

The Treatment
KCRW
The Treatment is a compelling listen to the vital conversations about the catalysts of creative inspiration. Following some of the most interesting, influential, and crossover creators in the world of entertainment, fashion, sports, and the arts, we hear from tastemakers who are the very fabric that forms popular culture.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 30, 2022 • 59min
Maya Rudolph, the making of ‘Bull Durham,’ and Ethan Hawke on The Treat
This week on The Treatment, Elvis sits down with Emmy-winning actress Maya Rudolph, who currently stars in the Apple TV+ series “Loot.” Next, writer and director Ron Shelton joins us to talk about what really went on behind the scenes of the 1988 baseball classic “Bull Durham.” And finally, on The Treat, actor and director Ethan Hawke tells about a stage performance he witnessed that was life affirming.

Jul 23, 2022 • 59min
John Waters, Zach Mehrbach and KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez on The Treat
This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes back director and novelist John Waters, whose latest tasteless and delightful work is the novel “Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance.” Next, ZMF Headphones founder Zach Mehrbach joins us to talk about bringing the experience of being in an old movie theater to his headphone design. And finally, Morning Becomes Eclectic co-host Anthony Valadez talks about the song he heard as a kid in LA that still moves him.

Jul 16, 2022 • 59min
Adrian Tomine, Michelle and Robert King, and The Treat
This week on The Treatment, Elvis sits down for a conversation with graphic novelist Adrian Tomine, whose recent work inspired the film “Paris, 13th District.” Next, a conversation with TV creators, writing partners, and partners in life, Michelle and Robert King, whose current TV dramas include “The Good Fight” and “Evil.” And finally for The Treat, MUBI podcast host Rico Gagliano talks about why the, at times, bleak Wim Wenders film “Wings of Desire” gives him hope.

Jul 9, 2022 • 59min
‘The Beauty of Dusk,’ ‘Revive: Los Angeles’ and the Mike Leigh film that changed graphic novelist Adrian Tomine
This week on The Treatment, Elvis sits down with New York Times columnist Frank Bruni to discuss Bruni’s memoir, “The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found” and how he approaches writing. Next chef and restaurateur Neal Fraser tells about his immersive dinner-theater experience “Revive: Los Angeles” currently at the downtown LA event space Vibiana. And finally on The Treat, graphic novelist Adrian Tomine explains how Mike Leigh has helped his storytelling.

Jul 2, 2022 • 59min
‘Shine Bright,’ ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ and the short story Seth Meyers keeps coming back to
This week on The Treatment, Elvis sits down with music journalist Danyel Smith, whose newest book is “Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop.” Next, director Simon Curtis talks about his most recent film, currently on Peacock, “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” a continuation of the beloved TV series. And finally, “Late Night with Seth Meyers” host Seth Meyers tells us why a short story by George Saunders keeps his writing honest.

Jun 25, 2022 • 59min
‘Severance,’ ‘The Girl from Plainville’ and the 80s R&B songs that still make music journalist Danyel Smith want to dance
This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes actor and director Ben Stiller, whose newest project as director is the Apple TV+ series "Severance." Then actress Chloë Sevigny speaks about her latest role as a mother in crisis in the Hulu true crime series “The Girl from Plainville.” And finally on The Treat, music journalist and author of “Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop,” Danyel Smith tells us about the Midnight Star album that brings it all back.

Jun 18, 2022 • 59min
‘Late Night with Seth Meyers,’ ‘We Own This City,’ and the vintage clothing that inspires menswear designer Emily Bode
This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes Seth Meyers, host of NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Meyers talks about how the show has changed for the better since the pandemic began. Next, “We Own This City” writer and producer David Simon explains how we’re continuing to lose the drug war. And finally, on The Treat, menswear designer Emily Bode talks about the vintage clothing items that inspire her.

Jun 11, 2022 • 59min
‘Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama,’ ‘Game Theory with Bomani Jones’ and why ‘The Godfather’ resonates with Native American writer Sierra Teller Ornelas
This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes actor Bob Odenkirk, star of “Better Call Saul,” which is in its final season on AMC. Odenkirk also wrote the memoir “Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama” about his long and ultimately satisfying career in television. Next, Bomani Jones, host of HBO’s “Game Theory with Bomani Jones,” talks about the challenge in having nuanced conversations about the intersection of sports and culture. And finally, on The Treat, “Rutherford Falls” co-creator Sierra Teller Ornelas talks about the impact of the film “The Godfather” on her as a storyteller.

Jun 4, 2022 • 59min
‘Rothaniel,’ ‘Girls5eva,’ and the surprising film that jump started John Waters’ career
This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes comedian and director Jerrod Carmichael, who explores truth and honesty in his HBO special “Rothaniel” and his feature directorial debut “On the Count of Three.” Next, Paula Pell, one of the stars of Peacock’s “Girls5eva” talks about coming into her prime as a performer in her fifties. And finally, on The Treat, director John Waters reveals the 1940s film that set him on his unique and outrageous career path.

May 28, 2022 • 59min
‘A Black Lady Sketch Show,’ ‘Rutherford Falls,’ and Whitney Houston’s Greatest Album
This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes Robin Thede, creator and star of HBO’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show” to talk about the groundbreaking show’s cinematic look and multi-layered approach to comedy. Then “Rutherford Falls” co-creator Sierra Teller Ornelas joins us to discuss some of the absurd situations she has found herself in as a Native American that have found their way into the show. And finally, for The Treat, culture critic Gerrick Kennedy talks about the impact of Whitney Houston’s 1998 album “My Love is Your Love.”