Warren Olney

After 35 years in television news, Warren Olney walked away from a lucrative reporting job at the end of 1991, frustrated that the medium had become too superficial. When public radio station KCRW-FM (89.9) invited him to host a one-time show, a call-in program in the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, he didn't realize he was about to start another career. Now, two decades later, he's preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Which Way, L.A.?" and on Saturday night will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Radio & Television News Assn.

After 35 years in television news, Warren Olney walked away from a lucrative reporting job at the end of 1991, frustrated that the medium had become too superficial. When public radio station KCRW-FM (89.9) invited him to host a one-time show, a call-in program in the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, he didn't realize he was about to start another career. Now, two decades later, he's preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Which Way, L.A.?" and on Saturday night will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Radio & Television News Assn.

Fifteen years ago, in the immediate aftermath of the Los Angeles riots, Warren Olney, a former local television newsman with a keen interest in politics and a mind that had been hidden behind a teleprompter, bolted across the threshold of public radio and established himself as a sudden star at KCRW-FM (89.9). The show was called "Which Way, L.A.?" and it was a response to the historic civil unrest that had shaken the city to its core.

THANK you for your article "Still Wondering, 'Which Way, L.A.?' " [by Sean Mitchell, July 16]. I never miss Warren Olney. He is a refreshing voice in a vast media wasteland. I keep hoping he may run for president. RUTH ROSEN Santa Monica * AS one who listens to "Which Way, L.A.?," I take exception to the proposition that Warren Olney is "famous for his restrained moderation of arguments and for keeping his opinions to himself -- sometimes to a fault."

It's a little strange hearing Warren Olney's resonant baritone booming from the car radio. After 22 years on the air here as a TV reporter and anchor, his is one of the most recognizable voices this side of Arnold Schwarzenegger's, and to hear it disembodied from his familiar spectacles, graying hair and anchorman suits makes one stop and look around for a phantom TV.

Possibly stranger things have happened in broadcasting, but Warren Olney's trans-media journey from the anchor desks at Channels 2 and 13 to his seat at the controls of KCRW-FM's "Which Way, L.A.?" remains in defiance of the laws of electronic journalism. Highly paid TV news people do not, as a rule, migrate to the prestigious poverty of public radio. Few TV anchors would probably qualify even if they had the desire, and few have the desire because the money and celebrity are in television.

Staying On: "Which Way, L.A.?" has taken root in the KCRW-FM schedule. Created after the Los Angeles riots and initially scheduled to air only through June, the live interview/public affairs program now has been picked up indefinitely. Warren Olney hosts, 2-3 p.m. daily. The program repeats at 7 p.m.

THANK you for your article "Still Wondering, 'Which Way, L.A.?' " [by Sean Mitchell, July 16]. I never miss Warren Olney. He is a refreshing voice in a vast media wasteland. I keep hoping he may run for president. RUTH ROSEN Santa Monica * AS one who listens to "Which Way, L.A.?," I take exception to the proposition that Warren Olney is "famous for his restrained moderation of arguments and for keeping his opinions to himself -- sometimes to a fault."

Re "A Loss for Local Programming," July 25. I am writing in utter disgust to this dictatorial and ugly decision taken by KCLU-FM management. To not give any notice to these fine moderators who are volunteers is shameful at the least. It is a disgrace to not let the listeners say goodbye to their favorite radio people. The real reason for the quick firing is, of course, to stop the avalanche of public outcry that would develop into a tsunami if given the time. Thanks to your fine editorial and coverage, I hope KCLU will: 1. Bring back all the talk shows; 2. Just like KCRW-FM, start broadcasting local city council meetings; 3. Broadcast the fine KCRW program "Which Way, L.A.?"

Broadcast journalist Warren Olney will be honored next month at a fund-raising dinner for the Southern California Counseling Center in April. Olney, the host of "Which Way L.A.?" on radio station KCRW, will be presented with a 1995 Achievement Award at the center's "We're Betting on L.A." dinner-banquet. "We decided to honor Warren because he's reaching out to the community in the same way that SCCC has done for so many years," said Sherry Weinman, event chairwoman.

Fifteen years ago, in the immediate aftermath of the Los Angeles riots, Warren Olney, a former local television newsman with a keen interest in politics and a mind that had been hidden behind a teleprompter, bolted across the threshold of public radio and established himself as a sudden star at KCRW-FM (89.9). The show was called "Which Way, L.A.?" and it was a response to the historic civil unrest that had shaken the city to its core.

HIS WORKPLACE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A THERAPIST'S OFFICE. FOR ONE thing, there are no comfortable chairs, just a large octagonal table that takes up most of the room. For another, there are never any patients present; the caregiver sits alone at the table, gesturing as he talks, as though to ghosts. Yet to watch Warren Olney moderate the public-issues talk show "Which Way, L.A.?" on KCRW-FM (89.9) is to observe a master of civil inquiry and the elucidation of underlying truths.

"Which Way, L.A.?" host Warren Olney soon will be discussing more than just "the issues Southern Californians care about," as he takes his round-table radio talk show national, starting next month. KCRW-FM (89.9) will announce today that it is launching in national syndication a new show, "To the Point," which will follow the format of its 8-year-old signature series, the hourlong "Which Way, L.A.?" The show debuts Oct.

Re "A Loss for Local Programming," July 25. I am writing in utter disgust to this dictatorial and ugly decision taken by KCLU-FM management. To not give any notice to these fine moderators who are volunteers is shameful at the least. It is a disgrace to not let the listeners say goodbye to their favorite radio people. The real reason for the quick firing is, of course, to stop the avalanche of public outcry that would develop into a tsunami if given the time. Thanks to your fine editorial and coverage, I hope KCLU will: 1. Bring back all the talk shows; 2. Just like KCRW-FM, start broadcasting local city council meetings; 3. Broadcast the fine KCRW program "Which Way, L.A.?"

Kona Coast, Hawaii When I was a kid, I did play the ukulele and sang, "I want to go back to my little grass shack on Kealakekua Bay," and that's exactly where we ended up, on the Big Island. There are 14,000-foot mountains at the back of Kona and if you drive up to the top of one, you can see the peaks of all the other islands. Discovery: There's a monument to Captain Cook that you can kayak out to with fabulous snorkeling around the base.

We local political junkies were condemned to a boring nightly commute when public radio station KCRW-FM dropped the 7 p.m. rebroadcast of its respected discussion show "Which Way L.A." The hourlong show, hosted by veteran television journalist Warren Olney, who happens to be a friend of mine, will continue live, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, featuring discussions by participants and outside experts on events stretching from Los Angeles to, as was the case Wednesday, Israel.

We local political junkies were condemned to a boring nightly commute when public radio station KCRW-FM dropped the 7 p.m. rebroadcast of its respected discussion show "Which Way L.A." The hourlong show, hosted by veteran television journalist Warren Olney, who happens to be a friend of mine, will continue live, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, featuring discussions by participants and outside experts on events stretching from Los Angeles to, as was the case Wednesday, Israel.

"Which Way, L.A.?" host Warren Olney soon will be discussing more than just "the issues Southern Californians care about," as he takes his round-table radio talk show national, starting next month. KCRW-FM (89.9) will announce today that it is launching in national syndication a new show, "To the Point," which will follow the format of its 8-year-old signature series, the hourlong "Which Way, L.A.?" The show debuts Oct.

The Los Angeles Times took 21 first place plaques Saturday at the Greater Los Angeles Press Club Southern California Journalism Awards, more than any other news organization. The Times also received eight Awards of Excellence at the event, which was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. In addition, The Times received awards for Overall Excellence in 1994 and 1995. Warren Olney, who hosts the "Which Way L.A.?" radio show on KCRW-FM, won the Joseph M.

Broadcast journalist Warren Olney will be honored next month at a fund-raising dinner for the Southern California Counseling Center in April. Olney, the host of "Which Way L.A.?" on radio station KCRW, will be presented with a 1995 Achievement Award at the center's "We're Betting on L.A." dinner-banquet. "We decided to honor Warren because he's reaching out to the community in the same way that SCCC has done for so many years," said Sherry Weinman, event chairwoman.