AirTalk

Today on AirTalk, the latest on this morning's UCLA encampment dispersal led by hundreds of police in riot gear. Also on the show, a new survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute shows shifting expectations for those heading into retirement; our critics review the latest shows on TV and streaming; and more.

• Police in riot gear clear UCLA encampment (00:17)
• What's in store for Paramount? (17:33)
• New book on sports broadcaster Vin Scully (28:22)
• The Steelhead trout moves to 'endangered list' (51:22)
• New survey on retirement expectations (1:09:15)
• Our critics review the latest TV shows (1:25:08)

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 freelance tv critic, Steve Greene, and tv critic and co-founder of LatinaMedia.Co, Cristina Escobar. 

 

This week’s shows include:

• Hacks [Season 3] (Max) 
• The Veil (FX on Hulu) 
• Acapulco [Season 3]
• Big Mood (Tubi)
• Fiasco (Netflix)

Today on AirTalk, a look into the violent clashes that brokeout overnight at UCLA between pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israeli counterprotesters, leading UCLA to call in LAPD for help. Also on the show, LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin joins us to talk about the new Imperfect Paradise series on California’s Colorado River negotiations; what the data says about how crime trends affects our behaviors; and more.

• Overnight clashes strike UCLA protesters (00:17)
• US may ease marijuana restrictions (9:00)
• New series on CA's water negotiations (19:44)
• The Latest On Protests From UCLA  (33:31)
• How climate change affects where we live (1:02:45)
• How high-profile crime alters our behaviors (1:18:48)
• LAist's ‘Tournament of Cheeseburgers’ (1:33:53)

Today on AirTalk, an update on the USC encampment protests and what you need to know about USC President Carol Folt’s meeting yesterday with pro-Palestienian protesters. Also on the show, New York Times media reporter Benjamin Mullin drops in to discuss his recent article on the behind-the-scenes issues at NPR; what the LA County Superior Court’s strike down of Senate Bill 9 means for the future of single-family zoning laws; and more.

• An update on USC's student protests (00:17)
• A look into NPR's internal issues (21:15)
• What the SB 9 strike down means for LA housing (36:35)
• Is the future of coffee beanless? (1:07:02)
• New book examines the shifting makeup of the GOP (1:23:45)

At the University of Southern California, student protesters set up an encampment at Alumni Park for the second time over the weekend after their first one was broken up by law enforcement last week. Ninety-three people were arrested. The campus remains closed to the public and access to the campus is limited to those with a valid campus ID. The university is also facing criticism from various groups of faculty including from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the Department of Gender & Sexuality Studies for their handling of the student protests. Booker Prize-nominated author C Pam Zhang and UCLA professor and MacArthur Fellow Safiya Noble have withdrawn as speakers of USC's Rossier School of Education satellite commencement ceremony. President Carol Folt and Provost Andrew Guzman are set to attend the school’s Academic Executive Board meeting on Wednesday where some faculty are calling on the senate to censure Folt and Guzman for their handling of the valedictorian speech and pro-Palestinian in-camp demonstration. Joining us to discuss is LAist reporter Yusra Farzan and Jody Armour, professor of law at the University of Southern California.

 

We reached out to USC President Carol Folt to join the conversation, but did not hear back before the airing of this segment. We also reached out to Provost Andrew T. Guzman, but he was not available.

 

With files from LAist. Read the full story here.

Following layoffs in the last year and a critical opinion piece by former editor Uri Berliner, the New York Times has offered more context into the issues the major radio outlet is dealing with. In a world where television and radio are declining in audience size, news outlets invested in these mediums like NPR are having trouble finding innovative ways to stay afloat. Along with its own issues, financially or socially, the news broadcaster also is having issues such

as with its relationship to local member stations.

 

Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by New York Times media reporter Benjamin Mullin, who’ll give us the rundown behind NPR’s recent internal issues and future financial problems as radio listenership begins to decline.

Today on AirTalk, what you need to know about Metro’s public emergency announcement and how it addresses safety concerns for bus riders and drivers alike. Also on the show, a look into the current state of retail theft and what companies are doing to thwart would-be thieves; a deep-dive into the vast history of student activism; and more.

• What to know about Metro's public emergency (00:17)
• What’s going on with retail theft? (22:14)
• New book examines our waste problem (37:37)
• The history of student protests (51:24)
• What are the benefits of cold plunging? (1:09:43)
• New book explores the birth of LA's beach culture (1:23:31)

Today on AirTalk, the latest on the charges filed Wednesday against a top aide to Los Angeles DA George Gascón. Also on the show, a conversation with Karla Vasquez on her new cookbook highlighting Salvadoran cuisine; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; and more.

• What to know about the charges filed against longtime aide in DA’s office (00:17)
• What’s behind the allure of ‘Millenial Gray?’ (16:27)
• Karla Vasquez on her new Salvadoran cookbook (41:43)
• FilmWeek critics review the latest releases (1:06:27)
• FilmWeek Feature: Seven Samurai 70 years later (1:22:27)

Go back to the movies with us!

We're still profiling LA's repertory theaters in Revival House cause there are SO MANY to check out! In this episode, we explore a cool space with some deep, messy history.

Fashion label Brain Dead has taken over a site that some would consider....a little cursed. Originally opened in the 1940s as The Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax, the venue was home to premieres and parties. Until a theft and murder shut the theater down.

In the 2000s, it was taken over by Cinefamily, which programmed in that space until allegations of abuse came to light in 2017.

But today, Brain Dead Studios is keeping the lights on for nerds, artists, and skate punks in Los Angeles -- aiming to create an eclectic community space to inspire creatives and show good movies. Take a listen as we explain the history and present of this theater.

Guests: Professor and historian Ross Melnick, Brain Dead founder Kyle Ng  

Today on AirTalk, the Supreme Court hears arguments today on whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in a case charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election. Also on the show, a dive into the history and recent disappearance of TV laugh tracks; our TV critics review the latest releases on streaming and TV; and more.

• SCOTUS considers Presidential immunity (00:17)
• History of the laugh track  (14:03)
• What’s the future for ‘Bluey?’ (28:22)
• Our critics review the latest shows (35:52)