AirTalk

As we continue our series "Revival House," How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro is taking us to the South Bay of LA. We're checking out the Gardena Cinema, which pivoted to revival screenings relatively recently. 

The theater has been owned by the Kim family since 1976, and is now a non-profit run by Judy Kim and a team of 40 volunteers. Kim has saved the cinema from closures a handful of times now, and has also built up an incredible community of folks dedicated to keeping the cinema running. 

Join us as we explore this theater's past and future. 

Guests: Theater owner Judy Kim and volunteers Adela Tobon, Bill DeFrance, Cifen, and Conor Holt.

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 Angie Han, tv critic for The Hollywood Reporter, and Kristen Baldwin, tv critic for Entertainment Weekly.

This week’s shows include:

• X Men 97 (Disney+)
• The Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show (HBO & Max)
• We Were The Lucky Ones (Hulu)
• Diarra from Detroit (BET+)
• Homicide: New York (Netflix)
• Manhunt (Apple TV+)
• The Girls on the Bus (Max)
• Renegade Nell (Disney+)

Today on AirTalk, The Broad museum in DTLA is expanding. Also on the show, Nick Croll and Robbie Praw talk with Larry about Netflix is a Joke Fest; listeners share their favorite US television remake; TV Talk: eight shows to watch this week; and more.

• The Broad museum is expanding (00:17)

• Netflix is a Joke Fest (16:38)

• Double Play: The Dodgers latest news (43:17)

• Hollywood’s child labor issue (51:31)

• Listeners dish on American TV remakes (1:10:07)

• TV Talk: eight shows to watch (1:23:19)

One of the biggest comedy festivals returns to Los Angeles this May, featuring more than 500 shows at more than 35 venues throughout the city. The 2024 Netflix is a Joke Fest will feature some of the biggest and up and coming names in comedy, demonstrating L.A.’s current influence on the comedy scene. Today, we talk about the festival and the state of comedy in the region. Joining to discuss is Robbie Praw, vice president of Stand-up and Comedy Formats at Netflix, and actor and comedian Nick Kroll. Are you in the comedy scene? What are your thoughts about the state of comedy in SoCal? Call 866-893-5722 or email [email protected].

Netflix is a Joke Fest runs from May 1-12 in Los Angeles. Learn more at Netflixisajokefest.com. 

Shohei Ohtani’s life will be fundamentally different in the coming weeks and months without Ippei Mizuhara, his interpreter and constant companion ever since he moved to the majors from Japan. Although the changes caused by Mizuhara’s firing amid allegations of gambling and theft could be jarring to a baseball star who thrives on routine, LA Dodger manager Dave Roberts told reporters the upheaval could have a positive impact on the team, with Ohtani likely to confide with his teammates more as a result of the situation. This all comes just prior to the Dodgers home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals today at 1 PM.

Today on AirTalk, we briefly get into the latest surrounding the Dodgers with Nick Roman, host of LAist’s “All Things Considered.”

With files from the Associated Press

Today on AirTalk, California’s fast food wage increase. Also on the show, everything you need to know about kinks; new LAist report on the lack of affordable family housing; author Becky Nicolaides on LA’s suburban melting pot; and more.

• California’s fast food wage increase (00:17)

• Breaking down BDSM and kinks (28:43)

• LAist report on lack of affordable family housing (51:01)

• Legal landmines of online dating (1:10:15)

• New book on LA suburbia (1:25:06)

April 1 will see fast-food workers’ minimum wage reach $20 an hour, following the passing of AB 1228 through the state legislature in September. The wage increase, now slightly under the cost of living in the state, is a shift that fast-food franchisees across the state are now trying to adapt to through changes in hiring and hourly staffing. Some workers may start to see their hours shortened and their shifts more demanding, while franchisees struggle to balance their books to the new normal. With a lot of change coming up–what’s the pulse of the state’s fast food industry now and what are their expectations for the future? Today on AirTalk, we’ll check in with listeners who are part of the industry and talk to a panel of experts. Joining us today is Tia Koonse, legal & policy research manager at the UCLA Labor Center, Michaela Mendelson, Southern California El Pollo Loco franchisee, and Anneisha Williams, Jack in the Box worker & member of the California Fast Food Workers Union.

Today on AirTalk, Inglewood Unified to close schools. Also on the show, Urban Planner Max Podemski on the history and future of urban housing; listeners share how they feel about getting rid of landlines; how to tell if your loved one is depressed; and more.

Inglewood Unified School District currently has 16 schools serving approximately 7,000 students, down from 18,000 students in 2002. Long troubled financially, the district has been in state receivership since 2012. In response to declining enrollment and significant debt obligations (the district owes the state $21 million), Inglewood Unified announced last week that it will close three TK-6 grade schools, Crozier Junior High, and Morningside High School. State-appointed County Administrator James Morris outlined these changes in a letter to parents, staff, and students, saying “These are not easy decisions to make. The time has come to make decisions. The data tells the story and the time for action is now.” Joining us to discuss is James Morris, county administrator of Inglewood Unified School District.

Today on AirTalk, the United Nations Security Council approved a cease-fire resolution for Gaza during Ramadan. Also on the show, LAist reporter Jacob Margolis talks to us about how parents can find out if their kid’s school has been retrofitted for earthquakes; Golfers in LA are upset that tee times are being bought and sold by brokers; and more.