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FilmWeek: Argo, Here Comes the Boom, Seven Psychopaths and more

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Ben Affleck attends the "Argo" Washington D.C. Premiere at Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14 on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Credit: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images

Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell and Andy Klein to review the week’s new films, including Argo, Here Comes the Boom, Seven Psychopaths and more. TGI-FilmWeek!

Guests:

Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC and Box Office Magazine

Andy Klein, film critic for KPCC and the L.A. Times Community Papers chain


Paul Ryan and Joe Biden duke it out in the VP debate

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A combination picture of the vice presidential debate between US Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan (R) at the Norton Center at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, October 11, 2012, moderated by Martha Raddatz of ABC News. Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Vice presidential debates don’t usually move the needle much during election seasons but the stakes were higher than usual for last night’s verbal spar between sitting Democrat Joe Biden and his Republican challenger, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan. Democrats were looking to change the narrative of the election and put a halt to plummeting poll numbers for the Obama campaign after the president’s lackluster performance in last week’s first debate.

Last night, Biden seemed to relish the role of the attacker as he went on the offensive early and often with a mocking laugh and a dismissive, interrupting style that appeared to be aimed at belittling Ryan, and by proxy, his running mate Mitt Romney. For his part, Paul Ryan managed to weather Biden’s interruptions and accusations with a calm demeanor, and slight smirk, that maintained solidarity with Mitt Romney’s message. Overall, viewers gave both candidates high marks for digging into issues and talking to each other.

So who won? Early debate polls have been split and the pundits have been filling airtime with the usual spin in counter rotating directions leaving the few remaining swing voters to decide for themselves.

Which candidate best represented their boss’ ticket? Was Biden’s demeanor rude or some much needed verve for the Democrats? How will it affect the polls until Obama and Romney face each other again next week?

Guest:

Eugene Kiely, deputy director, FactCheck.org, a project of the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center FactCheck.org

Jonathan Wilcox, republican strategist; former speechwriter for Governor Pete Wilson

Darry A. Sragow, attorney and longtime democratic strategist

Berman and Sherman go Dem-to-Dem over San Fernando Valley district

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Physical Debate

Congressman Brad Sherman swings his arm around Congressman Howard Berman during a debate Thursday night in the San Fernando Valley. Credit: YouTube/Howard Berman

The race for California’s newly-drawn 30th congressional district is shaping up to be one of the most contentious – and expensive - in the country.

Democratic incumbents Brad Sherman and Howard Berman, who represent the 27th and 28th districts respectively, were thrown into the ring together thanks to redistricting and California’s “top two” primary system. The new district is made up half from Sherman’s old district and a quarter from Berman’s; the remaining 25% comes from the old 30th district. The two candidates, both Jewish, have similar voting records but differ on issues such as the economy, immigration and higher education.

In the long and heated race, both candidates have taken figurative swings at at each other – Sherman accused Berman of overpaying his brother for political consulting, while Berman charged Sherman with profiting from interest charged to his own campaign accounts. But last week, in a debate held at Pierce College, things literally got physical: after Berman accused his opponent of being “either delusional or a liar,” Sherman approached Berman, put an arm around him and shouted, “You wanna get into this?” while a police guard hovered nearby.

The incident captured national attention after a video was released by Berman’s campaign. Both candidates later released statements expressing regret over their actions, characterizing the race as “emotional.”

With only a few weeks left to go, will they be able to keep things civil? How will these two impress their new constituents? Who will emerge to represent the 30th district?

Guests:

Howard Berman, congressman (D-28); the 28th district includes Pacoima, Arleta, Panorama City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood

Brad Sherman, congressman (D-27)

Beverly Hills penny pinchers rejoice! 99 Cents Only store on Rodeo Drive?

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In this Sept. 8, 2008 file photo, Jacques Elsair shops at a 99 Cents Only Store in Los Angeles. Credit: Nick Ut

Beverly Hills has a reputation as having most upscale shopping in Southern California, which puts it high in the running for some of the best shopping in the world. But high-dollar shoppers may soon see an unfamiliar retailer among the big name, big ticket shops like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada.

Eric Schiffer, the CEO of the discount chain 99 Cents Only, announced recently that they have plans to open a location in Beverly Hills' exclusive shopping district citing that the best-performing store in the entire chain is the location on Wilshire Boulevard closest to Beverly Hills.

"That store does an incredible volume, it does more than twice average store in our chain," said Schiffer. "We know many customers are driving from Beverly Hills to shop at 99, and they have been saying 'Please open a location in Beverly Hills."

But there has been pushback from the city, which believes that a discount retailer like 99 Cents Only simply wouldn't fit in among the glamour and cachet of Rodeo Drive.

"What we're talking about here is, is there a landlord on Rodeo Dr. who would lease to a 99 Cent Store amongst Dior, amongst Prada, amongst Chanel, amongst Cariter, and I think strongly the answer is probably not," said Brian Rpsenstein, vice chair of the Beverly Hills planning commission. "At the same time, that's not to say that the 99 Cent Store isn't appropriate for Beverly Hills….but Rodeo Drive is known for its luxury and elegance…I just don't think that 99 Cent Store fits in there."

Weigh In
How can discount stores attract customers in exclusive locales like Beverly Hills? How can 'discount' and 'exclusive' strike a balance for wealthy bargain shoppers?

Guests:

Eric Schiffer, CEO, 99 Cents Only Stores

Brian Rosenstein, vice chair of the Beverly Hills planning commission, candidate for Beverly Hills city council

KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze dips into voter issues at Philippe’s downtown

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Philippe the Original, 1001 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles 90012. Credit: Photo by Thomas Hawk via Flickr Creative Commons

KPCC's political reporter Frank Stoltze has been at Philippe’s restaurant in downtown Los Angeles all morning talking with a variety of voters about the upcoming election. We’ll check in with Frank to find out just what he discovered in the process, beyond the pickled eggs and copious quantities of coffee.

Frank’s café stop is part of a new online project called That’s My Issue, in which KPCC and WNYC are gathering stories about how voters came to care about the issues that matter to them. How engaged are you in this year’s big election? What issues are most important to you? Do you know your props and representatives?

Guest:

Frank Stoltze, KPCC Reporter

The public battles over San Onofre’s future

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San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Fails Pressure Test, To Be Inspected By NRC

A couple stands near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station at San Onofre State Beach on March 15, 2012 south of San Clemente, California. Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

Last night, hundreds of people gathered at a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) forum regarding the future of the San Onofre plant. The plant, which has been shut down since January due to tube leaks, once supplied power to 1.4 million homes in the Southland.

After the leaks were discovered, Southern California Edison, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the NRC all began an investigation of the plant which has gone on for months. The leaks were caused by the tubes rubbing against each other and support structures when the reactors were operating at high power. The forum event was held to debate the pros and cons of using the less damaged reactor at 70% for five months. Experts believe that such a level will prevent the rubbing, and thus the leaks, from happening again.

The event was often chaotic, with warring sides between environmental protestors, plant workers and others cheering and yelling over each other. However, no decision was meant to be made last night, and this will most likely be the first in a series of such public hearings.

What’s next in the battle over the San Onofre nuclear power plant? How early could power be restored? Is it time for that area to start looking for another source of permanent power?

Guests:

Ben Bergman, KPCC’s Orange County reporter

Daniel Dominguez, business manager, Utility Workers Union of America Local 246

Rochelle Becker, Executive Director, Alliance for Nuclear Responsiblity

Moody’s considers downgrading several California cities

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A sign for Moody's rating agency is displayed at the company headquarters in New York, September 18, 2012. Credit: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images

Moody’s credit agency has been on a worldwide tear – downgrading banks, global investment firms and even entire countries. Their next targets? Fresno, Huntington Beach and Santa Monica, to name three.

Moody’s announced Tuesday that it will be reviewing 30 of the 95 California cities it monitors for falling tax revenue, increased spending and other factors that could lead to bankruptcies and bond defaults. A number of cities in California have already filed for bankruptcy or are considering it, including Stockton, San Bernardino and Atwater.

What does it mean for a city to be placed on the “downgrade” list? Does it affect credit ratings and borrowing costs? How can a struggling city improve its financial outlook?

Guest:

Matt DeBord, KPCC Reporter; writes the DeBord Report KPCC.org

Not so coy: Southland coyote sightings on the rise as bold animals look for food (Poll)

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A coyote in Griffith Park, the nation's largest urban park, May 9, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

Mark Twain once described the coyote as, "a long, slim, sick and sorry-looking skeleton," that is, "a living, breathing allegory of Want. He is always hungry." It appears that Southern California coyotes are very, very hungry.

Sightings have been reported in Glendale, Tustin, Fountain Valley, and an Irvine man said he was confronted by one at his front door. As sightings become increasingly frequent, animal-control officials are trying to help educate the public about what to do if they see a coyote.

Urban wildlife specialist Lynsey White Dasher said the increase in coyote sightings doesn't indicate a population increase.

"Coyotes have been in Southern California for quite some time, but we might be seeing them more often because some of them have lost their fear of people and are becoming [braver]. Seeing a coyote during the daytime doesn't necessarily mean that that coyote is aggressive or sick, but if they don't run away from you right away, that is a habituated coyote," she said.

These primarily nocturnal animals are just looking for the three essentials: food, water, and shelter. According to Dasher, animals usually lose their shyness because someone has been feeding them – whether or not they're aware of it.

"A lot of sources of food are items that we don't purposefully leave out for wildlife. If we leave our pet food outside, that's a big attractant to coyotes. Fruit that has fallen on the ground," she listed. "Coyotes actually are omnivores, and a lot of their diet, especially in urban areas, is made up of fruit."

Dasher's three tips on how to deal with trespassing coyotes:

1. Make sure you don't have food.
Look around your yard and your neighborhood for possible coyote attractants, like pet food or fallen fruit littering the ground. Gardens, compost piles and garbage can also lure coyotes looking to fill their stomachs – use preventative measures like locked enclosures or fences (at least six feet tall) to keep the animals out.

2. Make sure you're always supervising your pets when they're outside.
Big or small, pet cats and dogs can be targets for attack. Coyotes may see smaller pets as prey, and larger ones as territorial threats.

3. Whenever you see a coyote, act big and scary.
Blow an air horn, take a whistle when you're walking your dog. Squirt a squirt gun, use a water hose, bang pots and pans. These are all ways to make noise and scare off a coyote.

Listen to the rest of the interview for more tips and facts about coyotes.


Have you noticed an increase in coyote sightings in your area?

Weigh In:

Have you seen a coyote recently? Do you think they coyote population needs to be controlled? Have you ever fed a coyote?

Guest:

Lynsey White Dasher, urban wildlife specialist, Humane Society of The United States


USADA finds Lance Armstrong was 'kingpin' of widespread doping ring

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Lance Armstrong, speaks during a press conference by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

The saga surrounding Lance Armstrong and doping allegations continues.

Today the United States Anti-Doping agency released details of two reports, which they claim have evidence showing, "Beyond any doubt that the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team ran the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen." They claim Lance Armstrong played a key role in not only consuming performance-enhancing drugs, but also supplying it to his teammates.

According to a report in the New York Times, the agency's investigation includes sworn testimony from 26 people, including several of Armstrong's teammates. The reports also include emails, lab results, payments, and other data which prove their claims against Armstrong.

Teammates that gave sworn testimony include: Levi Leipheimer, Tyler Hamilton and George Hincapie, Frankie Andreu, Michael Barry, Tom Danielson, Floyd Landis, Stephen Swart, Christian Vande Velde, Jonathan Vaughters and David Zabriskie.

This past summer, the famous cyclist gave up his fight against USADA's charges. That decision stripped him of seven Tour de France titles, an Olympic bronze medal, and countless other winnings from August 1998 forward.

According to the World Anti-Doping Code, the agency is required to submit evidence of their investigation to the International Cycling Union. The union then has 21 days to appeal the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Once the court makes its decision, the anti-doping agency will then have 21 days to appeal the decision.

Daniel M. Rosen, author of Dope: A History of Performance Enhancement in Sports from the Nineteenth Century to Today (Praeger)

Are targeted drone attacks in Pakistan and Yemen legal under international law?

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The Predator drones flying over Afghanistan and Pakistan are variants of this MQ-9 Reaper. Credit: Lt. Col.. Leslie Pratt/U.S. Air Force via AP

Mary Ellen O’Connell is a fierce critic of America’s drone program, which she says is illegal outside war zones. Among legal scholars, O’Connell is in the minority, but her views are gaining momentum.

Researchers at New York University and Stanford University issued a report last month that claimed many U.S. drone strikes appear to be unlawful because they don’t meet the strict legal standard for killing outside of a war zone, which must be to stop an imminent threat to life when no other means is available.

While some drone strikes may be categorized as war crimes, O’Connell and her supporters agree that the war in Afghanistan is lawful because terrorists who attacked America on September 11, 2001 found refuge there. However, O’Connell maintains drone killings in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia violate laws of war intended to protect non-combatants.

Who should be responsible for monitoring and sanctioning international drone strike activity? Where should the U.S. draw the line when it comes to killing outside of a war zone?

Guest:

Mary Ellen O'Connell, Professor of International Law and International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame

David Glazier, Professor of Law, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles

Egypt’s proposed constitution criticized for favoring Islam

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Egyptian members of the constitution committee listen to US-Egyptian Nobel prize-winning scientist Ahmed Zewail at the Shura council in Cairo on September 11, 2012. Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images

Egypt’s new government may not ultimately embrace the democratic ideals demanded by citizens who overthrew former president Hosni Mubarak last year. The country’s 100-member assembly revealed a partial draft of a new constitution to the public yesterday and it indicates that religious and civil rights will likely be shaped by Islamist values.

One section reportedly leaked yet missing from the preliminary charter is one that would give Al-Azhar, the country’s highest Islamic authority, unprecedented powers to review pending laws. Another section that would define the nature of Egypt’s new system of checks and balances is also not included in the released draft, which has yet to be officially voted on. Committee members are hoping to put the new constitution to a national referendum by the end of the year.

Are Egyptians simply replacing one oppressive regime with another? How would a new Islam-centric Egypt impact the international community?

Guest:

Ahmed Namatalla, emerging markets reporter, Bloomberg News Cairo

Debate strategy round two: Biden vs. Ryan

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Biden Attends MRAP Program Transition Ceremony At Pentagon

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, speaks during an event at the Pentagon, on October 1, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. Vice President Biden delivered remarks at the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Program Transition Ceremony. Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Vice presidential debates are traditionally surrogate affairs, with each candidate for VPOTUS trying first to do no harm to their political party’s campaign with a scant few weeks before Election Day. But the stakes are higher this year.

The public perception of last week’s first presidential debate saw challenger Mitt Romney win nearly hands down, putting more pressure than usual on tonight’s only debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Romney’s running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. But there is a lot on the line; thirteen vice presidents have gone on to be president, either by election or after the death or resignation of their boss – meaning that nearly a third of vice presidents wind up in the White House.

What To Expect From Tonight’s Debate

Mark Barabak, political correspondent of the Los Angeles Times, shares some of his insight into what viewers should expect to see tonight, and just how influential tonight’s debate will be in terms of changing public opinion.

“I don’t think if we look back two or three weeks from now we would say, ‘Wow that night in Danville, Kentucky really turned the race.’ That being said, it is important… but what the Obama folks are hoping will happen tonight is it will break the momentum…and obviously the Romney team hope to build on his performance,” Barabak says.

The last debate had more viewers than expected, about 67 to 68 million. And its anticipated that many will be interested to watch how the Vice Presidential candidates will do tonight, given the pressure that is carrying over from that last debate.

Samuel Popkin, professor of political science at UCSD, shares what Joe Biden will have to do in order to make up for Obama’s performance last week.

“The single most important thing for Joe to remember is that Paul Ryan is not the target and Paul Ryan’s budget is not the target; the target is Mitt Romney and Mitt Romney’s budget… if he goes directly at Ryan, Ryan can simply say that was my initial draft now the big guy is here and he has a better budget with new promises,” Popkin says.

Popkin also note’s how one of Biden’s strengths is his experience, which not only will give him an edge over Ryan but will help make up for the presentation factor that lost Obama so much ground in the last debate.

“Joe Biden has had four years of championing the president, he is very comfortable and used to that… this is a new role for Ryan he is going to have more trouble molding to that and being sure which line he should be following, I expect he will be okay but Biden will do with warmth and clear language what President Obama didn’t do at his debate speech. President Obama read much better than he looked,” says Popkin.

What Paul Ryan Must Do In The VP Debate

Popkin says, “He has to be honed in. The reason Romney put him on the ticket is because that was the best way to have Ryan interested in political power now, rather than purity now to take over the congressional leadership later, and he has to be willing to muddy his initial clear strong budget and not get stuck in the weeds of defending things that would make it harder for governor Romney. He has to basically sell out anything he stood for that is no longer valuable to Governor Romney.”

Given these factors, there are many things that VP candidates do to prepare for their 90 minutes of unfettered campaign face time. Four years ago, when Joe Biden was preparing for 2008’s vice presidential debate, former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm sat in as Alaska’s lightning rod governor Sarah Palin for some friendly sparring sessions.

Granholm says that in these debates, one tries to become as much like the opponent as possible, and get under the skin of the candidate in order to best prepare his/her responses.

“I’m no Tina Fey but I did try to become sort of a Palin-toligist… I looked at everything I could about her…in debate practice you really try to get under the skin of the candidate in whatever way you can, or bring out your worst fear about way they will portray themselves in the actual debate, so we tried," says Granholm. We tried to exploit the difference between then Senator Biden and then Senator Obama. He had to absorb and respond to the attacks on Obama’s position, which he wasn’t as prepared to do, but that wont be an issue tonight, because of course there is no daylight between them now."

The hardest part of any debate, according to Granholm, is to find a balance between responding to attacks on you and making attacks. The candidate has to be disciplined in order to make smart decisions about how to allocate the time.

“Somebody very disciplined is Paul Ryan,” says Granholm. “ Biden has to know that the discipline on Ryan’s part will cause some attacks that will make Biden want to chase the rabbit down the hole, and he has to know when to do it and when not to do it.”

As someone who knows Biden’s debating skills very well, Granholm says that what she would worry about for him is being able to deliver the message in the formal style of a debate. She remarks how he is very good at connecting with people, but that his challenge will be to maintain authenticity in the two-minute response of the debate format.

Looking Forward To The Next Presidential Debate

Granholm also projects what she expects President Obama is practicing for next week’s debate.

“He must not allow a misstatement to go unanswered. Leaving it unanswered means the 70-million people who watch will take it as true, so he has to respond… In the last debate I predicted Obama would lose because of all the presidential debates in the last six cycles that incumbent president has lost five out of six times in the first debate…this time in the second debate I predict he is going to win, because he is a competitive soul and he is not going to let that first debate define him,” she observes.

Weigh In
So will Joe Biden be able to make up for what Obama’s presentation lacked? Or will Paul Ryan carry the Romney momentum forward and continue raising his numbers in the polls?

Guest:

Mark Barabak, Political Correspondent, Los Angeles Times

Samuel Popkin, professor of political science, UCSD; author of The Candidate: What it Takes To Win - and Hold - The White House (2012 Oxford)

Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan (January 2003 - January 2011); tv host “The War Room with Jennifer Granholm” on Current TV weeknights at 7pm PT

OC journalists’ roundtable

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Larry and our talented trio of Orange County journalists riff on the latest news from the O.C. A law barring registered sex offenders from public beaches is challenged…Tustin’s Pop Warner football coaches allegedly offered cash bounties to 10 and 11-year-old players to knock out members of opposing teams…Costa Mesa’s mayor calls for investigations of local soup kitchens, calling them “nuisances”…and questions are raised over the legitimacy of the Kelly Thomas Memorial Foundation.

Guests:

Gustavo Arellano, Editor of the OC Weekly and author of "Taco USA" and “Ask A Mexican”

Teri Sforza, Staff Writer for the Orange County Register

Norberto Santana, Editor-in-Chief of the Voice of OC, a non-profit investigative news agency that covers Orange County government and politics

API school scores released today

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A typical standardized test sheet. Credit: timlewisnm/Flickr Creative Commons

This morning, the California Department of Education released the Academic Performance Index (API) scores of its schools. The API is comprised of several different measures, including the results of standardized tests in literacy, math and science. For the first time ever, a majority of California schools reached the desired 800-point API mark set by the Department of Education.

That hasn’t come easy to a lot of schools. Private consultants have been hired, students have been given test after test to prepare, and the instructors go through very specific training sessions to get themselves up to speed. But even though over half the schools in the state are exceeding above expectations, many are still critical of the entire API system, especially its reliance on standardized tests.

How is your school doing? What do you think of standardized tests? Are they the right way to measure student progress?

Guests:

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC education reporter

Vanessa Romo, KPCC education reporter

The rise of Netflix and the remaking of home entertainment

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"Netflixed: The Epic Battle for America's Eyeballs" by Gina Keating Credit: Portfolio

According to the Urban Dictionary, “Netflixing” means “watching any TV show, movie, documentary, etc. on NetFlix via instant streaming.” Getting “Netflixed,” however, has a less benign meaning: “to screw the consumer over viciously by jacking the rates of whatever service you provide.”

In her new book “Netflixed,” financial and media writer Gina Keating details the story of how one company transformed the movie-watching habits of a generation, and gave Americans even more reason to stay home on Saturday nights. Hard to imagine that there could be much drama, intrigue and page-turning narrative in the saga of home entertainment, but Keating has churned it into what one reviewer called a “lively, canny business potboiler.”

Urban legend has it that the idea for Netflix was born when founder Reed Hastings was slapped with a $40 fine for an overdue copy of Apollo 13; in interviews with key players like co-founder Marc Randolph, Keating debunks that and other rumors, getting to a truth she says was “more fascinating than I imagined.”

The book dishes deep dirt surrounding Netflix’ dizzying rise to the top against massive odds: its long-standing rivalry with rental giant Blockbuster, its taking on and more-or-less vanquishing of both the videocassette and the brick-and-mortar rental outlet, and Hastings’ disastrous decision last year to raise subscription prices by as much as 60%, resulting in fierce consumer backlash - and that not-so-flattering Urban Dictionary definition.

Who won the battle for your famly’s eyeballs? Did home DVD delivery change your movie-watching habits? Have you been “Netflixed?”

Gina Keating discusses and signs "Netflixed: The Epic Battle for America's Eyeballs on Monday, October 15th, 7:00 p.m. at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. For more information, visit http://www.vromansbookstore.com/gina-keating

Guest:

Gina Keating, author of “Netflixed: The Epic Battle for America’s Eyeballs” (Portfolio/Penguin) and former staff writer for Reuters and United Press International


FilmWeek: Argo, Here Comes the Boom, Seven Psychopaths and more

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Ben Affleck attends the "Argo" Washington D.C. Premiere at Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14 on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Credit: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images

Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell and Andy Klein to review the week’s new films, including Argo, Here Comes the Boom, Seven Psychopaths and more. TGI-FilmWeek!

Guests:

Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC and Box Office Magazine

Andy Klein, film critic for KPCC and the L.A. Times Community Papers chain

Paul Ryan and Joe Biden duke it out in the VP debate

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A combination picture of the vice presidential debate between US Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan (R) at the Norton Center at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, October 11, 2012, moderated by Martha Raddatz of ABC News. Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Vice presidential debates don’t usually move the needle much during election seasons but the stakes were higher than usual for last night’s verbal spar between sitting Democrat Joe Biden and his Republican challenger, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan. Democrats were looking to change the narrative of the election and put a halt to plummeting poll numbers for the Obama campaign after the president’s lackluster performance in last week’s first debate.

Last night, Biden seemed to relish the role of the attacker as he went on the offensive early and often with a mocking laugh and a dismissive, interrupting style that appeared to be aimed at belittling Ryan, and by proxy, his running mate Mitt Romney. For his part, Paul Ryan managed to weather Biden’s interruptions and accusations with a calm demeanor, and slight smirk, that maintained solidarity with Mitt Romney’s message. Overall, viewers gave both candidates high marks for digging into issues and talking to each other.

So who won? Early debate polls have been split and the pundits have been filling airtime with the usual spin in counter rotating directions leaving the few remaining swing voters to decide for themselves.

Which candidate best represented their boss’ ticket? Was Biden’s demeanor rude or some much needed verve for the Democrats? How will it affect the polls until Obama and Romney face each other again next week?

Guest:

Eugene Kiely, deputy director, FactCheck.org, a project of the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center FactCheck.org

Jonathan Wilcox, republican strategist; former speechwriter for Governor Pete Wilson

Darry A. Sragow, attorney and longtime democratic strategist

Berman and Sherman go Dem-to-Dem over San Fernando Valley district

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Congressman Brad Sherman swings his arm around Congressman Howard Berman during a debate Thursday night in the San Fernando Valley. Credit: YouTube/Howard Berman

The race for California’s newly-drawn 30th congressional district is shaping up to be one of the most contentious – and expensive - in the country.

Democratic incumbents Brad Sherman and Howard Berman, who represent the 27th and 28th districts respectively, were thrown into the ring together thanks to redistricting and California’s “top two” primary system. The new district is made up half from Sherman’s old district and a quarter from Berman’s; the remaining 25% comes from the old 30th district. The two candidates, both Jewish, have similar voting records but differ on issues such as the economy, immigration and higher education.

In the long and heated race, both candidates have taken figurative swings at at each other – Sherman accused Berman of overpaying his brother for political consulting, while Berman charged Sherman with profiting from interest charged to his own campaign accounts. But last week, in a debate held at Pierce College, things literally got physical: after Berman accused his opponent of being “either delusional or a liar,” Sherman approached Berman, put an arm around him and shouted, “You wanna get into this?” while a police guard hovered nearby.

The incident captured national attention after a video was released by Berman’s campaign. Both candidates later released statements expressing regret over their actions, characterizing the race as “emotional.”

With only a few weeks left to go, will they be able to keep things civil? How will these two impress their new constituents? Who will emerge to represent the 30th district?

Guests:

Howard Berman, congressman (D-28); the 28th district includes Pacoima, Arleta, Panorama City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood

Brad Sherman, congressman (D-27)

Beverly Hills penny pinchers rejoice! 99 Cents Only store on Rodeo Drive?

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In this Sept. 8, 2008 file photo, Jacques Elsair shops at a 99 Cents Only Store in Los Angeles. Credit: Nick Ut

Beverly Hills has a reputation as having most upscale shopping in Southern California, which puts it high in the running for some of the best shopping in the world. But high-dollar shoppers may soon see an unfamiliar retailer among the big name, big ticket shops like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada.

Eric Schiffer, the CEO of the discount chain 99 Cents Only, announced recently that they have plans to open a location in Beverly Hills' exclusive shopping district citing that the best-performing store in the entire chain is the location on Wilshire Boulevard closest to Beverly Hills.

"That store does an incredible volume, it does more than twice average store in our chain," said Schiffer. "We know many customers are driving from Beverly Hills to shop at 99, and they have been saying 'Please open a location in Beverly Hills."

But there has been pushback from the city, which believes that a discount retailer like 99 Cents Only simply wouldn't fit in among the glamour and cachet of Rodeo Drive.

"What we're talking about here is, is there a landlord on Rodeo Dr. who would lease to a 99 Cent Store amongst Dior, amongst Prada, amongst Chanel, amongst Cariter, and I think strongly the answer is probably not," said Brian Rpsenstein, vice chair of the Beverly Hills planning commission. "At the same time, that's not to say that the 99 Cent Store isn't appropriate for Beverly Hills….but Rodeo Drive is known for its luxury and elegance…I just don't think that 99 Cent Store fits in there."

Weigh In
How can discount stores attract customers in exclusive locales like Beverly Hills? How can 'discount' and 'exclusive' strike a balance for wealthy bargain shoppers?

Guests:

Eric Schiffer, CEO, 99 Cents Only Stores

Brian Rosenstein, vice chair of the Beverly Hills planning commission, candidate for Beverly Hills city council

Egypt’s proposed constitution criticized for favoring Islam

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Egyptian members of the constitution committee listen to US-Egyptian Nobel prize-winning scientist Ahmed Zewail at the Shura council in Cairo on September 11, 2012. Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images

Egypt’s new government may not ultimately embrace the democratic ideals demanded by citizens who overthrew former president Hosni Mubarak last year. The country’s 100-member assembly revealed a partial draft of a new constitution to the public yesterday and it indicates that religious and civil rights will likely be shaped by Islamist values.

One section reportedly leaked yet missing from the preliminary charter is one that would give Al-Azhar, the country’s highest Islamic authority, unprecedented powers to review pending laws. Another section that would define the nature of Egypt’s new system of checks and balances is also not included in the released draft, which has yet to be officially voted on. Committee members are hoping to put the new constitution to a national referendum by the end of the year.

Are Egyptians simply replacing one oppressive regime with another? How would a new Islam-centric Egypt impact the international community?

Guest:

Ahmed Namatalla, emerging markets reporter, Bloomberg News Cairo

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