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Off-Ramp
Hosted by John Rabe

Exploring Southern California with John Rabe

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Episodes
  • The Romans, 1982 or 1983. At Kelbos on Fairfax, as a "surf punk" ensemble. L-R: the late Keith Mitchell, Michael Uhlenkott, the late Mikey Borens, Juan Gomez, and Pat Delaney
    Remembering the 'Buddy Rich' of punk, and Tiny Tim's Tin Pan Alley soundtrack
    A new album from the late oddball singer Tiny Tim, who was, among many other things, an astounding musicologist, with a focus on obscure Tin Pan Alley songs. ... A new investigation by NBC4 raises serious questions about possible collusion between the owners of a kids camp and a state agency that oversees toxic sites. ... RIP Keith Mitchell, famous drummer for Mazzy Star, but also the "Buddy Rich of punk rock." (That's him far left in Lynda Burdik photo of The Romans)
  • Off-Ramp host John Rabe with 90-year old sax legend Big Jay McNeely outside McNeely's home in South LA.
    Big Jay McNeely still has sax appeal at 90, and Maestro Kahane says, 'I'm not retiring!'
    In the 1950s, saxophonist Big Jay McNeely (left) - now 90 - got teens so excited city officials banned him from LA for a while. ... We go in-depth with Jeffrey Kahane, about to play his final concerts as musical director of the LA Chamber Orchestra. ... 'Anatomy of Innocence,' new collection of memoirs by people who have been exonerated after being jailed for major crimes. ... In “They Shoot Mexicans, Don’t They?,” cultures and personalities clash as a silent film director tries to make a movie at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse.
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  • What Mark Stambler was reduced to until Governor Brown signed the Homemade Food Act.
    Breadmaker Gets Rise from County - Off-Ramp 7-16-11
    Mark Stambler, breadmaker v. LA County ... Comedy Store history with Brandon Christy ... ball-chasing at Dodger Stadium ... Austin Beautner, the man who would be LA's mayor ... Dinner Party Download ...
  • In this little seen photo, Theodore Filson, an engineer at the LA County Heatwave Generator cranks up the temperature in the LA Basin. Don't blame him, though. He gets his orders from the nation's air conditioner manufacturers, which operate state-of-the-art centers like these throughout the country.
    California's Golden Explorer, Huell Howser - Off-Ramp 7-9-2011
    A Day with Huell Howser ... a fifty-year space tech vet on the ending of the shuttle program ... "D is for Dog" ... Dinner Party Download ... "Leave it on the Floor" black drag movie ...
  • James Sallis, harmonicat and author.
    "Drive" novelist James Sallis - Off-Ramp 7-2-11
    In-depth with James Sallis ... LAUSD cuts homework requirement ... new backstory for old Washington bust at Huntington ... singing Mountain Goats ... CyberFrequencies ...
  • James Sallis, harmonicat and author.
    James Sallis, "Drive" author - Off-Ramp 6-28-11
    In-depth interview with literary Renaissance man James Sallis, author of book "Drive," which the new Ryan Gosling movie is based on.
  • Off-Ramp host John Rabe.
    Off-Ramp on the Larry Crowne set - 6-25-11
    Tom Hanks welcomes Off-Ramp to the set of Larry Crowne ... Eat:LA on new Vietnamese food and make-your-own limoncello ... Dinner Party Download ... LA Film Festival ... Hard Times meets Peggy Martin ...
  • Old time paddleboarding!
    All Aboard! Off-Ramp for 6-18-2011
    Paddleboard Racing, Father's Day, the real Gidget, John Frame, and Rabe finds his roots.
  • New York's Papaya King -- now in Hollywood!
    The New Pinks? - Off-Ramp 6-11-2011
    Papaya King's hot dog empire comes West ... Harry Partch's Partch-work ... more Hard Times ... America's most famous naked actor ... California's most multiculti butcher shop ... Dandelion Wine ... top secret Lotusland garden,
  • Undated photo of a Shriners parade walking past 5th and Olive Streets in Downtown LA. On the right corner is the Philharmonic Auditorium Building, which shared space with Temple Baptist Church.
    Betty White and Yuri Lowenthal - Off-Ramp 6-4-2011
    Betty White on acting, being blue, and tapirs ... Marc Haefele on new Cuba exhibit at Getty ... Yuri Lowenthal, anime star, reveals secrets of voiceover acting ... Mimi Pond hails "Bridesmaids" for allowing women to be gross ... Remembering the SLA Shootout ...
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