Friday, April 22, 2005

To KPCC or To KCRW, That Is The Question

We are truly blessed to live in Los Angeles where we have many fabulous public radio stations, among them KPCC 89.3 FM and KCRW 89.9 FM. (For the truly radical, or oddly perseverent there is also KPFK 90.7 FM.) Anyway, to me having these radio stations around is a significant component of quality of life in Southern California. Yes, the traffic sucks. Yes, the Mayor's a doofus. But, the weather is incredible!

One question one might want to ask is, which station should one subscribe to? The correct answer is both, but in this economy suppose that one has to make a choice. Let's compare the best (and worst) parts of these two public radio stations, so close on the radio dial, but so far away in a number of different areas:

KCRW Highlights


  • Amazing music programming: Garth Trinidad's Chocolate City, Raul Campos' Nocturna, Jason Bentley's Metropolis, Kevin Lincoln's Blueprint, and Kevin Ponthier's Let's Get Lost, among others
  • Respectable public affairs programming: Which Way, L.A.? (local) and To The Point(national)
  • Interesting selection of NPR programs (This American Life, Says You, etc) and locally produced, nationally syndicated shows: Harry Shearer's Le Show, Elvis Mitchell's The Treatment

KCRW Faults

  • No "niche" programming for particular segments of the Los Angeles community like the LGBT, Latino, Asian, Muslim, African American communities, etc etc--but it seems like all the important Jewish holidays have associated special programs. Hypocritical, much?
  • Impervious to criticism/suggestions (c.f. Sandra Tsing Loh brouhaha)

KPCC Highlights

  • Incredibly relevant public affairs show: "Air Talk with Larry Mantle"
  • Inadvertently amusing Canadian public affairs show "As It Happens" (eh?)
  • BBC News after midnight
  • "Film Week" on Fridays
  • Sandra Tsing Loh!

KPCC Faults

  • Too much talk: "Morning Edition" followed by "Day To Day" followed by "Air Talk" followed by "The World" followed by Terry Gross followed by "Talk of the City" followed by Marketplace" followed by "All Things Considered"? Sheeeesh!
  • Two words: Garrison Keillor.

Which station do you prefer?

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