Lakers Reportedly Targeting UConn’s Dan Hurley For Head Coach

A long search has gone on by the Los Angeles Lakers front office in finding their next head coach, with former NBA player JJ Reddick rumored to be the frontrunner, but a major development has come this morning. After heavy speculation on other candidates, UConn coach Dan Hurley has emerged as a candidate the Lakers are zeroing in on; Hurley’s career has been quite successful, having won two consecutive NCAA National Championships, making him a big name in the men’s side of college basketball. So why has his name came out of the blue in the Lakers coaching search? How likely is he to take the position? Here to discuss with Larry is Dan Woike, Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Times.

Thousands Of Joshua Trees Could Be Lost To A New Solar Project

Some environmentalists are outraged that a renewable energy company is preparing thousands of Joshua Trees to make way for a solar project. According to reporting in the Los Angeles Times, the project will create power for 180,000 homes in coastal neighborhoods. Residents in the Kern County towns of Boron and Desert Lake are worried about construction and the damage to the land. But others say the need for expanding California’s clean energy outweighs the concerns. Joining to discuss is Sammy Roth, climate columnist for the LA Times.

Knott’s Berry Farm Wants You To Tell On Line Jumpers And Spot Holders

Knott’s Berry Farm has put up new signs asking parkgoers to text security if they see anyone cutting in line or holding spots for others. Park policy already prohibits line jumping (or cutting) and line breaking, which it defines as “leaving and re-entering a line for any reason or place holding in line.” Riders are encouraged to use the bathroom or buy food before entering a queue — and if they do leave the line, they’re required to tell a park employee they will be returning.

Right now, the signs are only posted in the queue for the park’s wooden GhostRider roller coaster, but The Orange County Register reported people have been texting from all over the park to report violations. Once contacted, Knott’s security educates the offenders on the park’s code of conduct and makes sure it’s followed. Those who are reported more than once will be asked to leave the park.

We want to hear from you: What do you think about this new community enforcement? Would you report someone who cut you in line, or is that just part of going to a theme park? Call us at 866-893-5722, or email us at atcomments@laist.com. Joining Larry to discuss this new enforcement tactic and the issue of line jumping in theme parks as a whole is Martin Lewison, associate professor of business management at Farmingdale State College in New York.

Sluggish Summer Silver Screen Season Start Suggests Studios’ Strategies Snubbing Cinemagoing

This past weekend, no major new releases premiered in theaters, heightening concern about the commitment that major studios have to supporting moviegoing as a meaningful part of their businesses moving forward. Traditionally May is the kickoff of summer movie season and whets consumers’ appetite for the season. This year, the lack of the kind of movies that fulfill that role (Deadpool & Wolverine moved to July) has led to a dismally poor summer box office thus far. This past weekend was on par with the same one in 2021, during Covid. A look ahead to May 2025 and its thin slate does not augur for brighter days for next summer. All of this evidence heightens a sense that the studios are not resolved for the long-term to revive and reinforce the habit of moviegoing that has sustained the entertainment business for more than 100 years. The history of Hollywood is such that the major companies that dominate the industry are typically not the ones to innovate on the business. They are more likely to be fast followers. To that end, the future lies with the likes of Blumhouse, Lionsgate and A24 — and any company which follows in its path — that are invested in experimenting and being creative in making money from movies. Experiments are afoot to reinvent distribution and marketing, and more will likely follow if they can find the money to support their efforts.

Today on AirTalk, we’ll explore this so-called “survive til ‘25” strategy with Richard Rushfield, editorial director and chief columnist of The Ankler.

For more, read the full story on The Ankler. 

This story is published in partnership with The Ankler, a paid subscription publication about the entertainment industry.

Politics In The Workplace? This Election Cycle, Corporate America Is Opting Out

In anticipation of a highly contentious election, major businesses and companies are opting for neutrality. Some companies are even putting in dispute-resolution policies. This comes after 2016 saw flare ups and volatile exchanges across the country. The workplace was no exception. Of course, it’s not possible to avoid political discussions entirely, but CEOs and execs are concerned about their companies coming across as taking a stance on one side or another. But surveys indicate a majority of workers prefer their employers to remain apolitical. Joining us today on AirTalk today to discuss his recent piece on workplace politics is Wall Street Journal reporter Ray Smith who covers career and workplace issues affecting employees.

TV-Talk: ‘The Acolyte,’ ‘Queenie,’ ‘Tires’ And More

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. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, we discuss with Angie Han, TV critic for The Hollywood Reporter. 

Today’s shows include:

• The Acolyte (Disney+)
• Becoming Karl Lagerfeld (Hulu)
• Queenie (Hulu)
• Tires (Netflix)