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Back to Which Way, L.A.?

Which Way, L.A.?

Which Way, LA? The Question that Won't Go Away

23 years ago, the fires of the Rodney King riots were burning and the sirens wailing when KCRW first asked, WWLA? We've been through fires, floods, earthquakes and massive social, cultural and economic change. While this is the last program titled WWLA? the question still needs to be asked. We talk with a group of important and thoughtful people about what LA has become and about the challenges to be faced in the future…as we continue.

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By Warren Olney • Jan 29, 2016 • 45m Listen

In April of 1992, when the Rodney King Riots broke out, Warren Olney had quit the television news business and was looking for something to do. The civil disturbance was still going on when Ruth Seymour, KCRW’s then-general manager, asked him to host one hour on the radio with a few guests in the studio and open phone lines. The audience responded, and he was asked back…for another day, another week and so on as the conversations evolved into the program Which Way, LA? The program is ending tonight, but the question lingers on, and this won’t be the last time he’ll be asking it on KCRW.

A note from Warren:

It’s been my honor and privilege to host this program for 23 years. I could not have done it without a succession of extraordinary producers too numerous to name and a great production staff. Thanks, of course, to the many people who’ve been guests on this program. But they’re not off the hook, and neither are the staff or the producers. I’ll still be hosting our nationally syndicated program, "To the Point," as well a new series called "Olney in LA." It’ll be cropping up on All Things Considered, Morning Edition and other places as well. We'll continue to serve this very attentive, responsive audience — our loyal listeners as well as our honest critics -- -you’re the ones who make it all worthwhile.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Manuel Pastor

    distinguished professor of sociology and American studies & ethnicity at the University of Southern California

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Paul von Zielbauer

    Producer, 'To the Point'

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    Kevin Starr

    (1940-2017)

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    Manuel Pastor

    distinguished professor of sociology and American studies & ethnicity at the University of Southern California

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    Christopher Hawthorne

    Chief Design Officer, Mayor's Office, City of Los Angeles; former architecture critic at the Los Angeles Times

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