What’s the Most Overrated Moment?

In the land of sunny hype, is it even possible to give too much significance to any one event? Really, just how monumental was the advent of BBQ chicken pizza, Hanson at the Hollywood Bowl or Malibu Barbie?

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Father Gregory J. Boyle

As I prepare to bury my 70th young person killed in our streets due to gang violence, the three strikes law stands as a symbol of our overrated expectations in a “get tough” approach to crime. The draconian spirit that seeks to enhance penalties and to lower the age at which juveniles will be tries as adults, is part of the “whole cloth” of three strikes. Our failure to address the depair of our inner-city youth is only delayed by our over-confidence in a stance that is “tougher than thou.”

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Ed Ruscha, painter

The Academy Awards.

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Hal Fishman, news anchor KTLA

Almost any car chase inevitably covered by every TV station’s helicopter. It can consume vast amounts of valuable TV time and the culprit is always caught. Perhaps we should have a Car Chase Channel on cable TV showing nothing but high- and low-speed pursuits on videotape 24 hours a day!

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Steve Tisch, producer

The trial of O.J. Simpson.