https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta "BETA" comes from producer/host Doug Gordon. BETA is a polyphonic mosh pit where high culture and low culture collide, taking an immersive, innovative, playful and provocative approach to exploring arts, culture and technology. Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:12:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wpr_favicon-1.png?width=150&height=150&fit=bounds https://www.wpr.org 32 32 editor@wpr.org (Managing Editor) webmaster@wpr.org (Webmaster) https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/BETA_ITunesGraphic_3000.png?width=150&height=150&fit=bounds https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta 144 144 "BETA" comes from producer/host Doug Gordon. BETA is a polyphonic mosh pit where high culture and low culture collide, taking an immersive, innovative, playful and provocative approach to exploring arts, culture and technology. Wisconsin Public Radio no "BETA" comes from producer/host Doug Gordon. BETA is a polyphonic mosh pit where high culture and low culture collide, taking an immersive, innovative, playful and provocative approach to exploring arts, culture and technology.editor@wpr.org https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-810-charlie-berens-patrick-somerville-phil-cook Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-810-charlie-berens-patrick-somerville-phil-cook BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/charlie_berens_old-fashioned_c_john_hartman_resized.jpg 1500 1001 This week on "BETA,"we’ll chat with the one and only Charlie Berens and find out what so funny about bein’ from Wisconsin. Then we’ll chat with Green Bay’s own Patrick Summerville about his work on the HBO series Station 11. And we'll talk with Eau Claire native Phil Cook about how he and birds make music together on his album Appalachia Borealis. false This week on "BETA,"we’ll chat with the one and only Charlie Berens and find out what so funny about bein’ from Wisconsin. Then we’ll chat with Green Bay’s own Patrick Summerville about his work on the HBO series Station 11. And we'll talk with Eau Claire native Phil Cook about how he and birds make music together on his album Appalachia Borealis.Art, Birds, COMEDY, Comedy, Culture, Jazz, Media, Music, Television https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-705-demetri-martin-priyanka-mattoo-alexandra-tanner-3 Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-705-demetri-martin-priyanka-mattoo-alexandra-tanner-3 BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Demetri-Deconstructed-Photo-5.jpg 2250 1266 This week on BETA, comedian Demetri Martin deconstructs his Netflix special. Also, filmmaker Priyanka Mattoo tells all in her memoir, “Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones.” And Alexandra Tanner on her Seinfeldian debut novel, “Worry.” false This week on BETA, comedian Demetri Martin deconstructs his Netflix special. Also, filmmaker Priyanka Mattoo tells all in her memoir, “Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones.” And Alexandra Tanner on her Seinfeldian debut novel, “Worry.”Art, Books, Comedy https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-810-ottessa-moshfegh-megan-abbott-karen-russell Fri, 12 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-810-ottessa-moshfegh-megan-abbott-karen-russell BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/MoshfeghauthorphotcreditKrystalGriffiths2800329.jpg 2439 2195 We're revisiting conversations with some of our favorite authors. Ottessa Moshfegh will talk with us about her novel "My Year of Rest and Relaxation," and Megan Abbott will discuss writing for HBO's "The Deuce" and her novel, "Give Me Your Hand." Also, Karen Russell joins us to talk about her beautifully written book, The Antidote. false We're revisiting conversations with some of our favorite authors. Ottessa Moshfegh will talk with us about her novel "My Year of Rest and Relaxation," and Megan Abbott will discuss writing for HBO's "The Deuce" and her novel, "Give Me Your Hand." Also, Karen Russell joins us to talk about her beautifully written book, The Antidote.Art, Books, Media, short stories, Television https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-216-allow-me-to-reconstruct-this Fri, 05 Sep 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-216-allow-me-to-reconstruct-this BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/191109_show_image.jpg 1000 668 Noah Hawley, creator of the FX series, “Fargo” gives us the true story about adapting a masterpiece. Also, comedian Hari Kondabolu pulls the curtain back on his career and graphic […] false Noah Hawley, creator of the FX series, “Fargo” gives us the true story about adapting a masterpiece. Also, comedian Hari Kondabolu pulls the curtain back on his career and graphic […]Episode https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-808-bob-odenkirk-christine-mckenna-charlie-brooker Fri, 29 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-808-bob-odenkirk-christine-mckenna-charlie-brooker BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/seehorn_and_odenkirk_cropped_jpg.jpg 543 414 This week on "BETA," we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite TV and film personalities. Bob Odenkirk will join us to talk about his well-known character, Saul Goodman. And we’ll explore the creative and personal life of film director David Lynch with biographer Christine McKenna. Also, we’ll spend some time with Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker. false This week on "BETA," we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite TV and film personalities. Bob Odenkirk will join us to talk about his well-known character, Saul Goodman. And we’ll explore the creative and personal life of film director David Lynch with biographer Christine McKenna. Also, we’ll spend some time with Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker.Art, Books, Film, Media, Television https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-415-shea-serrano-anthony-bourdain-alix-ohlin-2 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-415-shea-serrano-anthony-bourdain-alix-ohlin-2 BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/005_late_80s_hotel_wales_kitchen-scaled.jpg 2560 1735 The one and only Shea Serrano talks about hip-hop…and other things. Also, writer and editor Laurie Woolever gives us an up-close and personal look at the life and career of […] false The one and only Shea Serrano talks about hip-hop…and other things. Also, writer and editor Laurie Woolever gives us an up-close and personal look at the life and career of […]Books, Cooking, Culture, Food, Music, Pop https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-807-nick-lowe-joe-boyd-steven-hyden Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-807-nick-lowe-joe-boyd-steven-hyden BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DD763CA7-DFE2-4432-BECD-9A8440214C87-e1757095956634.webp 1200 676 Today on BETA we’ll look back at some of our favorite music conversations featuring Musician Nick Lowe on his latest record, Producer and author Joe Boyd dives into world music with his book, “And The Roots of Rhythm Remain.” And Music critic Steven Hyden considers the cultural significance of Radiohead’s 2000 album, Kid A. false Today on BETA we’ll look back at some of our favorite music conversations featuring Musician Nick Lowe on his latest record, Producer and author Joe Boyd dives into world music with his book, “And The Roots of Rhythm Remain.” And Music critic Steven Hyden considers the cultural significance of Radiohead’s 2000 album, Kid A.Art, Books, Media, Music, Pop, Rock, World Music https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-308-dwayne-kennedy-hayao-miyazaki-radiohead-2 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-308-dwayne-kennedy-hayao-miyazaki-radiohead-2 BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/thom_wong_via_flickr.jpg 2048 1365 Dwayne Kennedy on his socially piercing, provocative comedy. Author Susan Napier tells us how animator Hayao Miyazaki creates his magical cinematic universes. And music critic Steven Hyden on how Radiohead’s […] false Dwayne Kennedy on his socially piercing, provocative comedy. Author Susan Napier tells us how animator Hayao Miyazaki creates his magical cinematic universes. And music critic Steven Hyden on how Radiohead’s […]Diversity and Inclusion, Film, Jazz, Media, Music, Performance Art, Pop, Race, Science and Technology, Social Issues, Technology https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-723-susan-morrison-leah-kardos-maggie-su-2 Fri, 08 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-723-susan-morrison-leah-kardos-maggie-su-2 BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_1113-copy-scaled.jpg 2560 1920 Susan Morrison joins us to discuss her definitive biography of SNL creator Lorne Michaels. Author Leah Kardos tells us why Kate Bush’s album, “Hounds of Love,” is as fresh as ever 40 years after its release. Also, Maggie Su on her very funny and very moving debut novel, “Blob: A Love Story.” false Susan Morrison joins us to discuss her definitive biography of SNL creator Lorne Michaels. Author Leah Kardos tells us why Kate Bush’s album, “Hounds of Love,” is as fresh as ever 40 years after its release. Also, Maggie Su on her very funny and very moving debut novel, “Blob: A Love Story.”Art, Books, Music, Pop, Television https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-722-clay-mcleod-chapman-paul-de-jong-karen-russell-2 Fri, 01 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpr.org/shows/beta/episode-722-clay-mcleod-chapman-paul-de-jong-karen-russell-2 BETA https://www.wpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AP18228649600814-scaled-e1741219232601.jpg 2560 1506 This week on "BETA," ...Master of horror, Clay McLeod Chapman joins us to discuss his latest novel, “Wake Up and Open Your Eyes.” And musician Paul de Jong talks to us about his captivating found sound music. Also, MacArthur Genius Karen Russell sits down with us to talk her about her incredible novel, “The Antidote,” false This week on "BETA," ...Master of horror, Clay McLeod Chapman joins us to discuss his latest novel, “Wake Up and Open Your Eyes.” And musician Paul de Jong talks to us about his captivating found sound music. Also, MacArthur Genius Karen Russell sits down with us to talk her about her incredible novel, “The Antidote,”Art, Books, Music