Of course, fake or not, surfer talk in, say, Italian, just doesn't have the same ring:
Got any suggestions for iconic clips? Add them in comments.
]]>As the Los Angeles Times explains:
]]>As if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't have enough problems with a teetering state budget that's underfunded by $42 billion, lawsuits from unions and apocalyptic predictions for the state's welfare, now he's got to worry about needles from a punchy Web cartoon called "A California Carol," which paints him as the Ebenezer Scrooge of the Golden State.
The cartoon, which features cameos from animated versions of former Gov. Ronald Reagan, first lady Maria Shriver and outgoing President George W. Bush, was produced by the Courage Campaign, a progressive organization that wants Schwarzenegger to take drastic action (i.e. raise taxes) to solve the budget impasse. [full story]
LAist contributor Lindsay William-Ross adds:
[T]he boundless joy of Christmas has been curtailed by someone helping themselves to people's Christmas decorations put out by Peter (Columbo) and Shera Falk, Charo, and Gregory himself. Wow, it's not such a wonderful life after all for the people who live on Jimmy Stewart's old block!What's priceless isn't Mrs. Columbo's stolen $1000 elf, but rather this video that features the residents detailing what was stolen and how much they spent on it, actual surveillance video of thieves taking the wreath, and the ire expressed in the tone of voice used only by the truly spoiled at having to "chain down" their snowmen and reindeer lest the bandits make off with more of their merriment on display.
While stealing is indeed a crime, publicly bemoaning the loss of your thousand-dollar, twenty-pound elf decoration just might be more of crime. Whose heart bleeds for these Beverly Hills-ers--especially in a time when thousands of people are losing their jobs every day, and most people in So Cal are struggling just to stay afloat?
A better story to tell would be how you took all the money you would have spent putting Santa and his elves on your lawn and put it towards getting homeless people sheltered and fed during this chilly holiday season.
Only in Beverly Hills...
One solid gold elf - $1000
Two jewel encrusted wreathes - $750
Getting to make fun of the Hollywood rich - priceless!
VoiceofSanDiego.org describes itself as "a nonprofit, independent and insightful online newspaper focused on issues impacting the San Diego region." It was recently the recipient of a grant from the James L. Knight Foundation to "expand their local reporting staffs and bring their communities more content."
To echo Scott and Kristen's conversation: "Do you think [voiceofsandiego.org's] model will replace traditional models of journalism?"
]]>Franklin Avenue writes:
Plot aside, I just love watching these clips to get a glimpse of the Mid-Wilshire area 20 years ago. Check out Johnie's in full, light bulb glory -- complete with the old Johnie's Fat Boy sign (whatever happened to that?). There's the old May Co. building at Fairfax and Wilshire -- now a part of LACMA -- back when it was still operating as a department store. Check out the boarded-up Pan-Pacific Auditorium, before its mysterious destruction by fire.
And then there's the 5900 Wilshire building, here in its days as the Mutual Benefit Life building. [full post]
I haven't seen Miracle Mile, but I would add that it seems to bear a distinct similarity to Martin Scorsese's 1985 After Hours, only L.A. style:
Got a favorite, oft-photographed part of Los Angeles? Let us know in comments.
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