Anime-niacs!; On Being Faithful; Coming to America; New Citizens; "El Piolin," American At Last; Full Metal and Tiny Toys; Attention!; The Voice of Anime; Say NET-SKAY!; Yowee!; Representative Spendthrift; He's Ba-ack...; Banana Oil!; Remembering Summer
Anime-niacs!
Join John and animation expert Charles Solomon as they explore AnimeExpo!
AnimeExpo 2008 will be held at the L.A. Convention Center this weekend.
On Being Faithful
Humorist David Sedaris reads a short-story from his new book "When You Are Engulfed in Flames."
Coming to America
The Fourth of July is an occasion to ponder all things American - including the many facets of the American Dream. Off-Ramp producer Queena Kim spoke with Elizabeth Lee, owner of a grocery store in South Los Angeles. Lee was born in Korea. She emigrated to the United States more than 40 years ago.
New Citizens
For more than 18,000 Angelenos, the 4th of July means something different this year: it's the first time they'll be celebrating their country. Correspondent Jackson Musker caught up with a few of the new citizens.
"El Piolin," American At Last
"El Piolin" (Eddie Sotelo) is the single most listened-to radio personality in Southern California. Twenty-two years after entering the country illegally, he's now a full-fledged citizen. He chatted with correspondent Jackson Musker after making it official.
Full Metal and Tiny Toys
John and Charles talk about Full Metal Alchemist and gashapon at the AnimeExpo.
Attention!
John and Charles learn about the "fan" that makes all the noise. Japanese teachers might have used them as nuns used rulers.
The Voice of Anime
John and Charles talk with young-sounding Chris Patton, one of the most popular voice actors in anime.
Say NET-SKAY!
Today netsukes hang from your cell phone, just like the old Japanese ones that would have been carved wood or ivory. LACMA has a huge collection of traditional netsukes.
Yowee!
Yaoi is one of the fastest growing kinds of manga. It features gay boys or men and is written by women, mostly for girls and women.
Representative Spendthrift
John Rabe talks to Daily Breeze reporter Gene Maddus on the loose spending ways of Representative Laural Richardson.
He's Ba-ack...
Godzilla is back! The original 1954 version of the movie is out on DVD.
Banana Oil!
John talks with actor George Takei, who lent his voice talents to a few early Japanese monster movies.
Remembering Summer
Off-Ramp is asking listeners to read Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine," a celebration of summer, and then respond with whatever comes to mind... an essay, a poem, a photo. There are no wrong answers. When Carolyn Kozo Cole, the curator of the L.A. Public Library's photo collection, started reading the book, she remembered this sweet photo. We explain the photo in the caption.