Announcing a new L.A. life

During a decade and a half toiling for shock jock Howard Stern, John Melendez answered phones, microwaved the boss’ food and, oh yes, confronted celebrities with such wildly offensive questions that Raquel Welch once took a swipe at him.

He went on to have a memorable cameo in Stern’s “Private Parts” biopic, channeled the slacker zeitgeist in the film “Dude, Where’s My Car?” and earned his reality TV stripes in “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!” But Melendez, 39, scored a major gig in March when Jay Leno asked him to become the “Tonight Show” announcer, and the lifelong New Yorker, his wife, Suzanna, and their two young daughters have been warming up to the Southland ever since.

Dining out West

We live out in Calabasas and we really love it, but one of the things I miss about the East Coast is the Italian food. It’s just not the same out here. Same thing with the Chinese food -- it just doesn’t come close. But one restaurant we like is Galletto on Westlake Boulevard. They have something like Italian Cuban cuisine; you can sit outside and they have live music. I like the chicken empanadas, but the best thing is the roasted chicken and potatoes, with all these different spices. Great stuff. After dinner, we’ll go listen to the band. I like to dance, even though I’m pretty terrible. But if I’ve had a couple of beers, it loosens up my inhibitions.

Can you dig it?

On Saturday morning, if the weather’s nice, we load up the SUV with beach toys and a big shovel and head to Paradise Cove in Malibu. The first thing I do is begin digging a giant hole in the sand near the water, about 8 feet by 8 feet around and maybe 4 feet deep. Next thing you know, kids are coming from all around to help dig, other people are building sand castles next to the hole to keep the water out, and I’m sweating like a pig. But that’s good, because I’m constantly fighting to keep my weight down. They say the camera adds 10 pounds, but I think it’s more like 35 pounds for me.

On the way home, we might stop and eat outside at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas. That’s where I finally got into tamales. I had only heard about them watching Speedy Gonzales cartoons when I was a kid.

In the evening, we’d go to the Sky Bar for a few drinks before dinner. I know it’s this trendy place, but I love it there out by the pool. I’m still surprised by all the celebrities you see at places like that and around Southern California. We just were at a neighborhood Halloween party with our kids at Bruce and Chris Jenner’s house, and Brandy was there, and then Kim Basinger walks in. Amazing.

After the Sky Bar, we’d go to Mirabelle on Sunset for dinner. Really fancy place, but with an indoor-outdoor patio and great ribs. We’d end up the night at the Improv and maybe see some friends of mine like Greg Fitzsimmons and Mike Bocchetti perform. Afterward we’d just hang out and talk and have dessert.

Good sport

On Sunday I’d try to make it a whole sports day. I’d sneak a peek at the Jets or Giants if they’re playing on TV and then go play with the “Tonight Show” softball team. We’re in the playoffs now, but I hurt myself sliding into Dean Cain at third. After the game, I’d go to Mulberry Street Pizzeria in Encino, which has the closest thing you can get to real New York pizza. It’s owned by Cathy Moriarty and her husband, and the rumor is they bring in water from New York.

After that, I’d go to Rick Messina’s for Wiffle Ball. He’s the agent for Tim Allen and Drew Carey and others, and he’s got a miniature stadium in his backyard, with bleachers, a press box, video screens, the whole deal. That’s about as much fun as you can have.