Mike Roe Web Producer/Blogger
- Phone: (626) 583-5128
Mike Roe is a Web producer for Southern California Public Radio and lead writer for pop culture blog Without A Net. Mike joined KPCC in November 2007 after working for KCTS public television in Seattle.
Roe began his broadcast career at his high school radio station KMIH in Mercer Island, Washington, where he served as president and program director. From there he moved on to college and community radio, and interned in commercial radio.
He earned a BA in history from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
When he's not covering the waterfront for KPCC, Mike writes and performs with several improv and sketch comedy groups. He's graduated from both the improv and sketch comedy programs at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. He also hosts the Geek Pilgrims podcast and serves on the board of his church.
Stories by Mike Roe
Grammys: Still relevant?
The Grammys are an interesting creature. They get the biggest stars in the industry to perform, while giving them prizes for songs that have, by this point, largely moved from contemporary stations to adult contemporary stations.
Lars Von Trier's 'Breaking the Waves'
I'd never seen a Lars Von Trier film before, but I've always been intrigued by the reviews I've read of his films and the soliloquies to his greatness I've heard from my cineaste friends.
Random thoughts on the State of the Union
• Rock star presidents: Growing up, I always thought of the president and members of Congress as colleagues. I pictured them meeting together and calling one another on the phone. One thing that the State of the Union always seems to make clear is that this isn't necessarily the case, as you read stories about members of Congress coming early so they can get a good spot just for the opportunity to shake the president's hand and you watch Obama signing autographs for members of Congress as he leaves the chamber.
Wrapping my head around the iPad
The day has arrived, and Steve Jobs has come down from Mt. Sinai with Apple's long-rumored device, the iPad, a tablet computer. The price is cheaper than I expected (starting at $499), but especially the upper end models (up to $829) are priced significantly higher than netbooks.
Bill Gates' awesome new Web site
As a lifelong Mac user, it pains me to say this, but Bill Gates' new Web site, the Gates Notes, is excellent. He's retired from being actively involved in Microsoft, but is now working full time as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Conan O'Brien: 'Please do not be cynical'
"I'm asking this particularly of young people that watch: Please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism. For the record, it's my least favorite quality. It doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get.
Man who allegedly set 2003 Old Fire faces death penalty if convicted
Rickie Lee Fowler, who allegedly set the 2003 San Bernardino "Old Fire" that destroyed almost 1,000 homes, will face the death penalty if convicted, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Life without a phone or a computer
I'm not having a good week technologically. Both my computer and my phone decided to not work this week, so outside of my time in the office, I've been largely disconnected the last several days.
Prince writes Minnesota Vikings tribute song
I don't know if the Minnesota Vikings are going to the Super Bowl, but I do know they officially have the coolest tribute song. Prince, inspired by the Vikings' victory over the Dallas Cowboys, wrote the song "Purple and Gold" in their honor.
2 women involved in celebrity burglaries receive additional charges
Two young women suspected in the "Bling Ring" celebrity burglary case were charged today with additional counts of receiving stolen property, the L.A. County District Attorney's Office announced.
A stormy night in
I'm currently figuring out what I'm going to do this evening. I just received successive e-mails informing me that a) my gospel choir rehearsal is canceled due to the weather and b) my hiking group, which I normally go to when I don't go to choir, is canceled due to the weather.
Former Ukiah college scholarship trustee settles after being accused of misappropriating funds
James Harrison settled with the California Attorney General's Office after he was accused of misappropriating money from a college scholarship trust intended to benefit female graduates of Ukiah High School pursuing careers in medicine.
Tornado warnings
As we deal with weather reminiscent of 2012 and the Day After Tomorrow, including a tornado warning in Southern California, it reminded me of my time going to college in the upper Midwest at Saint Olaf College.
Remembering Martin Luther King in music
I had the chance to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. last night musically with the gospel choir I sing with, Hollywood Mass Choir, at our annual Martin Luther King tribute concert.
LA Customs officials seize $7 million in counterfeit DVDs
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials seized 252,968 DVDs with counterfeit trademarks coming into the Los Angeles/Long Beach port on Jan. 7. The Department of Homeland Security made the announcement this morning. The suggested retail price of the DVDs was estimated to be over $7.1 million and the domestic value was $204,904.
