May 28 - June 1, 2007
Monday, May 28
The New Science of Weight Loss and the Myths and Realities of Dieting
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In her new book Rethinking Thin (FSG/ Farrar, Strauss and Giroux), New York Times science writer Gina Kolata looks at how society's obsession with dieting and weight loss is less about keeping trim and staying healthy and more about money, power, trends, and impossible ideals. In this critique of the weight-loss industry, Kolata examines four determined dieters' progress through a study comparing the Atkins diet to a conventional low-calorie one, dramatizing what it feels like to spend a lifetime struggling with one's weight and fantasizing about finally getting thin. The author joins Larry Mantle to discuss the little-known story of the science of obesity and the history of diets and dieting.
The Life and Times of Gene Autry
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2007 marks the 100th anniversary of Gene Autry's birth to be celebrated with events from the Autry National Center's exhibition in Los Angeles in June to a Hollywood Bowl Tribute concert in July. Larry Mantle talks with award winning author and western enthusiast Holly George-Warren about the life and career of Hollywood legend Gene Autry, the only entertainer ever to earn five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. George-Warren has written a new biography of Autry entitled Public Cowboy No. 1 (Oxford University Press).
A Passion for the World's Tallest Trees
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Author Richard Preston travels into the perpendicular universe of the world's tallest trees. Mostly California redwoods, they are the colossal remnants of a lost world, some predating the fall of Rome. Preston's new book, The Wild Trees (Random House), chronicles his adventures following Steve Sillett, Marie Antoine, and the tiny group of daring botanists and amateur naturalists into the unexplored forests of 350 foot "supertall" trees. Larry Mantle speaks with Preston about these majestic giants and the people who ascend them.
The History of Tea
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Traveling from East to West over thousands of years, tea has played a variety of roles on the world scene in medicine, politics, the arts, culture, and religion. Behind this most serene beverage, idolized by poets and revered in spiritual practices, lies stories of treachery, violence, smuggling, drug trade, international espionage, slavery, and revolution. Beatrice Hohenegger's new book, Liquid Jade (St. Martin's Press), explores tea in all its social and cultural aspects. Larry Mantle talks with Hohenegger about the history of tea.
Tuesday, May 29
The Future of Griffith Park
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Larry Mantle discusses the Griffith Park recovery plan that will be published this week and takes calls from listeners who weigh in on how they think the park should be restored and developed. In the aftermath of the May 8 fire, the city plans to spend 50 million dollars to restore the park, but opportunities emerge: Should re-growth be closely managed, or allowed to proceed naturally? Larry talks to Mike Shull, Superintendent of Planning and Development for the Department of Recreation and Parks for the City of Los Angeles.
Taxing Toxins
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California Assemblyman Mike Feuer has introduced a bill that would impose fees on manufacturers that use large amounts of toxic chemicals. Assembly bill 558, called the "Toxic Use Reduction Act," resembles a similar law in Massachusetts that has reduced the use of toxics in that state by 41 percent. Larry talks with State Assemblyman Feuer and with Liz Harriman, Deputy Director of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute in Massachusetts.
President Bush Orders Sanctions against Sudan
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President Bush today announced new economic sanctions against Sudan for its role in the Darfur conflict. Bush also directed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to draft a proposed U.N. resolution to strengthen international pressure on the Sudanese government of President Omar al-Bashir. The conflict erupted in February 2003 when members of Darfur's ethnic African tribes rebelled against the Arab-dominated Khartoum government. Sudanese leaders are accused of retaliating by supporting the Janjaweed militia to put down the rebels, resulting in what many countries, including the U.S., now call a "genocide." Larry talks with Jason Small of the U.S. State Department, Alex Meixner of the Save Darfur Coalition, and with Seth Brysk of the American Jewish Committee Los Angeles about the sanctions and about the conflict.
Maxed Out
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Foreclosures are hitting record highs; Americans are declaring bankruptcy at rates ten times that during the Great Depression, and more college students drop out because of debt than due to poor grades. Award-winning documentary filmmaker James Scurlock explored the enormity of consumer debt in our society and its consequences in his 2006 film Maxed Out. Scurlock blames financial institutions and a pliable Congress for allowing bankers to make the rules on extending credit. Larry talks with Scurlock about his companion book Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders (Scribner) which is a call to change how we think about debt.
Wednesday, May 30
LAPD Report On Mayday Melee
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Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton goes before the City Council today to discuss the department's report into the violence at the May Day immigration rights rally in MacArthur Park. Police fired rubber bullets into the crowd and used batons to clear demonstrators from the park. Several demonstrators were injured, as were journalists covering the event. The report blames police conduct on a breakdown in command and control. Larry talks with Bratton and others about the study.
Can Consumers Protect Themselves Against Contaminated Foods From China?
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The recent discovery of the industrial chemical melamine in US pet food, and other food contamination scares is triggering an investigation by the FDA into unregulated imported food and food ingredients from China. Larry talks to former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and other experts about food safety concerns.
Degrading Language In Rap Music
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A press conference is being held today at Interscope Records by the Respect Me Coalition and community leaders, to ask Interscope to take offensive lyrics out of their music. Larry discusses the issue with Brenda Marsh-Mitchell of the Respect Me Coalition, T. Denean Sharpely-Whiting, Director of African-American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University, and Jake Paine, Features Editor of AllHipHop.com.
The Sexualization Of Young Girls
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The proliferation of sexual images of girls in the media has been linked to eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression. This is according to a report released by the American Psychological Association. Larry Mantle talks with Sharon Lamb, clinical psychologist and task force member, and Issaac Larian, the founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, the makers of "Bratz" dolls.
Kobe Demands To Be Traded From The Lakers
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Larry talks with Mark Heisler, NBA Writer for the Los Angeles Times about Kobe's trade demands.
Thursday, May 31
Don't Know Much About Public Policy
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California voters admit to knowing little or nothing about many of the policy issues they be making decisions about in next year's elections. A new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California finds that most California voters view bonds as a way to invest in the future without raising taxes, however many don't understand that bonds are debt that must be repaid with interest. The report also indicates that most California voters are complacent about legislative term limits, conflicted about the purpose of prison, can't identify the state's top spending and revenue sources, and are most concerned by rising gas prices and immigration. Larry and political analyst, Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, discuss the report's key findings.
Microstamping - A New Gun Debate in the Legislature
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A bullet can't really have someone's name on it...or can it? It's now possible to manufacture guns that stamp an ID on every bullet casing, as it is fired. This would make it possible to link casings found at a crime scene to a specific gun and, via computer database, the gun's last known owner. Law enforcement favors the idea and Assemblyman Mike Feuer has written legislation that is now on its way to the State Senate. But opponents, including Assemblyman Anthony Adams, argue that the technology is too easy for criminals to defeat or they will use older guns that aren't equipped with microstamping. Larry talks to both legislators as well as Congressman Xavier Becerra about the pros and cons of this intriguing technology.
The "Law and Order" Candidate?
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Fred Thompson has given up his role as D. A. Arthur Branch on the NBC TV series Law and Order. Does this mean Thompson is preparing for a run at the White House? Though Thompson, a former Senator from Tennessee, has yet to announce that he's seeking higher office, GOP officials say he'll make his first formal campaign move soon and is expected to establish an exploratory committee in the coming days. Larry discusses Thompson's possible bid for the Republican Presidential nomination with Janet Hook of the L.A. Times, Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of KNBC, and with former chairman of the California Republican party Shawn Steele.
Hollywood's Celebrity Gangster
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Hollywood Gangster, Mickey Cohen, knew, and worked with, all the major underworld players, from Bugsy Siegel to Lucky Luciano to Meyer Lansky. He also crossed paths with Jack Ruby and was involved peripherally in the JFK assassination investigation through his close connection to Carlos Marcello. Larry talks with Bradley Lewis about his new biography of Cohen Hollywood's Celebrity Gangster: The Incredible Life and Times of Mickey Cohen (Enigma Books) that tells the story of one of the toughest gangsters America ever produced.
Friday, June 1
Gang Violence in Long Beach
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AirTalk travels to Long Beach City College where Larry Mantle moderates a special panel discussion on youth and gang violence in Long Beach. Larry discusses the current and future efforts to confront gang violence with guests Bob Foster, Mayor of Long Beach, Tony Batts, Long Beach Chief of Police, Maggie Webster, Assistant Superintendent for High Schools in Long Beach, Dr. Lydia Hollie, chair of the City of Long Beach's Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Taskforce, and Harry Koulos of the Commission on Youth, Children Commissioner, and Wilson High School senior.
The Road To Broadway
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The twelve block stretch from 41st to 53rd Streets in the middle of Manhattan is where all those who dream of making it in the theatre long to be. Broadway remains the pinnacle of the American theatre world and a hit Broadway musical is the golden ring many aspiring theatre artists shoot for. The new documentary film, SHOWBusiness: The Road to Broadway, follows the trajectory of four musicals that debuted in the 2004 Broadway season: Wicked, Avenue Q, Caroline, Or Change, and Taboo. Larry talks with Berinstein about her new film which gives us a rare glimpse behind the scenes as she follows each show from concept, through workshops, opening night, to the Tony Awards, when one show takes home the top prize: the Tony for Best Musical. Also, talks with Bobby Lopez and Jeff Marx, composers and lyricists of Avenue Q.
FilmWeek Reviews
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Larry and critics Andy Klein, film editor and chief critic for CityBeat, Claudia Puig of USA Today, and Charles Solomon of amazon.com, discuss this week's new releases, including Knocked Up, Mr. Brooks, Paprika, Gracie, Golden Door, and Day Watch. Scott Foundas of the L.A. Weekly will also provide a wrap-up of the Cannes Film Festival.
