Tim H

Inspired by his best friend's daughter's fight with pediatric epilepsy, former star and producer of "American Gladiators," Dan "Nitro" Clark (LAist interview) has created the Gladiator Rock'n Run -- the most insane one day event on the planet. For this event, Clark's constructed a 3.15 mile course made up of 12 hellish obstacles, like a run through flames.

Tonight 20/20 takes a look inside the life of comedian and host of "Deal or No Deal" Howie Mandel Along with being a nationally headlining comedian and host of a hit TV show, Howie Mandel is also horrified by germs. Tonight ABC's 20/20 gives us an in-depth look inside the life of Mandel and the daily battles he's faced throughout his entire life as a result of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Mandel, who earlier...

Last month we had the chance to talk to Bill, who has been signing his 700 page long NBA book in cities like Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego and of course, Boston. "LA signings are weird. They had the lowest turnout of any city," said Simmons over the phone when we spoke with him just days before hitting the road for his book tour. "I think it’s because there’s so many celebrities out here that I’m like Z-list. I’m on whatever list the guys from "The Ruins" are on. If I go to Providence or somewhere like that, it seems like a much bigger deal."

As part of the Silverlake Art Crawl, LA-based t-shirt line Blood Is The New Black celebrates it's fifth anniversary by debuting a collection of original works by emerging artists at the Junc Gallery tonight at 7 p.m. Founder and line curator, Mitra Khayyam commissioned this exhibition of original works from artists who have designed for the company. Music will be provided by DJ Demonbabies....

Jay-Z's show at UCLA this Sunday has long been sold out. Damn college kids and their disposable incomes! Don't worry, LA-based Hova fans. Sean Carter just announced he's coming back. This time he's bringing his show to the Staples Center, March 26th. The rap icon who's currently on the road with Wale and N.E.R.D. finishing up the final dates of his college tour, will pack up his Yankee hat and hit the road again...

In the latest installment of ABC's Primetime: Family Secrets, we're introduced to Bridget, a 15 year-old girl who can't hug her parents. The young girl can barely even sit in the same room as her parents without twisting, turning or screaming because she believes that they are "contaminated." Primetime follows the progress of Bridget, along with three other subjects all who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as she sits in the therapy room...

Thanks to LRG you can still see Trevor Ariza in LA | Photo by Tim Hammer/LAist Despite the rumors that circulated yesterday, Trevor Ariza did not end up backing out of his oral agreement with Houston to join LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal in Cleveland. Today the former Laker made it official signing on the dotted line of his multi-year deal, making him a Rocket. Just because Ariza is officially no longer a Laker,...

Not only will a national champion will be determined tonight in Detroit when North Carolina and Michigan State square off in the final of a very uneventful NCAA tournament, but we'll also have a winner in the LAist bracket contest. Going into tonight's action, we have a tie between "JK's Picks" and "Bracketology" but neither of those brackets has either the Tarheels or Spartans winning it all. In third place, we have "Brif Defeats...

Last night's victory for North Carolina over Michigan State not only brought the Tarheels their fifth national championship in school history but it also gave one lucky LAist reader an XBOX 360 Elite. Brian Flanagan, also known as "Brifdog," and his "Brif Defeats LAist 09" bracket racked up a total of 148 points to beat out the field of LAist readers and staff members. Congratulations Brian and thanks to everyone for playing. Also, thanks...

Playa Del Ray resident Joe Talamo is not your average 19 year old. The guy's already earned $4 million in purse money as one of horse racing's hot young stars, he's been featured on a reality television series, Animal Planet's Jockeys and in all likelihood is on his way to one of the biggest events in sports - The Kentucky Derby. Just like most kids his age, however, Talamo has found some time to...

Venice custom bike shop LA Brakeless (12220 Venice Blvd.) has won over a following of bike enthusiasts and celebrities like Moby, Jason Lee, Milo Ventimiglia and Hayden Panettiere with their wide selection of high quality parts and reasonable prices. The shop is now ready to drop a line of t-shirts and they're celebrating today at 7p.m. with a launch party featuring music from a lineup of LA lyricists like Low End Theory resident emcee...

ESPN reports that Isiah Thomas met with Clippers owner Donald Sterling last month to discuss a front office job. | (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The franchise destroyer that is Isiah Thomas has been in talks with the Clippers about joining the team's front office. ESPN.com reports that Thomas, whose resume includes running the CBA into bankruptcy and taking the New York Knicks from a perennial playoff team to perennial punchline, talked to "Clippers owner Donald...