Media Room Podcast

Frank Housh
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Music
  • Updated Weekly

'Media Room’ is quality, multimedia arts journalism. No AI, no clickbait. The podcast includes audio from weekly episodes of Media Room Live!, film and TV reviews, and much more. mediaroom.substack.com

  1. 2d ago

    Media Room Live! With Matt Isaac

    I recently spoke with Matt Isaac, producer of Dad Genes, which premiers tomorrow night at the Buffalo International Film Festival. The documentary tells the story of Aaron Long who, as college student in the mid 1990s, sold his sperm. Decades later, thanks to DNA ancestry sites, he discovered a number of biological children whom he later meets. The encounters change all of their lives in unexpected ways. Matt will be present to answer questions at Saturday’s (October 10) premier at Scene One Market Arcade Theater, 639 Main Street, Buffalo. Tickets and more information can be found here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

  2. 3d ago

    Media Room Live! With Andy Grieve

    On Wednesday I spoke with Andy Grieve, editor of Knife: The Attempted Murder Of Salman Rushdie. We talked about Rushdie, the fatwa, and the making of the movie. I have been an admirer of Rushdie’s for decades. He produced a deep and important body of work in the three decades he has been the object of a sadistic, thuggish death threat. He responded with kindness and appeals for freedom of expression. I highly recommend Knife. It is a compelling story of one the world’s greatest living writers. Great Lakes Opinion recently republished its series, People v. Hadi Matar, which examined the trial that led to the attempted assassin’s conviction and sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Andy will be present to answer questions at North Park Theater for the Buffalo International Film Festival premiere 6:45PM EST Tuesday, October 16. For tickets or more information click here. October 15: Media Room Live! With Charissa Hoffman Join me next week when I speak with Charissa Hoffman, singer, songwriter, and ukulele player whose debut album Horizon will be released October 16. Listen to an early single, “Love Is An Ocean,” featuring Béla Fleck (banjo) and Nina de Vitry (harmony vocals), below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

  3. 4d ago

    Media Room Live! With Sr. Margaret Carney, Richard Danielpour, And Claudia Christian

    On Saturday, October 10 the Buffalo Philharmonic will perform the world premiere of Richard Danielpour’s Francis: An Oratorio in Nine Scenes, a new work inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, marking the 800th anniversary of his death. Look for Media Room’s review Sunday morning, in time for the Sunday, October 11, 2:30PM repeat performance. On Tuesday I spoke with Sr. Margaret Carney, President Emeritus of St. Bonaventure University who wrote the libretto, composer Richard Danielpour, and actress Claudia Christian who will perform the narration. It was a fascinating conversation about what promises to be an unforgettable musical event. For tickets and more information click here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Oct 1

    Media Room Live! With ensemble 132

    Today I spoke with Sam Hong and Zachary Mowitz of ensemble 132, whose album Masques And Marionettes comes out tomorrow, Friday, October 2. It can be heard on all streaming services. Sam, Zach, and I talked about ensemble 132’s formation in 2019, the future of classical music, and their upcoming album. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. They explained that “132” in the name refers to Beethoven’s famous string quartet. I mentioned Media Room Live’s! recent interview with Ariel Quartet who just released the final volume of their recordings of Beethoven’s complete quartets, including No. 132. You can see that interview here. October 8: Andy Grieve On October 8, 2026 film editor Andy Grieve will join me at Media Room Live! to discuss Knife, his documentary (trailer, above) about the 2022 attempted assassination of author Salman Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution. It will premiere October 13 at Buffalo’s North Park Theater as part of the 2026 Buffalo International Film Festival. Great Lakes Opinion recently republished its series, People v. Hadi Matar, which examined the trial that led to Hadi Matar’s conviction and sentence of 25 years in prison for his attempt on Rushdie’s life. Cover: Sam Hong. Photo courtesy of the artist. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Sep 25

    Media Room Live! With Michael Dowse And Jay Baruchel

    Media Room’s coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival continues with The Stunt Driver, which premiered at TIFF September 10. It arrives in theaters today (September 25, 2026). It’s a biopic about “Mad Canadian” Ken Carter who planned a jump over the St. Lawrence River and died on September 5, 1983 attempting to jump a pond in Peterborough, Ontario in a rocket-powered Pontiac Firebird. On Wednesday I spoke with director Michael Dowse and actor Jay Baruchel (Ken Carter). Michael and Jay are Canadian and I began by apologizing for our president. They shared some kind words about Buffalo. The Stunt Driver is filled with fine performances from Baruchel, Ed Helms (Dick Keller), Ben Foster (Evel Knievel), Laurence Leboeuf (Gloria), and Quebec native Marc Beaupré (Danny Lafortune), whom I singled out to Michael and Jay. It is about a working class, French Canadian from the 1970s and includes many comedic moments, so it is unlikely to receive awards consideration. That is a shame, because The Stunt Driver is one of the best movies of 2026. Media Room - An Independent Arts Publication is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Annual subscriptions are 25% off until September 30. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Sep 24

    Media Room Live! With John Lehr And John McCray

    John Lehr and John McCray are, respectively, the creator of and historical consultant for the TV show Quick Draw (Hulu) (above). Messrs. McCray and Lehr are also my two oldest friends, and we spent most of our late childhoods and early adulthoods together. Their appearances on today’s Media Room Live! were, ostensibly, part of this publication’s “Top 25 Sitcom Episodes Of All Time” series. You can see the first ten shows on that list here and the first Honorable Mention here. We had planned to discuss “Nicodemus,” Season 1 Episode 6, another Honorable Mention. As you will see, we spent an hour screwing around and reminiscing about the halcyon days of our youth. Although we did eventually discuss Quick Draw and “Nicodemus,” I must warn my readers that this particular episode of Media Room Live! is crude, profane, and filled with inappropriate references to taboo topics. Again, I’m really sorry about this. October 1: ensemble 132 Next week we should get back on track with ensemble 132’s Sahun Sam Hong and other members of the group about their album Masques and Marionettes to be released the next day, October 2. Hong arranged Stravisnsky’s famous ballet Petrushka for piano quintet (above) and Robert Schumann’s solo piano composition Carnaval for piano quartet. Masques and Marionettes also includes Stravinsky’s Two Poems of Konstantin Balmont and Clara Schumann’s Three Romances for Violin and Piano. Media Room - An Independent Arts Publication is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Annual subscriptions are 25% off until September 30. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

  7. Sep 17

    Media Room Live! With Ariel Quartet

    Ariel Quartet violinists Alexandra Kazovsky and Gershon Gerchikov joined me today to talk about the upcoming release of the final volume of their recording of Beethoven’s quartets. It was a fascinating discussion. September 24: Cast/Crew of Quick Draw Next week Media Room returns to its countdown of the 25 Best Sitcom Episodes Of All Time. The first ten have been revealed as well as an “Honorable Mention.” Quick Draw is an improvisational situation comedy set in Great Bend, Kansas, 1875. Creator and star John Lehr and the show’s historical consultant John McCray will join me to discuss this “Honorable Mention” episode. “Nicodemus” (Season 1 Episode 6, 2013) takes place in the neighboring, eponymous town settled by freed slaves from Kentucky after the Civil War. Media Room - The Arts in Real Life is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Annual subscriptions are 25% off until September 30. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

    Media Room Live! With Ariel Quartet

  8. Sep 10

    Media Room Live! With David Breskin

    Media Room Live! With David Breskin David began as a freelance journalist before becoming one of music’s most sought after producers, working with such luminaries as Bill Frisell, Mary Halvorson, and Nels Cline. He has also published several books of poetry. His most recent is Timestamp: The Daily Practice of Poetry (above). We talked about the beautiful photo on the cover of his book, AI, music, and poetry. Both of us made profligate use of the “f” word, so be warned. Media Room Live! With Ariel Quartet Ariel Quartet, Complete String Quartets, Orchid Classics. Vol I (April 4, 2025), Vol II (November 7, 2025) and Vol. III (July 23, 2025). Beethoven’s sixteen string quartets are (arguably) the finest examples of the composer’s genius, the core of the quartet repertoire, and some of the greatest music ever created. I began attending UB’s Slee Beethoven Quartet Cycle in 1990 and my first professional music review was of a March 4, 2011 performance of the third concert in the Cycle, published in Buffalo Spree. I have reviewed ten Slee Beethoven Cycle concerts and devoted several episodes of Media Room Live! to discussing them, including my October 25, 2025 interview with Ariel Quartet violinist Alexandra Kazovsky, previewing the Ariel’s release of Volume II of the complete Beethoven quartets. Volume III was released July 23, 2026. On September 17 all four Ariel members will join me at Media Room Live! Media Room - An Independent Arts Publication is reader-supported, AI-free, quality arts writing. If it is of value to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

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About

'Media Room’ is quality, multimedia arts journalism. No AI, no clickbait. The podcast includes audio from weekly episodes of Media Room Live!, film and TV reviews, and much more. mediaroom.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Frank Housh
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Frank Housh
  • Show Website
    Media Room Podcast