AirTalk

Bob’s Burgers, Rick and Morty, Bojack Horseman, Big Mouth. Young adults are increasingly turning their attention toward animated shows like these, and developers are taking notice. A number of production studios, including HBO Max and Fox, are focused on producing more adult-animated series as the genre continues increasing in popularity. 

The adult animation genre hasn’t had a clear, defined category in the past, but developers have sharpened it’s focus over the last few years. It’s not just comedy that’s gaining popularity. According to experts following the genre, the number of upcoming non-comedy series is unprecedented. The pandemic has only accelerated the growing trend. Animation is cheaper than live-action productions and high-end talent has gravitated toward it. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the various factors at play when it comes to adult animation. Plus, we want to hear from you. Have you become an adult animation lover? What are your favorite shows and what do you love about them? What do you want to see from the genre in the future? Tell us your thoughts by calling 866-893-5722 or commenting below.

Guest: 

John Evershed, CEO of High Concentrate, which assists studios and individuals with the development of adult animated productions, he’s the author of a white paper titled “Adult Animation Finally Breaking Free of its Comedy Shackles”

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kimberly Shriner, infectious disease specialist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.

Topics today include:

Los Angeles, other SoCal counties enter red tier

What’s reopening on Monday, and what reopened over the weekend

Millions more Californians become eligible for vaccine today -- here’s how L.A. is handling it

Concerns about appointment system being flooded with so many newly eligible

More COVID-19 vaccination sites on the way in L.A. County

Who isn’t getting vaccinated, and why

L.A. Times op-ed: A doctor gave away expiring COVID vaccine doses. Should he have been charged with a crime?

SF Chronicle: A year in the pandemic: How we failed, how we adapted, and what lies ahead

Guest:

Kimberly Shriner, M.D., infectious disease specialist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena

Los Angeles County has officially entered the red tier of the state’s color-coded reopening blueprint, paving the way for restaurants, wineries, breweries to reopen for indoor service and gyms, retail and other businesses that have been closed due to the pandemic to return to operation at reduced capacity. 

The Los Angeles Times reports some restaurants in Southern California opened for indoor dining on Sunday, and said that the response was a mixed bag. Some establishments reported high traffic while others reported a slower return.

Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk about how the reopening process is going so far and hear from restaurant owners and employees whose places of business have already reopened or will be doing so in the near future. If you’re a restaurant owner or an employee at a restaurant that has reopened or in the process of reopening, join the live conversation by calling us at 866-893-5722.

For more on this from LAist food editor Elina Shatkin, including business-specific information and a link to the full reopening blueprint for Los Angeles County, click here.

Guest:

Farley Elliott, senior editor at Eater L.A.; he tweets @overoverunder

In this morning’s Oscar nominations announcement, David Fincher’s Old Hollywood tale “Mank” emerged as the pack leader, with ten nominations including best picture and actor in a leading role.

In a historic move for the academy, two women are nominated in the best director category— Chloé Zhao for “Nomadland,” and Emerald Fennell for “Promising Young Woman.”  Viola Davis made history with her fourth Oscar nomination, becoming the most-nominated Black woman ever, and the only Black woman with two best actress nominations. Other best picture nominees include “Minari,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” ” “The Father” and “Sound of Metal.” But films like “Malcolm & Marie,” Sam Levinson’s black-and-white quarantine-filmed saga starring Zendaya, and Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” failed to pick up any predicted acting nominations.

Today on AirTalk, we’re taking a look at this year’s Oscar nominations. Who was snubbed, who is favored, and how might it all shake out at the big ceremony? If you have thoughts, comment below or give us a call at 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA); she tweets @ClaudiaPuig

Thelma Adams, film critic and long-time expert awards predictor for Gold Derby - a foremost media outlet dedicated to entertainment awards; she tweets @thelmadams

Today on AirTalk, we talk to Democratic congressman Adam Schiff about the recent stimulus bill and the ongoing investigation into the Capitol Insurrection. Also on the show, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news; KPCC film critics Christy Lemire and Angie Han review this weekend’s new movie releases.

Yesterday President Biden signed into law the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus bill, which will include checks sent to individual Americans and $1.35 billion headed directly to the City of Los Angeles.

The money could help the city to pay off debts and cover coronavirus-related expenses, as well as support struggling workers and businesses. Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by Rep. Adam Schiff to hear more about what the stimulus could mean for Los Angeles, and how the money might help the city recover. We’ll also get the latest on the investigations into the January 6 Capitol Insurrection with the congressman.

Questions? We want to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or comment below.

Guest:

Adam Schiff, Democratic Congressman representing California’s 28 Congressional District, which includes Burbank, parts of Pasadena, and Glendale; he tweets @RepAdamSchiff

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, we speak with Dr. Dean Blumberg of UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Today’s topics include: 

President Biden’s goal: fourth of July with loved ones

LA County expected to move into red tier 

Read more here for the reopening guidelines 

Breweries, wineries can soon operate outdoors  

As some countries halt AstraZeneca vaccine, WHO says it’s safe

Experts project thousands of deaths still to come

LMU survey: LA residents split on vaccine mandate

Study shows another antibody drug reduces hospitalizations and deaths

Guests: 

Dean Blumberg, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital

Jackie Fortiér, health reporter at KPCC and LAist; she tweets @JackieFortier

Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we talk about the future of sex tech; look at how the city of Los Angeles plans to use its new federal stimulus funds; and more.

For better or worse, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the sex life of many couples throughout the U.S., leaving either partners locked together indoors to revitalize their carnal knowledge or long-distance lovers to search for pleasure elsewhere.

It seems that the upward trend of sex tech couldn’t have come at a better time. A 2019 report from Research and Markets predicted the $30 billion industry would balloon to $52.7 billion by 2026. With the pandemic tapping into people’s intimate loneliness, many sex toy shops are experiencing that peak in sales a little earlier than expected.  

According to a 2020 consumer behavior report by e-commerce company Ella Paradis, over ¼ of individuals say their sex life has gotten worse since the pandemic and nearly 93% of those surveyed have used sex toys during the pandemic.

New sex tech and intimate products are just beyond the horizon of affordability. Among the new innovations are a kissing device that transmits lip locks to a partner abroad, VR technology that allows for customization and sex dolls that heat up to human touch. But as with any innovation, there are some legal and ethical risks. 

Today on AirTalk, we explore the future of the sex tech industry. Have you invested in sexual devices? How has the pandemic fared for your intimate relationships? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722. 

Guest:

Justin Lehmiller, social psychologist and research fellow at Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute; author of “Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life” (Hachette Go, July 2020); host of the “Sex and Psychology” podcast; he tweets @JustinLehmiller

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, we speak with UCSF’s Dr. Peter Chin-Hong. 

Today’s topics include: 

Reflection: one year since the coronavirus gripped the world 

Could easing restrictions add fuel to coronavirus variants?

Study: Pfizer first dose provides less protection for cancer patients 

Denmark pauses AstraZeneca vaccine use over blood clot concerns 

EU regulator recommends J&J vaccine approval 

Vaccines in the works to target multiple variants 

Study: UK variant has higher death rate 

Long hauler symptoms may not be unique to COVID-19 

Is it safe for vaccinated people to hook up? 

Guest: 

Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets @PCH_SF