File Under: Unnecessary Changes

At first it seemed like a one-off mistake. The logo on a Metro bus was a little unusual. But then I saw it on a billboard.

Apparently the MTA has redesigned its logo — spending, I would assume, thousands upon thousands of dollars (business cards, letterhead, signs, and a hefty fee to some design firm) to change its “M” logo from this:

To this:

Huh? The original “M” logo was fine! And it’s easily recognizable on every bus and at every train station! So why make a slight “Cracked M” tweak? Just makes no sense to me.

But then again, this is the agency that recently named the San Fernando Valley Metro Rapidway as the “Metro Orange Line.” Never mind that it’s a busway, and the rest of the color-coded “lines” (Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Gold Line) are railways.

And never mind that the buses on the “Orange Line” will be painted red — while other buses not on the Orange Line are painted… you guessed it. Orange.

Let the confusion begin!

File Under: Unnecessary Changes

At first it seemed like a one-off mistake. The logo on a Metro bus was a little unusual. But then I saw it on a billboard.

Apparently the MTA has redesigned its logo — spending, I would assume, thousands upon thousands of dollars (business cards, letterhead, signs, and a hefty fee to some design firm) to change its “M” logo from this:

To this:

Huh? The original “M” logo was fine! And it’s easily recognizable on every bus and at every train station! So why make a slight “Cracked M” tweak? Just makes no sense to me.

But then again, this is the agency that recently named the San Fernando Valley Metro Rapidway as the “Metro Orange Line.” Never mind that it’s a busway, and the rest of the color-coded “lines” (Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Gold Line) are railways.

And never mind that the buses on the “Orange Line” will be painted red — while other buses not on the Orange Line are painted… you guessed it. Orange.

Let the confusion begin!

Dees Sleaze

Don Barrett at LARadio.com sez longtime KIIS-FM morning DJ Rick Dees promises to make a “life-changing” announcement next Wednesday.

Barrett quotes Dees: “If you don’t like me or you’re a friend, I’m serious. It is not about some giveaway. It is not about some radio promotion. It is not some rip-off. It is not something to garner listeners. It is not about a concert or Wango Tango. To some it will be really good. Some will laugh. Others won’t.”

Hmm. Radio boards have been buzzing for a while that Clear Channel and KIIS plan to announce Dees’ retirement this year. Could this be it? Is a “Ryan Seacrest in the Morning on KIIS-FM” show close behind? (Dear God.) Or is it just your usual radio hyperbole? Stay tuned.

Aaron Spelling Ventures East of La Brea

Spelling’s production company, which took viewers to “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and then moved east to “Melrose Place,” has now driven over to “Silver Lake.”

That’s right — UPN has ordered a pilot from Spelling TV about a record store owner (Rockaway Records, perhaps?) who uses his psychic abilities to communicate with the dead and help them resolve issues they left behind. The show is called “Silver Lake” — and presumably, that’s where it will be set.

No word if there’s a role for Beck. Or Gwen and Gavin.

But it would be wild to see Los Feliz/Silver Lake actually play Los Feliz/Silver Lake for a change. A big chunk of the pilot to CBS’ “Joan of Arcadia” was shot at Skylight Books, for example — but the show took place in the fictional town of “Arcadia.” (No, it doesn’t take place in the real Arcadia, the town adjacent to Pasadena.)

“The Shield” regularly shoots around the corner from us (and prevents us from parking on the street on those days. But that’s showbiz.). And there’s been a lot of filming activity as of late at Cha Cha Cha restaurant on Melrose. Hell, cheesy restaurant chain Chili’s even shot a commercial in front of the outdoor newsstand near the Los Feliz Theaters. (As if a Chili’s would ever be allowed near the neighborhood.)

How ‘Bout That Lauren Sanchez!

Kevin at L.A. Observed has found that the most popular Internet search term leading web users to his site is “Paul Magers.” As in the new KCBS anchor.

Here at Franklin Avenue, meanwhile, we continue to get more hits for KCOP “UPN13” anchor Lauren Sanchez than any other subject — although UPN13 weathergirl Maria Quiban is a close second.

While I understand the Sanchez and Quiban hits (some of which are accompanied by words such as “nude” — classy), the emphasis on local news personalities is slightly surprising. After all, Los Angeles is the only TV market in the country where TV anchors aren’t the biggest celebrities in town.

Our anchors are… well, news anchors. Head to Orlando, Cleveland or even Chicago, and those towns’ TV news personalities are about as famous as it gets.

That includes Minneapolis, where Magers was a superstar. Here, he’s just the latest in a long line of KCBS anchors. The station has been in the ratings dumps for as long as anyone remembers, and it won’t be easy to turn things around. After watching a few telecasts, though, I gotta admit, Magers has the chops. (Although, he also wears a little too much eye makeup. But that’s not the point.) His voice is smooth, and he has a commanding presence. I assume KCBS will give him time — Magers didn’t come cheap.

Supermarket Sweep

With no end in sight to the Supermarket strike, things are getting more surreal. Driving up Vermont, past the Vons store at 3rd St., the group of picketers were grilling dinner — on a large barbecue — in the parking lot.

Where’s Schwarzenegger in all of this? Besides, of course, violating campaign finance laws.

(By the way, as far as I know, Gray Davis never broke any laws. And he was recalled from office. So if Schwarzenegger did break the law, what’s his punishment? Recall, plus he must re-team in another feature film with Tom Arnold? Start signing those petitions now.)

Set Your TiVo

Watch me make an ass of myself tonight at 11 p.m. on KABC “ABC7” Eyewitness News. I just spoke with repoter John Gregory about the crush of celebrities in legal hot water and how it’s been a boon for news outlets.

George Pennacchio, eat your heart out.

Dueling Blogs

Brian at LA.com has discovered that Kent Shocknek isn’t the only KCBS-2 personality to launch a blog on the TV station’s site. Apparently meterologist Josh Rubenstein has also started his own page.

It’s title? “Weather… Or Not.”

No joke.

As Brian points out, Josh’s content includes a great deal of praise for fellow CBS2 blogster Kent Shocknek. He at one point even gushes that the morning news anchor (along with other CBS2 morning personalities Suzanne Rico, Lisa Joyner and Vera Jimenez) makes for some nice “eye candy.”

I’m not sure I like this trend of local newscasters entering the blogosphere. For one thing, there’s such a thing as sharing too much information. Next up: Paul Magers recounts his “Beverly Hills 90210”-like journey from Minnesota to L.A.!

Dueling Blogs

Brian at LA.com has discovered that Kent Shocknek isn’t the only KCBS-2 personality to launch a blog on the TV station’s site. Apparently meterologist Josh Rubenstein has also started his own page.

It’s title? “Weather… Or Not.”

No joke.

As Brian points out, Josh’s content includes a great deal of praise for fellow CBS2 blogster Kent Shocknek. He at one point even gushes that the morning news anchor (along with other CBS2 morning personalities Suzanne Rico, Lisa Joyner and Vera Jimenez) makes for some nice “eye candy.”

I’m not sure I like this trend of local newscasters entering the blogosphere. For one thing, there’s such a thing as sharing too much information. Next up: Paul Magers recounts his “Beverly Hills 90210”-like journey from Minnesota to L.A.!

You’ve Been Warned

The Winter pledge drive on KCRW begins tomorrow, Jan. 30, and lasts through Feb. 9.

If you’re a fan of Ruth Seymour’s voice and the sometimes humorous attempts by laid-back DJs Nic Harcourt and Jason Bentley to hard sell listeners, then this is your time.

Otherwise… well, grin and bear it for the next week and a half. I donate once a year — during the August drive — so it’s CDs and Indie 103.1 for me.