Scientopoly: America's favorite real-life board game since 1954. In the newest chapter of L. Ron Hubbard's real estate stampede, the Church of Scientology is reportedly considering the purchase of LA's KCET building on Sunset Boulevard. The television station split from PBS recently and hasn't recovered from losing programs like Sesame Street and Charlie Rose. Now it's facilities are in danger of being turned into one of Tom Cruise's enlightenment obelisks. Ugh, Xenu! Enough!
L.A. Times has the debilitating scoop:
Terms of the potential deal were unavailable, but the 4.5-acre property at 4401 W. Sunset Blvd. has an assessed value of $14.1 million, according to county records. Individuals inside the station and real estate consultants who were not authorized to speak publicly about the transaction confirmed the likely sale.
The expected sale comes as KCET has embarked on perhaps the most perilous journey in its 45-year history.
In January, the station exited PBS and became the nation's largest independent public broadcasting station. KCET officials had tangled for months with network officials over dues, claiming that the $7 million the station had to pay annually represented more than its fair share.
...
The effect was immediate. KCET's ratings have plunged without its familiar schedule. And individual donations -- the lifeblood of any public broadcaster -- have taken a sharp hit as well. March pledge drives raised much less money than expected, according to a station insider who spoke on condition of anonymity.
If the deal goes through, I hope the Scientologists at least put the building to good use. No cubicles or standard church stuff; I want a compact Scientologist theme park! I'd give money to "Lisa Marie Presley's Graceland of Greed" or "Giovanni Ribisi's Anti-Psychiatry Carnival and Waterpark." Something celebratory! Express yourselves more, Scientologists. Throw doubloons and $1.99 paperback copies of Battlefield Earth from the roof. Live a little!
KCET, Scientolgy: KCET-TV said to be in talks to sell landmark studio to Church of Scientology [LA Times]