L.A. is home to Hollywood, aka the dream factory. And, just as many a starry-eyed wannabe starlet has come into town hoping to make it big on the silver screen, many a wannabe celebrity journalist has done the same, hoping to get a foothold in the Los Angeles media scene. While the Los Angeles media scene is varied -- as with any big city there is more to cover here than Hollywood -- the entertainment industry is the biggest beat in town.
Because most TV shows and movies are shot in L.A., this is where much of the Hollywood business gets done and where many stars live and play. Therefore, whether you’re covering the business side of Hollywood, or celebrity culture, L.A. is one of the top places to be. With that said, many publications that aren’t based in L.A. will have correspondents in the city. (And any publication that covers celebrities -- from the gossip rags to the glossies -- has a presence here.)
The Los Angeles Times -- Founded in 1881 (and originally published as the The Los Angeles Daily Times) the L.A. Times is the city’s major daily. It’s also the second-largest metro newspaper in the country. And, just as the Washington Post is best known for its political coverage, the L.A. Times is known for its Hollywood coverage.
Variety -- One of the two major trades reporting on the entertainment industry, Variety has some editorial staffers in New York but the majority of the publication is in L.A. Since Variety is a trade, it covers the business of Hollywood, almost entirely TV and film. Staffers report on changes in the business, deals being made and also review new TV shows and movies.
The Hollywood Reporter -- This is the other trade covering Hollywood and the main competitor to Variety. And, like Variety, THR has some staff in New York but has a number of writers in L.A.
The Los Angeles Daily News -- the local daily newspaper for the region
L.A. Weekly -- The major alternative weekly newspaper of the city, L.A. Weekly is, as you probably guessed, a weekly publication. And, in following with the alt weekly style, has a liberal bent and tends to do both a good deal of investigative and political journalism mixed with a hefty dose of arts coverage.
Los Angeles CityBeat -- The smaller alt weekly paper in the city after L.A. Weekly
Los Angeles -- The monthly lifestyle magazine for the city
