>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," WITH PROSECUTORS MOVING TO DROP HIS REMAINING CONVICTIONS GROWING OUT OF THE 1993 MURDER OF A BOSTON POLICE DETECTIVE, THE NEAR 30-YEAR CASE AGAINST SEAN ELLIS COULD SOON BE OVER.

SEAN AND HIS ATTORNEYS JOIN ME.

THEN, LATER, THEY CALL IT THE FUNNIEST FUNDRAISER IN TOWN.

"BANNED IN BOSTON" IS BACK FOR ITS 25th ANNIVERSARY.

"TRANSPARENT" HEAD WRITER AND PRODUCER FAITH SOLOWAY IS THE ARCHITECT OF THIS YEAR'S SHOW.

SHE JOINS ME.

AND, FINALLY, MY THOUGHTS ON THE REAL MARCH MADNESS: HOW THE NCAA TREATS ITS WOMEN PLAYERS.

>>> 28 YEARS AFTER HE WAS FIRST ARRESTED FOR A MURDER HE HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED HE DID NOT COMMIT -- NEARLY 22 OF WHICH HE SPENT BEHIND BARS -- SEAN ELLIS COULD SOON HAVE HIS SLATE WIPED CLEAN, WITH PROSECUTORS POISED TO TOSS OUT HIS FINAL REMAINING CONVICTION.

IN A COURT FILING TODAY, ROLLINS ANNOUNCED THE HINTON LAB INITIATIVE, NAMED FOR THE LAB WHERE DISGRACED ANNIE DOCAN WORLD BEFORE SHE WAS CONVICTED FOR FALSIFYING TEST RESULTS.

HER ACTIONS HAVE ALREADY LED TO MORE THAN 20,000 OVERTURNED CASES, AND IN RECENT MONTHS, ROLLINS' OFFICE HAS BEGUN INVESTIGATING OTHER POTENTIAL MISCONDUCT AT THE LAB.

IT COMES A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE D.A.

TOOK STEPS TO THROW OUT THE FINAL REMNANTS OF THE CASE AGAINST SEAN ELLIS, NEARLY 30 YEARS AFTER HE WAS FIRST ARRESTED FOR MURDER.

HE HAS ALWAYS MAN TAINED HEMAINTAINEDHE HAS NOT COMMITTED.

FOR THOSE FEW WHO DON'T KNOW HIS CASE, WHICH WAS DOCUMENTED IN THE DOCUSERIES "TRIAL 4," THEY SAID JOHN MULLIGAN WAS ON DETAIL AND SLEEPING IN HIS CAR IN FRONT OF A WALGREENS IN ROSENDALE WHEN HE WAS SHOT THREE TIMES IN THE FACE AND KILLED.

ELLIS WAS TRIED FOR MULLIGAN'S MURDER, AND THE FIRST TWO TRIALS ENDED UNHUNG JURIES.

THEN IN A THIRD TRIAL, HE WAS CONVICTED OF MURDER AND FIRST-DEGREE ROBBERY, AND SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

BUT LATER TWO BOSTON POLICE DETECTIVES PIVOTAL TO THE CASE AGAINST ELLIS, WALTER ROBINSON AND KENNETH ACERRA, PLED GUILTY TO CORRUPTION CHARGES, AND A THIRD CORRUPT COP GOT IMMUNITY FOR TESTIFYING AGAINST THE OTHERS, CASTING DOUBT ON THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE THEY FOUND.

IN 2015, ELLIS' CONVICTION WAS OVERTURNED, AND THREE YEARS LATER, PROSECUTORS DROPPED THE MURDER AND ROBBERY CHARGES, BUT TODAY THE WEAPONS CONVICTIONS STILL STAND, SO ELLIS IS STILL A CONVICTED FELON.

BACK IN DECEMBER, HIS ATTORNEYS FILED FOR A FEW TRIAL, AND RACHAEL ROLLINS RESPONDED, ASKING THE JUDGE TO GRANT THE NEW TRIAL SO SHE CAN THEN DROP THE TRIAL.

SHORTLY AFTER, SHE JOINED ME HERE ON "GREATER BOSTON."

>> HAVING GONE THROUGH THE LONG, HARD PROCESS OF LOOKING AT EVERYTHING, IT IS REALLY JUST A SHAMEFUL CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY.

AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS LEVEL OF CORRUPTION.

>> Braude: SEAN ELLIS JOINS ME NOW, ALONG WITH HIS ATTORNEYS ROSEMARY SCAPICCHIO AND JILLISE McDONOUGH.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THREE OF YOU.

THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: SEAN, WHAT WAS YOUR IMMEDIATE REACTION WHEN YOU FIRST HEARD NEWS OF ROLLINS' DECISION?

>> I WAS DEFINITELY HAPPY.

AND THAT WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT HAPPINESS IS QUICKLY BALANCED OUT WITH THE FACT THAT THERE IS STILL YET ANOTHER STEP PAW WE NEED BECAUSE WE NEED TO GO IN FRONT OF A JUDGE AND HAVE A JUDGE SIGN OFF ON IT.

BUT IT DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY BROUGHT SOMETHING TO ME THAT FINALLY SOMEBODY, OTHER THAN MY DEFENSE TEAM AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT ME, ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE.

SO I'M ELATED ABOUT THAT.

>> Braude: LET'S SPEAK TO YOUR DEFENSE TEAM.

ROSEMARY, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON THIS CASE?

>> OVER 20 YEARS.

>> Braude: OVER 20 YEARS.

DID YOU EVER QUESTION ALONG THE WAY THAT THIS WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME?

>> I ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT I COULD PROVE SEAN'S INNOCENCE AT SOME POINT.

I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WOULD JOIN WITH ME IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW TRIAL WE FILED IN THIS CASE.

I THINK IT IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD THAT IT IS THE FIRST TIME IN 28 YEARS THAT THE SUFFOLK COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS MASSIVE CORRUPTION IN THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE '90s, IN THE 2000s, AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

WE'RE HOPEFUL NOW THAT THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT HAS BEEN MADE AND FILED WITH THE COURT, THAT THERE WILL BE SOME INSTITUTION THAT LOOKS INTO ANY CONVICTION THAT INCLUDED SARA ROBINSON, MULLIGAN, OR DETECTIVE KEELER, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE WRONGFUL CONVICTION OF SEAN ELLIS.

WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT IT WILL ENLARGE TO INCLUDE (indiscernable).

THE OFFICERS IN THAT UNIT HAD TO HAVE KNOWN WHAT WAS GOING ON AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT.

>> Braude: I WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT POSSIBILITY IN A SECOND.

JILLISE, SEAN MENTIONED A MINUTE AGO THIS IS NOT FORMALLY OVER.

IT IS BEFORE A JUDGE.

IS THERE ANY CHANCE THE JUDGE IN THIS CASE WOULD NOT GRANT THE MOTION, IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THERE ARE THIS UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE BOTH SIDES ARE SEEKING THE SAME THING?

>> I THINK IT IS HARD TO PREDICT.

IT IS COMPLETELY WITHIN HIS PURVIEW TO REVIEW EVERYTHING.

WE THINK WE HAVE PUT FORTH A SEAN CASE THAT SEAN SHOULD BE RELIEVED OF THIS CONVICTION AT THIS POINT BECAUSE ALL OF THE CORRUPTION THAT AFFECTED HIS MURDER TRIAL AFFECTED THE GUN CONVICTION AS WELL.

AND WE THINK THAT DISTRICT ATTORNEY ROLLINS REALLY PUT FORTH A STRONG STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF OUR MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, SEAN, WHEN YOU WERE FIRST CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO LIFE, WHICH WAS 26 LONG YEARS AGO, DID YOU THINK YOU WOULD DIE IN JAIL?

>> DEFINITELY, THAT'S WHAT I WAS SENTENCED TO, JIM.

THAT IS SOMETHING I HAD TO LIVE EVERY DAY OF THE TIME I SPENT IN PRISON, YOU KNOW, THINKING ABOUT, AND I KNOW IT WAS PART OF WHAT WAS DRIVING ME.

I DIDN'T WANT TO RESIGN TO THAT FACT, BUT IT IS WHAT I WAS SENTENCED TO.

>> Braude: HOW DO YOU WAKE UP EVERY DAY AND GO THROUGH THE DAY KNOWING YOU MIGHT SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN A CAGE FOR SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T DO?

HOW DID YOU GET THROUGH EVERY DAY FOR THOSE 22 YEARS?

>> UM...I BASICALLY DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE.

THE ONLY OTHER CHOICE WAS JUST TO LAY DOWN AND SIT DOWN AND ALLOW THE RAILROADING THAT HAPPENED TO ME TO EXIST.

THE OTHER CHOICE WAS TO, YOU KNOW, ADVOCATE FOR MYSELF AND GET SOMEBODY BELIEVED IN ME TO, YOU KNOW, HELP WITH THE ADVOCACY.

AND FORTUNATELY ENOUGH FOR MYSELF, I GOT BOTH ROSEMARY AND JILLISE TO HELP FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

>> Braude: BOY, DID YOU EVER.

ROSEMARY, I WANT TO GET BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES THAT THIS DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ACKNOWLEDGED SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

IN THE MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL, AMONG THE THINGS THAT D.A.

ROLLINS SAID WAS THERE WAS EGREGIOUS POLICE CORRUPTION AND PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT, AND THESE WERE DISGRACEFUL CHAPTERS IN OUR HISTORY.

DESPITE SAYING THAT, THAT WAS NOT UNANIMOUS.

IN DECEMBER OF 2018, WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE BY THE INTERIM DISTRICT ATTORNEY THERE, NOT TO PROCEED WITH A FOURTH MURDER TRIAL, HERE IS WHAT THE THEN COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, WILLIE GROSS, HAD TO SAY.

>> SEAN ELLIS IS CULPABLE.

WHAT DOES THE EVIDENCE LOOK LIKE AFTER 25 YEARS?

THE WITNESSES AND THE STRENGTH.

AND A DECISION WAS BASED UPON THAT, NOT INNOCENCE AT ALL.

>> Braude: AND THEN LAST WEEK, ROSEMARY, THE ACTING POLICE COMMISSIONER, GREGORY LONG SAID THREE DETECTIVES NOT ONLY DISGRACED THEMSELVES, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEIR CONDUCT WAS USED TO TARNISH THE REPUTATION OF THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT AND WILL NOT TOLERATE CORRUPTION, RECOGNIZING THE ISSUES THAT SURROUND THIS CASE.

THE DEPARTMENT'S BRIEF REMAINS THE SAME, THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT A CONVICTION FOR FIREARMS.

DESPITE WHAT HE SAYS, IT APPEARS THEY DO TOLERATE CORRUPTION AND DEFEND IT.

IS THAT NOT WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IN THIS CASE?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE SAYING.

IN ORDER TO ACTUALLY HAVE SOME PROGRESS FORWARD IN THIS CASE, THEY HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS A PROBLEM.

WHAT THEY DID WAS SORT OF A BACKHAND SLAP AND SAID, YUP, THERE WERE THREE COPS, THEY WERE ROGUE AND THEY HAD SOME PROBLEMS, BUT NOTHING ELSE IS WRONG WERE OUR DEPARTMENT.

AND WE STAND BEHIND A CONVICTION THAT AS APPEARED BEFORE A JUDGE, SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE S.J.C., AND THEY HAVE SAID SEAN SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED AND HE DIDN'T GET A FAIR TRIAL, AND THEY INFECTED THE ENTIRE TRIAL.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, EVERY TIME THEY DENY THE CORRUPTION, AND THAT THE CORRUPTION AFFECTS CRIMINAL CASES IN WHICH THEY'RE INVOLVED, THEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FORP IT.

BECAUSE THEY CAN TAKE A STEP BACK AND SAY, WE THINK HE DID IT, LIKE COMMISSIONER GROSS DID, AND WE STILL BELIEVE IN THE CONVICTION.

YOU CAN'T STILL BELIEVE IN THE CONVICTION IF YOU UNDERSTAND THERE IS CORRUPTION THAT CAUSED THE CONVICTION.

SO YOU EITHER BELIEVE IN THE CORRUPTION OR NOT, AND THEY'RE WISHY-WASHY ON THAT.

>> Braude: JILLISE, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING THIS, THE THREE OF US, THREE YEARS OR SO WHEN YOU WERE HERE, YOU SAID IT WASN'T JUST THE THREE COPS, WHO YOUR COLLEAGUE ROSEMARY JUST MENTIONED, BUT THAT ALL THE WAY UP THE CHAIN IN THE DEPARTMENT, THE LEADERS KNEW OF WHAT THESE MEN HAD DONE.

DO I REMEMBER CORRECTLY WHAT YOU TOLD ME?

>> YES.

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.

A CITIZEN HAD REPORTED THE CORRUPTION TO THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION, WITHIN A MONTH OF MULLIGAN'S DEATH, AND THAT WENT RIGHT UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.

EVERYONE WAS AWARE THAT MULLIGAN WAS MURDER MURDERED AND THAT THIS CORRUPTION OCCURRED, BUT IT NEVER REACHED SEAN AND HIS DEFENSE TEAM SO THEY COULD USE THAT INFORMATION.

>> Braude: IF THE DECKS ARE CLEARED AND THE JUDGE DOES GO ALONG WITH THIS AND THE CONVICTIONS ARE THROWN OUT, WILL THERE BE A WRONGFUL CONVICTION PROCEEDING ON BEHALF OF YOUR OFFICE?

>> I CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE SEAN TO SEEK JUSTICE ON THE CIVIL SIDE AS WELL.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, SOMEBODY TOOK 22 YEARS OF HIS LIFE.

IT WASN'T JUST SOMEBODY, BUT THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, IN THEIR CORRUPTION, AND THEY FRAMED HIM AND PUT HIM IN JAIL FOR 22 YEARS FOR A CRIME HE DIDN'T COMMIT.

HE IS ONE STEP ABOVE AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION, AND HE IS NOT LIKELY TO MAKE ANY SIGNIFICANT MONEY IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS BECAUSE HE LOST THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AND BUILD HIS RESUME FOR THE 22 YEARS THEY LOCKED HIM IN A CAGE.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, SEAN, I KNOW YOU'RE TIRED OF ME ASKING THE SAME QUESTION EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU'RE HERE, BUT I HOPE YOU'LL BEAR WITH ME AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME: WHY ARE YOU NOT ANGRIER ABOUT THIS THAN YOU APPEAR TO BE?

>> WELL, ONCE AGAIN, I REFUSE TO LIVE THE REMAINDER OF MY LIFE BEING AND WALKING AROUND UPSET.

AND, ONCE AGAIN, LET ME CLARIFY, IF YOU WILL, MY ANSWER.

LIKE I HAVE HAD TIME TO, YOU KNOW, BE UPSET, WHEN I WAS IN PRISON VERY EARLY ON AND CONFUSED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW I GOT THERE.

THERE WAS A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN I WAS UPSET.

BUT, YOU KNOW, HAVING TO DEAL WITH IT, I HAD TO DEAL WITH IT WHILE I WAS IN PRISON.

AND SO IN MY DEALING WITH IT, I LEARNED THAT ME BEING UPSET WAS A PROTECTIVE EMOTION, IF YOU WILL, AND THE EMOTION THAT IT WAS PROTECTING WAS MY BEING HURT AND MY BEING SAD AND MY BEING VULNERABLE.

SO THAT'S REALLY THE SPACE THAT I'M IN NOW, AND NOT NECESSARILY IN THE SPACE WHERE I'M WALKING AROUND ANGRY.

I'M TRYING TO HEAL IN THAT KIND OF WAY, FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

>> Braude: WHEN YOU HEAR MEN LIKE COMMISSIONER GROSS AND ACTING COMMISSIONER LONG, WHO REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE FACTS AS LAID OUT SO POWERFULLY BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, DOES THAT BOTHER YOU?

OR IS YOUR BOTTOM LINE ALL I CARE ABOUT IS MOVING ON?

>> NO.

NO.

I AM HUMAN.

LET ME BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

I AM HUMAN.

I DO HAVE FEELINGS.

I DO HAVE EMOTIONS.

AND I DO NOT LIKE WHEN I HEAR THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN COMMISSIONER GROSS SAID WHAT HE SAID -- I THINK WHEN THE COMMISSIONER SAID WHAT HE SAID, THERE IS AN INABILITY TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE CORRUPTION THAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE ANDEDAND THE BAD COPS IN THIS CASE AND THE GOOD COPS.

THERE IS A DIFFICULTY DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN THAT.

SO THAT ISN'T MY BURDEN, SO TO SPEAK, TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT DISTINCTION.

IT'S ON ME TO TRY TO DO MY BEST TO NOT LET IT PUT ME IN A PLACE WHERE I'M RELIVING THE TRAUMA OF BEING ACCUSED OF SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T DO TO BEGIN WITH.

>> Braude: YOU'RE A VERY GENEROUS MAN, SEAN ELLIS, I'LL TELL YOU.

WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE, ROSEMARY, BUT YOU MENTIONED A MINUTE AGO, AND I THINK AT YOUR FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE D.A.

MADE HER DECISION, THAT YOU HOPE SHE WILL LOOK INTO ALL OF THE CASES THAT THESE THREE CORRUPT COPS WERE INVOLVED IN.

SHE SAID TO ME LAST WEEK SHE INTENDED TO REACH OUT TO DEFENSE COUNSEL, TO REACH OUT TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

IS THAT REAL?

I'M NOT QUESTIONING HER MOTIVES, BUT IS THAT REAL DECADES AFTER THE FACT?

>> I THINK IT IS.

I THINK THERE ARE STILL SOME PEOPLE WHO COULD BE SERVING LIFE SENTENCES,LIKE SEAN WAS, THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THIS.

AND THIS IS A PATH FORWARD.

IT IS A PATH FORWARD FOR THEM TO DO A TRUE INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, NOT LIMITED TO THE OFFICERS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN SEAN ELLIS' CASE, BUT AS JILLISE SAID, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE COMMISSIONER.

THEY ALLOWED THIS CONVICTION TO STAND FOR 22YEARS WHEN THEY ALL KNEW THE TRUTH.

THE ONLY ONES WHO DIDN'T KNOW THE TRUTH WAS US.

>> Braude: SEAN, THE LAST MINUTE I HAVE, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO ALL OF THE OTHER SEAN ELLISES OUT THERE WHO DIDN'T DO WHAT THEY WERE CONVICTED OF DOING, MAYBE LOSING HOPE.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THEM?

>> DO YOUR BEST TO HOLD ON TO HOPE, AND NEVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF DESPITE WHO DOESN'T BELIEVE IN YOU, DESPITE HOW BLEAK THINGS MAY LOOK.

NEVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF BECAUSE AS LONG AS YOU'RE PUSHING FORWARD AND TRYING TO CLEAR YOUR NAME AND TRYING TO PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE, THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

>> Braude: AND, BY THE WAY, I KNOW YOU'RE ALSO WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS JUSTICE FOR MANY MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS TO YOU.

I CONGRATULATE YOU ON THAT.

AND ALL THREE OF YOU, CONGRATULATIONS ON DECADES OF WORK.

SEAN, I WISH YOU HUGE LUCK IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

SEAN ELLIS, ROSEMARY SCAPICCHIO AND JILLISE, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: AGAIN, "BANNED IN BOSTON" IS >> Braude: NEXT UP, IT'S LONG BEEN BILLED AS THE FUNNIEST FUNDRAISER IN TOWN, AND FOR ITS 25th ANNIVERSARY, "BANNED IN BOSTON" IS GOING BIG AND GOING HOME.

THE ANNUAL SHOW WILL BE PRESENTED ONLINE THIS YEAR WITH THE CAST DOING THEIR PARTS REMOTELY, INCLUDING THE "LATE SHOW'S" STEPHEN COLBERT, WHO'S MAKING A SPECIAL APPEARANCE, ALONG WITH THE USUAL CAST OF POLITICIANS, INCLUDING A GOVERNOR, A CONGRESSMAN, AND EVERYONE RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF BOSTON, BUSINESS LEADERS, AND OTHER FAMILIAR FACES, LIKE THIS ONE.

THAT WOULD BE ME.

IT'S ALL TO RAISE MONEY FOR URBAN IMPROV, A LOCAL NON-PROFIT WHICH TEACHES KIDS SERIOUS LIFE SKILLS THROUGH IMPROVISATIONAL THEATER.

THE SHOW IS APTLY SCHEDULED FOR APRIL FOOL'S DAY, BUT RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT HOW IT ALL CAME TOGETHER.

>> I'M WRITING "BANNED IN BOSTON" THIS YEAR.

THE WHOLE THING IS MUSICAL AND EVERYBODY SINGS.

>> CAN WE DO "LES MIS?"

>> AND I CAN BE ENJOLRAS, AND ALSO ALL THE WOMEN PARTS -- >> HEY, GUYS, FOLX WITH AN "X."

AH, WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?

>> Braude: THAT WAS THE ARCHITECT BEHIND THIS YEAR'S "BANNED IN BOSTON," HEAD AND PRODUCER OF "TRANSPARENT," FAITH SOLOWAY.

FAITH, GREAT TO SEE YOU.

THANK FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, JIM.

>> Braude: I LEFT OUT THE MOST RELEVANT PART: YOU ARE AN URBAN IMPROV ALUM, CORRECT?

>> TOTALLY, YEAH.

I WAS AN INSTRUCTOR/EDUCATOR FOR 20ISH YEARS.

>> Braude: TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE OPERATION FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW.

I GAVE ONE SENTENCE.

WHAT EXACTLY DO THEY DO WITH THESE KIDS IN SCHOOL?

>> URBAN IMPROV USES IMPROVISATION AS A TOOL TO HELP KIDS NAVIGATE REALLY HARD CHOICES AND HARD EMOTIONS THAT EVERYONE -- THAT THEY ALL GO THROUGH, YOU KNOW?

TEACHERS LOVE IT BECAUSE IT IS THE OUTLIARS AND THE BEHAVIORS THAT KIDS HAVE, IT FREES THEM UP AND OPENS UP THEIR VOICES TO COMMUNICATE WITH THINGS THAT THEY STRUGGLE WITH.

IT IS EVERYTHING.

IT IS MENTAL HEALTH.

IT IS GETTING KIDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE CONTROL.

>> Braude: AND, BY THE WAY, THEY WORK WITH, LIKE, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KIDS THROUGH THE YEARS.

SO WHY ARE YOU BACK?

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

>> WELL, I LOVE THE ORGANIZATION.

I'M A BOARD MEMBER NOW.

IT IS MY WAY OF GIVING BACK.

AND IT'S A CRAZY YEAR.

WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS.

AND I SAID, YES.

IT'S A LABOR OF LOVE.

INTENSE LABOR AND INTENSE LOVE.

>> Braude: FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THIS THING, HIGH-PROFILE PUBLIC PEOPLE, SOME OF WHOM CAN SING AND ACT, SOME OF WHO CAN'T BUT DO IT ANYWAY, PARTICIPATE IN THIS THING.

HERE IS A SAMPLE, LIKE THIS.

♪♪ ♪ I DON'T NEED A LOT OF ATTENTION ♪ ♪ I'M A TEAM PLAYER ♪ ♪ I'M FINE JUST STANDING IN THE WINGS ♪ ♪ I COULD HAVE A SMALL PART ♪ ♪ OR SOMETHING HUGE ♪ ♪ I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT, DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO ME ♪ >> Braude: OKAY.

SO I RECOGNIZE THE PIANO PLAYER.

WHO IS THE COURAGEOUS SOUL DOING THE SINGING THING THERE?

>> THAT IS MR. STEVE CONINE, THE HEAD EXECUTIVE OF WAYFAIR.

>> Braude: HIS EMPLOYEES ARE PROBABLY PLAN A STRIKE AFTER THEY SEE THAT LITTLE DEAL.

HOW DID YOU GET STEPHEN COLBERT?

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION TO YOU OR WHATEVER?

>> THE CONNECTION IS BACK IN MY 20s, HIS 20s, WE WORKED TOGETHER AT SECOND CITY IN CHICAGO.

I WAS A MUSICAL DIRECTOR AND HE WAS AN ACTOR.

>> Braude: OH, MY GOSH.

>> I JUST REACHED BACK AS A HAIL MARY KIND OF THING.

WE'RE DOING A NARRATIVE THIS YEAR, AND WITHOUT GIVING AWAY TOO MUCH, HE WOULD HAVE -- HE IS THE PERFECT PERSON TO BE IN THIS AND HE IS A SINGER.

AND HE SAID YES, AND IT TOOK OFF AFTER THAT.

>> Braude: UNIVEL.

UNBELIEVABLE.

WITHOUT GIVING AWAY TOO MUCH -- YOU HAVEN'T GIVEN AWAY ANYTHING.

HOW ABOUT GIVING AWAY A SMIDGEON.

>> THE SMIDGEON IS YOU JUST SAW STEVE CONINE AND YOU SEE STEPHEN COLBERT, AND THERE IS A BIT OF AN IDENTITY MISHAP.

LET'S JUST SAY THAT.

>> Braude: I WILL CALL THAT LESS THAN A SMIDGEON, BUT I'LL TAKE WHAT I CAN GET.

>> I'M NOT WINNING WRITING AN ACADEMY-AWARD WINNER.

I'M WRITING A FUNDRAISER.

>> Braude: THIS IS A MUSICAL.

YOU WERE HUGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MUSICAL FINALE OF "TRANSPARENT," WHICH I ASSUME EVERYBODY REMEMBERS, AND WILL REMEMBER, FOR THE REST OF THEIR DAYS.

IF YOU WERE ASKED TO COMPARE THE TALENT LEVEL BETWEEN THE PERFORMERS AND THE FINALE OF "TRANSPARENT" AND THE TALENT LEVEL OF THE PERFORMERS ON APRIL 1st, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THAT DIFFERENTIAL?

>> YEAH.

I WOULD SAY IT'S ON PAR.

TO BE HONEST, THOUGH, WHAT I WAS WORKING WITH IN THE FINALE FOR "TRANSPARENT," TWO OF THOSE CAST MEMBERS WERE ACTUAL SINGER-SONGWRITER.

THATSINGERS.JUDITH LIGHT AND KATHRYN.

AND THE REST AREN'T, AND THEY REALLY ROSE TO THE OCCASION.

I LOVE WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T THE BIGGEST PROS.

IT IS REALLY FUN.

>> Braude: BY THE WAY, I SHOULD SAY SOME OF THESE PEOPLE, WHO EVERYBODY KNOWS FROM THE NEWSPAPER OR THE NEWS OR WHATEVER, SOME OF THESE PEOPLE CAN REALLY DO IT, I SHOULD SAY.

YOU STAND THERE AND YOU CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

AND WE SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT THIS YEAR IS THE 25th ANNIVERSARY IS A TRIBUTE TO TWO WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING.

KIPPY DUI AND LYSSA CAMPIAN.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THEY'VE BEEN RUNNING THE ORGANIZATION, ALONG WITH LISA SCHMIDT FOR 25 YEARS, AND THIS WAS THEIR BABY.

AND THEY'VE WORKED REALLY HARD, REALLY, REALLY HARD FOR THIS ORGANIZATION.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE THE KIND OF PERSON WHO GETS NERVOUS.

IS THAT TRUE OR AM I READING YOU DEAD WRONG?

>> YOU'RE READING ME WRONG.

I GET VERY NERVOUS.

>> Braude: YOU DO?

>> YEAH.

I HAD TO RECORD YESTERDAY MY PART, AND IT TOOK TWO HOURS.

I COULDN'T REMEMBER MY LINES.

I HAD A MENTAL BREAKDOWN.

I CRIED.

I GET VERY NERVOUS.

[LAUGHTER] >> Braude: SO I GUESS I DID READ YOU RIGHT.

SO ARE YOU NERVOUS ABOUT THE 1st, OR ARE YOU FINE, GOOD?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK I'M NERVOUS ABOUT THE PERMANENCE OF THE INTERNET MORE THAN ANYTHING.

>> Braude: YEAH, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> AND HAVING TO WRITE FOR THAT AND KNOWING PEOPLE'S EGG GOESEGOS AND WHERE TO PUSH THE COMEDY.

WE'VE BEEN ON STAGE BEFORE, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S MORE WHAT I'M NERVOUS ABOUT.

AND I JUST WANT TO DO EVERYBODY GOOD BY THAT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

MYSELF INCLUDED.

>> Braude: LET ME SAY, AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE PART OF IT IN RECENT YEARS.

I'LL SAY THREE THINGS: ONE, I CAN'T WAIT.

TWO, NOBODY SHOULD MISS IT, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT IS GREAT FUN AND FOR A FABULOUS CAUSE.

AND, THIRD, PLEASE BE KIND TO ME AND MARJORIE IN THE EDIT ROOM.

>> WE WILL BE.

YOU TWO ARE PERFECT NOTES IN THIS MUSICAL.

>> Braude: DESPITE THAT STATEMENT, I THINK EVERYTHING YOU TOLD ME IS THE TRUTH.

FAITH SOLOWAY, IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE WHOLE DEAL.

>> THANKS, JIM.

AND I WANT TO SAY IT IS NOT A BIG TICKET PRICE.

PEOPLE CAN GO TO THE LINK AND REGISTER BECAUSE ALL ARE INVITED.

>> Braude: WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THE LINK OUT IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, JIM.

>> Braude: AGAIN, "BANNED IN BOSTON" IS THURSDAY, APRIL 1, AT 7:00 p.m. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS, VISIT www.bannedinboston.org.

>>> THE NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS ARE NOW IN FULL SWING, BUT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, THE REAL MARCH MADNESS IS HOW DIFFERENTLY THE ORGANIZATION TREATS THEIR MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TEAMS.

WHILE GENDER DISPARITIES IN THE LEAGUE ARE NOTHING NEW, THIS YEAR THE DIFFERENCES ARE STARK, AS SEVERAL COACHES AND PLAYERS SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON'S SEDONA PRINCE.

>> I GOT SOMETHING TO SHOW Y'ALL.

SO FOR THE NCAA MARCH MADNESS, THE BIGGEST TOURNAMENT IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL FOR WOMEN, THIS IS OUR WEIGHT ROOM.

LET ME SHOW Y'ALL THE MEN'S WEIGHT ROOM.

>> Braude: CONDEMNATIONS POURED IN, INCLUDING ONE TODAY ON "BOSTON PUBLIC RADIO" FROM A PRETTY GOOD FORMER COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER IN HER OWN RIGHT, ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY.

>> THEY SHOWED THE WOMEN'S AREA, AND IT BASICALLY LOOKED LIKE SOMEBODY WENT TO TARGET, BOUGHT, LIKE, YOU KNOW, A 12 -- A 12 SET OF THOSE LITTLE BARBELLS.

AND THEN, LIKE, A BAG OF CHIPS AND A BOWL.

FEMALE ATHLETES ARE AS FIERCE AND COMPETITIVE AND TALENTED AND WORK AS HARD AS THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS.

>> Braude: THE NCAA BLAMED THE DISPARITY ON "LIMITED SPACE" AND SAID THEY PLANNED TO EXPAND THE WORKOUT AREA ONCE ADDITIONAL SPACE WAS AVAILABLE LATER IN THE TOURNAMENT.

BUT SEDONA PRINCE HAD SOMETHING TO SHOW US ON THAT FRONT, TOO.

>> HERE IS OUR PRACTICE COURT, HERE'S THE WEIGHT ROOM, AND HERE IS ALL THIS EXTRA SPACE.

>> Braude: ULTIMATELY, THE NCAA HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO UPGRADE THE WOMEN'S WEIGHT AREA.

AND IN A STATEMENT, THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SAID, IN PART, "AS A FORMER WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STUDENT-ATHLETE, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY PRIORITY TO MAKE THIS EVENT THE BEST POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

WE FELL SHORT THIS YEAR.

>> Braude: NO KIDDING, AND IT'S NOT JUST THE WEIGHT ROOM.

PLAYERS ALSO SHARED PHOTOS OF THE MERCHANDISE THE LEAGUE MADE FOR EACH TOURNAMENT.

THEY REALLY COULDN'T COME UP WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN "WOMEN'S BASKETBALL"?

THERE IS ALSO THE FOOD.

AND, PERHAPS MOST SHOCKING, THERE IS EVEN A DIFFERENCE IN THE DAILY COVID SCREENING, WITH THE MEN REPORTEDLY GETTING THE GOLD STANDARD, HIGHLY ACCURATE P.C.R.

TESTS, WHILE THE WOMEN GET THE LESS ACCURATE ANTIGEN TESTS.

ON THAT FRONT, THE NCAA HAS SAID THEY APPROVED BOTH TESTS AND WENT WITH WHAT WORKED BEST FOR THE DIFFERENT PROVIDERS AT THE WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT IN SAN ANTONIO AND THE MEN'S IN INDIANAPOLIS.

BUT IT'S ALL PROMPTED THEIR COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S ATHLETES TO SEND A LETTER, CALLING ON THE LEAGUE TO INVESTIGATE THE UNEQUAL ACCOMMODATIONS.

IN IT THE COMMITTEE EXPRESSED THEIR SHOCK AND DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE DISPARITIES, WHICH THEY SAID "UNDERMINES THE NCAA'S AUTHORITY AS A PROPONENT AND GUARANTOR OF TITLE IX PROTECTIONS AND SETS WOMEN'S COLLEGE ATHLETES BACK ACROSS THE COUNTRY."

AND FOR THE FINAL WORD, LET'S GO BACK TO SEDONA PRINCE.

>> IF YOU AREN'T UPSET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEN YOU ARE A PART OF IT.

>> Braude: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WRITE US, TWEET US, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT BUT COME BACK TOMORROW.

MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY JOINS ME ON HATE CRIME REFORM SHE'S PUSHING ON BEACON HILL AND THE SETTLEMENT SHE'S REJECTING WITH THE MAKER OF OXYCONTIN.

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