it’s time! the 2026 rock hall ballot is out! but instead of reading it from a list (boring!) you should listen to us reveal the nominees to you (fun! informative!) it’s the most anticipated episode of the year: our 8th annual nominee announcement!!!!
The following caption is lengthy, but please take a moment to read. I rarely request assistance from this community, but I have a question for which I cannot find a good answer and perhaps someone here can help. This post features images of a car I saw several days ago, which, as evidenced by the branding on the car, is a Genesis GV70 (as photo quality here is subpar, I’ve attached a stock image of the same car to better illustrate clearness of make/model branding). Now, what I, me, find so difficult to explain/understand is why the vanity plate for this clearly-marked Genesis GV70 reads “GENGV70.” I encounter this phenomenon several times a year – driving behind some Mercedes J7000 or whatever with a plate that reads “MBJ700.” – and I forever struggle to make sense of the owner’s motives. It cannot simply be a matter of boasting – the car ITSELF does the boasting. Doesn’t it? But then… what further clarification do these people seek? Why are they doubling down? I have to assume there is some OTHER reason for doing this that I am simply unaware of… some legal or tax reason? Any guesses/knowledge beyond just “they’re bragging” would be sincerely appreciated. (Also I wanna clarify that I am NOT puzzled when I see this same phenomenon on those old cars that old guys drive around on Sundays, where the plates always read like “65 Bird” or whatever. I understand that in their minds, I am behind their old car saying to myself “Rad car I wonder what year it’s from?” I am never ever wondering this, but, in those cases, I at least understand the logic.)
I am generally unimpressed by or indifferent to ridiculous LA stuff. However there is one spectacularly surreal LA moment that wowed my jaded self, a moment that asks a single, critical, existential question: WHERE IS OLIVER PEOPLES?! The answer can be found at My Maudlin Career - gregheller.substack.com also link in bio have a nice day #OliverPeoples
I do not know the number of lengua tacos the average child consumes annually, but my guess is, between the ages of 0-5, Ellis has exceeded that average by several hundred tacos. In honor of his 5th bday, please enjoy this retrospective of my son eating cow tongue with his favorite companion beverage, horchata (NOTE: At least one of the images features al pastor tacos. Don’t @ me.).
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to save a drunken blues rock icon from certain implement on a cactus, have I got a Substack post for you. gregheller.substack.com also link in bio have a great day. #ZZtop #Tush #succulents
A few months ago I started writing a Substack called My Maudlin Career. For now it will mostly cover things I have seen or done while working in television but down the line it might morph into something else. I don’t know yet. The first two posts are up now. One of these tells the story of the time Gene Simmons of KISS claimed to have had sex with my mother. The other wonders if it’s possible a Bachelor Remix clip I made several years ago is the best work of my life. I’ll be posting new stories/observations whenever I have ample free time or feel inspired. gregheller.substack.com link also in bio.
For anyone who has spent an appreciable amount of time navigating PCH* over the past 40 years, the pun on the Reel Inn sign was a small but constant part of their lives. You drive past it, clock it and quietly judge it, as your day ends or begins. It’s one of those things in Los Angeles that MEANS Los Angeles – like Sig Alerts, Jacaranda blooms or the glowing string of bulbs over your favorite al pastor stand. It means you are home.
For many years, a close friend and I would text that day’s sign to one another, for judgment. It was our tacit way of saying we had just surfed or were on our way to do so. Just one of those small, dumb things we did that suddenly means so much.
I hope the Reel Inn can rebuild. I hope the sign comes back. I hope my city comes back. And I hope I’m wrong to fear things will never be the same. I really do.
My family is all safe. Our house is fine. I know how fortunate we are. Many of our friends were not so lucky. To everyone grieving right now, I am with you.
*never trust anyone who refers to this highway as “the” PCH.
