Movie critic and reporter Bruce Fretts of The New York Times and other publications joins me to chat about his best and worst movies list of the past year. Fresh off of the Golden Globes and gearing up for the Oscars, Bruce lays out why his favorites might not be yours, and his duds may surprise you. Check it out below. 

I spoke with TV analyst and ratings expert Marc Berman of The Programming Insider on where things stand with television as the new year opens up. We discussed which shows are up, and down, and where drama, comedy, reality series and sports fit in as the options for TV watching keep growing. But does the quality? Listen here. 

Voice Of America, the U.S. government-funded independent news source for hundreds of millions of overseas listeners seeking accurate information about the United States, is facing a major power change that could severely impact its credibility. New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson, who penned a recent front page article on this frightening prospect, offered great insight into the situation during a lengthy interview with me. Check it out.

I spoke with National Public Radio media reporter David Folkenflik about the growing sexual harassment and abuse scandal at CBS News, which has forced out chairman Les Moonves and 60 Minutes executive produce Jeff Fager, as well as blemishing the legacy of the late Don Hewitt. We also discussed comedian Kevin Hart's forced departure from being host of the Oscars, and how raunchy performers face the prospect of headlining more conservative events.

The new movie The Front Runner looks at the rise and fall of Gary Hart, whose affair was uncovered by investigative reporters and sparked his quick exit from a presidential race many thought he had sewn up. But was the press right or wrong? Should Hart have stayed in? And would it matter today? I spoke to author Matt Bai, whose book, All The Truth Is Out, is the basis for the movie that he co-wrote and helped produce.

The great humor newspaper The Onion launched 30 years ago and former editor Scott Dikkers just penned a great book all about it. He spoke with me this week and offered great stories and background on the best humor publication since Mad magazine.

Mike Ward was a veteran reporter at the Houston Chronicle. But when editors got a tip that some of the sources quoted in his stories could not be verified, they launched several internal investigations that led to his resignation this month and a very open review. I spoke to Chronicle interim editor Stephen Riley about how it was done. I also chatted with Lynn Walsh from the Society of Professional Journalists about the issue and how she is involved in helping newsrooms provide such open connections to readers through a great new program.

New non-fiction political books are selling at a 50% increase over last year, according to data and analysts. We spoke with two experts about why this is happening and what it means for the industry. First, Karen McLean of the NPD Group, which tracks sales, and book editor Stephen S. Power of Thomas Dunn Books, a 25-year veteran of the industry.

A new report from GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) finds a record-high number of LGBTQ characters on TV this year. We spoke to GLAAD's Rich Ferraro about how this came about, what it means and why more is needed.

We spoke with two political advertising experts, Steven Passwaiter of Kantar Media and Political Science Professor Jacob Neiheisel of the University of Buffalo, about the record-breaking money being spent this mid-term season, and why it may or may not matter.