Chicago, IL—Dick Wolfe is a prolific and wildly successful writer and producer.     Everything he puts a pen to, is absolutely golden.     That is,  except his offering called, Chicago Justice .  Wolf replaced the grit and smell of courtrooms and death with silk stockinged lawyers from Ivy League schools working as prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers.  That’s just not Chicago.   If you’ve ever been in a Cook County Criminal Court the first thing you notice is the lawyers, especially the males dress down.  They for the most part attended the local law schools like DePaul, John Marshall and ITT Chicago Kent .  These schools are more affordable but the alumni find that their job offers are limited.  Let me make it clear that many terrific and dedicated lawyers attend these schools. Dick Wolf’s legal offices and courtroom settings all have new, polished and tasteful décor.  ...

Malibu, CA — I weighed in yesterday on this story and I'm somewhat disappointed in many people including some of my own friends.   Many of the comments I received are not fit to print. Bruce Jenner was an unquestioned world-class athlete and sports hero.  Jenner for the most part enjoyed a charmed life of wealth while he was always in the close company of beautiful women.  Now with a medically facilitated sex change Bruce is now Caitlyn .  This non-political story has the political Right and Left taking sides.  That makes no sense to me.   There was an apparent downside to this charmed life in the form of a life long desire for Jenner to be a woman.   Experts differ on the cause or pathology this peculiar sex confusion phenomenon.    Jenner is not alone since there are apparently millions of similar examples of transgendered people in our world. The so-called experts have no concrete answers, cure...

Los Angeles, CA —Like most of my blog visitors I love music.   I have my favorites from Gershwin to The Doors .   The artists that have entertained me deserve all of the reward for their work.   Every musical recording is a labor involving numerous people that worked so hard to create. The music industry exists because of intellectual property rights.   Without these rights so many of the hits we enjoy everyday may never have pleased our ears. My video host  YouTube has settled most copyright issues with the use of music within the USA.   Advertising and iTunes links have solved many of the problems. There was also a surprising discovery made by the copyright holders in the form of increased sales when a video featuring their products was popular legitimate sales of the music increased too.   Old forgotten hits suddenly were reanimated into moneymaking popularity once again! As many of my visitors know I’m into the camera drone technolog...

Pacific Palisades, CA —In this terrific seaside community there is an incubator for talent called Theatre Palisades .  It’s within the Pierson Playhouse that was built on its present site in 1975.  They put up five major shows a year along with children’s shows and various concerts. Right now until July 13 th you can see the Tennessee Williams play, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF .   For your convenience they have a website at www.theatrepalisades.org   Back when I spent more time in L.A. I was honored to appear in several of their productions.  Six weeks of rehearsals along with a six week show run make appearing on the stage nearly impossible for me today.   The sad part is that it was non-stop fun.  Since I’m having so much fun with little my camera-armed drone why not give you an incredible view of this great venue.

Lorraine Iwan Los Angeles, CA —For those that don’t know I’m a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild .  I attended a SAG function a couple of years ago in Hollywood and met a hopeful young lady actress.  Her Name is Lorraine Iwan and she happens to be a retired New York city policewoman. I don’t know how old Lorraine is but she seems way too young to be retired. She packed her bags and relocated in LA LA Land so she could bring a little reality to cop dramas but she can also sing!     Hollywood is a tough place to compete and make a living as an entertainer.   Lorraine was out making the rounds trying to get noticed.   Her credits are slim right now but I think that’s all about to change! I really hope that Lorraine get’s a top Hollywood agent and can see her dream come true.    She just posted this video and I’m sure you’ll agree with me that there is life after police work.   Rock on Lorraine!

Bob Lind today... Los Angeles, CA —Back in 1966 there was a hit single, Elusive Butterfly by then 23 year-old, Bob Lind that was re-recorded by scores of popular singers including Petula Clark, Johnny Mathis and even the Four Tops .  Lind has since written many hits made famous by other artists along the way.  Today he's got quite a few wonderful songs you really need to enjoy.   Bob Lind  is currently on a Western United States tour right now.  He is playing in intimate settings that are incredibly enjoyable.  He’s appearing in WY, CO, AZ and CA in various venues.  This time Bob is being accompanied on the tour by talented singer Danny O’Keefe .  If you’ve never caught Bob’s show it’s a great time to do so.  I won’t miss this and neither should you! Here are two dates in the Los Angeles Area: May 25, 2012 Friday, 8pm Bob Lind & Danny O'Keefe McCabe's Guitar Shop 3101 Pico Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90405 ...

Sherman Oaks, CA—Charlie Sheen is embroiled in a media war unpatrolled anywhere in history. I’m not sure what’s really going on in Sheen’s world. For all I know this whole apocalypse could be nothing more than a giant publicity stunt. By all appearances this multi-millionaire is going through a meltdown fueled by alcohol, drugs and the largest ingredient, massive ego. Is this all just an act? There is no shortage of comedy, heartbreak and drama in this media Armageddon. “Sheen’s Korner” broadcasts are done with a simple computer with broadband, a cheap camera and ordinary household lighting. Anyone, almost anywhere could do better quality broadcasts than Sheen has produced so far. The public lure of Sheen’s broadcasts seems to be sheer morbid voyeurism. Sheen’s normally clean-cut TV appearance is embellished by the best TV make-up people who are noticeably and sorely needed for, Sheen’s Korner. He certainly looks like he’s on an extended bender on his show. Should Sheen, CBS, Warne...

Sherman Oaks, CA —On the way to lunch in Sherman Oaks yesterday, I pulled out my trusty Flip-HD to give you a look at my world. I hope this and Roy Hargrove's music will help my visitors get their groove. Please enjoy…

Phoenix, AZ -Nearly a decade ago I met a pretty lady in Phoenix. She had a couple of guitars and I learned she was a singer and actress. Darl Chryst was introduced to me by former, A Current Affair and now KTVK-TV’s ace reporter Mike Watkiss . Chryst was not famous, at least by my standards and I never heard her sing until now. There are those lucky people that discovered this lady in local venues where they could hear this gifted songbird do her magic. Sometimes amazing talent never finds the right venue. Everyday life, family and day jobs steal a lot of great entertainment from our eyes and ears. YouTube is amazing because you don’t need to be related to or sleep with someone to get a chance at stardom. It is truly an equal opportunity venue. Learn more about Chryst here. I think this lady’s time in the sun is overdue.

I’ve never been a fan of the Taser stun gun. They are a public relations nightmare in too many cases. The Westwood, CA, November 2006 UCLA library incident is an example where an 18-year veteran officer is battling the threat of unwarranted civil litigation. This in a land where the jury pool is polluted with extreme, Liberal cop haters. As for the UCLA officer’s continued employment, I suspect that’s shaky too in an academic institution top-heavy with the Liberal elite. The Taser carries the reputation with it of an ugly American past where cops used cattle prods on African-Americans to gain compliance in Southern states. Personally, I would not have used the Taser in that UCLA incident only because I fear the predictable outcry and circus especially when applied to an unruly minority group member. Nobody seems to care that the UCLA case like so many others only injured the pride of the so-called victim. At the Orlando, FL 2007 SHOT SHOW, I met with Taser representative, Jay Keyh...

It was exactly 34 years ago when 25 year-old recruit Chicago policewoman Ann Leybourne came home from a New Years party to find herself kidnapped by a serial rapist. The rapist made a deadly error in his victim selection because this time he picked a pretty young woman who had been just days earlier required to carry her service revolver at all times. You can read this story right here .

It’s with a heavy heart I must report that Ray Dannis passed away yesterday. Dannis was an actor, humanitarian, World War Two veteran and lifetime resident of Venice, CA. Dannis starred in several 1960’s horror films, TV shows such as Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, My Three Sons and a very long list of stage plays and commercials. Dannis was a 40-year energetic contributor to Theater Palisades and was a member of the Board of Directors. Update: Ray Dannis' funeral will be held on Sunday, January 14th at 10:00 AM at Hillside Cemetery in Westchester. The address is 6001 South Centinela, Westchester, CA 90045. There will be a reception afterwards at Ray's nephew's home. The videos below from the summer of 2006, Ray Dannis is discussing his starring role in the 1960s horror film, The Undertaker And His Pals and the comedy farce FAROUK U with me at his Venice home. This film is out on DVD and can be bought at Amazon.com. Dannis died after a short illness on December 28, 2006. R...

I guess raunchy material is a big part of today’s happening pop culture. Bad girls get to go everywhere is a fact of life. The days of these things ending careers are over except in convents. I predict a bright and prosperous future in entertainment for Katie Rees wearing the red top. This is the real deal fromSplash News. Warning! The photos are graphic !

They just can’t write scripts and produce shows like this anymore! The openings of these great action packed shows are right here…

Perhaps I am! In the late 60’s a song hit the charts that has ever since been sung by loads of singers of every description. Never once was I lucky enough to see the original artist, Bob Lind sing his great hit, Elusive Butterfly . Originally this song was recorded with an orchestra complete with violins. Here is Bob Lind alone outdoors with only a guitar and his voice in more recent times. Here is another real treat! Here he is as a kid doing the song!

Okay my life has taken unusual turns. I can’t truthfully say what I’ll be doing from one moment to the next. I’ve never been one to like the routine. Not long ago I was lucky enough to get some voice coaching from a good friend who is a real pro that just happens to be an Emmy Award winning singer, writer and producer. This lady, Sue Ann Pinner prepared me for a musical theater production. Sue Ann had already released four CD’s with her remarkable voice that have sold internationally. During a short break from the lesson Sue Ann played a melody she wrote on her piano. It was a magical melody that had no companion lyrics. Suddenly I had an Illumination! Yep, I saw the light! Until this very moment nobody has written a song about the remarkable life of a great man who recently passed away. I went on a quest to research the man’s life beyond what I already knew. I’m a fan of story songs such as Marty Robbins’, El Paso, Jimmy Dean’s, Big Bad John and Gordon Lightfoot's, E...

One of the things I love about my vlog is that I can provide whatever content that I feel like. Today I received this clip e-mailed to me by a retired Chicago burglary sergeant from the old Area Six (Thanks Jim!). Sit back and enjoy the next couple of minutes with Bianca Ryan. div> Amazing 11 year old!!!