KQED's Forum

When Saturday Night Live asked Dana Carvey to play Joe Biden for this season, few anticipated that the president would drop out of the race over concerns about age. SNL itself turns 50 this year, ancient by TV standards, and doesn’t appear to be close to dropping out. The water cooler buzz over Carvey’s Biden and Maya Rudolph’s spot-on Kamala Harris impression suggests that the show still has legs. But can it maintain its relevance amid declining ratings and politics that sometimes seem beyond parody? We mark the show’s anniversary by looking back at its cultural influence and some of the most iconic sketches, from Weekend Update to Wayne’s World. Guests: Eric Deggans, tv critic, National Public Radio (NPR) Joanna Robinson, senior staff writer, The Ringer; author, MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios Stephen Tropiano, professor of screen studies, Ithaca College Los Angeles Program; author, The newly revised and updated book "The SNL Companion: An Unofficial Guide to the Seasons, Sketches, and Stars of Saturday Night Live"

Daniel Lurie founded and was the CEO of the antipoverty nonprofit, Tipping Point. He’s also heir to the Levi Strauss fortune and has put more than six million dollars of his own money into his San Francisco mayoral campaign. In the last of our interviews with the major candidates, we talk with Lurie about how he’d solve San Francisco’s most entrenched problems, and why he thinks it’s time for the city to be run by an outsider candidate who hasn’t held elected office. Guests: Daniel Lurie, founder and former CEO, Tipping Point Community - a nonprofit grant-making organization that fights poverty in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Much has been written about Ronald Reagan, but historian Max Boot’s new biography, which draws on new archival sources and interviews with nearly a hundred people who knew Reagan best, is being hailed as definitive. Boot says Reagan was possessed of “myriad contradictions and inconsistencies:” a skeptic of government who presided over vast spending increases; a gun rights advocate who supported tough gun laws; a man of strong convictions but little intellectual depth. We talk to Boot about why he did not want to write either a “hagiography or a hit job” of the former president and California governor, and both the contrasts and connections he sees between Reagan and Donald Trump. Boot’s new book is “Reagan: His Life and Legend.” What policy, event or moment do you most associate with Ronald Reagan? Guests: Max Boot, senior fellow for national security studies, Council on Foreign Relations - columnist, Washington Post; author, "Reagan: His Life and Legend"

When Ahsha Safaí applied to MIT for his masters degree in urban planning, he wrote that one day he hoped to be a city mayor. Since getting his degree, he’s moved to San Francisco, worked as a labor organizer, as well as at the Housing Authority and at Public Works, and served as a two-term board supervisor for District 11, on the south side of the city. Now he’s running to make his mayoral dream a reality. Competing in a crowded field, Safaí recently announced a ranked choice voting alliance with fellow candidate Mark Farrell – a move that he hopes will boost his chances. In the latest of our series of interviews with the major candidates in the San Francisco mayor’s race, we talk to Safaí about his campaign, his career and his hopes for San Francisco. Guests: Ahsha Safai, member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors - represents District 11, which includes the Excelsior and Ingleside neighborhoods.

We take a look at Propositions 33 and 34 on California’s November ballot and how they’re connected. Prop 33 would remove limits on cities’ ability to enact rent control laws, and is heavily backed by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Prop 34 would restrict how specific health care providers can spend their money. Opponents of 34 claim that it’s designed to kneecap one organization: the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. We learn more and take your questions. Guests: Vanessa Rancaño, housing affordability reporter, KQED Emily Schultheis, California reporter, Politico

Sheryl Sandberg released her bestselling book, “Lean In,” ten years ago sparking a movement among professional women to pursue leadership roles at work. A new study by consulting firm McKinsey found that while women now hold more of the top jobs than ever before, they still lag far behind men, and Black and Latina women have an even harder time moving up the ranks. Despite some progress, women still face bias in the workplace and more caregiving responsibilities at home than men, among other challenges. We’ll talk about the barriers keeping women out of management, what makes a difference in helping women advance and the impact the Lean In movement has had on you. Guests: Minda Harts, author, workplace expert, and associate professor, New York University - Her books include "The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know to Secure a Seat at the Table" and "Right Within." Tracy Clark-Flory, Journalist. Essayist. Author of "Want Me: A Sex Writer's Journey into the Heart of Desire." Her newsletter can be found at tracyclarkflory.substack.com Alexis Krivkovich, McKinsey senior partner and co-author of the report, "2024 Women in the Workplace" Anna Dapelo Garcia, founder and president, Lean in Latinas

One year after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the Atlantic’s Franklin Foer joins us for a look back at the U.S. role in the region since that day. His new piece “The War That Would Not End” examines the Biden administration’s efforts to release the hostages and prevent a wider war, and why they failed. We’ll also get the latest on the rapidly escalating conflict from Wall Street Journal Middle East Correspondent Jared Malsin. Guests: Franklin Foer, staff writer, The Atlantic; author of the recent piece "The War That Would Not End." His books include "The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden's White House and the Struggle for America's Future." Jared Malsin, Middle East correspondent, The Wall Street Journal

It has been one year since the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel, in which more than 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 hostages taken. Nearly 100 hostages, including American citizens, remain in captivity according to the Israeli government. The war in Gaza, which has killed 41,500 people and has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, continues. This hour of Forum, we will hear from Bay Area Jews as they reflect on this past year and how it has affected their relationship with Israel, Judaism and their friends and neighbors. Guests: Jessica Kirschner, rabbi and executive director of Stanford University Hillel Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, senior rabbi, Temple Sinai, Oakland

American consumers are awash in subscriptions, incurring monthly or annual fees for streaming services, software, online gaming memberships, meal delivery and more. And about 40% of us report that we pay for subscriptions we don’t use, according to a 2022 study. Last week Governor Gavin Newsom signed the “Click to Cancel” bill, which will make it easier for Californians to cancel unwanted subscriptions starting in July 2025. We’ll learn more and hear from you: Are you overwhelmed by your subscriptions? How do you manage them? Guests: Pilar Schiavo, assemblymember, California District 40 (San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley); sponsor of California's "Click to Cancel" law Neale Mahoney , professor of economics, Stanford University; former special policy advisor for economic policy, White House National Economic Council

A century ago, the United States designated its first wilderness area – a place to be forever preserved and protected from human impact. But what does “wilderness” mean in the era of smartphone technology that keeps us constantly connected and human-fueled climate change? And who gets to enjoy these “untrammeled” spaces? These are the questions posed by environmental journalist Marissa Ortega-Welch in her new podcast “How Wild.” We’ll talk with Ortega-Welch, an environmental historian, and an outdoor educator about the complex history and future of our wildest landscapes. And we hear from you: What does wilderness mean for you? Guests: Marissa Ortega-Welch, science and environmental journalist; host of the podcast "How Wild" Phoebe Young, professor of environmental history and chair of the history department, University of Colorado Boulder. She is also the author of "Camping Grounds: Public Nature in American Life from the Civil War to the Occupy Movement." Aparna Rajagopal, founding partner, The Avarna Group

It’s that time of year when high school seniors everywhere start working on — or at least contemplate working on — their college applications. And for many students, it’s the personal essay that’s the trickiest part. When is humor okay? Are any topics off limits? Is it ever acceptable to use AI? We’ll get tips on how to craft a personal essay that admissions officers want to read, and we’ll hear from you: what was your college essay about? Guests: Anna Esaki-Smith, author of “Make College Your Superpower: It's Not Where You Go, It's What You Know”; co-founder of Education Rethink; contributor to Forbes, covering education Allie Volpe, senior reporter, Vox

California, a pioneer in plastic bag bans, is upping its game with a new law that now bans all plastic bags from grocery stores – including those stiff “reusable” ones. Researchers say California’s previous law prohibiting thin single-use plastic bags, but allowing thicker multiuse ones, ended up creating even more plastic waste by volume. The new law comes on the heels of California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta’s lawsuit against Exxon Mobil accusing the petroleum giant of deceiving people about the effectiveness of plastic recycling. We talk about the future of plastic in California and whether the state’s latest efforts could help get plastic waste under control. Guests: Susanne Rust, investigative reporter specializing in environmental issues, Los Angeles Time Jenn Engstrom, state director, CALPIRG - a non-profit organization that advocates for the public interest. She is co-author of the 2024 report, "Plastic Bag Bans Work." Gerrine Pan, vice president of partnerships, Ridwell, a company specializing in hard to recycle items

Conventional wisdom suggests vice presidential debates don’t matter, but political analysts say Tuesday’s showdown between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance could be different. It comes at a critical juncture in the presidential campaign, with polls showing tight margins nationally and in key battleground states. We’ll recap the debate, to be hosted by CBS News in New York City. Guests: Scott Shafer, senior editor, KQED’s California Politics and Government; co-host, Political Breakdown Lanhee Chen, Fellow in American Public Policy Studies at the Hoover Institution and Director of Domestic Policy Studies at Stanford University. Former policy director to Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign Sara Sadhwani, assistant professor of politics, Pomona College

Mark Farrell was born and raised in San Francisco, and now he wants to be the city’s mayor…again. Farrell served as mayor for six months in 2018, completing the term of Mayor Ed Lee who died unexpectedly in office. Farrell contends that the city has been on a downward spiral since his short tenure: on the campaign trail, he paints a city in decline, plagued by homelessness, a lack of public safety, and a situation in the Tenderloin so dire it requires intervention by the National Guard. A two-term former supervisor for District 2, Farrell argues that his past experience and moderate politics are what San Francisco needs at this moment. We talk to Farrell as part of our series of interviews with the five major candidates in the San Francisco mayoral race. Guests: Mark Farrell, former mayor, San Francisco

Proposition 32 on the November ballot would increase California’s minimum wage to $18 an hour for all employees by 2026. Supporters say the measure would promote economic fairness and lead to job growth — especially outside major cities. Opponents argue that it will force businesses to increase prices and lay off workers. We hear from both sides of the campaign. Do you think California’s minimum wage should be higher? Guests: Farida Jhabvala Romero, labor correspondent, KQED Joseph Sanberg, anti-povery advocate and entrepreneur John Kabateck, California state director, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)

AT 9:00 AM: The states in the southeast hardest hit by Hurricane Helena are taking stock of the enormous amounts of damage wrecked by one of the worst storms in history. As the six states try to recover and grieve the lost lives, and as we cope with excessive heat warnings this week in the Bay Area, we get an update on how climate change is affecting us now. Guests: Abrahm Lustgarten, senior environmental reporter, ProPublica - author, "On the Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America" Erica Gies, Independent journalist, Author of "Water Always Wins," National Geographic Explorer;," Gies wrote the recent New York Times essay "California Could Capture Its Destructive Floodwaters to Fight Drought" AT 9:30 AM: Gov. Gavin Newsom put away his bill-signing pen Monday, the final day to ratify bills passed by California’s Legislature. This year, lawmakers passed more than 1,200 bills. Those the governor signed into law include one that prohibits legacy preferences in private school admissions, a plan for reparations for African Americans that some advocates say falls short, gas price regulations and a law banning public schools from providing food with harmful food dyes. Newsom vetoed nearly 200 bills that came across his desk including some that would have created unemployment benefits for undocumented workers, a bill regulating artificial intelligence and one that would have required cars to have speeding alert systems as a way to curb pedestrian deaths. We’ll talk about the notable bills that will become laws and which ones didn’t make the cut. Guests: Alexei Koseff, reporter, CalMatters Guy Marzorati, correspondent, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk Lindsey Holden, California politics reporter, Politico

Connie Chung was the first Asian person to anchor a national network news program in the US and the first woman to co-anchor the CBS Evening News. For decades she covered major national stories from Watergate to the Oklahoma City bombing and interviewed presidents and foreign leaders. She also came up in newsrooms of the 1970s and 80s that were beset by rampant sexism. We talk to Chung about what she calls her “glorious highs and deep lows in the news business” and why, until recently, she struggled to believe she’d found success. Chung’s new memoir is “Connie.” Guests: Connie Chung, broadcast journalist; author, "Connie: A Memoir"

Born in Berkeley and the son of academics, Aaron Peskin was in the same elementary school class as Vice President Kamala Harris. But while Harris might be viewed as a moderate, Peskin proudly points to his progressive politics as a reason he should be the next mayor of San Francisco. A 30-year resident of Telegraph Hill, Peskin has been elected as a supervisor five times and currently serves as president of the Board. On the campaign trail, he highlights his detailed knowledge of how city government runs which he says makes him the best candidate for the job of mayor. As part of our series of interviews with the major candidates in San Francisco’s mayor race, we talk to Peskin about his campaign and his hopes for the city’s future. Guests: Aaron Peskin, president, San Francisco Board of Supervisors

More Americans – especially Gen-Z and millennials – say they value dining alone at restaurants, according to new data from Open Table. And research shows that doing solo activities is good for us – it recharges us and improves our creativity. With concern about loneliness and isolation on the rise, we talk about healthy alone-ness. What are some of your favorite activities to do alone? Guests: Rebecca Ratner, dean's professor of marketing, University of Maryland Luke Tsai, food editor, KQED Arts & Culture Thuy-Vy Nguyen, associate professor in psychology, Durham University; founder of the Solitude Lab; co-author of “Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone”

South Korea is living in the future. It has the fastest internet on the planet. Nearly 100% of its population owns a smartphone. And for the last decade it has become a center of global pop culture. The popularity of Korean drama, cinema, beauty and pop music has given Korea a soft power that has allowed it to emerge as a cultural and economic leader among Asian nations. A new exhibit at the Asian Art Museum “Hallyu! The Korean Wave” picks up on this theme, exploring all things K-culture. We’ll talk to its curator, experts, and you: are you a K-fan? Guests: Yoon-Jee Choi, assistant curator for Korean art, Asian Art Museum. Choi is overseeing the "Hallyu: The Korean Wave" exhibition. Todd Inoue, freelance music journalist Kyung Hyun Kim, professor and chair, East Asian Studies, UC Irvine; author, "Virtual Hallyu: Korean Cinema of the Global Age" and "Hegemonic Mimicry: Korean Popular Culture of the 21st Century" Chesca Rueda, co-founder and co-owner of Sarang Hello, a retail shop that focuses on K-pop