olympic games has been a challenging blend of sports, politics and historic events. This episode also features a discussion about the growing popularity of women's sports. Mo...

Even people who have faithfully followed the news are now actively avoiding at least some of it. Researchers say that feelings of helplessness, concerns for mental health and burn out are among many potential factors. In this episode, host Bob Mann talks about "news avoidance."

Brilliant satirist Jon Stewart has been taking a lot of flack for his alleged "bothsidesism" when commenting on the Presidential election. In this episode, Bob discusses satire with Professor Paul Levinson. Later in the episode, Bob talks about the SAG Award winners. 

The February 2024 episode of Hot Media with Bob Mann features an interview with TV critic David Hinckley about the legacy of The Sopranos. The series started the Platinum Age of TV 25 years ago. Bob also comments on Jon Stewart's return to The Daily Show for the election year, the brilliant satire "American Fiction" and a NY Times piece on the crisis facing the news business.

The January 2024 edition of Hot Media with Bob Mann features two interesting segments. Bob and guest Len Klatt discuss the life and legacy of TV producer Norman Lear. Later in the episode, Bob and journalism expert Rem Rieder talk about the challenges of covering the '24 Presidential election. 

The December episode of Hot Media with Bob Mann features two topics. Bob discusses the top holiday movie releases with guests Ryan Rolandelli and Chirs Mann-Nelson. In his monologue, Bob talks about the major strike victory for SAG-AFTRA and the ratification of the contract. 

Hot Media with Bob Mann is back. The podcast series is now monthly. In the Season 5 premiere episode (November 2023), Bob talks about the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Emmy Awards. The interview portion features Professor Paul Levinson. Bob and Paul discuss the pros and cons of AI as well as the role artificial intelligence plays in the media. 

First in a series of Hot Media episodes examining the Oscar contenders. Bob's guests are film editor Ryan Rolandeli and Movie Quiz host Chris Mann-Nelson. This episode features Tar, Everything Everywhere All the Time, The Whale and The Fabelmans.

There are many fascinating movies, books and TV shows about  versions of history which could have been. From the "feel good" lessons of "It's a Wonderful Life" to the terrifying "The Man In The High Castle," this theme makes us ponder both regrets and miracles. On episode 415 of "Hot Media," Host Bob Mann and his guest, Professor Paul Levinson, talk about Paul's upcoming online presentation about...

Self-inflicted damage. That's what happens when leaders make a bad situation worse because of poor communication. Some CEOs don't possess the media skills needed to minimize the damage. On episode 414 of "Hot Media" host Bob Mann and guest Steve Adubato discuss communication strategies which can help leaders to "own" the mistakes made by the organizations they run. Dr. Adubato is a well-know TV an...

Holiday movies bridge the generation gap. Most classic films are timeless but some age better than others. On Hot Media #413, Chris Mann-Nelson, host of The Movie Quiz and Len Klatt, a media executive and producer, talk with host Bob Mann about both traditional and non-traditional Christmas films. 

Hot Media episode 412 focuses on the top news stories of 2022. Bob's guest is veteran journalist and professor Rem Rieder. 

Rudolph, Frosty and Charlie Brown may have the best Christmas specials of all time, but regular TV sitcoms and dramas have also produced great holiday memories. On Hot Media #411, host Bob Mann and guest Len Klatt discuss great episodes from Seinfeld's Festivus to Downton Abbey and many more. 

Enough is enough! The reinstatement of Trump, mistreatment of employees and potential security issues make my association with Twitter untenable. I deactivated my Twitter account on this episode of Hot Media with Bob Mann. My guest is Professor Virginia Rich, Associate Dean of the School of Business and Computer Science at Caldwell University. Professor Rich, who is also an attorney, explains the...

A lot is at stake in this midterm election. How has the news media performed in the run-up and the aftermath of the vote? On Hot Media episode 409, host Bob Mann and guest Rem Rieder discuss the coverage. 

Elon Musk claims he won't allow Twitter to become a "hellscape." Musk's actions in his first days as owner of the social media giant contradict that statement. What will it mean to democracy now that Twitter is run by a self-described "free speech absolutist?" Host Bob Mann and guest Paul Levinson discuss the Twitter situation.  

Major League Baseball's most important games are being played during these weeks. Only four teams are still standing. Episode 407 of Hot Media is about TV's coverage of October baseball. Host Bob Mann and guest Gabe Honig (sports TV producer and show runner) discuss every aspect of the coverage. Why don't fans get to hear their local announcers? Why are so many channels and networks involved? What...

Abbott Elementary is a highly regarded situation comedy. The show also accurately portrays serious issues in public schools. Episode 406 of Hot Media is titled "A+ For Abbott Elementary." Host Bob Mann is joined by his wife Cathy Lundquist to discuss the hit show. Cathy holds a doctorate in language, learning and literacy. She taught kindergarten for over forty years.