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Paramount exit, CA insurance commissioner race, TV Talk and more
The main gate to Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.
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Merkuri2
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Today's show: AirTalk host Larry Mantle discusses Paramount's talks to leave California, insurance commissioner race with candiates Ben Allen and Jane Kim, John McKinney on the L.A. city attorney race, American Idol's move to Atlanta and TV Talk.
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Is Paramount plotting its exit plan from California?
The topic:
Background: Paramount has an Oct. 1 deadline to close its acquisition of WBD before a $7 million-per-day fee comes into effect, with the fees owed to WBD shareholders. Bonta, along with 11 other states, filed an antitrust lawsuit against the $110 billion merger in July.
Yes, but: Bonta told Variety that Paramount saying it would leave the state is more of the same, saying, “It’s no secret that Paramount has been making this threat, despite its alleged commitment to California and Hollywood. What Paramount decides to do is Paramount’s choice alone.”
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Guests:
- Dominic Patten, executive editor at Deadline Hollywood
- Kevin Klowden, a fellow at the Milken Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank with a focus on financial, physical, mental and environmental health based in Santa Monica
Two democrats face off in the race for CA insurance commissioner
From left, insurance commissioner candidates Jane Kim and Ben Allen.
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Beth LaBerge/KQED/California State Senate
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The topic:
Picking the next insurance commissioner could be one of the most important decisions Californians make for their wallets this election year. For the first time, voters will decide between two Democrats for insurance commissioner, a powerful position that regulates insurance rates and acts as a consumer advocate. The race comes as the state faces increasingly destructive wildfires, rising energy prices and a volatile insurance market. Today on AirTalk, we talk to the two candidates in the running — State Sen. Ben Allen and former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim.
You can learn more about the insurance commissioner's race through the LAist Voter Game Plan.
Guests:
- Ben Allen, California state senator representing District 24 and candidate for CA insurance commissioner
- Jane Kim, former San Francisco supervisor for San Francisco’s District 6 and candidate for CA insurance commissioner
LA city attorney candidate John McKinney
John McKinney, Los Angeles City Attorney candidate speaks during a press conference at the Los Angeles Police Protective League on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA.
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Kayla Bartkowski
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The topic:
Following the June primary election, the stage has been set for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s race — with candidates Marissa Roy and John McKinney being the top two vote-getters. The position is currently held by Hydee Feldstein-Soto, who lost her re-election bid back in June. Today on the show, we sit down with L.A. city attorney candidate John McKinney to talk about his candidacy for the role.
McKinney’s background: He currently serves as a deputy district attorney for the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office. He’s done work in victim support, the juvenile court system, the Hardcore Gang Unit (which was restructured and renamed the Community Violence Reduction Division in 2021) and the Major Crimes Division.
An incumbent defeated: Feldstein-Soto’s re-election bid was complicated by multiple ethics-related controversies. LAist reported earlier this year on accusations of Feldstein-Soto dropping cases to benefit her political donors.
What does the role of city attorney entail? The position is meant to represent the L.A. city government in legal matters, not only litigation but also serving as counsel to the mayor and city council.
Guest:
- John McKinney, candidate for Los Angeles city attorney; he currently serves as a deputy district attorney for the L.A. County District Attorney's Office
What American Idol’s move to Atlanta means for Hollywood
The stage at the "American Idol" farewell season finale at the Dolby Theatre on Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Los Angeles.
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Matt Sayles
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AP
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The topic:
As the show’s 25th season approaches, American Idol is relocating production from Los Angeles to Atlanta, Georgia. The move is the latest in a series of reality show departures from California. Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk about what that means for Hollywood’s production industry.
Not the first: Lured in by advantageous tax credits, productions have been slowly drifting toward Georgia for over a decade. Last month, President Trump also endorsed a federal tax incentive for film and television production, which has received bipartisan support for its potential to keep productions from leaving the U.S.
Guests:
- Michael Schneider, executive editor at Variety who’s been following reality TV and American Idol for decades
- Katherine Meizel, ethnomusicology professor at Bowling Green State University and author of Idolized: Music, Media, and Identity in American Idol (Indiana University Press, 2011)
TV Talk: ‘South Park,’ ‘Slow Horses,’ ‘Wonka’s the Golden Ticket’ and more!
What are you watching?
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Pituk Loonhong
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iStockphoto
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The topic:
Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching.
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TV Shows:
- South Park (Paramount+)
- Line of Fire (NBC)
- Slow Horses (Apple TV)
- Youth (HBO Max)
- Wonka's the Golden Ticket (Netflix)
- Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (Netflix)
Guests:
- Marcus Jones, awards editor for TV & Film at IndieWire
- Saloni Gajjar, staff writer covering TV at the A.V. Club
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Today on AirTalk: NBC4 helicopter crash, gas prices, Estuardo Mazariegos, history of sports betting, Don Wagner on Secretary of State, L.A. Law Summit and the death of shame. -
Today on AirTalk: O.C. coastal emergencies, Emmys, hate speech in America, managing households, Marissa Roy on L.A. city attorney's race and musician Masego. -
Ray Jayawardhana is Caltech's 10th president
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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