Dear Los Angeles, we love you. Signed, the world
From L.A. Times Studios: When the fires started raging, readers from across the world began telling us how much Los Angeles means to them . Letters editor Paul Thornton reads a selection of those pieces — some soaring tributes to this city, others simple notes of sympathy.For more videos in our 'Hear Me Out' series, visit latimes.com/hearmeout
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Los Angeles Times
22-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Silver Lake's ‘I LIKE YOU VERY MUCH' billboard has cost its patron $90,000 so far. He's not stopping anytime soon
The Silver Lake billboard — sweet but a little awkward — gives no context. 'I LIKE YOU VERY MUCH,' it proclaims in blocky, all-caps white text on a solid red background. It stands in a grassy lot facing Sunset Boulevard, near Westerly Terrace. The billboard isn't hawking anything. No name is attached to it. And, um, it doesn't even know me. I've seen it for years while heading to Dodger Stadium and wondered who, exactly, liked me very much. I am, after all, an acquired taste. My colleague Rebecca Castillo, a video creator for 404 by L.A. Times, solved the mystery this month. Rebecca kindly answered a few of my burning questions. Our interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Rebecca Castillo: The billboard is owned by an advertising company called Lamar, and is rented out by Jordan Bromley, an entertainment lawyer who specializes in music. According to Bromley, it had a very 'simple and whimsical beginning.' In 2011, his friend was driving past the billboard, wondered how much it cost, and called Lamar, which gave a quote of a few hundred bucks a month. Bromley has a house in Silver Lake, an artsy neighborhood he describes as 'a hub of activity for musicians.' The billboard, he figured, would be 'a fun extension of that.' Bromley said the phrase 'I like you very much' was just something that he would say a lot, and he liked the idea of having 'fun, positive messaging' in the neighborhood. Bromley told me the billboard has been up since 2011, usually for 10 months a year. It usually has the white text and red background, but Bromley has put up a green background around Christmastime. Sometimes his friends rent out the billboard. His one rule is that it can't be used for direct advertising — just for art or messaging. The first thing he said to me when I called to ask if I could interview him was: 'I've been waiting for this day.' So, it definitely didn't come as a surprise. If anything, he was surprised it hadn't happened sooner. He assumed people must have been wondering about it. Bromley now pays around $500 a month. He did some (very) quick math and estimates he has spent around $90,000. It was before I lived in Silver Lake. I was dating someone who would send me pictures of it. Now, I live in Silver Lake and pass it every day. And it's pretty funny that my relationship to that billboard outlasted my relationship with that person. If it doesn't, then it's a great liar. Bill says, 'Los Angeles.'Mike says, 'Palm Springs/Desert area, and the South Lake Tahoe area.' Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. On May 22, 1992, television host and comedian Johnny Carson ended his 30-year reign on NBC's 'The Tonight Show.' The Times' Rick DuBrow recapped the emotional farewell, which ended with Carson telling viewers: 'I bid you a very heartfelt good night.' Hailey Branson-Potts, staff reporterKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew Campa, Sunday writerKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Los Angeles Times
22-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
For the Record - May 22, 2025
Caitriona Balfe: In the May 18 Entertainment section, an article on summer TV shows referred to 'Outlander' actor Caitriona Balfe as Caitriona Balfour. 'Columbo': In the May 8 Entertainment section, an article on actor Natasha Lyonne stated that Steven Spielberg directed the 1971 pilot episode of 'Columbo.' He directed the premiere episode; Richard Irving directed the pilot. If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may contact the readers' representative by email at by phone at (877) 554-4000 or by mail at 2300 E. Imperial Highway, El Segundo, CA 90245. The readers' representative office is online at
Business Mayor
21-05-2025
- Business Mayor
Your Spotify app just got a blockbuster free upgrade – here's what's new
If you happen to subscribe to Spotify there's good news. This popular music app is getting a boost thanks to Channel 4 adding some of its programmes to the platform. It means that you'll now be able to watch a swathe of video content from the UK telly provider right within the Spotify app itself. The update – which is called Channel 4.0 – will serve up content aimed at 13–24-year-olds. Shows coming to Spotify at launch include Minor Issues (Wall of Entertainment) , Hear Me Out (After Party Studios) and Secret Sauce (Acme Films & Wall of Entertainment) . These can all be viewed for free so there's no need to start reaching for the credit card. Fancy tuning in? You will find this blockbuster boost via the Spotify smartphone and desktop app with Channel 4 confirming the upgrade will become available to audiences from later this week. Channel 4 is, of course, no stranger to releasing video updates with its content already available in apps such as Snapchat and TikTok. Speaking about the changes, Alex Mahon, Channel 4 CEO, said: 'Gen Z are watching video across lots of digital platforms as well as on Channel 4 heartland ones and Spotify is very much one of the new, so that's where we're going. 'This new first of its kind approach puts Channel 4 content in another place where people already are. It is another first from Channel 4 and is on course with our Fast Forward strategy to grow new audiences and fresh revenue. We've always led the pack on digital – and we're doing it again.' Read More CrowdStrike to improve testing after 'bug' caused outage And Roman Wasenmüller, VP of Spotify's Podcast Business, added: 'We see Spotify as a powerful tool for broadcasters like Channel 4 to connect with new and loyal audiences. Video consumption is growing rapidly on Spotify, and our platform provides the perfect space for Channel 4 to extend its reach, build even stronger relationships with their audience, and drive incremental revenues.' READ SOURCE
