7/11/00

LC000711

WARREN>> ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT --

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IS LOOKING LESS LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS. THEY'RE NOW HOPING TO JUST SURVIVE IT.

PHILIP>> WELCOME TO LA'S JEWELRY DISTRICT, A SPRAWLING NEIGHBORHOOD OF SHINY OBJECTS WORTH MILLIONS. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT IT'S A KIND OF PLACE WHERE THERE'S LOTS OF SECURITY AND WHERE MERCHANTS CAN BE MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE NERVOUS.

MIKE YOUSSEFIAN>> THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE SAYING. I MEAN, THE PROTESTERS, THE ORGANIZERS, THEY'RE SAYING THAT WHETHER THEY ALLOW THEM TO COME OR NOT, THEY ARE GOING TO COME.

WARREN>> IN TONIGHT'S THINKERS, SHAKERS & NEWSMAKERS, WE HEAR THAT THE GLASS CEILING IN HOLLYWOOD IS NEARLY SHATTERPROOF.

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> EVEN THOUGH IT'S PRETTY GOOD FOR WOMEN EXECUTIVES RIGHT NOW, IT'S STILL PRETTY BAD FOR WOMEN DIRECTORS. IT'S ONLY SOMETHING LIKE FIVE PERCENT WOMEN DIRECTORS WORKING. YOU THINK, WELL, HOW COME THERE ARE ALL THESE FEMALE STUDIO CHIEFS AND SO FEW WOMEN DIRECTORS WORKING? IT'S TROUBLING.

WARREN>> SOME PEOPLE THINK OF THEM AS A BLIGHT ON THE LANDSCAPE. WE'LL TELL YOU WHY ONE COMMUNITY IS NOW HANDING OUT AWARDS FOR BILLBOARD ADVERTISING.

THESE STORIES COMING UP NEXT ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT FOR TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2000.

LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS:

THE JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION

WHICH IS DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFORMED CALIFORNIA CITIZENRY.

AND THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION

DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

WARREN>> GOOD EVENING, I'M WARREN OLNEY. VAL ZAVALA HAS THE WEEK OFF.

OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT, THE PROTESTERS ARE COMING. POLICE NOW ESTIMATE AS MANY AS 50,000 DEMONSTRATORS WILL OCCUPY LOS ANGELES DURING THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. WHILE BOTH SIDES, POLICE AND PROTESTERS, PRACTICE THE TACTICS THEY'LL USE DURING ANY CONFRONTATION, BUSINESS OWNERS ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. PHILIP BRUCE HAS THIS REPORT.

PHILIP>> IT’S ONE PART OF LOS ANGELES THAT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE A BIG CITY, A PLACE WITH TALL BUILDINGS AND CROWDED SIDEWALKS. AND WHILE THE STREETS HERE MAY NOT BE PAVED WITH GOLD, THE STORES THAT LINE THEM SURELY ARE. GOLD AND SILVER AND JUST ABOUT EVERY PRECIOUS METAL YOU CAN THINK OF. THEN THERE ARE ALL THOSE DIAMONDS.

WELCOME TO LA’S JEWELRY DISTRICT, A SPRAWLING NEIGHBORHOOD OF SHINY OBJECTS WORTH MILLIONS. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT IT’S A KIND OF PLACE WHERE THERE’S LOTS OF SECURITY AND WHERE MERCHANTS CAN BE MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE NERVOUS. BUT THESE DAYS, THEY’RE NOT WORRIED AS MUCH ABOUT ARMED ROBBERS AS THEY ARE ROWDY MOBS. WHEN THE DEMOCRATS COME TO TOWN NEXT MONTH, THEY’RE AFRAID THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT THEY’LL BE FACED WITH. THOUSANDS OF SURLY PROTESTERS BENT ON STIRRING UP A CRISIS. AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO THAT THAN BY SMASHING A FEW OF THESE WINDOWS.

MIKE YOUSSEFIAN>> THAT’S WHAT THEY ARE SAYING. I MEAN, THE PROTESTERS, THE ORGANIZERS, THEY’RE SAYING THAT WHETHER THEY ALLOW THEM TO COME OR NOT, THEY ARE GOING TO COME.

PHILIP>> MIKE YOUSSEFIAN SAYS THE NIGHTMARE STARTED WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL AGREED TO DESIGNATE NEARBY PERSHING SQUARE AS THE OFFICIAL SITE FOR DNC PROTESTERS. THE RESULTING UPROAR FROM JEWELRY DEALERS PROMPTED THE COUNCIL TO LATER CHANGE ITS MIND, BUT BY THEN, THE GENIE WAS ALREADY OUT OF THE BOTTLE. PROTESTERS SAY THEY’LL COME TO PERSHING SQUARE ANYWAY, MAYBE TO THE TUNE OF 50,000 OR MORE. YOUSSEFIAN BELIEVES LAPD CAN HOLD THE LINE REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS OR AT LEAST HE HOPES THEY CAN.

MIKE YOUSSEFIAN>> IF THEY TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS, THEY CAN DO THAT. I MEAN, LAPD IS STRONGER THAN THE MOB, AND WHAT’S THE MOB? 100, 200, 300 PEOPLE? WHAT’S THEY COMPARED TO A WHOLE ARMY OF POLICEMEN WITH THEIR CARS JUST BLOCKING THE STREETS AND TAKING ALL THE PRECAUTIONS. NOT FIGHTING WITH THEM, BUT AT LEAST STOPPING THEIR MOVEMENT IN THE CITY.

PHILIP>> BUT AS POLICE IN SEATTLE WILL TELL YOU, DIRECTING A ROWDY MOB IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE. THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION PROTEST THERE IS A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF HOW A BIG DEMONSTRATION CAN GET OUT OF CONTROL. SOME OF THESE SAME PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY VOWED TO TARGET BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES. THE LAPD CLAIMS IT’S READY FOR THEM.

JUST YESTERDAY, LA POLICE PUT ON A MAJOR SHOW AND TELL FOR THE MEDIA COMPLETE WITH SIMULATED PROTESTERS WHO WENT LIMP ON CUE. THIS COMBAT REHEARSAL TOOK PLACE AT AN OLD MILITARY BASE IN SAN PEDRO AND IS SAID TO BE TYPICAL OF HOW 2,000 LA COPS ARE GEARING UP FOR THE WORST. IF THIS WAS A SIGNAL TO POTENTIAL TROUBLEMAKERS, IT WAS ALSO AN EFFORT TO CALM WORRIED BUSINESS OWNERS.

BUT DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS ARE STILL NERVOUS, ESPECIALLY THE JEWELRY DEALERS WHO ARE CLUMPED TOGETHER HERE NEXT TO PERSHING SQUARE, THE SPOT THAT STILL PROMISES TO BE GROUND ZERO FOR PROBLEMS. VILMA URUN SAYS SHE HOPES TO STAY OPEN DURING CONVENTION WEEK. LIKE MOST BUSINESS OPERATORS, SHE’D LIKE TO PROFIT FROM ALL THOSE OUT OF TOWN VISITORS DROPPING BY. BUT VILMA IS AFRAID MANY PEOPLE WILL BE SCARED AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN AND, IF THERE’S TROUBLE, SHE WORRIES HER STORE MIGHT BE A TARGET.

VILMA URUN>> YOU KNOW, IT’S THE BUSINESS WE’RE IN. YOU KNOW, WE’RE SELLING GOLD. IT’S NOT LIKE THEY’RE GOING TO COME IN AND TAKE THE SHOES OR TAKE TOILET PAPER OUT. YES, WE HAVE ALARMS AND SAFES, BUT IT’S STILL A LOT OF MONEY.

PHILIP>> EVEN IF A SINGLE PROTESTER NEVER SHOWS UP HERE, ONE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IS ALREADY A CASUALTY OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. THE BILTMORE HOTEL HAS LOST ITS STAR GUEST FOR CONVENTION WEEK, AL GORE. RATHER THAN FACE A MOB AT HIS DOORSTEP EVERY DAY, THE VICE PRESIDENT REPORTEDLY HAS DECIDED TO SET UP CAMP AT ANOTHER HOTEL IN CENTURY CITY. NOT EXACTLY A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR THE BILTMORE OR ITS NEIGHBORS.

IN THE WORLD OF POLITICS, THE BILTMORE IS MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER HOTEL. IT’S A NATIONAL LANDMARK. BACK IN 1960, THE LAST YEAR THE DEMOCRATS CAME TO LOS ANGELES, IT WAS THE SCENE OF SOME MAJOR POLITICAL WHEELING AND DEALING. JOHN KENNEDY WAS THE NOMINEE AND THEN SCORES OF PEOPLE USED TO LINE UP IN FRONT OF THE BILTMORE HOPING TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF HIM. JFK AND HIS BROTHER, BOBBY, WERE BOTH STAYING AT THE HOTEL. TODAY, ONE OF THE FACES IN THE CROWD, JUST A KID BACK THEN, STILL REMEMBERS WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO SEE THE KENNEDYS AND JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER STAR THE DEMOCRATS HAD TO OFFER THAT YEAR.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN>> AND IT WAS A GREAT MOMENT FOR OUR FAMILY IN THE SENSE THAT WE HAVE A GREAT DEMOCRATIC TRADITION THAT GOES BACK. MY DAD WAS A BIG SUPPORTER OF FDR.

PHILIP>> THE BERNSTEIN FAMILY BOOKSTORE, WHICH HAS OPERATED IN THIS SPOT FOR 46 YEARS, IS THE BILTMORE’S NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR. LEONARD HAS JUST GOTTEN HIS HANDS ON SOME OLD TICKETS FROM THAT 1960 CONVENTION, A NICE SOUVENIR OF A MAGIC WEEK IN LA. BUT WHAT A DIFFERENCE THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY IF POLICE FEEL COMPELLED TO LOCK DOWN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO HEAD OFF A CONVENTION RIOT.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN>> I THINK IT WOULD BE ANOTHER SAD MOMENT FOR LOS ANGELES. I THINK IT WOULDN’T BE IN KEEPING WITH A TRADITION OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE PREVIOUS DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION AND ALL OF THE OTHER VISITORS AND CONVENTIONS THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY THAT COME THROUGH AND STAY AT THE HOTEL. I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE A REAL SHAME.

PHILIP>> BUT POLICE KNOW IT CAN BE AN EVEN BIGGER SHAME NOT TO BE PREPARED. DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN A SMALL TASTE OF TROUBLE FROM THE LAKERS’ VICTORY NIGHT RIOT WHEN SOME ACCUSED THE LAPD OF NOT ACTING SWIFTLY ENOUGH. THAT NIGHT, A SMALL BAND OF WINDOW-SMASHERS MADE IT TO THE HEART OF THE JEWELRY DISTRICT.

MIKE YOUSSEFIAN>> THEY CAME ONLY ONE BUILDING SHORT OF OUR BUILDING, SO WE WERE SOMEHOW FORTUNATE. WE HAD OUR SECURITY GUARDS, BUT YOU CAN’T FACE A CROWD -- IT’S VERY DIFFICULT WITH THREE OR FOUR ARMED GUARDS. WITH ARMED GUARDS, IT MAKES THINGS WORSE BECAUSE IF THEY SHOOT, THEY CANNOT SHOOT, WELL, IT HAS PROBLEMS. SO, YES, WE ARE CONCERNED.

WARREN>> WHAT A NIGHTMARE FOR THE POLITICAL PARTIES IF YOU HAVE A SITUATION WHERE YOU CAN’T HOLD YOUR NOMINATING CONVENTION FOR THE PRESIDENCY WITHOUT ALLOWING PEOPLE TO DEMONSTRATE ON THE STREET IF YOU HAVE THIS KIND OF THREAT.

PHILIP>> AND, YOU KNOW, THIS WHOLE DEVELOPMENT AT THE BILTMORE, NOT ONLY IS IT BAD FOR THE HOTEL, REALLY IT HAS ROBBED THE DEMOCRATS OF A CHANCE TO LATCH ONTO ALL THEIR ICONS OF THE PAST, JOHN KENNEDY. AL GORE REALLY WANTED TO BE THERE AND TO BRING EVERYTHING BACK INTO CONTEXT OF 1960. NOW, APPARENTLY, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN, ALTHOUGH THEY TELL US NOW NOT COMPLETELY A DONE DEAL.

WARREN>> ANY TALK THAT THE JEWELRY DISTRICT DOWN THERE WILL SIMPLY CLOSE UP?

PHILIP>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT’S THE SMARTEST THING TO DO, FOR THEM TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS FOR THAT WEEK. BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT COSTS THEM A LOT OF MONEY AND IT FLIES IN THE FACE OF THIS WHOLE NOTION THAT THE CONVENTION IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS. YOU KNOW, THOSE PEOPLE STAND TO MAKE SOME MONEY, BUT THEY STAND TO LOSE A LOT.

WARREN>> YOU DO HAVE TO WONDER IF THIS IS A SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY AND IF THEY AREN’T GIVING PEOPLE LICENSE IN A WAY TO DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY’RE GOING TO DO.

PHILIP>> WELL, I HAVE TO WONDER ABOUT THAT. YOU KNOW, EVEN AS WE SPEAK NOW, SOME OF THESE SO-CALLED ORGANIZERS ARE MEETING IN LOS ANGELES TO FIGURE OUT THEIR STRATEGY OF WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO.

WARREN>> TONIGHT?

PHILIP>> TONIGHT. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE MAKING BIG PROMISES AND EVEN BIG THREATS ABOUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN. WE DON’T KNOW WHO THEY SPEAK FOR, WE DON’T KNOW IF THEY CAN DELIVER ON THESE PROMISES, WE DON’T KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THE CITY IS GEARING UP FOR THE WORST AND HOPING IT DOESN’T HAPPEN.

WARREN>> AND IN THE MEANTIME, WE’LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN PHILADELPHIA. THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS FIRST.

PHILIP>> THAT’S TRUE, YES.

WARREN>> THANKS, PHIL.

OUR TOP STORY TOMORROW, WE HIKE UP TO THE MOUNTAINS OF VENTURA WHERE A WILD RIVER IS SLOWLY DYING BECAUSE OF A DAM THAT MOST PEOPLE AGREE SHOULD HAVE BEEN BLASTED AWAY A LONG TIME AGO.

>> IT’S PRETTY MUCH UNANIMOUS THAT THIS DAM HAS OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS. IT DOESN’T REALLY SUPPLY ANY KIND OF WATER OF ANY SIGNIFICANCE. IT PROVIDES NO FLOOD PROTECTION. THE DAM IS REALLY READY TO COME DOWN.

WARREN>> THAT’S TOMORROW ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT AT 7:00 P.M.

WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON LAST NIGHT’S STORY ABOUT THE CHASE KNOLLS GARDEN APARTMENTS IN SHERMAN OAKS. A DEVELOPER BOUGHT THE 1940’S COMPLEX AND HAD PLANS TO TEAR IT DOWN. THE MATTER WENT BEFORE THE LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL THIS MORNING. COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO MAKE CHASE KNOLLS AN HISTORIC CULTURAL MONUMENT. IT DOESN’T MEAN THE BATTLE IS OVER. IT JUST CREATES A ONE-YEAR MORATORIUM ON DEMOLITION. IT DOES REQUIRE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT BEFORE ANY CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE PROPERTY. THAT CREATES THE POSSIBILITY THAT AT LEAST PART OF THE ORIGINAL COMPLEX MAY BE SAVED.

ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS LINES IN MOVIE HISTORY BEGINS: "IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR POCKET?" WRITER, RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ APPROPRIATED THOSE WORDS FOR THE TITLE OF HER BOOK ON WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD, FULL OF JUICY ANECDOTES ABOUT SOME OF THE BEST-KNOWN NAMES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAMERAS. IT’S ALSO A SERIOUS LOOK, THOUGH, AT WHY SO FEW WOMEN HAVE MADE IT TO THE TOP AND HOW THEY GOT THERE. VAL TALKED WITH THE AUTHOR ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A WOMAN IN HOLLYWOOD.

VAL>> RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO STOP HERE AT LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT.

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

VAL>> YOU HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK, "IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR POCKET? WOMEN’S EXPERIENCE OF POWER IN HOLLYWOOD". WHAT IS REAL POWER IN HOLLYWOOD?

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> WELL, FOR PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK, I ALWAYS DEFINE IT BASICALLY, SIMPLY AS ABILITY TO GET MOVIES MADE.

VAL>> SO, HAVE ANY WOMEN REALLY HAD THAT KIND OF POWER IN HOLLYWOOD?

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> YES, I THINK SO. VERY MUCH SO. I MEAN, RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE THREE WOMEN STUDIO CHAIRMEN. I THINK THEY HAVE THAT KIND OF POWER.

VAL>> AND WHO ARE THEY?

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, ABOVE ALL THE REST OF THE WOMEN IS SHERRY LANSING, WHO’S CHAIRMAN OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES. BASICALLY, SHE’S THE MOST SUCCESSFUL STUDIO CHAIRMAN WORKING RIGHT NOW. I MEAN, SHE’S HAD A LONG, YOU KNOW, RECORD OF SUCCESS. THERE’S BEEN SO MUCH TURMOIL IN HOLLYWOOD, SHE’S PRACTICALLY THE ONLY ONE WHO’S BEEN IN THE JOB FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

VAL>> THAT’S IMPRESSIVE ALONE.

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> I KNOW. IT IS IMPRESSIVE AND SHE’S HAD A LONG TENURE. THEN YOU HAVE SOME NEWCOMERS WHO HAVE THE SAME TITLE, BUT NOT AS MUCH POWER, WHICH ARE STACY SNYDER AT UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND AMY PASCAL AT COLUMBIA.

VAL>> SO HOW DID SHERRY LANSING DO IT?

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> YOU KNOW, IF I KNEW THE SECRET TO THAT, I COULD BOTTLE IT AND BECOME, YOU KNOW, A MILLIONAIRE. I MEAN, SHE REALLY IS AN AMAZING WOMAN. WHEN SHE WAS NAMED PRESIDENT OF FOX IN 1980, IT WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES, AND THE HEADLINE WAS "FORMER MODEL TAKES OVER STUDIO". SHE HAD BEEN A MODEL FOR LIKE A YEAR. I MEAN, IT WAS INSANE. I THINK THAT SHE JUST HAD AN INCREDIBLE ABILITY TO SORT OF TUNE OUT A LOT OF THE NEGATIVE STUFF. I MEAN, SHE SAID TO ME, "I WAS ACCUSED OF SLEEPING WITH EVERY SINGLE MAN I’VE EVER WORKED WITH". YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, THAT CAN BE KIND OF NIGHTMARISH. SHE ALSO HAD INCREDIBLE INTUITION AND WAS REALLY, REALLY GOOD AT HANDLING THE ROOM AND HANDLING EGOS. SHE CAUGHT A LOT OF FLACK IN HER CAREER BECAUSE SHE WAS DERIDED AS SORT OF A GEISHA OR A WOMAN WHO SERVES MEN.

VAL>> WAS SHE THE ONE WHO SAID THAT SHE COULD HAVE MADE A BILLION DOLLARS OFF OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUITS?

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> YES, BUT SHE NEVER DID. I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, YOUR FASTEST WAY TO END YOUR CAREER IN HOLLYWOOD IS TO FILE A SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUIT. EVEN TODAY, I THINK PEOPLE JUST KEEP THEIR MOUTHS SHUT AND KEEP ON GOING. I MEAN, NORA EPHRON SAYS, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU GET THROUGH HOLLYWOOD DENIAL? YOU KNOW, THE CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD CONVERSATION IS, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF MALE EXECUTIVES IN A ROOM AND THEY’RE LOOKING AT VIDEOTAPES OF ASPIRING ACTRESSES AND THEY’RE GOING, "OH, I’D DO HER, I’D DO HER". YOU KNOW, THAT’S HOW THEY DISCUSS ACTORS AND ACTRESSES. AND A LOT OF THESE WOMEN, YOU KNOW, THE SORT OF GROUNDBREAKING WOMEN, SORT OF DEVELOP COMPLEX STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH THAT. I MEAN, YOU HAD SHERRY LANSING AND, AT THE OTHER STUDIO, YOU HAD DAWN STEEL.

VAL>> TELL US ABOUT HER A LITTLE BIT AND COMPARE THE TWO.

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> WELL, THEY WERE CONSIDERED SORT OF THE POSTER GIRLS OF WHAT YOU COULD BE AS A WOMAN IN HOLLYWOOD. DAWN STEEL WAS THE PRESIDENT OF COLUMBIA. SHE WAS BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS CALLED A BALL BUSTER. SHE WAS CALLED, YOU KNOW, A MAN IN HIGH HEELS. HER BASIC STRATEGY --

VAL>> -- SHE WAS TOUGH.

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> SHE WAS VERY TOUGH, AND SHERRY WAS VERY TOUGH, BUT YOU DON’T SEE IT. YOU KNOW, IT’S NOT IMMEDIATELY APPARENT. BUT DAWN STEEL, YOU KNOW, HER STRATEGY WAS SHE WAS GOING TO OUT-BOY THE BOYS. SHE WAS GOING TO SWEAR WORSE THAN THEY WERE. SHE WAS GOING TO BRAG ABOUT WHO SHE SLEPT WITH. SHE YELLED AND SCREAMED. SHE WAS FILLED WITH RAGE AND IT GOT HER INTO A LOT OF TROUBLE. I MEAN, IT GOT HER IN A LOT OF TROUBLE. BUT SHE BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER THE BEHAVIOR WAS THE GUYS WERE DOING, SHE WANTED TO DO IT AND SHE WANTED TO DO IT A HUNDRED MILLION TIMES BETTER. SHE WAS VERY CONTROVERSIAL. I MEAN, A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY LOVED HER BECAUSE SHE WAS VERY CHARMING, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST LOATHED HER. I THINK IT WAS VERY POLARIZING. AT THE END OF HER LIFE, SHE SORT OF HAD AN AWAKENING TO THE POWER OF OTHER WOMEN AND SHE BECAME FRIENDS WITH A LOT OF THE WOMEN THAT SHE HAD ONCE BEEN COMPETITIVE WITH, BUT PEOPLE HAVE POINTED OUT VERY SUCCINCTLY THAT SHE WAS ALWAYS MEAN TO THE SECRETARIES. SHE WAS JUST INCREDIBLY BRUTAL ON THEM.

VAL>> WHICH IS ANOTHER THING THAT PERHAPS YOU CAN ANSWER. DO WOMEN WHO MAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD HELP OTHER WOMEN?

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> WELL, I THINK IT’S A COMPLEX QUESTION. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IN THE 70’S AND 80’S IN THE FIRST PART OF THE BOOK -- THE BOOK GOES UP TO THE PRESENT DAY -- BUT IN THE FIRST PART OF THE BOOK, I THINK THEY REALLY WERE VERY, VERY COMPETITIVE WITH ONE ANOTHER. YOU HAD A LOT OF QUEEN BEE SYNDROME, A LOT OF FEELING THAT, OKAY, I HAVE MY PIECE OF THE PIE AND, IF SHE HAS HER PIECE OF THE PIE, IT’S GOING TO BE LESS FOR ME. I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF THAT AND I THINK REALLY TODAY THERE ARE A LOT OF FEMALE -- I MEAN, I THINK IT’S VERY GHETTO-IZED. I THINK YOU HAVE SORT OF WOMEN EXECUTIVES HELP WOMEN EXECUTIVES AND WOMEN CREATIVES HELP WOMEN CREATIVES, BUT, YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH IT’S PRETTY GOOD FOR WOMEN EXECUTIVES RIGHT NOW, IT’S STILL PRETTY BAD FOR WOMEN DIRECTORS. IT’S ONLY SOMETHING LIKE FIVE PERCENT WOMEN DIRECTORS WORKING. YOU THINK, WELL, HOW COME THERE ARE ALL THESE FEMALE STUDIO CHIEFS AND SO FEW WOMEN DIRECTORS WORKING? IT'S TROUBLING. IT’S A TROUBLING THING.

VAL>> HOW WOULD HOLLYWOOD BE DIFFERENT IF A LOT MORE WOMEN HAD THAT REAL POWER?

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> OH, I THINK IT’S -- BASICALLY, PEOPLE MAKE MOVIES ABOUT THEMSELVES AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, A CLASSIC EXAMPLE, I WAS TALKING TO LAURIE MCDONALD, WHO IS HEAD OF PRODUCTION AT DREAMWORKS. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT "GLADIATOR". SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT BEING IN A MEETING WITH, YOU KNOW, THE DIRECTOR AND THE PRODUCER AND SHE GOT CALLED OUT OF THE MEETING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. THEY WERE DISCUSSING SCRIPT PROBLEMS AND SHE WENT OUT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. SHE CAME BACK AND THEY’RE LIKE, "WE SOLVED THE SCRIPT PROBLEM. WE’VE CUT THE WOMAN OUT OF THE MOVIE." SHE WAS LIKE, "HOLD ON, GUYS". I THINK IT’S, YOU KNOW, AS BASIC AS THAT. IT’S JUST, YOU KNOW, WANTING TO SEE REPRESENTATION OF YOURSELF ON FILM.

VAL>> SO WHAT MIGHT BE THE FORCE THAT CHANGES IT? IS IT GOING TO HAVE TO COME FROM WOMEN THEMSELVES?

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> OH, I THINK IT’S BASICALLY MARKET ECONOMICS. I MEAN, I THINK --

VAL>> -- AH, THE MARKET. HOW MIGHT THE MARKET CHANGE --

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> WELL, IT’S A COMBINATION OF MARKET ECONOMICS AND JUST BASICALLY MORE WOMEN IN POWER. I MEAN, THE MOVIE "TITANIC" PROVED ONCE AND FOR ALL THAT WOMEN GO TO MOVIES. I MEAN, IT’S ALWAYS THIS SORT OF MYTH THAT YOU HAVE A MOVIE THAT WOULD BE DERIDED A CHICK FLICK. IF IT DID BADLY, IT WAS A CHICK FLICK AND, IF IT DID WELL, IT WAS JUST A MOVIE.

VAL>> AND THAT THE TYPICAL MOVIEGOER IS A 14-YEAR-OLD --

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> -- 14-YEAR-OLD BOY, RIGHT. AND THAT WAS SORT OF THE, YOU KNOW, THE ERA OF THE BLOCKBUSTER USHERED IN BY THINGS LIKE "STAR WARS" AND "JAWS" BY TEENAGE BOYS. BUT THE "TITANIC" REALLY PROVED TO HOLLYWOOD, I MEAN, THAT MAIN AUDIENCE WERE TEENAGE GIRLS. YOU KNOW, ALL THE REPEAT AUDIENCE WERE TEENAGE GIRLS. IT WAS REALLY PROVED TO EVERYONE AND IT WAS HUGE GLOBAL PROOF TO PEOPLE THAT WOMEN WENT TO THE MOVIES. I THINK WHAT YOU SEE NOW IS THAT ALL THE STUDIOS WANT WOMEN TO GO TO THE MOVIES. I MEAN, SOMETHING LIKE "MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2", YOU THINK, OH, TOM CRUISE, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF WHO WENT TO THAT MOVIE, IT’S LIKE HALF WOMEN WENT TO THAT MOVIE. I THINK THERE’S THAT REALIZATION OF LIKE -- I MEAN, WE’RE NOT GOING TO IGNORE THE WOMEN AUDIENCE BECAUSE YOU’D JUST LEAVE TOO MUCH MONEY ON THE TABLE IF YOU IGNORE THE WOMEN AUDIENCE. I THINK IT’S THE COMBINATION OF THAT AND WOMEN IN POWER. I MEAN, I THINK MONEY RULES THE DAY IN HOLLYWOOD AND, IF YOU CAN MAKE A BUCK FOR THEM, THEY’RE GOING TO HIRE YOU.

VAL>> I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT’S A FASCINATING BOOK, "IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR POCKET?" WE ALL KNOW WHERE THAT LINE CAME FROM. RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY.

RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ>> THANK YOU.

WARREN>> DO YOU AGREE? IS HOLLYWOOD STILL A MAN’S WORLD? WE WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS INTERVIEW OR ANYTHING YOU’VE SEEN ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT. HERE ARE THE WAYS YOU CAN REACH US:

LIFEANDTIMES@KCET.ORG

WWW.KCET.ORG.

LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT

4401 SUNSET BLVD.

LOS ANGELES, CA 90027

(323) 953-5555

WARREN>> SUNSET STRIP IS FAMOUS FOR A LOT OF REASONS. TRENDY RESTAURANTS AND CHIC BOUTIQUES AND ROCK AND ROLL CLUBS, BUT IT’S ALSO KNOWN FOR ELABORATE OUTDOOR ADVERTISING. THAT’S RIGHT, THE BILLBOARDS. THOSE ADS ARE NOW BEING HONORED IN THE FIRST EVER WEST HOLLYWOOD SUNSET STRIP BILLBOARD AWARDS. BUT WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO STAND OUT ON THE STRIP AND HOW DID IT BECOME THE LANDMARK THAT IT IS TODAY? WE’LL FIND OUT IN TONIGHT’S PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS.

THE BILLBOARDS ALONG SUNSET BOULEVARD HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE LANDSCAPE FOR DECADES. THEY CATCH THE EYES OF CRUISING TOURISTS AND THE HOLLYWOOD’S INSIDERS WHO ARE EAGER TO SEE WHICH CELEBRITIES ARE BIG ENOUGH TO HAVE THEIR IMAGES MAGNIFIED ON THIS PRIME ADVERTISING REAL ESTATE. HERE WITH MORE IS STEVE MARTIN. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE WEST HOLLYWOOD CITY COUNCIL AND CREATOR OF THE SUNSET STRIP BILLBOARD AWARDS? WHY DO WE WANT BILLBOARD AWARDS?

STEVE MARTIN>> WELL, I THINK THAT SOME PEOPLE LOOK AT BILLBOARDS AND SEE VISUAL BLIGHT. BUT IN WEST HOLLYWOOD, WE WANT TO CELEBRATE THEIR CREATIVITY AND THE BILLBOARDS ARE SUCH AN EXCITING PART OF THE SCENARIO.

WARREN>> YOU MEAN THERE’S NOTHING ELSE IN WEST HOLLYWOOD TO LOOK AT EXCEPT THE BILLBOARDS?

STEVE MARTIN>> THERE’S TONS TO LOOK AT, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE KIND OF IMAGE THEY BRING TO THE STRIP AND THE KIND OF MONEY THEY GENERATE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS AND ADVERTISERS, YOU’RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS. WE FEEL THAT IT’S GOING TO ACTUALLY ENHANCE THE CREATIVITY OF THE BILLBOARDS AND THE TALL WALLS AND HOPEFULLY ALSO, IN A MORE CYNICAL WAY, UP THE VALUE, ALTHOUGH THEY’RE VERY VALUABLE RIGHT NOW.

WARREN>> I DON’T WANT TO OFFEND ANYBODY, BUT THEY’RE A KIND OF ART FORM. THEY REALLY ARE.

STEVE MARTIN>> WE HOPE TO ENCOURAGE MORE OF THE ART RATHER THAN THE COMMERCIALISM.

WARREN>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT, BUT THEY ARE STILL BASICALLY COMMERCIAL. COME ON, YOU CAN’T GET PAST THAT. YOU NEVER WILL AND THAT’S ALL THEY ARE.

STEVE MARTIN>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY, BUT "IS IT SOUP OR IS IT ART?", AS LILY TOMLIN HAS SAID.

WARREN>> LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT A LITTLE HISTORY. WE’VE GOT A COUPLE OF -- THERE WE ARE. THIS GOES BACK A LONG TIME. OH, THERE’S MUNTZ, MAD MAN MUNTZ PROBABLY.

STEVE MARTIN>> YEAH, YOU CAN SEE HOW RURAL WEST HOLLYWOOD WAS THEN, COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING.

WARREN>> SO WHAT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BILLBOARDS? HOW LONG AGO REALLY DOES THIS GO BACK TO? HAS IT ALWAYS BEEN THIS KIND OF --

STEVE MARTIN>> -- IT KIND OF GOES BACK TO WHEN SUNSET WAS SORT OF A COW PATH BETWEEN THE BEACH AND HOLLYWOOD. THEN, RIGHT AT PROHIBITION, WEST HOLLYWOOD TOOK ON A WHOLE NEW IMAGE BECAUSE WE WERE OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE LAPD. SO ALL THE BARS BECAME FLOURISHING BECAUSE ALL THE HOLLYWOOD ELITE CAME TO PARTY IN WEST HOLLYWOOD. ALL THE GREAT RESTAURANTS, THE TROCADERO AND CIRO’S AND STUFF, ARE ALL DEVELOPED OUTSIDE OF LAPD JURISDICTION AND, THEREFORE, WERE SERVING ALCOHOL.

WARREN>> WOW. NOW WHAT ABOUT LAS VEGAS?

STEVE MARTIN>> WELL, THE SAHARA WAS ACTUALLY A REALLY UNIQUE SIGN. WHEN IT FIRST WAS DEDICATED, IT HAD A POOL WITH BATHING BEAUTIES IN FRONT OF IT.

WARREN>> THAT WAS PART OF THE SIGN?

STEVE MARTIN>> YEAH, YEAH. IT REALLY STARTED THE ORIGINALITY OF BILLBOARDS.

WARREN>> THE BEAUTIES OUT THERE ALL NIGHT LONG --

STEVE MARTIN>> I DON’T KNOW. I’VE SEEN SOME OF THE PICTURES, THOUGH.

WARREN>> SO EXCESS, OF COURSE, HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SYMBOL OF LAS VEGAS.

STEVE MARTIN>> RIGHT. EXCESS BREEDS SUCCESS, I THINK, ON THE STRIP.

WARREN>> OKAY. THIS LOOKS LIKE, WHAT, THE 70’S?

STEVE MARTIN>> THIS IS THE 70’S, YOU KNOW, WHEN ROCK AND ROLL WAS REALLY FUELING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. IN YOUR CONTRACT, IF YOU WERE ANYBODY, YOU WANTED TO HAVE A BILLBOARD ON SUNSET.

WARREN>> OKAY, THERE’S CHER UP THERE, THE BIGGEST ONE UP IN THE MIDDLE?

STEVE MARTIN>> YEAH, THERE’S CHER. EDDIE MONEY’S UP THERE. VIRTUALLY, YOU KNOW, IN THE 70’S EVERYBODY FROM, YOU KNOW, AL PACINO TO BETTE MIDLER TO -- THE FAMOUS TO THE NOT-SO-FAMOUS TO THE WANNA-BE-FAMOUS.

WARREN>> AND THERE’S JUDY COLLINS WAY OVER ON THE RIGHT. YOU CAN JUST SEE HER NAME THERE ON THAT BILLBOARD.

STEVE MARTIN>> JUST BARELY.

WARREN>> YEAH. OKAY, LET’S TAKE SOME MORE. WE GOT SOME MORE PICTURES HERE. OH, WOW, HERE’S "THE YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN". THIS IS AN INTERESTING ONE HISTORICALLY.

STEVE MARTIN>> RIGHT. THIS WAS THE FIRST TALL WALL. THIS HAPPENED IN THE 70’S. THIS WAS ACTUALLY A PAINTED SIDE OF A BUILDING. AT THIS POINT, IT WAS THE PLAYBOY BUILDING. IT WAS ACTUALLY AN INSPIRATION FOR TALL WALLS WHICH REALLY DIDN’T BECOME LEGAL FOR ANOTHER TEN YEARS.

WARREN>> BUT IT’S PAINTED RIGHT ON THE BUILDING? IT’S NOT LIKE THE ONES YOU SEE CURRENTLY WHICH ARE SILKSCREENS THAT ARE HUNG OUT.

STEVE MARTIN>> RIGHT. IT’S A COMPLETELY NEW TECHNOLOGY WHICH IS MUCH MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND CAN BE CHANGED IN LITERALLY A DAY.

WARREN>> WAS THAT PRETTY CONTROVERSIAL WHEN THEY PAINTED IT ON THE BUILDING?

STEVE MARTIN>> NO, AT THE TIME, PEOPLE ACTUALLY THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY INCREDIBLE. WHEN WE ACTUALLY ENACTED THE TALL WALLS, IT’S BEEN SURPRISING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY COME BACK WITH REALLY POSITIVE VIEWS ON THE WHOLE THING.

WARREN>> SO THIS IS KIND OF A NEW ERA, THIS WHOLE NOTION OF THE TALL WALLS AND PUTTING THEM ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING AS OPPOSED TO HAVING A BILLBOARD PER SE?

STEVE MARTIN>> WELL, IT’S REALLY SORT OF TAKEN A BILLBOARD AND MAGNIFIED IT, YOU KNOW, FIFTEEN, EVEN TWENTY TIMES, AND IT’S CREATED THIS SORT OF VISUAL ASSAULT AS YOU DRIVE DOWN THE STRIP THAT KIND OF PUTS US ON PAR WITH TIMES SQUARE, PICCADILLY CIRCUS, THE GINZA DISTRICT IN TOKYO. THERE’S REALLY NOT MANY PLACES IN THE COUNTRY THAT CAN COMPETE WITH THAT.

WARREN>> OF COURSE, WE’RE FAMOUS FOR CELEBRITIES. YOU MAY NOT SEE THEM ON THE SIDEWALK, BUT THERE THEY ARE UP ON THE --

STEVE MARTIN>> -- WELL, ON THE SUNSET STRIP, YOU’RE LIKELY TO SEE ELVIS ALMOST EVERY PLACE, WHETHER YOU’RE ON THE SIDE OF A BUILDING OR COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE OF BLUES.

WARREN>> LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME CURRENT BILLBOARDS AND YOU CAN TELL US WHAT SORT OF STANDARDS YOU’RE GOING TO APPLY WHEN YOU HAVE THE BILLBOARD AWARDS. HERE WE GO. NOT SO CURRENT.

STEVE MARTIN>> NO. ACTUALLY, THIS IS FAIRLY CURRENT. THIS WAS FROM LAST YEAR.

WARREN>> OKAY.

STEVE MARTIN>> THIS WAS THE "THINK DIFFERENTLY". I THINK THIS WAS THE --

WARREN>> -- OH, SURE, OKAY. SO IT’S LUCY AND DESI, BUT IT’S CONTEMPORARY. OBVIOUSLY, THE WHOLE WALL --

STEVE MARTIN>> -- RIGHT, VERY POPULAR. YOU KNOW, WE’RE LOOKING AT ENTERTAINMENT, DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIUMS AND THERE’S GOING TO BE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT WILL BE RECOGNIZED. THIS IS THE SIDE OF THE HYATT. THAT BILLBOARD WOULD RUN ABOUT $100,000 A MONTH.

WARREN>> WOW. WHAT KIND OF TAX DOES THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD GET FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

STEVE MARTIN>> RIGHT NOW, WE ONLY GET A BASIC SALES TAX WHICH IS REALLY ONLY PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR, BUT WE’RE LOOKING AT RE-EVALUATING THAT.

WARREN>> WHAT’S THIS?

STEVE MARTIN>> THIS IS PARIS LAS VEGAS. THIS WAS PART OF A RECENT CAMPAIGN.

WARREN>> IS THE AUDIENCE FOR THE BILLBOARDS SORT OF LIMITED IN A SENSE? I MEAN, YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYBODY DRIVES DOWN SUNSET BOULEVARD, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO DO REPRESENT A CERTAIN PART OF THE ECONOMY.

STEVE MARTIN>> PARTICULARLY IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. PEOPLE DRIVE THROUGH, PEOPLE COME TO THE RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTCLUBS, ARE IN THE INDUSTRY AND IT’S A REAL IMPORTANT VANITY THING TO BE OUT THERE. YOU NEED TO REINFORCE YOUR IMAGE. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE STRIP BRINGS IN LITERALLY MILLIONS OF VISITORS WHO ARE AT LEAST TRAVELING THROUGH, IF NOT STOPPING TO SHOP. SO IF YOU’RE LOOKING PARTICULARLY AT FOREIGN TOURISTS, THE SUNSET STRIP IS REALLY THAT IMAGE THAT PEOPLE REALLY VIEW OF WHAT LOS ANGELES LOOKS LIKE.

WARREN>> SO TELL US ABOUT THE AWARDS? WHO’S GOING TO WIN WHAT?

STEVE MARTIN>> WELL, WE DON’T REALLY KNOW. WE’VE GOT A NUMBER OF PRESENTERS. LITTLE RICHARD IS GOING TO BE A PRESENTER AND ELLIOT GOULD AND A NUMBER OF CELEBRITIES. WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL EVENT SINCE IT’S OUR FIRST VENTURE.

WARREN>> I WONDER IF LITTLE RICHARD EVER HAD HIS OWN BILLBOARD ON THE SUNSET STRIP?

STEVE MARTIN>> I THINK HE’S GOING TO WANT ONE. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THAT WE HAVE FOR HAVING HIM BE A PRESENTER.

WARREN>> STEVE MARTIN, THANKS A LOT FOR BEING WITH US.

STEVE MARTIN>> IT’S BEEN A PLEASURE.

WARREN>> THAT’S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.

TOMORROW ON WHICH WAY LA, AFTER A BILLION DOLLAR HEALTH CARE BAIL-OUT FOR LA COUNTY, NOW COMES THE HARD PART. WILL THE MILLIONS OF UNINSURED PEOPLE GET THE CARE THAT THEY NEED? THAT’S TOMORROW.

KCRW 89.9 FM, WHICH WAY LA

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REBROADCAST AT 7:00 P.M.

WARREN> NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT, YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING. DRIVE DOWN SUNSET BOULEVARD, CHECK OUT THE BILLBOARDS AND SEE WHICH ONES YOU WOULD GIVE AN AWARD TO. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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