Less design, more music at KCRW

Sam Hall Kaplan's "City Observed" commentaries on local architecture and design are off the weekly schedule at KCRW. In a note emailed to architects and others, Kaplan writes that he "will no longer be heard on KCRW as I seek out a more appropriate broadcast venue, one dedicated to news and commentary rather than fund raising and personal follies." Sounds like it got nasty. Kaplan says his columns will still run in the Downtown News and at ArchNewsNow.com. The Wednesday at 6:55 p.m. slot on FM 89.9 now belongs, as of today, to "On the Beat," a commentary on the music industry out of New York by Celia Hirschman.*

(*She is the daughter of KCRW general manager Ruth Seymour, has worked in music marketing and runs Downtown Marketing, a consulting firm in New York.)

More KCRW: Sofia Coppola was on "The Treatment" with Elvis Mitchell today. Didn't hear it, but want to after seeing Lost in Translation last weekend. Here's the audio link they say will work.

Updated Thursday, 9:30 a.m.