Best David Wolinsky Podcasts (2025)

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Robert Macfarlane: “Is A River Alive?” 1:49:10

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4d ago1:49:10

1:49:10

Robert Macfarlane, whose latest book is “Is a River Alive,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. The best-selling nature writer, and author of “Underland” and “The Old Ways” discusses the relationship of the human race to nature in the context of the rights of natural phenomena, specifically rivers. What rights does the earth have in terms o…

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Martin Cruz Smith (1942-2025) Acclaimed Noir and Literary Novelist 1:08:06

11d ago1:08:06

1:08:06

Martin Cruz Smith (1942-2025, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studio December 9, 2004 while on tour for his novel “Wolves Eat Dogs.” The great noir and detective author Martin Cruz Smith died of Parkinsons Disease on July 11, 2025 at the age of 82. A journalist originally, and then a writer of paperback fiction under a v…

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The Probabilities Archive: Howard Browne (1908-1999) Pulp Editor and Writer 1:33:59

18d ago1:33:59

1:33:59

Even during his lifetime, Howard Browne (1908-1999) was not well known outside of his given fields. His novels, including his best detective fiction, were written under pseudonyms, and his work as editor and Hollywood writer, through credited, remained mostly unknown, except by those in the business. During his long lifetime Browne published hundre…

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Vauhini Vara: AI and the Search for Self in the Digital World 1:45:25

25d ago1:45:25

1:45:25

Vauhini Vara, Pulitzer Prize finalist for her novel, “The Immortal King Rao,” and former tech journalist for the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere, discusses her book, “Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age” with host Richard Wolinsky. “Searches” is an exploration of how the internet and digital technologies influence and reshape our personal ident…

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PRIDE MONTH: David Leavitt: Alan Turing and the Invention of the Computer 1:15:53

1M ago1:15:53

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David Leavitt, acclaimed gay novelist, essayist, biographer and short story writer, discusses his book The Man Who Knew Too Much: Alan Turing and the Invention of the Computer, recorded in the KPFA studios November 28, 2005. David Leavitt has written ten novels, including The Lost Language of Cranes, Why England Sleeps and The Page Turner, four col…

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Pride Month: Terrence McNally (1938-2020), Titan of the American Theatre 1:37:26

1M ago1:37:26

1:37:26

In honor of Pride Month, we hear a 2004 interview with the late Terrence McNally, four time Tony Award winner, who frequently focused on the gay experience in his work. This podcast, unedited from its original posting, was first heard on April1, 2020. Terrence McNally, who died of complications from COVID on March 24, 2020 at the age of 81, was a g…

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Pride Month: John Fisher, Theatre Rhinoceros and “The Doodler” 42:25

2M ago42:25

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John Fisher, Artistic Director of Theatre Rhino, and writer/performer/co-director of “The Doodler,” now at The Marsh in San Francisco through July 6, 2025, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. Theatre Rhino is the longest running LGBTQ+ theatre company in America, and John Fisher has been its Artistic Director since 2002. His show, “The Doodler” …

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Edmund White (1949-2025). The Patron Saint of Gay Literature 1:08:57

2M ago1:08:57

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Edmund White (1940-2025) in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA Studios, September 20, 2012 while on tour for the novel “Jack Holmes and His Friend.” Edmund White, who died on June 3, 2025 at the age of 85, was often called the Grandfather of gay literature. Equally at home writing novels, biographies, plays, memoirs, essays an…

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From the Archive: Joseph Heller (1923-1999) 1:47:34

2M ago1:47:34

1:47:34

Joseph Heller, author of Catch-22 and its sequel, Closing Time, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff, recorded in San Francisco on October 17, 1994. Since its original publication in 1961, Catch-22 by Joseph Heller has become a classic of anti-war literature, gaining fame during the Vietnam era for its dark and satirical look…

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J.K. Fowler: The 11th Annual Bay Area Book Festival 1:05:04

2M ago1:05:04

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J.K. Fowler, Executive Director of the Bay Area Book Festival in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, discussing this year’s festival, Saturday May 31st and Sunday June 1st throughout the City of Berkeley. The focus of this year’s Festival is Changing the Narrative, with looks at activism, resistance, responding to backlash, writing for social …

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End of messages, season 10 33:24

2M ago33:24

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In which we come face-to-face with the shock of the Nuovo—until even that fades. And the nominees are... 🐛🛰️💭🥉😒🪿🍴🪙🏞️🎲By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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Jacques d’Amboise (1934-2021), “I Was a Dancer,” 2011 1:32:41

2M ago1:32:41

1:32:41

Jacques d’Amboise (1934-2021), whose memoir is titled “I Was a Dancer,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, April 6, 2011. First posted May 9, 2021. Jacques d’Amboise, who died on May 2, 2021 at the age of 88 following complications from a stroke, was a principal dancer for the New York City Ballet from 1953 to his retirement in 1984. As su…

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Storyteller (2023) 32:55

3M ago32:55

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In which we play Storyteller (2023), and stop us if you've heard this one before. ➿📚 🖼️😚🗜️🐴🌵🧩☁️ 🐣🔄 Second chances, story problems, and Oedipus in five tiles. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Storyteller was developed by Daniel Benmergui and published by Annapurna Interactive. An early version won the IGF Nuovo Award in 2012.…

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Paul Mazursky (1930-2014), noted film director, 1999 1:22:55

3M ago1:22:55

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Paul Mazursky (1930-2014) was a major film director during the 1970s and 1980s. Among his films were Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Harry & Tonto, An Unmarried Woman, Enemies: A Love Story, and Down and Out in Beverly Hills. He was also a character actor, appearing in several films, including his own. On June 8, 1999, he was interviewed by Richard Woli…

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Storyteller (2012) 33:03

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In which we play Storyteller (2012), and decide who lives, who loves, and who solves their problems with a sword to the face. 🎭📜🧩👸🐟 🎓🏛️🧚☝️✨✂️✈️ Drag. Drop. Fate. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Storyteller was developed and published by Daniel Benmergui. It won the IGF Nuovo Award in 2012.By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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Ann Patchett, “Bel Canto,” 2001 59:33

3M ago59:33

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Ann Patchett, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studio on a book tour for “Bel Canto,” September 20, 2001. Ann Patchett is the author of nine novels and five works of non-fiction. Her most recent novel, Tom Lake, was published in 2023. She’s best known, though, for her fourth novel, Bel Canto, which became a National Book …

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Cosmic Top Secret (2018) 32:59

3M ago32:59

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In which we play Cosmic Top Secret (2018), and piece together a crumbling dad bod. 🕵️‍♂️🇩🇰⛏️🧭🗓️😧🏀👴🚷💍❌ A Cold War mystery, a crumpled-up spy, and intelligence as child’s play. Oh, and now you're a paper airplane. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Cosmic Top Secret was developed by Klassefilm and Those Eyes and published by Klassefilm. It was a finalist f…

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Kate MacKay: Cassavetes Directs Rowlands 38:19

3M ago38:19

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Kate MacKay, Associate Film Curator at Pacific Film Archive, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, discussing the films of John Cassavetes and specifically his work with Gena Rowlands. Kate MacKay is the curator of a retrospective of the films in which John Cassavetes directs his wife, Gena Rowlands, at Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Ar…

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THAT NIGHT, STEEPED BY BLOOD RIVER (2020) 32:28

3M ago32:28

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In which we play THAT NIGHT, STEEPED BY BLOOD RIVER (2020), forging our own signatures, driving in the mountains, and—is someone going to pick up the damn phone?! 🛎️👽✂️💐✍️🚌🎹🃏🦹⛓️‍💥 You check in, but maybe not as yourself. You wander, but never arrive. These, and other GAMETHINGS. THAT NIGHT, STEEPED BY BLOOD RIVER was developed and published by Ta…

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William Finn (1952-2025) and James Lapine, Masters of the Musical 47:15

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Composer/lyricist William Finn, who died on April 7th, 2025 at the age of 73 and director/librettist James Lapine, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded March 20, 2019 at the Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco. William Finn is best known for writing the music and lyrics for two Broadway shows, Falsettos, which was the first gay-themed B…

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SpyParty (2018) 32:31

4M ago32:31

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In which we play SpyParty (2018), an asymmetric game of deception, precision, and the delicate art of not getting shot. ⌖🤨🪞🤖🫥💃📊📱⏳🧍🍞 A fancy party. A lurking sniper. Move like a machine, think like a human, hope for the best. These, and other GAMETHINGS. SpyParty was developed by Chris Hecker and John Ciminio and published by Chris Hecker. It was an…

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Walter Mosley: The Easy Rawlins and King Oliver novels, 2025 1:21:43

4M ago1:21:43

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Walter Mosley in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded March 5, 2025 discussing his two most recent novels, “Been Wrong So Long It Looks Like Right,” a Joe King Oliver novel, and “Farewell, Amethystine,” an Easy Rawlins novel. Today, Walter Mosley is one of America’s leading authors. He is best known for his series of mystery novels featurin…

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Titanic II: Orchestra for Dying at Sea (2022) 33:47

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In which we play Titanic II: Orchestra for Dying at Sea (2022), and let the current take us. 🛳️🛳️💀🤷🪦🎥🛟🎵🤠📸🎨🧪 A place between places, a song half-remembered, a gift shop at the end of the world. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Titanic II: Orchestra for Dying at Sea was developed and published by flan. It was a finalist for the IGF Nuovo Award in 2023.…

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You have reached GAMETHING, season 10 12:56

4M ago12:56

12:56

In which we introduce Season 10 of GAMETHING. We’re trying out something new. Pre-order some trophy wax.By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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Richard Chamberlain (1934-2025), “Shattered Love,” a memoir, 2003 1:16:25

4M ago1:16:25

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Richard Chamberlain, who died on March 29, 2025 two days before his 91st birthday, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded June 10, 2003 while on tour for his memoir, Shattered Love. Richard Chamberlain achieved fame as the heart-throb star of the 1960s medical drama Doctor Kildare, and went on to a successful career as an actor in the…

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Michael Socrates Moran, Oakland Theater Project 1:03:49

4M ago1:03:49

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Michael Socrates Moran, Executive and Co-Artistic Director of Oakland Theater Project, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. Michael Moran is one of the founders of Oakland Theater Project, formerly Ubuntu Theatre Project. He is also the director of “I Am My Own Wife” by Doug Wright, playing at Oakland Theater Project through April 6, 2025. In thi…

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Anthony Lewis (1927-2013), A History of the First Amendment, 2008 1:06:32

4M ago1:06:32

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Anthony Lewis (1927-2013) discussing “Freedom for the Thought that We Hate: A Biography of the First Amendment,” with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded February 4, 2008 in the KPFA studios. In his long career, Anthony Lewis spent time as the Washington Bureau chief of the New York Times, was the author of “Gideon’s Trumpet,” about a Supreme Court cas…

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Martin Amis (1949-2023) IV, “Lionel Asbo, State of England,” 2012 1:26:23

5M ago1:26:23

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Martin Amis (1949-2023), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studio on a book tour for “Lionel Asbo, State of England,” September 20, 2012. Novelist and essayist Martin Amis died of cancer on May 19, 2023 at the age of 73, leaving behind such novels as The Rachel Papers, London Fields, The Information, and his last memoir-cu…

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Chimananda Ngozi Adichie, “Americanah,” 2013 1:14:17

5M ago1:14:17

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Chimananda Ngozi Adichie, Nigerian author of “Americanah” and four other novels, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studios, June 5, 2013. She has written five novels, two collections of short stories, one memoir, and many articles and short stories for many newspapers, magazines, and periodicals. She is widely regarde…

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Todd Haynes, Award-Winning Independent Filmmaker 1:13:49

5M ago1:13:49

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Todd Haynes, independent filmmaker, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Recorded February 27, 2025. The director of ten feature length films, Todd Haynes is an independent film-maker with his roots in New Queer Cinema. After coming to the attention of the film community with his short film, Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, in which the…

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End of messages, season 9 32:07

5M ago32:07

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In which we are found in translation. 😭🚪🧠🔄🏯🌠💮🛞 These, and other GAMETHINGS.By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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Margaret Atwood, “The Year of the Flood,” 2009 1:26:50

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Margaret Atwood, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studios in October 2009 while on tour for the novel “The Year of the Flood.” One of the most distinguished authors writing today, Margaret Atwood is best known for her novel “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and well as several other novels, short stories, poems, essays and political…

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Five Nights at Freddy’ses (2014, 2023) 48:59

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In which we play and watch Five Nights at Freddy’ses (2014, 2023), take on the night shift, and don't even get to try the pizza. 🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🐻 These, and other GAMETHINGS. Five Nights at Freddy’s was developed and published by Scott Cawthon. Five Nights at Freddy’s is a movie.By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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Tom Robbins (1932-2025), Master of Seriocomic Novels 1:16:36

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Tom Robbins (1932-2025, author of the classic novels “Another Roadside Attraction” and “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues”, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff in the KPFA studios on May 15, 2000 while on tour for the novel “Fierce Invalids, Home from Hot Climates.” Tom Robbins, who died on February 9, 2025 at the age of 92, was t…

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Dooms (1993, 2004, 2005, 2016) 49:05

6M ago49:05

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In which we play and watch Dooms (1993, 2004, 2005, 2016), and confirm that somehow, it runs on not only a computer but also a DVD player. 📼🏠➖😬🔦🌚📏⏰🦨🤷✂️🎭🪓🧑‍🎨📜🪖🔮 These, and other GAMETHINGS. Doom was developed and published by id Software. Doom 3 was developed by id Software and published by Activision. Doom was developed by id Software and published…

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Mickey Spillane, Tough Guy Novelist, 2003 42:23

6M ago42:23

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Mickey Spillane (1918-2006), author of the classic crime novels, “I, The Jury” and “Kiss Me Deadly,” in conversation in 2003 with Richard A. Lupoff, introduced by Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff. In this recently discovered recording, best-selling crime/noir novelist Mickey Spillane discusses his career as a professional writer and gives adv…

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Pokémons (1996, 1997) 49:05

6M ago49:05

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In which we play and watch Pokémons (1996, 1997), and catch seven. 🧶🟣🐈🧊📦💊🛠️🦗😫🛡️🚀📍🧵🚧💪🏽 These, and other GAMETHINGS. Pokémon: Red was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. Pokémon: Blue was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. Pokémon: Indigo League is a TV show.By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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Lance Gardner, Executive Artistic Director of Marin Theatre 1:17:05

6M ago1:17:05

1:17:05

Lance Gardner, Artistic Director of Marin Theatre since October, 2023, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. A long-tme Bay Area actor, Lance Gardner came to Marin Theatre after a stint as a live event producer at KQED, and as Chair of the Board of Aurora Theatre. In this interview, he discusses the theatre’s fiscal health, how he hopes to in…

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Final Fantasy XIVs (2013, 2017) 49:12

6M ago49:12

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In which we play and watch Final Fantasy XIVs (2013, 2017), the “who’s your daddy?” of Final Fantasies. 👨‍👦✏️🖤💻🎢⏳🐞🕹️🤘😬🏥🌿🦸🙋‍♂️🐻💡😴🙃 These, and other GAMETHINGS. Final Fantasy XIV was developed by Square Enix Business Division 5 and published by Square Enix. Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light is a TV show.…

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China Mieville, “Perdido Street Station,” 2002 1:21:50

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China Mieville, author of the Hugo Award winning novel, “The City and the City,” and the classic “Perdido Street Station,” in conversation with Richard Wolinsky in this archive interview recorded September 1, 2002. China Mieville is a British author of weird fantasy and science fiction, and a leftist political activist in Britain. Born in 1972, he …

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Donkey Kongs Country (1994, 1997) 49:25

6M ago49:25

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In which we play and watch Donkey Kongs Country (1994, 1997), but never find the Statue of Liberty. 🍌🧘🧑🏽‍🦲👀🐢 🎩👴🏽💍🤣🛢️👿⌨️ 🐊⬅️👾🚪🚤 These, and other GAMETHINGS. Donkey Kong Country was developed by Rare and published by Nintendo. Donkey Kong Country is a TV show.By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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Susanna Clarke, “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell”, 2005 1:16:25

6M ago1:16:25

1:16:25

Susanna Clarke, author of the classic fantasy novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, interviewed September 12, 2005 in the KPFA studios. Back in the fall of 2004, a new fantasy novel, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by a newcomer, Susannah Clarke, hit the stands and became an instant classic, finding its way to best-seller lists in England an…

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Warcrafts (1994, 2004-2024, 2016) 49:00

7M ago49:00

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In which we play and watch Warcrafts (1994, 2004-2024, 2016), and try to follow the plot through the fog of wars. 👨‍🎤🧑🏽‍🌾🤝🇺🇸🧙📜🎲📖🔭🌲👹 📊⏳🗺️💀📺🥤 These, and other GAMETHINGS. Warcraft: Orcs & Humans was developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. World of Warcraft: The War Within was developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Warcraft: The…

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Vernor Vinge (1944-2024), Science Fiction Master, 1992 1:31:10

7M ago1:31:10

1:31:10

Vernor Vinge (1944-2024), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff, recorded in the KPFA studios, May 7, 1992 while on tour for his novel, “A Fire Upon the Deep,” which would be a co-winner of the Huge Award for Best Novel at the 1993 World Science Fiction Convention. Vernor Vinge, who died on March 20th, 2024 at the age of …

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Fallouts (1997, 2024) 48:29

7M ago48:29

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In which we play and watch Fallouts (1997, 2024), and among the ruins, ponder the dramatic weight of rummaging through lockers and roughing up wasteland toughs. ☢️🐀🐀📐❔🚧🎥💣👏🏽🚂🥊🎯📘🦆👀👍👮🏽‍♂️ These, and other GAMETHINGS. Fallout was developed and published by Interplay Productions. Fallout is a TV show.By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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Michael Crichton (1942-2008), “Jurassic Park,” 1990 1:10:18

7M ago1:10:18

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Michael Crichton (1942-2008), recorded December 5, 1990, while on tour for his novel “Jurassic Park,” interviewed by Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff in the KPFA studios. In this interview, he talks about his career and about the science behind “Jurassic Park.” Michael Crichton died in 2008 at the age of 66. (Radio Wolinsky page photo: Jon Ch…

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Phoenix Wrights (2001, 2012) 49:08

7M ago49:08

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In which we play and watch Phoenix Wrights (2001, 2012), and have a series of great and litigious hair days. ⌚🔍❤️🧐🌸🎹⚙️👄🤫🎭🎞️🇺🇸🩸🧑🏽‍⚖️🎗️ These, and other GAMETHINGS. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was developed and published by Capcom. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a movie.By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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You have reached GAMETHING, season 9 10:51

7M ago10:51

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In which we introduce Season 9 of GAMETHING. It’s this, but that.By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains

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Mary Higgins Clark (1927-2020), Queen of Suspense Novels 1:21:09

7M ago1:21:09

1:21:09

Mary Higgins Clark (1927-2020), who died on January 31st, 2020 at the age of 92, was the best-selling author of 51 books, most of them suspense novels featuring women in jeopardy, with four theatrical films and over thirty other books adapted for television. Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff interviewed Mary Higgins Clark for the Probablitiles…

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Pitch: NPC Confidential (working title) 0:55

7M ago0:55

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📺By Pippin Barr, David Wolinsky, and Mark Chains