Norman Lear Center

Studying & Shaping the Impact of Entertainment & Media on Society. Based at @USCAnnenberg.

See also: @mediametrics (research) | @hollywdhealth (outreach)

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

Music bridging divides. Pop Music Project Director @JDKun and DJ/producer @jperiodBK launched The Art of the Crossfade in LA with a live mixtape exploring music, democracy and belonging as America marks 250 years.

Watch the full Grand Performances show:
https://t.co/ltyYHc0Ks3

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

At #ComNet26 Lear Center Research Director Erica Rosenthal and @HollywoodHealth Director Kate Folb shared HBO Max's The Pitt as a case study in how authentic entertainment storytelling can illuminate complex health issues and drive narrative change. More: https://t.co/0a0EHleA6A

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

Heading to #ComNet26? Join Erica Rosenthal and Kate Folb, with Julia Layman of Synchronicity Collective, for Creating Meaningful Narratives: The Pitt.

📅 Thurs., Oct. 1
⏰ 11:15 AM

https://t.co/9009obhpLA

[Hollywood, Health & Society @HollywdHealth]

We are delighted to announce the 2026 Norman Lear Awards where we will be celebrating 10 TV shows whose storytelling makes a difference across critical health and social issues. This year's ceremony is hosted by Jay Pharoah on Oct. 29 in Beverly Hills!

https://t.co/quEtu4OUIU

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

Lear Center Director @martykaplan joins author and filmmaker Jon Boorstin to discuss 'The American,' a new book exploring family, history, identity and the stories that get left out.

At its heart is what it means to be American.

🎥 Watch: https://t.co/NNK1UYh8dI

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

What happens on screen can shape conversations about death off screen.

On What About Death!?, @HollywdHealth's Kate Folb + Director of Research Erica Rosenthal discuss how we work with creatives to inform authentic end-of-life stories and research their impact on audiences.

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

Television may be one of our most powerful and overlooked public health interventions.

In Forbes, de Beaumont Fnd President Brian Castrucci highlights @HollywdHealth for supporting storytellers who bring accurate health information to the screen.

https://t.co/rQfke78COW

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

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.

https://t.co/0vgbAVnjDl

[Define American @DefineAmerican]

🚨 The data is in. Our 4th TV Impact Study with USC’s @LearCenter uncovers how immigrant representation on TV is evolving and where work remains❗

⬇️ Explore the key takeaways

The full report:
https://t.co/VP1FmPV0yl

#ChangeTheNarrative

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

In this @BBC profile on reality TV star Spencer Pratt's LA mayoral campaign, Marty Kaplan reflects on modern political campaigns and the competition for attention in an entertainment-driven media environment.
https://t.co/9l7TjnBhWD

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

In accepting the Walter Cronkite Award, CBS News's @ScottPelley offered a powerful defense of journalism and its role in serving the public. Today, perhaps more than ever, his remarks are worth hearing.

#Journalism #PressFreedom #Media #Democracy

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

Our @HollywdHealth Director @Katefolb joins this panel at @ATXFestival on the real-world impact of medical accuracy on TV.

The conversation explores how storytelling shapes audience understanding of health, healthcare, prevention & trust in medicine.
https://t.co/mnBiwvcYjc

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

More information can be found here:
https://t.co/LhKKYPeHrG

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

Entertainment can shape social norms, influence health outcomes, and drive measurable social impact.

On May 18 at #CannesFilmFestivali Managing Director @Mojojohanna joins leaders from The World Bank + @Penn for a conversation hosted by The Impact Lounge.

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

Expert-informed narratives strengthen storytelling and raise standards industry-wide, says Kate Folb, @HollywdHealth Director: “Because [The Pitt] is so incredibly accurate, other medical shows ...feel like they really have to up their game." https://t.co/Rc1JLIhZTM

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

If climate stories only show disaster…do we start to believe nothing can change? Director of Research Erica Rosenthal shares how storytelling can move audiences from fear to action.

The full talk can be found here: https://t.co/haeOc2Dzm8

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

If climate stories only show catastrophe, do audiences feel powerless?

Our Director of Research Erica Rosenthal shared our research on climate storytelling at the recent @sierraclub symposium, exploring how stories can shift narratives and drive action.

https://t.co/6PYGJdi6DB

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

There’s been almost no research on how Black journalists are portrayed in popular culture.

A new IJPC Journal special section begins to change that, offering first-of-its-kind analysis across film, TV, and literature.

Read more: https://t.co/mT2gUG6Fpk

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

The Walter Cronkite Awards introduced a new category recognizing comedic news and political satire — honoring Jon Stewart as its inaugural recipient. Watch the full event at https://t.co/UwPj344wvs

[Norman Lear Center @LearCenter]

At @USCVandV’s Arts + Health Symposium, Noah Wyle and The Pitt team revealed what makes the show feel real: medical accuracy. With support from @HollywdHealth, writers collaborate with health experts to ground every storyline. Read more: https://t.co/9tyvao6nUB