U.S. "drug czar" Gil Kerlikowske was at the Pasadena Recovery Center today to hold a press conference about the the federal government's opposition to Prop 19, the ballot measure that would legalize marijuana in California. In attendance was Dr. Drew Pinksy. What did he have to say? NBCLA caught up with and grabbed this soundbite: "I do not have a strong opinion about prop 19 -- that is really for the voters to decide -- but what I want people to know is that it's a drug that for my patients causes profound consequences. Now, whether it should be legal or not, that's going to be up to the voters." more ›

The movement to legalize marijuana in California via Prop 19 is worrying the federal government. Last week they, along with L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, vowed to enforce federal drug laws, even the November 2nd ballot measure passes. And today, the Associated Press has learned that the Obama Administration will sue. more ›

"True Blood" fans, the first of five minisodes have begun running on TV.Yahoo.com, where they will run initially before being distributed to HBO.com and the "True Blood" Facebook page. The minisodes are entirely new, with scenes that can’t be found in past or future seasons and are part of the (incredibly successful) effort at building anticipation for the premiere of the new season on June 13. more ›

High-profile chemical dependency specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky has confirmed he is cutting ties with Aurora Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, according to the LA Times. The facility has come under "renewed scrutiny" after inspectors became aware of security and safety risks and incidents involving patient escapes and "near suicides." more ›

We spoke with John Irwin, a producer for VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" to have him give LAist's readers his Pitch on why you should watch the show (Thursdays @ 10pm). more ›

Rodney King’s near-death plunge to infamy began with a twelve-pack of malt liquor. King’s intoxicated, high-speed driving on March 3, 1991 united him a group of Los Angeles Police Department officers. Their boots, billy clubs, and Taser, would beat the 25 year-old King into the history books. more ›

LA has a diverse cast of characters. Whether it's the characters with stirring stories or interesting occupations or the people who are just simply characters, this town has them all. In an effort to get to know some of those characters a little better, we've created "Seven Questions with..." If you have a suggestion for a future Seven Questions subject send us an email. more ›

Dr. Drew Pinsky and Dr. Mark Young penned the recent book, “The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism Is Seducing America." (LAist Book Review) In this video from 2006, the doctors give a talk at the USC Annenberg School for Communication on celebrity narcissism, and more. Both doctors have Trojan ties. Dr. Young heads the entertainment business program at USC, and Dr. Drew earned his MD from USC Medical School. (The audio sync is a little off -- but not like an old kung fu flick.) more ›

The Hammer Museum hosts an Artist Talk tonight at 7 pm with LA-based artist Jeffrey Vallance, whose work encompasses object-making, installation, performance, curating and writing. Examples of his art include projects as burying a frozen hen (Blinky the Friendly Hen, 1978) at a pet cemetery, traveling throughout Polynesia in search of the origin of the myth of Tiki, having an audience with the King of Tonga, creating a Richard Nixon Museum, installing an exhibit aboard a tugboat in the Västerbotten Maritime Museum in Umeå, Sweden, curating shows in the fabulous museums of Las Vegas, such as the Liberace Museum, Debbie Reynolds Casino, Cranberry Museum and the Clown Museum. The free lecture is being held in conjunction with the current exhibit "Nine Lives: Visionary Artists from L.A." It's the fifth in the Hammer’s biannual invitational exhibition series highlighting work created in greater Los Angeles. Tickets are required and will be available at the Billy Wilder Theater Box Office one hour prior to start time. Parking is available under the museum for $3 after 6 pm. more ›

Despite KLSX 97.1's recent format change to Top 40, morning-talker Adam Carolla promises to keep his gums moving. Long-time staple of LA radio (he hosted Loveline for ten years with Dr. Drew Pinsky,) Carolla will launch a daily podcast on Monday via his new website. The Aceman says -- more ›

At first glance, VH1'a Sober House, like its predecessor, Celebrity Rehab, appears to be exploitative reality TV at it's worst -- stars hitting their bottoms and relapsing, going on drama-fueled drug binges. more ›

Susan Pinsky had triplets sixteen years ago. The thirtysomething UCLA graduate had health insurance and a loving husband who was a successful doctor. Despite being married to “probably one of the smartest men in America,” she says lovingly of her husband Dr. Drew Pinsky, having triplets was very difficult. more ›

Imagine MTV’s “The Real World” on crack. Now imagine “The Real World” with a crack hangover. That’s almost VH1’s “Sober House,” the “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” follow-up. more ›

The Adam Carolla Show is a smart, entertaining way to start your morning. Carolla, perhaps the fastest mouth in the west, has been making radio listeners laugh since the mid-90s. Thanks to co-host Teresa Strasser, The Adam Carolla Show isn’t just smart for morning radio. It’s just smart. more ›

From automakers, to the industry which creates programming for the radios in those autos, the cold pinch of hard times is quite evident this holiday season. Westwood One, taking NPR’s lead, is slashing programming, giving the axe to popular syndicated daytime talk show Dr. Drew Live. more ›

This past Wednesday night, stars convened at the Arclight Theaters in Hollywood for the Los Angeles Premiere of The Hammer, starring radio/TV personality Adam Carolla. (Read the LAist review of the movie.) The event drew a healthy number of famous faces, including Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman, Carson Daly, David Allen Grier, Dr. Drew Pinskey, Jeffrey Ross, Joel McHale, Mark Walberg, Julianne Hough (Adam's dance partner on Dancing with the Stars), David Koechner, Christopher Titus, John Salley, Bill Simmons, Camryn Manheim, and Jane Lynch, along with the cast, director and producers of the film. After watching the premiere, guests gathered in the Arclight lounge and afterparty and enjoyed movie-themed cocktails, compliments of Stoli Vodka. more ›

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Talk shows this week are all Natalie Portman all the time if you hadn't noticed - the charming pixie is making the rounds for her new flick The Other Boleyn Girl, a period piece that looks like a yawn to me. In terms of tonight's viewing options check out the 10 o'clock slot - way too many choices and all of them are reality TV, what a shame. more ›

The Lost premiere is the biggest TV event of this very young year, hands down. more ›

It's becoming a task to find episodes of anything new and/or remarkable. Do I even mention that there's new episodes of Celebrity Apprentice, Make Me A Supermodel, and CSI? Am I supposed to be excited about informing you that there will be two (2!) new episodes of NBC's Chuck airing two weeks from tonight? more ›