Madeleine Brand is a native Angeleno and host of KCRW’s Press Play. Before moderating a conversation between Mayor Eric Garcetti and a trio of comedy legends at the Million Dollar Theatre after a screening of Airplane!—the mayor’s pick for the Zócalo and KCRW “My Favorite Movie” series—she talked in the Zócalo green room about karaoke, being hungry on-air, and her show’s dream guest.
What’s your greatest vice?
I can’t tell you that. Vices are private!
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey.
If you could meet any radio personality, dead or alive, whom would you choose?
It seems like the golden age of radio is now. What’s so great is—I don’t think there are any stars in radio. Stars for me are people I’ve met in my profession and tried to model my career after: Susan Stamberg. Nina Totenberg. Ira Glass.
What word or phrase do you use the most?
“Oh my god, that is amazing.” It’s the Valley girl in me. I can’t get rid of it.
Your show runs from 12 to 1 p.m. When do you eat lunch?
Right afterwards, at 1p.m. I can sometimes hear my stomach growling when I’m on the air. There’s a cough button, but no growling button! Sometimes I’m talking and my stomach is growling away.
Which of your friends or colleagues tells the best jokes?
Matt Holzman [producer of Press Play], but they’re not G-rated.
What radio station did you listen to while you were growing up?
I listened to KROQ when they played ’80s new wave music—when Richard Blade was DJ.
Who’s your dream guest on Press Play?
There are so many dream guests. The president—but not when he’s in office.
Where do you take every out-of-town visitor in L.A.?
Griffith Park. Disney Concert Hall. Some cool little restaurant.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Well, first I wanted be a vet. Then I wanted to be a doctor. And then, weirdly, I became a journalist. I guess it’s a natural progression. They’re all investigative.