The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR Phil Leirness

Since we last joined you in January, there have been big developments at the Shrine of Friendship. One of the Breakfast Club's longest-tenured members, Byron Foote, died. As did a guest speaker who gave one of the best presentations in the modern history of the club, groundbreaking playwright Robert Patrick. Both men are remembered and celebrated in this installment. The host and producer of this podcast, Phil Leirness, retired from his in-person duties at the Breakfast Club, and you will hear his farewell address. 
This episode's audio time travel exploration into the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprises the now 98-year story of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club will feature a lengthy historic clip from 1966, when our home of Friendship Auditorium was brand new and when Harold Link, the long-serving club manager, retired. In it, Earl Memory and Reverend Jim Brougher, Jr. regale with tales of the club during its "interim" years spent at the famous Ambassador Hotel. Current club manager Christopher Hanson will report on the challenges and pleasures he has encountered since starting in his position a little less than a year ago, and he will preview some of what we can look forward to at the Democracy of Ham an' Eggs in the near future. Reverend Barbara Adams takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship" with some fun facts about Easter that she delivered back in 2017. TCM host and "Czar of Noir" Eddie Muller defines what film noir is and how it came about. And in this episode's long-form interview, we get better acquainted with Breakfast Clubber Todd Lerew and learn all about the terrific "Something in Common" exhibit he spearheaded at the main branch of the public library.
As always, there will be history, music, comedy, heartfelt reminescences and plenty of friendship! If that's not something for everyone, you've come to the wrong place!

Welcome back! This is our first show since October of 2021 and safe to say, it will be one of the longest installments we we will ever do, clocking it at almost 90 minutes. So, pour yourself a delightful cup of joe, and settle in, as we try to come to terms with all that has happened at the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs since we were last with you, including a second comeback from Covid lock-down, our club’s 97th birthday, the death of our longest-tenured member, the 97 year-old Rex Link, the retirement of our longest-tenured club President, and our current final phase of negotiations with the city of Los Angeles over the club’s continued residency at the hall it built and gifted to the city, Friendship Auditorium. 
This audio time travel exploration into the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprises the story of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club will feature many clips from 1966, when our home of Friendship Auditorium was brand spanking new and when Harold Link, the man who had saved the club on numerous occasions, and who had served as the club manager for 40 of its almost 42 years, retired. Former club presidents, elected officials, giants of entertainment, and more, take their turns at the microphone. Host Phil Leirness, along with his trusty announcer Marc Hershon, are joined by the recently retired club President Lily Holleman Leirness, current club President Nora Vetter, Breakfast Club emcee Thea Komen, Reverend Barbara Adams, musical director Don Snyder, good ham an' eggers Tom Sanchez, Nick Maiorino, and Eric Kurland, to deliver this epic more than 15 months in the offing, and 97 years in the making!
There will be history, music, comedy, heartfelt reminescences and plenty of friendship! If that's not something for everyone, you've come to the wrong place!
 

Welcome to a "spooktacular" installment of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR" as we celebrate Halloween, Hispanic Heritage, and one of the most memorable months on record for the Democracy of Ham an' Eggs! Announcer Marc Hershon gets the ball rolling by sharing a bit of history about Halloween. The supremely talented Olivia Olson sings about "Los Angeles". And Breakfast Club treasurer Kevin Segall welcomes all to the Shrine of Friendship.
Birthdays are celebrated, a time travel expedition back to a magic show in 1984 is taken, "guest reverend" Tom Sanchez takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship", and U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff gets initiated into the club as an honorary member! Good Ham an' Egger Casey Schreiner returns to Los Angeles to discuss his new book all about Griffith Park, Hollywood icon Ruta Lee tells an amazing story about Frank Sinatra and how she got cast in Witness for the Prosecution, and comedy legend Martin Olson discusses his earliest efforts to break into show biz. As if all that wasn't enough, the inimitable Ambassador of Americana, Charles Phoenix makes a spooky good guest appearance!
Of course, there is also a performance by the Don Snyder Orchestra, Lily Leirness gives her "presidential report" previewing what's in store at the Breakfast Club in November and December, and we get better acquainted with the aforementioned master of the macabre, Kevin Segall!
 

As we celebrate the symbolic end of summer this Labor Day Weekend, we also celebrate the return of the in-person Los Angeles Breakfast Club after its long stay-in-shelter! This Labor Day-themed installment of our audio time travel expeditions exploring the history, happenings and colorful characters that comprise the now 96 year story of the one and only Democracy of Ham an' Eggs is full of laughs, music and the opportunity to get better acquainted with some of our newest members!
New Breakfast Club emcee Joe Selph and recent Chairman of the Day Rachel Skytt get the ball rolling by welcoming you to the Shrine of Friendship. Club President Lily Leirness initiates a half dozen new members. Reverend Barbara Adams pays tribute to our longtime and now retired and relocated Master of Ceremonies Richard Gilson. Celeste Hong introduces presenter Christina Rice who thrills us with info about legendary starlet Jane Russell. Jill Masters introduces presenter Beth Pratt who celebrates the resiliency of California wildlife. Steven Smith introduces presenter Mindy Johnson who takes us on a tour of the indelible contributions to the legacy of Disney animation made by women animators. 
All that, plus Don Snyder selects and performs a very special song to celebrate the return of the LABC, host Phil Leirness gets us better acquainted with good Ham an' Egger Sabrina Parke, and Lily returns to update us on the negotiations to establish a long-term home for the Breakfast Club, to preview the Breakfast Club's upcoming events, and to wish our beloved Maurice Terenzio well in his recovery from surgery.

Welcome to a patriotic, heartfelt, hilarious and musical celebration of Independence Day done in the indelible style of The Los Angeles Breakfast Club!
Trusty announcer Marc Hershon gets things rolling with some info about the origin of Independence day before longtime club emcee Richard Gilson and club President Lily Leirness lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Breakfast Club choir sings the Battle Hymn of the Republic and then host Phil Leirness takes over to celebrate the re-openings of both the in-person Breakfast Club and the Hollywood Bowl with an historic clip from 1935. Reverend Barbara Adams walks us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship" by celebrating the lives and careers of those 4th of July icons Jimmy Cagney and George M. Cohan. 
There is a lot of patriotic and inspiring music, including performances by the Don Snyder Orchestra. There are thoughtful words from the club's Chairman of the Board, Jonathan Reich. There is a deeply touching personal story courtesy of Carole Nese. Esteemed member of the clergy Reverend Will Billow visits via Zoom to offer thoughts on his long career in the nation's capital. We get better acquainted with good ham an' egger Kevin Cartwright. Lily offers up personal thoughts about the club on Independence Day and previews all the exciting programs planned for the coming weeks as we leave zoom behind and head back to the Shrine of Friendship where we hope to bid you a "Good morning" real soon!
 

We are commemorating Memorial Day, Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Cinco de Mayo and, hopefully, the final stages of the pandemic on this, our last "Covid-19" installment of the podcast!
Trusty announcer Marc Hershon gets things rolling with some info about the origin of Memorial Day before host Phil Leirness takes over to celebrate the importance of history and stories, sharing troubling thoughts about how easy it is for these things to become lost forever. 
After the usual celebration of member birthdays, we take the Audio Time Machine back to 1984 where author Diane Alexander proceeds to take us back even further in time to explore the origins of the Pasadena Playhouse. Not only did that organization make an indelible (perhaps unparalleled) mark on the movie industry, but Ms. Alexander's presentation includes facts that are eerily resonant today and features beloved Breakfast Clubber Will Rogers! 
Filmmaker Stephen DeBro regales with tales of Eileen Eaton, a remarkable woman who was responsible for the success of the Olympic Grand Auditorium. Andy Lowe from East-West Players tackles the challenges in trying to create a more diverse and equitable world for performers and storytellers. Chaplain of the Day Greg Gonzalez instructs us about Cinco de Mayo. The Don Snyder Orchestra performs two songs. Phil Leirness allows us to get better acquainted with good Ham an' Eggers Jodi Kurland and Kevin Jordan. Lily Leirness wraps things up with her Presidential Report, previewing the Los Angeles Breakfast Club activities for June and offering insight into what we hope July might have in store for us.