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 Liz Shannon Miller, senior entertainment editor for Consequence, and Eric Deggans, television critic for NPR.

This week’s shows include:

• The Brothers Sun (Netflix)
• The Golden Wedding (ABC & Hulu)
• Letterkenny [Season 12, Final Season] (Hulu)
• Only Murders in the Building [Season 1] (ABC & Hulu)
• Pokemon Concierge (Netflix)
• Criminal Record (Apple TV+)
• Funny Woman (PBS)
• True Detective [Season 4] (HBO & Max)

Today on AirTalk, UCLA acquires former Westside Pavilion mall. Also on the show, truckers and delivery drivers are having trouble with parking; NPR producer Peter Breslow chats with Larry about his new memoir; TV-Talk: ‘The Brothers Sun,’ ‘Only Murders in the Building’, ‘Letterkenny’ and more.

• UCLA Acquires Former Westside Pavilion Property To House Science Research (00:17)
• The Challenges Long Haul Truckers And Delivery Drivers Face In Finding Parking, And Federal Efforts To Address Them (10:57)
• Longtime NPR Producer’s New Memoir Takes Readers From The Top Of Mount Everest To The Bottom Of A Florida Snake Pit (33:03)
• What We Should Know About Evacuation Behavior And Safety Following Japan Airlines Collision (51:17)
• More People Are Canceling Streaming Services – How Are Companies Trying To Retain Subscribers? (1:11:15)
• TV-Talk: ‘The Brothers Sun,’ ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Broadcast Debut, ‘Letterkenny’ Final Season & More (1:24:06)

Today on AirTalk, California kicks off 2024 with below normal snowpack. Also on the show, Greg Lukianoff on his new book “The Canceling of the American Mind”; Jon Batiste chats with Larry about his new documentary; listeners share how they feel about shoes on/off in the house and more.

• California’s Snowpack Is Lagging Behind This Year - What Does It Mean For The State’s Water Supply? (00:17)
• A Growing Number of COVID & Flu Cases This Winter Season (10:33)
• Author Of The New Book “The Canceling Of The American Mind” On Cancel Culture, How It Threatens Us, And Possible Solutions (32:08)
• LA County’s General Hospital Building Is Getting A Makeover (51:30)
• Larry Mantle Interviews Jon Batiste About His New Documentary ‘American Symphony' (1:08:54)
• Shoes On Or Off When Entering Someone’s House? AirTalk Listeners Debate This Age-Old Question (1:27:20)

Today on AirTalk, everything you need to know about new California laws in 2024. Also on the show, why some pilots avoid self reporting mental health problems; a politics primer ahead of the 2024 election season; listeners share the self help books that changed their lives and more.

• New Year, New Laws: Speeding Cameras, Police Stop Protocols, Minimum Wage And Many More (00:17)
• Why Does Aviation Certification Lead Some Pilots To Avoid Self-Reporting Health Problems? (17:43)
• Is 'Groupthink' Inhibiting Teens From Thinking Critically? (34:05)
• Prepare Yourself For A Big Election Year (51:38)
• What Self-Help Book Changed Your Life? (1:20:51)

AirTalk is off today, and back tomorrow. So, we’ll be supplying our podcast listeners with reruns of our Southern California history segments. Today’s episode is on the history of SoCal’s Jewish population. If you’d like to suggest a topic for a future SoCal history segment, email it to atcomments@laist.com. 

From Boyle Heights to Fairfax, the Jewish community has made a significant impact on almost every aspect of life in Los Angeles. Jewish immigrants began arriving in the area in the mid-1800s and continued through 1965. During each influx, new layers of Jewish life were laid upon a growing tapestry of Jews that had already established themselves in the area. Today on AirTalk, we’re diving into the history of Jewish communities in Los Angeles. Joining us today is Caroline Luce, Project Director at the UCLA labor center, previously Chief Curator of Mapping Jewish LA, and Jonathan Friedmann, director of the Jewish Museum of the American West; professor music history at Academy for Jewish Religion California.

AirTalk is off this week, so we’ll be supplying our podcast listeners with reruns of our Southern California history segments. Today’s episode is on Griffith Park. If you’d like to suggest a topic for a future SoCal history segment, email it to atcomments@laist.com. 

Griffith Park dwarfs other city parks. Its 4,300 acres make it about five times bigger than New York’s Central Park. And, unlike Central Park’s man-made rolling hills, Griffith Park is a true urban wilderness, comprised of a chunk of the Santa Monica Mountains. The park, originally Tongva-Gabrielino land, was gifted to the city by Welsh philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith in 1896, who also provided funds for the Griffith Observatory and the Greek Theatre. Griffith is a divisive figure: in 1903, he assaulted his wife with a gun and subsequently served time in prison. According to Casey Schreiner in his book Discovering Griffith Park, in its lifetime, “the park has been home to an airfield, multiple zoos, a landfill, a Civilian Conservation Corps work camp, a pre-internment camp and prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, housing for veterans, and more.” Joining us to discuss the history of the park and how Angelenos use it today are Mike Eberts, author of Griffith Park: A Centennial Historyand Casey Schreiner, founder of the site Modern Hiker and author of Discovering Griffith Park: A Local’s Guide.

AirTalk is off this week, so we’ll be supplying our podcast listeners with reruns of our Southern California history segments. Today’s episode is on the Southern California’s expansive orange farming. If you’d like to suggest a topic for a future SoCal history segment, email it to atcomments@laist.com. 

You ever wonder why Orange County is named Orange County? The answer is actually fairly simple, it’s because of that citrus fruit that was being farmed in the area and its neighboring counties; oranges, and other citrus, became a key part of Southern California’s booming economy from the late 19th Century and for most of the 20th. Although citrus orchards aren’t as plentiful nowadays, dropping in size, you’ll still find residential growers around the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, and the Inland Empire. Today on AirTalk, we offer a primer on Southern California citrus with Vince Moses,CEO of the museum/preservation consulting firm VinCate and Associates, and Benjamin Jenkins, University of La Verne associate professor of history and book author on the subject.

AirTalk is off this week, so we’ll be supplying our podcast listeners with reruns of our Southern California history segments. Today’s episode is on the SoCal’s Filipino population. If you’d like to suggest a topic for a future SoCal history segment, email it to atcomments@laist.com. 

Back in October was Filipino American History Month, and we dedicated an episode of our SoCal history segment to the tremendous contributions that Filipino communities have made here in Southern California. From when Filipino sailors landed in Morro Bay in 1587 to “Little Manila” in downtown LA in the first half of the 20th century to the rapidly gentrifying Historic Filipinotown, California has long felt the impact of the Filipino community. Today on AirTalk, we’ll dig into why migrants from the Philippines ended up in Southern California and the histories of the communities they formed. Joining us to discuss is Joy Sales, assistant professor of Asian American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, Joseph Bernardo, adjunct professor in the Asian and Asian Pacific American Studies Department at Loyola Marymount University and board member for the Filipino Workers Center, and James Zarsadiaz, associate professor of history and director of the Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program at the University of San Francisco. Author of ​​Resisting Change in Suburbia: Asian Immigrants and Frontier Nostalgia in L.A.

AirTalk is off this week, so we’ll be supplying our podcast listeners with reruns of our Southern California history segments. Today’s episode is on the Tustin Hangars. If you’d like to suggest a topic for a future SoCal history segment, email it to atcomments@laist.com. 

Orange County is still in a state of emergency after smoke and debris from the Tustin hangar fire tested positive for asbestos and other toxins last week. Tustin schools remain closed.

The fire broke out at Tustin’s Marine Corps Air Station early Tuesday morning, irreparably damaging one of two historic blimp hangars there. The hangars were built in 1942 to hold Lighter-Than-Air aircrafts, or LTAs, that patrolled the U.S. coastline during World War II. At 17 stories high, more than 1,000 feet long, and 300 feet wide, the hangars were two of the largest wooden structures in the world. They’ve been mostly vacant since the base was decommissioned in 1999, sometimes serving as a shooting location for films and commercials. Now, the north hangar (Hangar 1) will have to be demolished completely. The south hangar (Hangar 2) is still standing, but there are no current plans to preserve it. The Marine Corps community is reeling from the loss. Joining Larry to discuss the hangars’ history, significance, and the fight for preservation are Brian Delahaut, retired Marine Colonel stationed at Tustin between 1983 and 1995, and Chris Jepsen, local historian and president of the Orange County Historical Society.

Today on AirTalk, everything you need to know about the new JN.1 variant. Also on the show, the worst holiday gift you’ve ever received; hot chocolate for the holidays from Amara Cafe; FilmWeek: ‘All Of Us Strangers,’ ‘The Iron Claw,’ ‘Society of the Snow’ and more.

• As A New COVID Variant Spreads Through LA County, Here’s How To Stay Healthy For The Holidays (00:17)
• The Worst Gifts You’ve Ever Received During The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (20:01)
• Miss Me With The Swiss Miss: Hot Chocolate Grows Up (33:41)
• Sri Lankan Christmas Cake: A Rich Tradition (39:21)
• FilmWeek: ‘All Of Us Strangers,’ ‘The Iron Claw,’ ‘Society of the Snow’ And More (50:35)

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 Kristen Baldwin, tv critic for Entertainment Weekly. We also want to know: what’s the best tv show you watched this year? Shout it out by calling 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com. 

Today’s shows include:

• Dr. Death [Season 2] (Peacock)
• Fargo [Season 5] (FX & Hulu next day)
• Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning  (Max)
• The Crown [Season 6] (Netflix)
• Big Brother: Reindeer Games (CBS & Paramount+)
• Christmas TV Special: How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Today on AirTalk, a Federal judge blocks California law banning guns. Also on the show, the pros and cons of Prop 47; Larry Mantle and the chocolate factory; LA City Council proposes response to hate fliers; and more.

• Federal Judge Blocks California Law Banning Guns In Parks, Banks, Playgrounds (00:17)
• Has Property Theft In California Been On The Rise? Legislators Discuss Amending Misdemeanor Law (11:18)
• Larry Mantle And The Chocolate Factory (34:43)
• LA City Council Proposes Response To Hate Fliers – Would The Ordinance Stand Under The First Amendment? (51:31)
• TV-Talk: Dr. Death, Big Brother: Reindeer Games And More, Plus Your Fave Show Of 2023 (1:16:29)

Today on AirTalk, the Colorado Supreme Court disqualifies Trump from the primary ballot. Also on the show, the future of charter schools on LAUSD campuses; end of the year check in with local restaurateur Tirsa Farah; more men are becoming primary caregivers for their loved ones; California OKs new rules allowing recycled water to be used as drinking water and more.

• In Historic Move, Colorado Supreme Court Declares Trump Ineligible For Primary Ballot (00:17)
• It’s Been 6 Months Since Study Started Giving Unhoused People Monthly Income. We Discuss The Results So Far (18:36)
• The Future Of Charter Schools On LAUSD Campuses Is Up In The Air Following Resolution Approval (29:07)
• Restaurants Check-In: As 2023 Comes To A Close, How Are Restaurateurs Handling Increasing Overhead Costs & Staffing? (51:21)
• How Do Men Deal With Becoming Primary Caregivers For An Aging Loved One? (1:10:15)
• California OKs New Rules To Allow Recycled Wastewater To Be Used As Drinking Water. Here’s When It Might Be In Your Tap (1:29:01)

Today on AirTalk, California’s rich exodus. Also on the show, an interfaith dialogue on the war in Gaza; everything you need to know about ketamine treatment; listeners share their favorite holiday movies and more.

• Wealthy Californians Are Leaving The State (00:17)
• How Are Faith Communities Grappling With The War In Gaza? (16:31)
• Recession Fears Have Morphed Into A ‘Soft Landing’ For The Economy – We Break It Down (51:00)
• Ketamine For Treatment Resistant Depression: Is It Efficacious? Is It Safe? (1:08:09)
• What's Your Holiday Movie Must See? (1:25:50)

Today on AirTalk, the Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples. Also on the show, how are the politics of immigration shifting within the Democratic party; the history of the Jewish community in Los Angeles; Mayor Karen Bass’s housing goal; what does it mean to be a Godparent? and more.

• Pope Approves Priests’ Blessings Of Same Sex Unions In Radical Policy Change (00:17)
• Is The Democratic Party Shifting Its Thinking On Immigration? (13:14)
• SoCal History: The Jewish Communities Of Los Angeles And Their Lasting Impact (31:13) 
• Mayor Karen Bass’s Housing Goal And The Difficulties Collecting Accurate Data For LA’s Unhoused Programs (51:35)
• Pasadena Is Doubling Down On Its Gas Leaf Blower Ban (1:07:42)
• What Does Being A Godparent Mean To You? (1:19:42)

Today on AirTalk, final recommendations made by scholars on how to improve accountability in LA City government. Also on the show, tell us all about your favorite third place; the best places for boba in Los Angeles; FilmWeek: ‘Wonka,’ ‘Godzilla Minus One,’ ‘Godard Cinema’ and more.

• Local Scholars Issues Final Recommendations On How To Improve Accountability and Responsiveness In LA City Government (00:17)
• Cool Places, Sweet Bases: Third Places (17:26)
• What’s The Tea On Bubble Tea: The Best Places For Boba In Los Angeles (40:39)
• FilmWeek: ‘Wonka,’ ‘Godzilla Minus One,’ ‘Godard Cinema’ And More (50:52)

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 Dominic Patten, senior editor at Deadline, and Marcus Jones, awards editor for TV & Film at IndieWire.

This week’s shows include:

• The Crown [Season 6, Final Season] (Netflix)
• Jujutsu Kaisen [Season 2] (Netflix & Crunchyroll)
• Reacher [Season 2] (Amazon Prime Video)
• Colin From Accounts (Paramount+)
• Percy Jackson & the Olympians (Disney+)
• And Remembering Actor Andre Braugher

Today on AirTalk, After 110 freeway protest listeners comment on effective protest methods. Also on the show, a new CalMatters piece examines how car insurance rates are impacting drivers; TV-Talk: 6 shows to talk about including ‘The Crown’ Season 6, ‘Jujustu Kaisen’ Season 2, ‘Reacher’ Season 2 and more.

• Following 110 Freeway Protest Thursday, Listeners Weigh In On The Effectiveness Of This Type Of Demonstration (00:17)
• National Film Registry Adds 25 Movies, Including ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Lady And The Tramp’ And ‘12 Years A Slave.’ What Would You Add? (35:40)
• Car Insurance Driving You Up A Wall? Rate Hikes, Waiting Periods And More (51:26) 
• TV-Talk: 6 Shows To Talk About Including ‘The Crown’ Season 6, ‘Jujustu Kaisen’ Season 2, ‘Reacher’ Season 2 & More (1:20:26)

Today on AirTalk, Tesla recalls 2 million vehicles to fix defective autopilot system. Also on the show, LA County’s landfill crisis; EU passes landmark legislation regulating AI; singing your baby to sleep could help their language development; tell us about the best (or worst) surprise party you’ve thrown and more.

• What You Should Know About The Tesla Recall (00:17)
• Are LA County’s Landfills In Crisis? (15:51)
• Can Anyone Create Their Own Language And Script? A New Pasadena Exhibition Showcases Invented Language Systems (35:30)
• European Union Passes Legislation On Artificial Intelligence – What It Means For The US (51:32)
• New Study Found How Nursery Rhymes Could Help Infant’s Language Development (1:07:16)
• SHHHH, It's A Surprise: The Best (Or Worst) Surprise Party You’ve Ever Thrown (1:24:48)

Today on AirTalk, LA Controller’s audit of LAPD helicopters questions their use. Also on the show, Gen Z weighs in on their spotify wrapped; everything you need to know about cooking oils and how to use them; takeaways from UN Climate Conference COP28; the debate of free speech troubling college campuses across America and more.

• New Audit Breaks Down LAPD’s Use Of Helicopters (00:17)
• Checking In On How Younger Generations Discover New Music As Semesters, Spotify Wrap (19:04)
• Olive, Avocado, Grapeseed, Sunflower. Why So Many Cooking Oils And How Should You Use Them? (34:57)
• What Can Los Angeles Take From UN Climate Conference COP28? (51:30)
• Free Speech Debate Arises As Elite Colleges And Universities Come Under Scrutiny Amid Growing Reports Of Anti Semitism (1:07:31)
• Are ‘Humane’ Layoffs A Pipe Dream? (1:23:36)