KCRW's Left, Right & Center

Left, Right & Center is KCRW’s weekly civilized yet provocative confrontation over politics, policy and pop culture.
Hosts & Guests
Far left, center Left left and center
4d ago
It’s NPR light. Just read the titles of the shows. I tried. I really did.
Civil, well balanced political discourse.
Apr 13
To those reviews asking “where’s the right” I’m guessing you haven’t listened long. Also, let’s be clear. “Right” doesn’t mean blind Trump support. I have been listening for about 9 months, and have found the discussions to be quite balanced, painfully so at times (in a good way). Sarah has some great perspectives on the right and provides excellent insight into the why’s. As a left leaning listener, I often find myself frustrated by her statements, but also grateful for some actual rationale behind the mindset. After all, that is the whole point, to get all sides. David is a great host and Moe provides intelligent insight for the left. It’s not always those three, but usually, and they really make a great trio. Of all the podcasts I listen to, this is one I I actually stop other things and listen to. I really love and appreciate this show.
Used to be a favorite
4d ago
But Green’s move to install 2 permanent panelists was a step backwards. And Green himself is a class below the former host. Just not as interesting or insightful as it used to be. But if you want to hear Mo quote the same polling results every week, you’re in for a treat. Reduced from 4 to 3, now from 3 to 2 due to the above reasons. Bring back the rotation and get some new centers. This lineup is tired and boring. Listen to Breaking Points instead.
A shell of its former self
5d ago
I have been listening to this show for over a decade, and it really pales in comparison to what it once was - a fairly in-depth but respectful debate on the various positions of the American political spectrum. These days the hosts agree on more topics than not, which clearly does not reflect the state of American politics. Honestly, they should just rename the show to center left, center right, and center, as I definitely don’t hear a vigorous argument for either progressive or MAGA politics. Ultimately, while I think the hosts are all smart and well spoken - they have become too buddy-buddy to do justice to the show’s concept. Even when actual right or left wing points are brought up, the other hosts do not challenge these assertions. For example, once every month or so Sarah makes the assertion that COVID actually was caused by a lab leak and republicans are completely vindicated on this perspective, to which the other two hosts say nothing. In reality, the scientific consensus remains that COVID was a likely spillover event as all actual biological evidence points to this (with which some intelligences agencies agree), while some other intelligence agencies have a low to medium confidence that this was a lab leak due to suspicious circumstances and lack of evidence. My complaint in this is not that Sarah makes this assertion, but that these facts are never brought up in response! I think the show could be saved if they switched up the hosts more. For example, I loved the episode from a few months ago with Jason Johnson, who offered actual liberal pushback. I would love to hear more from further to the right as well. Until then, I don’t think the show is worthwhile and I recommend subscribing to something like the Tangle News newsletter instead. P.S. Bring back "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"!
About
Information
- CreatorKCRW
- Years Active2005 - 2025
- Episodes308
- RatingClean
- Copyright© KCRW 2020, 498771
- Show Website
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