AirTalk

Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching with Jen Chaney, television critic for Vulture, and Dominic Patten, executive editor for Deadline.   

This week’s shows include: 

• Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) 
• Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon Prime Video) 
• Kaos (Netflix) 
• English Teacher (FX/Hulu) 
• Slow Horses [Season 4] (Apple TV+)

Today on AirTalk, a California bill would give doxxing victims the right to sue. Also on the show, we check-in on the cleantech industry and the challenges they’re facing; authors Vanessa Wood and Brian Hare talk about their new book ‘Puppy Kindergarten: The New Science of Raising a Great Dog;’ we examine the future of the California Dream for All program; grammy-winning singer/songwriter Natalia Lafourcade stops by to talk about her upcoming Hollywood Bowl shows; and more.

• CA bill would give doxxing victims the right to sue (00:17)
• Checking-in on cleantech (17:26)
• New book examines what makes a great dog (33:04)
• Update on CA program helping first-time home buyers (51:22)
• Larry interviews singer Natalia Lafourcade (1:11:52)
• Best places to dine alone (1:28:55)

Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on the landslides affecting Rancho Palos Verdes. Also on the show, everything you need to know about a California bill that would ban plastic film bags; listeners share their most transformative concert experiences; we discuss the pollution at LA beaches; author Jamil Zaki talks about his new book ‘Hope For Cynics: The Surprising Science Of Human Goodness;’ and more.

• Latest: Rancho Palos Verdes landslides (00:17)
• CA bills look to ban plastic bags (18:06)
• Transformative concert experiences (34:31)
• High levels of pollution at LA beaches (51:22)
• Federal judge pauses Biden’s “parole in place” program (1:09:24)
• New book explores hopeful skepticism (1:22:53)

Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. In this episode, Larry and Desmond talk about what’s making young men so lonely these days... and how their feelings of isolation can lead to even bigger problems.

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on the fraud investigation into Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do. Also on the show, everything you need to know about the new COVID vaccine; author and journalist Carol Mithers talks about her new book ‘Rethinking Rescue: Dog Lady and the Story of America’s Forgotten People and Pets;’ we dive into the history of SoCal’s drive-in movie theaters; the new book ‘The Boys of Riverside: A Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory’ explores the players behind the California all-state champion team; and more.

• Latest: OC Supervisor Andrew Do’s fraud investigation (00:17)
• What to know about new COVID vaccine (22:32)
• ‘Rethinking Rescue’ considers who adopts pets, and why (34:00)
• A history of SoCal's drive-in theaters (51:31)
• 'Boys of Riverside' follows all-deaf football team (1:18:40)

Let's take a trip down memory lane and eventually find ourselves parked in front of our favorite outdoor movie screen. That's right, we're talking about the history of drive-in movie theaters, how they were popularized within car culture and their eventual downfall. The COVID-19 pandemic resurrected interest in drive-ins and some continue to operate today, including in Southern California. But it's nothing like its heyday. Joining to discuss is April Wright, director of the documentaries Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the American Drive-in Movie and Back to the Drive-in, and Chris Nichols, senior editor at L.A. Magazine. We also want to hear from you! Tell us your favorite drive-in memories. What was your favorite theater and what made it so special? What was your experience? Call 866-893-5722 or email [email protected].

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do, the central figure in an unfolding corruption scandal that saw his home searched by FBI and IRS agents last week, has for months declined to comment to English-language news outlets. Last week, he spoke out on Vietnamese-language radio, according to a recording of the remarks that LAist had translated. The broadcast took place a few hours after LAist broke the news on Aug. 15 that county officials filed a fraud lawsuit against his daughter, Rhiannon Do, and others involved in a nonprofit she helped lead, according to two people who said they spoke with others who heard the broadcast live. Supervisor Do directed more than $10 million in public funds to the nonprofit, Viet America Society (VAS), that have gone unaccounted for, despite O.C. officials’ repeated demands for answers about what happened to the money since February. LAist reached out to Supervisor Do on Friday and Saturday and did not get a response. A county spokesperson declined to comment on the broadcast. Today, we get the latest on the story with LAist senior reporter Nick Gerda and also talk with Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who represents its 2nd district.

With files from LAist. Read more here

LAist reached out to Supervisor Andrew Do’s office for comment but did not hear back by the time of our broadcast.

The wellbeing of animals, pets in particular, is inextricably tied to the wellbeing of humans. In the U.S. nearly 20 million pets live in poverty alongside their owners. There is a narrative that most stray pets and rescues come from owners who beat and neglected them. While this is certainly true in many cases, there is another story that a new book seeks to shed light on. That story is about underserved communities who may love their animals deeply, but cannot always afford to care for them. This brings up questions like who should get to own a pet? Should only the well-off among us get to own and rescue pets? Joining us today on AirTalk is journalist and writer Carol Mithers whose new book  “Rethinking Rescue: Dog Lady and the Story of America’s Forgotten People and Pets” addresses these questions. 

Last November, a parade was held for Riverside's California School for the Deaf’s football team who had just won their state championship. The victory was triumphant and an unlikely turn of events for a team that had long been outcasted as the underdogs. In the new book "The Boys of Riverside,” New York Times reporter Thomas Fuller follows the team on their two year journey from hardly ever winning to having an undefeated season. The book takes a closer look at the team’s players, their dynamic head coach Keith Adams, and crucial games that brought the team national attention. Joining us today on AirTalk are Thomas Fuller, author of the book "The Boys of Riverside: A Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory” and Keith Adams, head coach of the championship winning all-deaf High School football team, the Riverside Cubs from Riverside's California School for the Deaf.

Today on AirTalk, we dig into the final night of the DNC and Vice President Kamala Harris’ first speech as the democratic nominee. Also on the show, we talk about love and AI companionship; we chow down on some New York style pizza with the chef and owner of Danny Boy’s Pizza; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; Larry Mantle interviews Boston Globe film critic Odie Henderson on his new book ‘Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation Cinema;’ and more.

• Recap: Vice President Kamala Harris’ DNC speech (00:17)
• Are people finding love and companionship in AI? (21:44)
• Get a slice of New York in LA with Danny Boy’s Pizza (39:29)
• FilmWeek critics review the latest releases (52:18)
• The history of blaxploitation film (1:23:24)