AirTalk

The days are longer and the nights are shorter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get cozy for summer’s best new television series. Each week, we 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, we discuss with Jen Chaney, television critic for Vulture, and Liz Shannon Miller, senior entertainment editor at Consequence.  

Today’s shows include:

• Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC/AMC+/BBC America)
• Act Your Age (Netflix)
• House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
• Slave Play. Not A Movie. A Play. (Max)  
• Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution (PBS)

Today on AirTalk, we remember baseball legend Willie Mays. Also on the show, CBS Morning Correspondent Mo Rocca drops by to talk about his new book ‘Roctogenarians: Late In Life Debuts, Comebacks, and Triumphs;’ we explore why California cannabis products are testing positive for dangerous pesticides; we explore the history of LGBTQ+ cinema with author Alonso Duralde and his book ‘Hollywood Pride;’ our TV critics review the latest shows; and more.

• Remembering baseball legend Willie Mays (00:17)
• Mo Rocca explores late-in-life achievers with new book ‘Roctogenarians’ (27:05)
• Why are CA weed products testing positive for pesticides? (51:00)
• New book ‘Hollywood Pride’ explores LGBTQ+ film (1:09:12)
• TV-Talk (1:26:41)

Today on AirTalk, the Los Angeles Unified School district this morning considers whether to ban cellphones on school campuses. Also on the show, we look into why Americans are holding on to their cars for longer; we preview the latest Imperfect Paradise series ‘Return to Mexico;’ actor Griffin Dunne stops by to talk about his new memoir ‘Friday Afternoon Club;’ and more.

• LAUSD weighs cellphone ban (00:17)
• Why Americans are holding onto their old cars (32:41)
• Preview: new LAist 'Imperfect Paradise' series (50:43)
• New Biden plan will protect undocumented spouses from deportation (1:08:29)
• Griffin Dunne on his memoir ‘Friday Afternoon Club’ (1:16:48)

Today on AirTalk, the latest on the wildfires burning through Southern California and what it means for this year’s fire season. Also on the show, we examine if COVID is exacerbating cancerous cell growth; we visit some of the lesser known LGBTQ+ landmarks and neighborhoods of Los Angeles; we look into the California budget and what to expect for the new fiscal year; and more.

• Latest on the SoCal wildfires (00:17)
• Is COVID causing rare cancer flare ups? (17:48)
• The historical gay neighborhoods of LA (33:18)
• What to know about the CA budget (51:53)
• Battling COVID misinformation (1:06:42)
• New book 'The Random Factor' explores the crucial role of chance (1:23:33)

Carol Kwang Park was 12 years old, working as a cashier at her family’s gas station in Compton, California, when the 1992 LA Uprising forever changed her life. Her mom was at the gas station that day and Carol was unsure if she’d even make it home. At the time, she didn’t understand why tensions came to a head in Los Angeles, following the acquittal of the officers who beat Rodney King. She also never understood why her mother insisted on keeping the business going, especially after the Uprising. As an adult, a personal crisis prompts Carol to finally start processing that event and her place in history. 

Content Warning: This episode contains racial slurs and discusses police brutality. 

How can I support? Inheriting is entirely funded by supporters like you. If you want to hear future seasons of the show, go to LAist.com/Inheriting and click on the orange box to donate.

Today on AirTalk, what you need to know about a Superior Court judge’s ruling on Thursday against a landlord that sought to carry out one of Los Angeles’ largest mass evictions. Also on the show, we examine regret and its function in human existence; the owners of the soon-to-be open ghost kitchen Chicken BOX gives us a sample of their Japanese-American fried chicken; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; Jude Law talks about his new film ‘Firebrand;’ and more.

• A Superior Court judge rules against LA landlord who sought mass evictions (00:17)
• What is the function of regret? (13:29)
• Japanese-American fried chicken with the owners of Chicken BOX (40:01)
• FilmWeek critics review the latest releases (51:27)
• Feature: Austin Cross talks with Jude Law about ‘Firebrand’ (1:22:31)

Today on AirTalk, University of Miami President Julio Frenk has been announced as UCLA’s new chancellor. Also on the show, a look into why PTSD is on the rise in college students; how TV sitcoms led the way for queer visibility and gay rights; Jesse Thorn previews tonight’s live taping of ‘Bullseye’ at LAist; Our TV critics review the latest shows; and more.

• Julio Frenk announced as new UCLA chancellor (00:17)
• Why is PTSD rising in college students? (16:49)
• How TV sitcoms transformed gay rights (35:23)
• Breaking down recent Hollywood deals (51:25)
• Jesse Thorn previews LAist live taping (1:03:21)
• LAist Tournament of Cheeseburgers (1:17:07)
• TV-Talk (1:25:58)

The days are longer and the nights are shorter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get cozy for summer’s best new television series. Each week, we 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, we discuss with Melanie McFarland, TV critic for Salon and Eric Deggans, TV critic for NPR.

Today on AirTalk, we remember NBA legend Jerry West. Also on the show, how to prepare for a loved one’s final moments; everything you need to know about California’s Universal Transitional Kindergarten rollout for 2025-2026; we examine why the FDA overwhelmingly voted against the medical benefits of MDMA; and more.

• We remember NBA legend Jerry West  (00:17)
• How to prepare for a loved one’s final moments (37:20)
• What to know about Universal Transitional Kindergarten (51:00)
• Does MDMA have any medical benefits? (1:07:50)
• What have your cousins meant for you? (1:27:04)

Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive, and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Clippers announced. He was 86. West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his late-game exploits as a player, was an NBA champion who went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and again as a member of the gold medal-winning 1960 U.S. Olympic Team in 2010. He will be enshrined for a third time later this year as a contributor. West was “the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him,” the Clippers said in announcing his death. West’s wife, Karen, was by his side when he died, the Clippers said. West worked for the Clippers as a consultant for the last seven years. Joining us on AirTalk this morning to discuss his legacy and career is Dan Woike, Lakers beat writer for The Los Angeles Times and Roland Lazenby, author of the book Jerry West, The Life And Legend Of A Basketball Icon.