Loveline
Encyclopedia
Loveline is a syndicated radio call-in
program in North America, offering medical and relationship advice to listeners, often with the assistance of guests, typically actors and musicians. Its flagship station is KROQ-FM
in Los Angeles
.
Currently, Loveline is broadcast live, Sundays through Thursdays at 10pm–12am PT
(Mondays through Fridays at 1am–3am ET
). Syndication is usually on rock, alternative, and adult talk radio stations. Loveline can also be heard online anywhere in the world, by streaming through the websites of affiliate stations. Selected episodes are made available on Westwood One
's website.
radio station KROQ-FM
, hosted by DJ
Jim "Poorman" Trenton
, DJ Swedish Egil (Egil Aalvik), and Scott Mason. After a traumatic break up, Mason announced that he would no longer be hosting the show.
In 1984, Trenton added a segment called "Ask a Surgeon," hosted by his friend Dr. Drew Pinsky
, who at the time, was a fourth-year medical student at the University of Southern California
. The medical segment was pre-dated by an occasional legal segment in which a lawyer would be present to answer legal questions. As Loveline developed and increased its audience, Pinsky became a public figure in his own right, and the show began referring to him informally as "Dr. Drew". He eventually came to co-host the show with Trenton. In February 1992, the show expanded from Sunday nights to five nights a week, Sunday through Thursday. In August 1993 Trenton was replaced by former MTV
VJ Riki Rachtman
.
Pinsky and Rachtman were joined by Adam Carolla
in October 1995, as the show was first being syndicated nationally. The trio hosted together for several months, but Carolla and Rachtman often competed for airtime, leading Rachtman to resign in April 1996. Carolla and Pinsky would go on to host the show together until Carolla's departure in November 2005.
The popularity and reach of Loveline increased dramatically in the ten years during which it was hosted by Pinsky and Carolla. The two had a natural chemistry, in which Carolla's jocular tone emphasized Pinsky's reasoned expertise. Together, they refined the format of the show, and capitalized on their growing popularity with speaking tours, an MTV television show, a book, and cameo appearances on television series and movies. In November 2005, Carolla left Loveline to prepare for a new morning radio show, The Adam Carolla Show, which began airing in January 2006.
After Carolla's departure, he was substituted on a temporary basis by numerous celebrity guests, some of whom announced their desire to take the job permanently. During his first appearance on Carolla's new morning show, Pinsky revealed that the shortlist of candidates included Carson Daly
, Joel McHale
, Danny Bonaduce
, Steve-O
, and Daniel Tosh
. On July 23, 2006, KROQ-FM disc jockey Stryker
was hired as Pinsky's co-host.
On April 22, 2009, Stryker announced that due to financial cutbacks at Westwood One, he would be leaving the show and it would be his last appearance that night. After Stryker's departure a number of celebrities guest co-hosted opposite Drew, On March 11, 2010, it was announced that Mike "Psycho Mike" Catherwood
from The Kevin and Bean Show
would co-host Loveline with Dr. Drew.
, sexuality
, and drug addiction problems through the expertise of Pinsky, an internist
and addiction medicine
specialist, and the humorous context and insight provided by a comedic host. Adam Carolla explained his role as a "sheep in wolf's clothing". Furthermore, the comedy is often necessary to keep spirits high, as the show frequently handles callers who are dealing with serious issues such as drug addiction, sexual abuse
, and domestic violence
.
The show will occasionally answer calls of a general medical nature, especially on slow nights or if they seem peculiar. Also, listeners are encouraged to participate in Loveline's many games.
version of Loveline ran on MTV from 1996–2000; which was produced by Stone Stanley Entertainment
. It followed the same general format as the radio program but featured a live audience and a female co-host. The female co-host role was filled over the course of the series by MTV VJ Idalis
, actresses Kris McGaha
, Catherine McCord
, Diane Farr
and comedienne Laura Kightlinger
. Loveline TV was filmed at Hollywood Center Studios
.
The Dr. Drew and Adam Book: A Survival Guide to Life and Love, an advice book written in a tone similar to the radio show, was released in 1998.
The series has also spawned a number of Loveline-inspired games that have been mentioned on the show.
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
program in North America, offering medical and relationship advice to listeners, often with the assistance of guests, typically actors and musicians. Its flagship station is KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Currently, Loveline is broadcast live, Sundays through Thursdays at 10pm–12am PT
Pacific Time Zone
The Pacific Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time . The clock time in this zone is based on the mean solar time of the 120th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory. During daylight saving time, its time offset is UTC-7.In the United States...
(Mondays through Fridays at 1am–3am ET
North American Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
). Syndication is usually on rock, alternative, and adult talk radio stations. Loveline can also be heard online anywhere in the world, by streaming through the websites of affiliate stations. Selected episodes are made available on Westwood One
Westwood One
Westwood One was an American radio network and was based in New York City. At one time, it was managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation, and Viacom and was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group...
's website.
History
Loveline began in 1983 as a Sunday night dating and relationships segment on Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
radio station KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
, hosted by DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
Jim "Poorman" Trenton
Jim Trenton
James "The Poorman" Trenton is an American radio broadcaster. He was a disc jockey on KROQ in Los Angeles from 1982-1993. He is best known for co-creating and hosting the evening Loveline radio talk show. Trenton also discovered and hired his then-co-host Dr. Drew Pinsky...
, DJ Swedish Egil (Egil Aalvik), and Scott Mason. After a traumatic break up, Mason announced that he would no longer be hosting the show.
In 1984, Trenton added a segment called "Ask a Surgeon," hosted by his friend Dr. Drew Pinsky
Drew Pinsky
David Drew Pinsky , best known as Dr. Drew, is an American board-certified internist, addiction medicine specialist, and radio and television personality. He has hosted the nationally syndicated radio talk show Loveline since the show's inception in 1984. On television, he hosts the talk show Dr...
, who at the time, was a fourth-year medical student at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
. The medical segment was pre-dated by an occasional legal segment in which a lawyer would be present to answer legal questions. As Loveline developed and increased its audience, Pinsky became a public figure in his own right, and the show began referring to him informally as "Dr. Drew". He eventually came to co-host the show with Trenton. In February 1992, the show expanded from Sunday nights to five nights a week, Sunday through Thursday. In August 1993 Trenton was replaced by former MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
VJ Riki Rachtman
Riki Rachtman
Riki Rachtman is an American television and radio personality.-Rock scene:At the age of 16, Rachtman auditioned to sing in the band the Angry Samoans, and the next year he was in a band called the Fairlanes. In the late 1980s, Rachtman was lead vocalist of the L.A. Metal Act "Virgin"...
.
Pinsky and Rachtman were joined by Adam Carolla
Adam Carolla
Adam Carolla is an American radio personality, television host, comedian, and actor. He currently hosts The Adam Carolla Show, a talk show distributed as a podcast on the ACE Broadcasting Network...
in October 1995, as the show was first being syndicated nationally. The trio hosted together for several months, but Carolla and Rachtman often competed for airtime, leading Rachtman to resign in April 1996. Carolla and Pinsky would go on to host the show together until Carolla's departure in November 2005.
The popularity and reach of Loveline increased dramatically in the ten years during which it was hosted by Pinsky and Carolla. The two had a natural chemistry, in which Carolla's jocular tone emphasized Pinsky's reasoned expertise. Together, they refined the format of the show, and capitalized on their growing popularity with speaking tours, an MTV television show, a book, and cameo appearances on television series and movies. In November 2005, Carolla left Loveline to prepare for a new morning radio show, The Adam Carolla Show, which began airing in January 2006.
After Carolla's departure, he was substituted on a temporary basis by numerous celebrity guests, some of whom announced their desire to take the job permanently. During his first appearance on Carolla's new morning show, Pinsky revealed that the shortlist of candidates included Carson Daly
Carson Daly
Carson Jones Daly is an American television host. He is the host of NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, a late-night talk show that began airing on January 7, 2002. Before his role as host of that program, Daly was a VJ on MTV's TRL, and a DJ for the Southern California based radio station KROQ-FM...
, Joel McHale
Joel McHale
Joel Edward McHale is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, television producer, television personality, and voice artist. He is best known for hosting The Soup and for his role as Jeff Winger on Community....
, Danny Bonaduce
Danny Bonaduce
Dante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor...
, Steve-O
Steve-O
Steve-O is an American stunt performer and television personality. His entertainment career is mostly centered around his performance stunts on the American TV series Jackass and accompanying movies....
, and Daniel Tosh
Daniel Tosh
Daniel Dwight Tosh is an American stand-up comedian and host of the Comedy Central television show, Tosh.0.-Personal life:...
. On July 23, 2006, KROQ-FM disc jockey Stryker
Stryker (disc jockey)
Theodore "Ted" Ramón Stryker known on-air as simply "Stryker", is an American radio personality and disc jockey.-Biography:...
was hired as Pinsky's co-host.
On April 22, 2009, Stryker announced that due to financial cutbacks at Westwood One, he would be leaving the show and it would be his last appearance that night. After Stryker's departure a number of celebrities guest co-hosted opposite Drew, On March 11, 2010, it was announced that Mike "Psycho Mike" Catherwood
Michael Catherwood
Michael Dwight Catherwood , known by his radio name Psycho Mike, is an American radio personality. He is known primarily for his work at KROQ-FM on Kevin and Bean and most recently as the co-host of Loveline.-Kevin & Bean Show:...
from The Kevin and Bean Show
Kevin and Bean
Kevin and Bean is the morning show on KROQ-FM, an alternative rock-format radio station in Los Angeles, California. It is hosted by Kevin Ryder and Gene "Bean" Baxter. The show has been on the air since 1990 and intersperses music and news with comedy bits, celebrity interviews, listener call-ins,...
would co-host Loveline with Dr. Drew.
Format
Loveline follows the call-in question-and-answer model with the primary goal of helping youth and young adults with relationshipInterpersonal relationship
An interpersonal relationship is an association between two or more people that may range from fleeting to enduring. This association may be based on limerence, love, solidarity, regular business interactions, or some other type of social commitment. Interpersonal relationships are formed in the...
, sexuality
Human sexuality
Human sexuality is the awareness of gender differences, and the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also be described as the way someone is sexually attracted to another person whether it is to opposite sexes , to the same sex , to either sexes , or not being...
, and drug addiction problems through the expertise of Pinsky, an internist
Internal medicine
Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
and addiction medicine
Addiction Medicine
Addiction medicine is a medical specialty that deals with the treatment of addiction. The specialty often crosses over into other areas, since various aspects of addiction fall within the fields of public health, psychology, social work, psychiatry, and internal medicine, among others...
specialist, and the humorous context and insight provided by a comedic host. Adam Carolla explained his role as a "sheep in wolf's clothing". Furthermore, the comedy is often necessary to keep spirits high, as the show frequently handles callers who are dealing with serious issues such as drug addiction, sexual abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
, and domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
.
The show will occasionally answer calls of a general medical nature, especially on slow nights or if they seem peculiar. Also, listeners are encouraged to participate in Loveline's many games.
Regular hosts
- Jim "Poorman" TrentonJim TrentonJames "The Poorman" Trenton is an American radio broadcaster. He was a disc jockey on KROQ in Los Angeles from 1982-1993. He is best known for co-creating and hosting the evening Loveline radio talk show. Trenton also discovered and hired his then-co-host Dr. Drew Pinsky...
(1983–August 1993) - "Swedish" Egil Aalvik (1983–1990)
- "Spacin" Scott MasonScott Mason (KROQ)Scott Mason is a United States radio personality based in Southern California currently heard on 106.7 KROQ-FM in Los Angeles.-Radio career:...
(1983–1987) - Dr. Drew Pinsky (December 1984–Present)
- Attorney Lee Alpert (1986–1989)
- Riki RachtmanRiki RachtmanRiki Rachtman is an American television and radio personality.-Rock scene:At the age of 16, Rachtman auditioned to sing in the band the Angry Samoans, and the next year he was in a band called the Fairlanes. In the late 1980s, Rachtman was lead vocalist of the L.A. Metal Act "Virgin"...
(August 1993–April 1996) - Adam CarollaAdam CarollaAdam Carolla is an American radio personality, television host, comedian, and actor. He currently hosts The Adam Carolla Show, a talk show distributed as a podcast on the ACE Broadcasting Network...
(October 1995–November 3, 2005) - StrykerStryker (disc jockey)Theodore "Ted" Ramón Stryker known on-air as simply "Stryker", is an American radio personality and disc jockey.-Biography:...
(July 23, 2006–April 22, 2009) - Psycho MikeMichael CatherwoodMichael Dwight Catherwood , known by his radio name Psycho Mike, is an American radio personality. He is known primarily for his work at KROQ-FM on Kevin and Bean and most recently as the co-host of Loveline.-Kevin & Bean Show:...
(March 21, 2010–Present)
Recurring fill-ins
For Pinsky (in the case of medical physicians) or Psycho Mike (in the case of usual comedic co-host)- Dr. Gary Alter: "Dr. Alter" ("Dr. Whack 'n' Sack, Dr. Alter-men")
- Nicole Alvarez: DJ on KROQ-FM
- David Alan GrierDavid Alan GrierDavid Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:...
: a popular and frequent guest, sometimes referred to as the "Third Host" of Loveline or DAG. - Dr. Ohad Ben-Yehuda: "Dr. Ben" (OB/GYN, Infertility, High Risk Obstetrics)
- Dr. Marcel Daniels: "Dr. Marcel"
- Dr. Bruce HeischoberBruce HeischoberDr. Bruce Sigurd Heischober, known as Dr. Bruce, born , is a Board certified medical doctor specializing in emergency and internal medicine. He also has published several works on substance abuse.He graduated from Loma Linda University in 1979....
: "Dr. Bruce" (Ichabod Bruce, Dr. Spaz) - Dr. Bruce Hensel: "Dr. Bruce"
- Dr. Reef KarimReef KarimReef Karim is a physician and psychiatrist and is the host of the television show, House of Clues which airs on Court TV. He has also acted in movies such as, Lords of Dogtown , Night of Henna , and Flavors . He occasionally appears on CNN as a psychiatric commentator...
: "Dr. Reef" - Dr. Robert Rey: "Dr. 90210", a plastic surgeon from Beverly Hills
- Trina DolenzTrina DolenzTrina Dolenz is a British couples therapist and media personality. She was host of Tool Academy and currently maintains a private practice. She is an occasional volunteer co-host of Loveline....
: former host of VH1's Tool Academy and couples therapist
Television co-hosts
- Kris McGahaKris McGahaKris McGaha is an American actress, comedian, and television program hostess. McGaha appeared on MTV's Loveline television show, co-hosting with Adam Corolla and Dr. Drew Pinsky.-Biography:...
(1996–1997) - Laura KightlingerLaura KightlingerLaura Kightlinger is an American actress, comedian and writer. She may be best known for her role as Nurse Sheila on Will & Grace.-Early life:Kightlinger was born and raised in Jamestown, New York...
(1997) - Lou Thornton (1997)
- Carmen ElectraCarmen ElectraTara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, singer, and dancer...
(1997) - Idalis DeLeonIdalis DeLeonIdalis DeLeón is an American actress, singer, and television host.-Biography:DeLeón, who is of Puerto Rican ancestry, first began her career as a member of the girl group Seduction who scored a top ten hit "Two to Make it Right" in 1990. From 1994 to 1997, she was a MTV VJ...
(1997) - Diane FarrDiane FarrDiane Farr is an American actress. She is known for her roles as FBI agent Megan Reeves in the CBS television series Numb3rs and Laura Miles on Rescue Me.-Life and career:...
(1998) - Catherine McCordCatherine McCordCatherine McCord is an American fashion model, actress, television program hostess, and blogger.-Biography:McCord was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and began modeling for Elite Model Management at the age of 14. She has appeared on the covers of Glamour and Elle magazines, and walked the runway...
(1999–2000)- Donna D'ErricoDonna D'ErricoDonna D'Errico is an American actress and model. She was chosen Playboy Playmate of the Month for September 1995. Her centerfold was photographed by Richard Fegley.-Career:...
(Loveline: Live in Time Square) (2000)
- Donna D'Errico
Producers
- Ann Wilkins-Ingold (1988–Present)
- Lauren (Junior Producer) (2002–December 20, 2007)
Radio engineers
The show has had many engineers throughout the years who have developed their own on-air presence. Whether it be conversations with hosts and guests or specific "radio drops" that they have produced usually from clips of previous shows.- Mike Dooley (October 1995–June 20, 1999) ("Dooley," "The One-Nut Wonder," produced "The Drew Shuffle" and "The Drew Boogie")
- Anderson Cowan (June 21, 1999–Present) ("The Magic Fingered One," "The Liberace of the Potentiometers," produced "Millionaire")
- Damion Stephens (2000–2002)
- Chris Perez (2003–2005) (27-year-old Junior CollegeJunior collegeThe term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
Student that worked 15 hours a week, $10.50 an hour, while living in his mother's house) - Michelle (2004–November 2005) (left for The Adam Carolla Show)
Media tie-ins and cultural influence
A TVTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
version of Loveline ran on MTV from 1996–2000; which was produced by Stone Stanley Entertainment
Stone Stanley Entertainment
Stone Stanley Entertainment was an American television production company founded by TV producers David G. Stanley and Scott A. Stone, who both began their careers working at Lorimar-Telepictures in the 1980s....
. It followed the same general format as the radio program but featured a live audience and a female co-host. The female co-host role was filled over the course of the series by MTV VJ Idalis
Idalis DeLeon
Idalis DeLeón is an American actress, singer, and television host.-Biography:DeLeón, who is of Puerto Rican ancestry, first began her career as a member of the girl group Seduction who scored a top ten hit "Two to Make it Right" in 1990. From 1994 to 1997, she was a MTV VJ...
, actresses Kris McGaha
Kris McGaha
Kris McGaha is an American actress, comedian, and television program hostess. McGaha appeared on MTV's Loveline television show, co-hosting with Adam Corolla and Dr. Drew Pinsky.-Biography:...
, Catherine McCord
Catherine McCord
Catherine McCord is an American fashion model, actress, television program hostess, and blogger.-Biography:McCord was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and began modeling for Elite Model Management at the age of 14. She has appeared on the covers of Glamour and Elle magazines, and walked the runway...
, Diane Farr
Diane Farr
Diane Farr is an American actress. She is known for her roles as FBI agent Megan Reeves in the CBS television series Numb3rs and Laura Miles on Rescue Me.-Life and career:...
and comedienne Laura Kightlinger
Laura Kightlinger
Laura Kightlinger is an American actress, comedian and writer. She may be best known for her role as Nurse Sheila on Will & Grace.-Early life:Kightlinger was born and raised in Jamestown, New York...
. Loveline TV was filmed at Hollywood Center Studios
Hollywood Center Studios
Hollywood Center Studios is a company based in Los Angeles, California that provides stage facilities to television and movie production companies. Its sound stages, located at 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood, California, are steeped in Hollywood history...
.
The Dr. Drew and Adam Book: A Survival Guide to Life and Love, an advice book written in a tone similar to the radio show, was released in 1998.
The series has also spawned a number of Loveline-inspired games that have been mentioned on the show.
See also
- List of Loveline Episodes—A list Loveline, including guests who have appeared
- List of Loveline episodes hosted by Adam Carolla
- List of Loveline games
- LovePhonesLovePhonesLove Phones was a popular call-in radio show which was launched by Malrite Communications on Z-100 in New York City and Eagle 106 WEGX in Philadephlia in 1992. Love Phones ran from 1992 until 1998. Love Phones was syndicated on other stations beginning in 1994. Eagle 106 signed off the air in...