USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center

08/27/2026

Stories can change how we think about death and dying.

On the latest episode of What About Death!?, Hollywood, Health & Society Director Kate Folb and Lear Center Director of Research Erica Rosenthal discuss the work we do helping to bring more authentic, thoughtful portrayals of end-of-life issues to entertainment.

From connecting writers and producers with healthcare experts to researching how these stories affect audiences, Kate and Erica share how we’re working both behind the scenes and beyond the screen to understand and strengthen the impact of storytelling.

Listen to the episode "Flipping the Channel on Death" on your favorite podcast platform.

08/25/2026

“Appeasement is not a strategy.”

That assessment from Lear Center Director Marty Kaplan is the headline of a new Financial Times article examining a shift in how major media organizations are responding to government pressure.

Kaplan tells the FT that media companies are recognizing that settling, self-censoring, or avoiding confrontation may not insulate them from challenges. Some are instead taking an assertive approach through litigation and the First Amendment to protect their editorial independence.

“Media companies now understand that appeasement is not a strategy. They are taking the initiative,” he says.

The article is behind a paywall, but it’s an important review of the evolving relationship between media companies, the government, and ultimately freedom of the press.

Link in the comments.

07/29/2026

At Cannes 2026, Lear Center Managing Director Johanna Blakley () joined leaders from the World Bank Group and the University of Pennsylvania for a conversation on the growing body of evidence showing how entertainment can shape social norms, influence health outcomes, and inspire meaningful change.

Thank you to The Impact Lounge for bringing together researchers, creators, and changemakers for this important conversation.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

07/27/2026

New research from Define American, conducted in partnership with the Lear Center's research team, finds that Latino immigrant representation in scripted TV has dropped to just 23% of all immigrant characters, despite Latino immigrants making up 44% of the U.S. immigrant population.

The report also found that 1 in 4 immigrant characters was portrayed as a criminal, drug dealer, or human trafficker, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

At the same time, shows like Mo, Deli Boys, and Bob Hearts Abishola demonstrate what's possible when storytelling embraces authenticity, nuance, and complexity.

Check out the full report at https://defineamerican.com/research/change-the-narrative-change-the-world-2026/

07/20/2026

07/17/2026

"Perhaps it's time we expanded our definition of a public health intervention."

In a new Forbes opinion piece, de Beaumont Foundation President and CEO Brian Castrucci argues that TV storytelling belongs alongside vaccines, sanitation, and to***co control as one of public health's most powerful tools.

He also highlights our Hollywood, Health & Society program for helping bridge science and storytelling by connecting writers with experts and evidence-based resources.

We are honored to support storytellers in creating narratives that entertain, inform, build empathy, and inspire action.

'The Pitt' leads Emmy nominations with 25 nods, but the medical drama's bigger achievement is teaching millions of Americans about health and healthcare.

07/14/2026

In a new Forbes interview, 'The Pitt' executive producer Simran Baidwan highlights our recent study on the show's real-world impact, including findings that show's organ donation storyline inspired viewers to learn more about becoming donors.

Find the full article in the comments.

07/07/2026

HBO Max’s “The Pitt” inspired viewers to think differently about their own healthcare, from end-of-life planning to organ donation.

The Impact Lounge at Aspen Ideas Festival hosted Hollywood, Health & Society Director Kate Langrall Folb who discusses why authentic storytelling does more than entertain. It can shape how audiences understand health and make real-world decisions.

07/02/2026

The Lear Center was proud to contribute to global conversations on the impact of storytelling at last week’s International SBCC Summit in Panama!

Director of Research Erica Rosenthal shared findings from our recent research on HBO Max's "The Pitt" and discussed how scripted entertainment can influence awareness and intentions around important health issues, like organ donation and end-of-life decision making.

Managing Director Johanna Blakley joined "Shuga, Spice and Everything Not So Nice," a featured session hosted by , examining how entertainment-education initiatives like MTV Shuga use emotionally authentic storytelling to shift social norms, build trust, and create lasting behavior change.

Thank you to the organizers, our fellow panelists, and everyone who shared ideas and inspiration throughout the Summit.

Photos courtesy of SBCC Summit Shuga Naija and our fellow speakers.

06/24/2026

Hollywood, Health & Society Director Kate Langrall Folb will join a distinguished group of leaders from healthcare, research, media, and entertainment at this week's Aspen Ideas Festival for "Story Rx: How Storytelling Expands Health Innovation."

Using HBO Max's "The Pitt" as a case study, the panel will explore how stories can help audiences engage with complex health issues, shape public understanding, and inspire meaningful action.

📍 Aspen, Colorado
📅 June 25

More info: https://events.humanitix.com/impact-lounge-2026-aspen-ideas-festival