Our Politics Have Never Been So Toxic. So Why Do We Love Political TV? - CNN One Thing - Podcast on CNN Podcasts

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One Thing: Our Politics Have Never Been So Toxic. So Why Do We Love Political TV?
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CNN One Thing

You’ve been overwhelmed with headlines all week – what's worth a closer look? One Thing takes you beyond the headlines and helps make sense of what everyone is talking about. Host David Rind talks to experts, reporters on the front lines and the real people impacted by the news about what they've learned – and why it matters. New episodes every Wednesday and Sunday.

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Our Politics Have Never Been So Toxic. So Why Do We Love Political TV?
CNN One Thing
Dec 28, 2025

If you binge-watched “The Diplomat” or “Death by Lightning” this year, you’re not alone. These politics-centric dramas have united audiences at a time when real-life politics can feel toxic and fractured. Why is this genre so resilient? And could Washington, DC itself become a new home for Hollywood storytelling? We hear from someone who is banking on it. 

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Guest: David Beaubaire, Founder & CEO, Sunset Lane Media 

Host: David Rind 

Producer: Paola Ortiz 

Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin 

Editorial Support: Liam Reilly