Jimmy Kimmel on How the Oscars Are Held in a Mall: ‘Last Night, Barbra Streisand Was This Close to a Hot Topic Store’

Jimmy Kimmel has hosted the Oscars four times, and his "Jimmy Kimmel Live" studio is right across the street from the Dolby Theatre. So he's especially well equipped to break the news to the rest of America about something everyone in Los Angeles already knows: The Academy Awards are held in a shopping mall.

Yep, the Ovation Hollywood — formerly known as Hollywood and Highland — has been home to the Oscars since 2002, having opened as a shopping center at the corner of, yes, Hollywood and Highland in November 2001. On Monday night's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," the host recounted the night's Oscars while reminding his audience where the telecast takes place.

"Monday after the Oscars is one of the weirdest days of the year around here," he quipped in his opening monologue. "It’s like Cinderella when the clock strikes midnight – and everything turns into rats and rags. That’s how I would describe our neighborhood: It’s raggy and ratty out there right now.

"I’m not sure how many people watching around the world know that the Oscars are held in a mall," he added. The Dolby Theater is just a mall! There’s a Foot Locker, there’s a Johnny Rockets. Last night, Barbra Streisand was like this close to a Hot Topic store."

Kimmel noted how “One Battle After Another” won six Oscars, including best picture, while “Sinners” had a very strong night with Michael B. Jordan winning best actor: "Michael B Jordan is now so successful, he announced today he’s retiring from acting - to play baseball," Kimmel joked. "He’s been signed by the White Sox."

The host also noted how "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" won best original song ("Best Original Song your kids play so much it almost makes you miss Baby Shark") and pointed how how the most unexpected moment of the night may have been when there was a tie for best live action short.

Read more here.

Rate-A-Restaurant #380: Jinya Ramen (Hollywood) Is No Express

Restaurant: Jinya Ramen Express

Location: Hollywood and Highland Center (Hollywood)

Type of restaurant: Ramen

We stipulated: Blogger Kid 2.0 and I were in Hollywood to buy and sell at Amoeba, but the kid also insisted on visiting Hollywood and Highland for lunch. There aren't many quick and easy lunch choices there, but I finally sold him on Jinya Ramen express..

They stipulated: This is the Chipotle-style ordering equivalent of ramen. Choose a broth, a noodle style, a protein, and a limited number of garnishes.

What we ordered: Mike: Ramen (10.99) with chicken spicy broth, thin noodles, grilled marinated chicken, kikurage, cilantro, tomato, jalapeno, buttered corn, spicy sauce. Kid: side of fried chicken (three pieces, $3)

High point:  The broth lived up to the right amount of spice, and I liked the choice of garnishes.

Low point:  Oh where to begin. The wait was awful -- I've gotten my ramen faster at actual restaurants. Something broke down in the system, as people in line waited a really long time for their orders. My guess is they didn't have noodles ready, and it took time to cook -- which defeats the entire purpose of "Express."

Overall impression: The ramen wound up actually being surprisingly good considering how lacking in care it seemed to be, as the people behind the counter splashed items in a bowl.

Will we return: I'll find my ramen elsewhere.

Sean "Diddy" Combs Wants to Bring A New Year's Eve Ball Drop to Los Angeles

Sean "Diddy" Combs met with reporters on Friday morning to tout Revolt, his new music-centric cable channel run by former KROQ program director and MTV executive Andy Schuon. (Above, yes, that's me on the far right as part of a press gaggle with Diddy. This is from his Instagram site.)

Revolt has already taken over the TV studio space operated by TV Guide Network at the Hollywood and Highland complex. Diddy touted the live nature of much of Revolt's programming, with some of that content coming straight from Hollywood and Highland. That's why he hopes to bring big events there -- including a version of New York's New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square. It's too soon to do it this year, but Diddy hopes to launch such an event as 2014 turns into 2015.

Los Angeles has always struggled to come up with a major New Year's Eve event; the city's Millennium celebration in 2000 was famously derided as lackluster. And of course, we all remember last year's Jamie Kennedy-led New Year's Eve disaster on KDOC.

As for Revolt, the channel already has distribution on Time Warner Cable (including in Los Angeles) and Comcast (which is funding the channel, which came out of Comcast's promise when it acquired NBCUniversal to launch more minority-led channels) around the country. The channel, which launches in October, has around 25 million homes lined up so far. DirecTV and Dish deals are still in negotiations.

Diddy is putting a chunk of his own fortune into the channel -- which he compares to CNN and ESPN for music -- as well. He's also realistic that the channel, geared toward a Millennial audience, will have a bumpy start.

"This is the hardest challenge I've ever had to meet," says Combs, who says he'd now like to be the "next Steve Jobs." "It gets to the point where it's so crazy and there's so much pressure it feels like it could break you. I'm learning new things and new words, technology I didn't even realize. It's so inspiring."

He adds: "I'm going to let the work prove itself. You're watching a more mature and evolved me as a promoter. I'm going to be doing smarter things like this, with the industry, and not overpromise anything. I'm not doing anything ratings-based for the first two or three years. I'm going to be building my credibility. I'm playing chess, not checkers. That's what I've evolved as a businessman and you'll see it in this venture."

FRANKLIN AVENUE POLL: Re-name the Kodak Theatre

As you've probably heard by now, the Kodak Theatre will soon be no more. A judge has approved cash-strapped Eastman Kodak's request to sever its pricey naming deal for the big theater at Hollywood and Highland (home to the Oscars), and now, as Variety reports, owner CIM Group is hunting for a new naming rights partner:

CIM has already lined up three suitors interested in branding the current home of the Oscars, Variety has learned. Heading up the talks for CIM is Santa Monica-based naming rights and consulting firm Premier Partnerships, which is negotiating with marketers. CIM was approached by several interested companies immediately after Eastman Kodak first petitioned a bankruptcy court to void its naming-rights deal at the end of January, including Dell Computer, which at one point presented a proposal. Though the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is not actively involved in the process, it does have the power to veto any sponsor it deems unacceptable. Organizers would prefer a brand with a connection to the film biz or upscale pedigree. It wasn't immediately clear which three companies were considering a sponsorship deal. Regular Oscar sponsors have included American Express, the Coca-Cola Co., Hyundai and JC Penney. Samsung is ponying up considerable coin around this year's kudocast as it promotes its new line of smartphones.

So who should get the name? Make your selection below, or add your own choice.

THE GREAT LOS ANGELES WALK 2011 RECAP: 19.5 Miles of Downtown, Hollywood and Beyond

And they're off! (Photo by Anthony Uy)

We made it! After a semi-grueling 19.5 mile hike across Los Angeles, a few hundred passionate Angelenos successfully endured the sixth annual Great Los Angeles Walk.

More than 200 participants -- including visitors from locales such as London (at least two British visitors!) and Pennsylvania -- met at downtown's gaudy Triforium sculpture (across the street from City Hall) on Saturday. From there, they hit the sidewalks of Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica on their way to the ocean.

"This has to be the most diverse number of neighborhoods we have ever walked through," Great Los Angeles Walk regular Waltarrrrr wrote on Twitter.

Along the way, this year's Walk centered on Hollywood, where Walkers took a look at classic theatres like the Pantages, the Warner Pacific, the Egyptian, the Chinese, the Henry Fonda and the El Capitan, as well as historic buildings such as the Taft Building, the Janes House (the last remaining Victorian Queen Anne house on Hollywood) and the Guaranty Building.

The morning started with a guest speaker: L.A.'s and America's favorite histo-tainer, Charles Phoenix. Charles gave a brief speech about downtown kitsch -- including the 1975 Triforium sculpture we were standing under. (In Charles' famed "Disneyland" Tour of Downtown Los Angeles, he includes the Triforium as part of "Tomorrowland.") "I thought this was a 'cake walk' to the ocean," Phoenix quipped. "Maybe you should do that next year." Sounds like a delicious idea.

At 9:15, we embarked on our journey -- and quickly experienced a wide swath of Los Angeles neighborhoods. From downtown, we continued down Temple, through Historic Filipinotown, to Beverly and Vermont. We then hiked north on Vermont, past the Los Angeles City College and past the neighborhood swap meet and plenty of street vendors. Turning west on Hollywood Boulevard, we marched through Little Armenia and Thai Town to Hollywood.

Waiting for us in the Toyota of Hollywood parking lot, the Food Truck Army had brought along three gourmet food trucks for us to enjoy lunch: Cheer Burger, Gypsy Toast and Sura Truck.

From there, it was off to Hollywood, where some Walkers took our advice to grab a martini at Musso & Franks and a jalapeno margarita at Loteria Grill. After Hollywood, we made our way down Fairfax to Santa Monica Boulevard, then hiked through West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City, Brentwood and Santa Monica.

Swift walkers got to the end by sunset. Most made it to the end during the 5 p.m. hour, while the Walkers who did it right (i.e., stopped at Mussos, Loteria or Trader Vic's at the Beverly Hilton) made it closer to 7 p.m. In the end, we overwhelmed the waiters and cooks at Locando del Lago in Santa Monica -- but for those who got a table, we munched on $8 pizzas and finally rested our feet.

Among my highlights: The guy who screamed, "COMMUNISTAS!" at us (assuming we were part of the Occupy LA crowd). Also: The foul-mouthed, cigarette-chomping, green-wearing little person who was standing outside a Hollywood theater.

It was another successful walk -- and even the weather cooperated, as cool temps and partly sunny skies greeted the Great LA Walkers as they made their way through town. I hope to see all of you -- and even more -- at next year's event -- remember to always keep the Saturday before Thanksgiving free!

Read most of the Tweets from the day -- at least the ones with the #glaw hashtag -- here!

And post your Great Los Angeles Walk photos to our Flickr stream here.

Some pics from the day:


The crowd gathers. (Photo by Anthony Uy)


Charles Phoenix talks to the crowd


The crowd listens.


Organizer Michael Schneider (hey, that's me, identifying myself in the third person!), with Charles Phoenix, as the walk kicks off.


Occupy LA, as we "Occupy LA Sidewalks."


The walk heads down Temple.


Hands Across Temple. (Photo by Anthony Uy)


The Ukulele Bunny of Temple


The infamous headquarters from "CHiPs," on Vermont Ave.


Outside the Vermont Ave. swap meet, it's the official food of Los Angeles: Bacon-wrapped hot dogs.


The real star of Hollywood: Self-loathing.


Quite possibly the coolest mural of the walk: Michael Jackson.


Hollywood Premiere Motel.


Self-affirmation on Hollywood Boulevard.


Gateway to Thai Town.


Keeping guard on Hollywood.


Lunch with the Food Truck Army.


Museum of Death.


Capitol Records.


Warner Pacific Theatre.


Musso and Franks.


Joni poses with the cigarette-chomping, foul-mouthed, green-suited little person. What's going on?


Anthony poses with the Hollywood crew. Still not clear what's going on.


Handless Elvis.


Religious marchers attempt to educate us unwashed Hollywood masses.


Suddenly, a popular star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Charlie Sheen.


Blues on Hollywood. (Photo by Anthony Uy)


In Beverly Hills. Still not sure what this is supposed to be.


Mormon temple on Santa Monica.


Style is confidence, says Amir.


We made it to the ocean at around 5:40 a.m. -- toward the end of the pack (along with several others). Groups were pretty spread out by the end. (Photo by Anthony Uy)

Thanks to Charles Phoenix, Rocky from the Food Truck Army, and Lago in Santa Monica for participating in this year's event! And most importantly, thank you to the 200-plus die-hard Los Angeles fans who took part in the walk!

Save the date for next year -- Saturday, November 17, 2012. And yes, we'll trim a few miles off next year's walk.

Here are some links to other recaps of this year's Great Los Angeles Walk. Send us your links!

The Great Los Angeles Walk 2011 Flickr Pool

Charles Phoenix, Bullet Casings & O.J.'s Last Stop: the Great Los Angeles Walk in Photos (LAist)

Jonathan Wilson's Great LA Walk Photos (Jawsnap.net)

The Results Are In: Hollywood and Highland is Your Least-Favorite L.A. Mall

(Flickr pic by Stuck in Customs.)

Our regrets to Hollywood and Highland, which pulled ahead to easily win our survey for worst shopping mall in Los Angeles.

The Beverly Center came closest -- and for me, it's a toss up. The Beverly Center is a hulking mess of an ugly building with no character, but at least it has some actual shopping options.

Hollywood and Highland was terribly designed, with no thought given to where stores are laid out. Some unfortunate shops are found in dead ends, and the corridor next to the Kodak Theatre entrance is particularly sad and un-pedestrian friendly. But at least it's airy, and has views of the hills.

Nonetheless, for being a disappointing example of what could have been -- but wasn't -- Hollywood and Highland wins. Here are the full results:

FRANKLIN AVENUE CONTEST: eBay Mobile Boutique

It's been quite a season for folks contacting us about giving away goodies to you, the loyal Franklin Avenue reader.

Next up, as part of its eBay Mobile Boutique pop-up store -- which comes to L.A. this week -- eBay is giving away $25 gift cards to Franklin Avenue readers.

Interested? Email us now, at franklin_avenue(at)yahoo(dot)com, and tell us your favorite L.A. holiday tradition.

As for the eBay mobile store, it will be located at Hollywood and Highland both this Thursday and Friday, Dec. 17 and 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Details:

The mobile boutique will showcase interactive shopping kiosks, hot holiday merchandise and virtual windows with live auctions on the site from local eBay sellers. Personal shoppers will be on hand to help you find and purchase your holiday gifts and have them shipped wherever you’d like.

There will be items on site such as fashionista products (clothes, shoes, accessories), Zhu Zhu pets, items for gamers, and more.

I'm guessing my favorite item to purchase on eBay -- old TV Guides (yes, still a nerd, check) -- won't be there.

Vincent Price Would Be Proud: Angelenos Pull Off a "Thriller"

They pulled it off -- the L.A. chapter of "Thrill the World" performed the Thriller dance on Saturday in front of crowds at Hollywood and Highland. And as you can see above, they did a pretty good job.

The LA Weekly was there, and files an extensive report. A highlight:

This Los Angeles chapter of "Thrill the World '08" -- across the globe, dances in 91 cities in 12 countries took place the same day -- was up and at 'em at an hour that ought to make the dead crawl back into their tombs and whimper. In an attempt to hold the world record for the most people to do the "Thriller" dance at one time, dozens of aspiring zombie strutters gathered in the bowels of the shopping complex's garage -- level 6E to be exact -- with coffee and donuts, makeup and hairspray, costumes and boomboxes to pump up, dress up, and get in last minute practice.
Just before 11 a.m., they began the lurch up to the bright plaza and took their places to the initial bewilderment, and giddy delight of wandering shoppers and tourists.

Check it out -- including the photo gallery.

"Thrill the World" Comes to Hollywood and Highland

Caught this first on CreepyLA, Los Angeles' Halloween blog: If you're looking for a different way to celebrate the holiday, you might want to consider joining in on L.A.'s mass "Thriller" group dance.

The event is part of Thrill the World, a global effort to get as many people dancing the "Thriller" as possible.

Here in L.A., the group will be performing the dance sometime after 10:30 but no later than 11 on Saturday, Oct. 25. Wanna join in? You can't just show up: They're holding several rehearsals in the coming days, so that you can learn your part. Here are the upcoming rehearsals:

Tues Oct 21st: UCLA
@ Campus. Wilson Plaza or nearby. 3:30pm-6:30pm
center of campus UCLA, Westwood CA

Wed Oct 22nd: Santa Monica
@Virginia Avenue Park. Time: TBD
2200 Virginia Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Fri Oct 24th: Hollywood *FINAL PRACTICE!
@ Pan Pacific Regional Park. 5pm-7pm (we may stay later)
7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

It doesn't take long to learn the dance, they say, and the event is, of course, free. More details here.