Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Stephen Colbert, the cancelled late night TV host

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jul 28

In the @financialtimes.com: Colbert may keep skewering CBS until he is let go then turn to podcasts or streaming, says Lear Center Director Marty Kaplan. Don’t expect a comedy successor — “what the new ownership wants CBS to be is not what brilliant comedy is about.” bit.ly/4lbkq5W

The comedian’s ousting ahead of Paramount’s $8bn sale to Skydance raises concerns about political interest in US media

bit.ly

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jul 27

Today we honor Norman Lear on what would have been his 103rd birthday.

His belief that stories could spark conversation — and change — shaped television and culture. We continue exploring how media influences the way we see ourselves and each other — work made possible by his vision.

TV Screens for Cancer: New Approaches to a Difficult Subject

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jul 22

Can TV help fight cancer?

Join @hollywdhealth for this virtual Lunch & Learn on using humor+storytelling to normalize breast, gynecologic & colorectal cancer screenings. Featuring public health experts+TV creatives.

Aug 5 | ⏰ 12:30–1:30pm PT
Online

RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/tv-screens...

TV storylines can play a crucial role in getting the message out about the importance of cancer prevention and early detection.

www.eventbrite.com

What ‘The Pitt’ Can Teach Us About Hospital Deaths

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jul 15

Most TV deaths are violent, but that’s not how most people die.

Max's 'The Pitt' got it right — thanks to guidance from @hollywdhealth.bsky.social and #EndWell showing the real emotional and ethical complexities of end-of-life care.

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...

Can more accurate portrayals of natural death in the media improve awareness and understanding of this part of life? One doctor wants to find out.

www.medscape.com

Sloan Salon: Storytelling in the Age of Climate: Big Screen, Real Stakes - Film Independent

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jul 3

Accuracy matters—especially when it comes to health storylines on TV. Aspen Ideas: Health invited Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Zoanne Clack,MD, and Lear Center Director Marty Kaplan to talk about how entertainment can drive understanding—and why getting it right is more than just good storytelling.

1

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jun 27

What a privilege to know Bill Moyers as a journalist and a friend. His boundless curiosity, penetrating mind, generosity, humanity — he taught us all so much. I'm grateful to have had him in my life, & I join so many of Bill's colleagues & friends in sending condolences to Judith & their family.-MK

2 3

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jun 24

Today! 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM PT

Storytelling in the Age of Climate. How can filmmakers tackle the climate crisis and tell unforgettable stories? Our Director of Research Erica Rosenthal joins this virtual panel on blending real science with powerful, cinematic storytelling.

As climate change shapes our reality, it also transforms the stories we tell. Film Independent is proud to partner with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for

www.filmindependent.org

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jun 19

How do filmmakers tell powerful stories about the climate crisis—without losing the heart? Research Dir. Erica Rosenthal joins this virtual #SloanSalon conversation with writers, producers & researchers.

Hosted by @filmindependent.org and @sloanfoundation.bsky.social

shorturl.at/pzJ2E

To understand how the harms of social media and technology are covered in media and entertainment — as well as audiences' appetites for such stories — we conducted a multi-method study across...

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jun 16

The harms of social media go far beyond kids and teens—but are stories and coverage keeping up? Our new study funded by @luminategroup.bsky.social explores how news and entertainment portray tech’s impact on society—and what audiences want to see.

➜ learcenter.org/technology

Big Tech in Media

learcenter.org

1 2

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jun 12

“These two are always on stage and aware of it,” says
@martykaplan.bsky.social of Trump and Newsom. Their clash isn’t just about policy — it’s about perception and control of the narrative. The fight over California has become a national drama about democracy itself.

Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom are complicated combatants

The two are in the spotlight in a dramatic dispute over both values and tactics

www.theglobeandmail.com

hollywoodclimatesummit.com

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · May 12

At the Norman Lear Center, we’re committed to tackling the climate crisis through research + storytelling—partnering with creators to inspire action through film, TV, and media. 🌱📺
Learn more: www.learcenter.org/climatechange
#ClimateStorytelling #HollywoodClimateSummit

www.learcenter.org

1

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · May 12

We’re proud to be a community partner of the 2025 Hollywood Climate Summit—June 2–4 in LA & online! 🌎
Get 50% off w/ code PARTNERHCS25
Explore how storytelling can power climate action.
🎟 hollywoodclimatesummit.com/tickets

TICKETING | HCS 2025

Trump v 60 Minutes is a stunning battle for the soul of US media

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Apr 28

Lear Center Director Marty Kaplan reflects on a hard truth in today's Guardian: the show that once redefined TV journalism is now caught between profits and principles — and under Trump’s pressure, it’s the principles that are at risk.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

The US president’s tensions with the CBS show barely scratch the surface of his crusade against the media

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Norman Lear Center

Johanna Blakley @mojojohanna.bsky.social · Apr 1

Considering that 1 in 5 Americans describe themselves as having Latino heritage, it is shocking how little screentime they receive in film & TV. This new program @learcenter.bsky.social starts to address the problem. #storiesmatter

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Dec 19

We've launched a new research hub for organizations and individuals committed to improving #LatinoRepresentation across the entertainment industry, leveraging research and evaluation findings to pinpoint successes, failures and best practices for progress.

Read more: lear.center/latinorepres...

Inside the Controversy Surrounding Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Remake

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Mar 21

Director Marty Kaplan on Hollywood’s shifting approach to diversity: “Really never, but especially right now, no studio wants its movie branded as a D.E.I. lesson.”

The dwarfs. The casting. The politics of the lead actress. And that wig! Is Disney’s live-action remake of the classic film doomed by culture war skirmishes?

www.nytimes.com

Daily Inspiration: Meet Johanna Blakley

Reposted by Norman Lear Center

Dinah Lenney @dinahlenney.bsky.social · Feb 27

"We enter into parallel worlds that give us the chance to explore “what if” scenarios: What would I do in that situation? How are my values similar or different?" @mojojohanna.bsky.social about the work she does @learcenter.bsky.social
voyagela.com/interview/da...

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johanna Blakley Hi Johanna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to spee...

voyagela.com

Reposted by Norman Lear Center

Hollywood, Health & Society @hollywdhealth.bsky.social · Mar 14

Hi hi Marty, our @learcenter.bsky.social director! #SleeplessInHollywood

1 1 3

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Mar 12

We're #SleeplessInHollywood!

Check out @hollywdhealth.bsky.social's free panel on #SleepDisorders this Thursday, March 13th at Writers Guild of America West in collaboration with #ProjectSleep. They'll be providing complimentary free parking for attendees – just be sure to RVSP at buff.ly/zr5b0Ro

3

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Feb 24

Meet Managing Director @mojojohanna.bsky.social. She studies how media, culture and tech shape entertainment and public opinion. She’s also finished a novel based on her work that explores how AI & entertainment could fundamentally change the world. Read her #VoyageLA profile:

lear.center/4ifGOKj

How this Pitt professor lent her voice to a hit medical drama

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Jan 29

Our @hollywdhealth.bsky.social program connected The Pitt’s producers and writers with Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, whose experience as a medical director helped shaped the show’s plot points.

Check out The Pitt on HBO Max.

www.pitt.edu/pittwire/fea...

The School of Medicine’s Sylvia Owusu-Ansah shared her story with writers of HBO Max’s “The Pitt.”

www.pitt.edu

3 6

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Dec 19

"¡Pa’lante! builds on the existing advocacy of so many individuals and organizations. We want to build community, not competition," said researcher @sgiaccardi.bsky.social who is spearheading the initiative.

www.thewrap.com/usc-norman-l...

USC Norman Lear Center Launches New Initiative to Research Latino Representation on TV | Exclusive

The USC Norman Lear Center has launched a new research initiative diving into Latino representation in television.

www.thewrap.com

1

Norman Lear Center @learcenter.bsky.social · Dec 19

Among its goals: to disaggregating data on the diverse ethnicities, racial identities, languages and cultures of Latino communities spanning more than 20 countries.

Read more: lear.center/latinorepresentation

¡Pa’lante!

Read the Press Release The Wrap Lear Center Launches New Initiative to Research Representation on TV | Exclusive

lear.center