Tomorrow Night's Radio Show

An action packed lineup on Live LA Saturday Night, May 12th at 8:00 p.m. PDT! Michael Higbyhosts solo as David and Frank are "on assignment."

First, we'll be chatting with candidate for Los Angeles Mayor, Kevin James, about the recent announcement that fellow candidate Austin Beutner has dropped out of the race and how that could impact the calculus of the Mayor's race next year. Kevin is a practicing attorney, former US Federal Prosecutor and veteran radio broadcaster.

Also joining us is national best-selling conservative author, Gregg Jackson, co-author of the new controversial book, We Won't Get Fooled Again: Where the Christian Right Went Wrong and How to Make America Right Again. Jackson and his co-author Steve Deace believe that the Romney campaign may believe it can openly shun evangelical Christians and still win in November. Gregg is the national bestselling author of Conservative Comebacks to Liberal Lies. Jackson is a former talk radio host on WRKO in Boston and KDAR in Los Angeles. An accomplished orator, Jackson speaks to groups and on college campuses nationwide. Jackson has written articles for The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, Human Events, and Townhall.com. 

In addition we'll have live on the scene reports from David Hernandez's congressional fundraiser in North Hollywood and Frank Sheftel live from Israel.

Tune in www.LATalkRadio.com at 8:00 p.m. PDT!

Mini Pips for a Humpday Afternoon

How does a controversial local newspaper publisher with an extensive criminal record continue to publish his paper and serve as a "principal for the day" at a local high school? That's the question on the mind of many residents of Sunland-Tujunga; follow the reporting at Joe B's Mop and Bucket Blog.

The Chairman of the Democratic National Convention AKA 11% Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is coming after your wallet. He wants to extend LA's increased sales tax to pay for more transportation boondoggles. With news of the utter failure of California's goofy high speed rail plan, is this really the time to tie up much needed tax dollars in a down economy?

Congressional candidate and former MayorSam blogger Phil Jennerjahn details his property rights platform.

In case you missed it, last Saturday night Frank Sheftel, David Hernandez and I spoke with political consultant John Thomas about Carmen Trutanich's embarrassing court defeat last week over his ballot title.

Cool random photo shot by Joseph Mailander in Silver Lake over at this Street Hassle Blog.

By the way, if you haven't "liked" us on Facebook yet, please kindly consider visiting our page and doing so. Additional content and a great way to network with other MayorSam fans.

Are Greuel, Perry, Garcetti and Beutner Afraid to Debate Kevin James?

Kevin James, photo by Gary Aminoff

Back in early January, we reported that Mayoral candidate Kevin James had raised enough money to qualify for matching campaign funds from the City. Quite often, this is the threshold that many organizations set for candidates to appear in various debates.

As such, James was invited to appear with the other candidates in a series of events covering a number of important topics, hosted by an organization called Talking About Los Angeles. The events have several sponsors such as Microsoft, AOL Patch and Time-Warner Cable where the events would air.

However, following the announcement that James had been invited to participate in the first of the events, that was to be held on February 23rd at LA Trade Tech College, James' fellow candidates City Controller Wendy Greuel, City Councilmember Jan Perry, former City Council President Eric James and financier Austin Beutner, all mysteriously dropped out from the event.

Kevin James' opponents for Mayor

The campaigns have not made it clear why they will not participate in the debates, but many have their suspicions.

They are afraid to debate James, former host of a popular talk radio show, first on KABC and then on KRLA radio. James, has spent the last few years speaking with individuals, neighborhood councils and other organizations and has developed a deep understanding of a wide number of issues facing the city and has proposed significant plans to address local problems. James is articulate and convincing; certainly the other candidates should be concerned.

James spoke with Frank Sheftel and myself on our show on LATalkRadio Saturday night and said he'll be working to bring this issue to the attention of the press over the next several days. At press time, Talking About Los Angeles has not issued a statement as to the future of their events.

Stay tuned!

Kevin James Joins Michael On-Air Tonight

This evening I will be broadcasting live from Tujunga's hottest new comfort food eatery, Olde Towne's Comfort and Joy Cafe at 10024 Commerce.  Mayoral candidate and radio talk show host, Kevin James, is hosting a meet and greet as part of one of his many campaign swings through the Foothills communities of Los Angeles.

In the meantime, Frank and David will be back in the studio with even more fun and frivolity during the fastest fifty minutes in radio!

Listen live at 8:00 p.m. PST by clicking here!

On the Radio Show Tonight...

It's the fastest 50 minutes in radio! Join hosts David Hernandez, Frank Sheftel and Michael Higby for LiveLASaturdayNight, every Saturday night at 8:00 pm PT for the latest news in politics and pop culture and some of the most interesting guests, ever!

Tonight's guest, Rona Barrett is one of the best known pioneers and innovators in entertainment reporting and publishing. She developed the first in-depth personal TV specials about the celebrities of film, television, music, sports and politics, and published a series of magazines on the entertainment industry for consumers and for industry insiders, including Rona Barrett’s Hollywood.

Rona joins us on LiveLASaturdayNight, this Saturday, August 20th, 2011 at 8pm on LATalkRadio.com, Channel 1. Tell your friends!

Friday Free for All: Carmageddon Edition

Tips for surviving the mess courtesy of the folks at CurbedLA. I did not know that Sepulveda Blvd. will be open to locals only. And the boys at Live LA Saturday Night need to take note: Ventura Blvd. may be a nightmare.

The LA Times reports that to helm the Mulholland Bridge demolition project, a "steady hand" is needed.  Project Manager Mike Barbour is a veteran of the Marines, Navy and Caltrans with decades of engineering experience and even did a stint in Iraq.

Mayor Villaraigosa will participate in a Times video chat to answer your questions Friday afternoon.

The Sherman Oaks Galleria is located right next door to ground zero for Carmageddon.  To lure patrons the shopping complex will offer free parking, air conditioned movies, drink specials and food samples.

Patch details some of the history, culture and lore of the Sepulveda Pass, including it's use in film and television.  An old story told reportedly told by Lucille Ball tells that then actor Ronald Reagan claimed to have an encounter with aliens on the 405 who told him to go into politics.

The 405 is scheduled to open back up at 6:00 a.m. Monday morning.  If all goes well, however, it could open back up even earlier than that.

And finally, I found a way to avoid the whole thing. I'll be here, far, far from it all.

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The "David Hernandez and Red Spot Political Hour" on LA Internet Talk Radio tonight

 David Hernandez

Red Spot in CD 14

We will up front call this Michael Higby's "stroke of genius".

With Frank Sheftel and Michael Higby unable to execute their c0-host duties with David Hernandez on this evening's Live LA Saturday Night (8-8:50PM), who do they call upon from the "Cut and Past Republic/Barrio of CD 14" to guest host? The Red Spot of CD 14!

For the Huizzynistas, Gatto Truthers and my groupies of grammatical correctors, your moment of horror is upon you. 

Join with David and I as we discuss the LA political news of the day "Huizar, Gatto, Huizar, Gatto", mixed with Mayor Villar and other irreverent topics. 

If your like to join the conversation, feel free to call in at (323) 203-0815. Again, the number is (323) 203-0815. (training already for tonight).

Link here to click in tonight 

Last Night's Podcast is Up

If you missed, I hosted Live LA Saturday Night, with David Hernandez and Frank Sheftel away for the week.  Guests were John Phillips of KABC Radio, producer/blogger Suzanne Lauer, the LA Weekly's Simone Wilson and former child star Rodney Allen Rippey.  The podcast is here.

MayorSam on the Air

Tune in to Live LA Saturday Night on LATalkRadio.com this Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. PST as I take the helm of the show with no David Hernandez or Frank Sheftel anywhere in sight!

My guest co-hosts are John Phillips of KABC Radio and producer/blogger Suzanne Lauer. We'll also have Simone Wilson of the LA Weekly to recap last week's City elections and a new feature, "Rappin' with Rippey," featuring legendary child star, Rodney Allen Rippy.

Magically Delicious! Tomas O'Grady on the Air Tonight!

Los Angeles City Council Candidate for the Fourth District, Tomas O'Grady joins David, Frank and myself this evening on Live LA Saturday Night on LATalkRadio.  

O'Grady, whose life adventure has taken him from the farms of western Ireland to Los Feliz, is seeking to best longtime controversial incumbent (and another Irishman) Tom LaBonge.

Also on the show, as always, from Jackass 3D, comedian Rip Taylor.

Listen tonight at 8:00 p.m.  Call with your questions live at 323-203-0815, or post them here.

Rudy on the Air

CD14 Council Candidate Rudy Martinez will join us tonight, in studio live at 8:00 PM PST on Live LA Saturday Night with David Hernandez, Frank Sheftel and myself on LATalkRadio.com.

Also on the show will be comedian Rip Taylor and West Hollywood City Council candidate, Scott Olin Schmidt.

Friday Free for All

A lot of attention has been focused on LA Council races, especially the hot and spicy politics in CD14 but there are races elsewhere, even in other cities.  West Hollywood has a contentious race with nine candidates going for three seats.  Among the issues include development in the compact but upscale city and the appointment to a vacant of youngster Lindsay Horvath to an empty council seat instead of a special election being held to fill the vacancy caused by the death of a Council member.  All nine candidates engage in a contentious debate Wednesday evening.

Speaking of the West Hollywood race, candidate Scott Olin Schmidt (formerly known as the Boi from Troy blogger) will be joining Frank Sheftel, David Hernandez and myself, Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. on latalkradio.com.  

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Guest List for Live LA Saturday Night

Just a reminder tonight at 8pm I'm filling in for David Hernandez on Live LA Saturday Night.  Listen online live here (or download podcasts the day after).

Guests tonight include legendary comedian and star of the coming soon Jackass 3D Rip Taylor, political consultant John Thomas discussing Clean Sweep LA and the local scene and fresh off an appearance on Fox News and live from Tahoe, Paul Hatfield discussing the Grim Sleeper killer's pension and other topics.  It's the fastest 50 minutes in radio!

Mayor Sam on the Air

I'll be guest sidekicking on Live LA Saturday Night tomorrow night (Saturday) at 8:00 pm with Frank Sheftel, filling in for the vacationing David Hernandez.  Yes it's internet radio but it's a lot of fun with regular guest Rip Taylor and whatever else Frank has up his sleeve.  Maybe one of our dum dums will even call in.  Listen online live here (or download podcasts the day after)