![The true-crime writer looks at the deadly encounter between a young Black man and two White police officers, and how the trials that follow captivated San Diego. The true-crime writer looks at the deadly encounter between a young Black man and two White police officers, and how the trials that follow captivated San Diego.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-BOOKS-WHIRLWIND-0721-02.jpg?w=140)
![Peter Larsen
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 9/22/09 - blogger.mugs - Photo by Leonard Ortiz, The Orange County Register - New mug shots of Orange County Register bloggers.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/0023_larsen-peter_.jpg?w=85)
Peter Larsen
Peter Larsen has been the Pop Culture Reporter for the Orange County Register since 2004, finally achieving the neat trick of getting paid to report and write about the stuff he's obsessed about pretty much all his life. He regularly covers the Oscars and the Emmys, goes to Comic-Con and Coachella, reviews pop music, and conducts interviews with authors and actors, musicians and directors, a little of this and a whole lot of that. He grew up, in order, in California, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oregon. Graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore. with degrees in English and Communications. Earned a master's degree at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Earned his first newspaper paycheck at the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat, fled the Midwest for Los Angeles Daily News and finally ended up at the Orange County Register. He's taught one or two classes a semester in the journalism and mass communications department at Cal State Long Beach since 2006. Somehow managed to get a lovely lady to marry him, and with her have two daughters. And a dog named Buddy. Never forget the dog.
All Stories
![The true-crime writer looks at the deadly encounter between a young Black man and two White police officers, and how the trials that follow captivated San Diego. The true-crime writer looks at the deadly encounter between a young Black man and two White police officers, and how the trials that follow captivated San Diego.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-BOOKS-WHIRLWIND-0721-02.jpg?w=140)
![Gina helped Jenn find a house to rent. Then Jenn got evicted and Gina got mad. Gina helped Jenn find a house to rent. Then Jenn got evicted and Gina got mad.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-HOUSEWIVES-0711-02-1.jpg?w=132)
‘Real Housewives of Orange County’: Newcomer Katie wants to be the laziest housewife ever
![The four members of X talk about their new album 'Smoke & Fiction,' the End Is Near Tour that's coming to Southern California, and what lies ahead. The four members of X talk about their new album 'Smoke & Fiction,' the End Is Near Tour that's coming to Southern California, and what lies ahead.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LDN-L-XFINALE-0719-02_577f89.jpg?w=140)
For legendary LA punk band X, there’s a final album and tour, but not a farewell
![With a new vocal technique and his longtime band, the singer-songwriter says he doesn't 'think there's any rock band that can hang with us right now.' With a new vocal technique and his longtime band, the singer-songwriter says he doesn't 'think there's any rock band that can hang with us right now.'](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LDN-L-JASONISBELL-0719-02-1.jpg?w=132)
Jason Isbell says Hollywood Bowl show will be good. See, he’s learned how to sing.
![The season opens with a lot of talk about Shannon's arrest for DUI and the new cast member who is dating Shannon's ex-boyfriend. The season opens with a lot of talk about Shannon's arrest for DUI and the new cast member who is dating Shannon's ex-boyfriend.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-HOUSEWIVES-0711-07-1.jpg?w=132)
Real Housewives of Orange County returns: Shannon’s problem? Her name is Alexis
![Out of This World – The Experience landed at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, July 11 for the first two nights in Los Angeles, Out of This World – The Experience landed at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, July 11 for the first two nights in Los Angeles,](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LDN-L-MISSYELLIOTT-0713-04_4ec4f6-1.jpg?w=132)
Missy Elliott delivers an incredible, mind-blowing Experience at Crypto.com Arena
![With tracks from 'Hackney Diamonds' to classic hot rockers, the band sounded inspired on its first of two shows at the venue. With tracks from 'Hackney Diamonds' to classic hot rockers, the band sounded inspired on its first of two shows at the venue.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TDB-L-ROLLINGSTONES-0712-DC-8-1.jpg?w=132)
Concert review: The Rolling Stones deliver a night of magic at SoFi Stadium
![The Australian rock band comes to Anaheim and Los Angeles for a pair of shows on July 12-13. The Australian rock band comes to Anaheim and Los Angeles for a pair of shows on July 12-13.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-THECHURCH-0712-05-1.jpg?w=132)
The Church singer Steve Kilbey made a concept album by accident. So he kept going.
![After getting Demi Lovato, Gary Clark Jr., Iggy Pop and more to sing on his blues-inspired album, the rock guitarist is bringing Slash's S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival to the Greek Theatre on Saturday, July 13 with special guests Warren Haynes Band, Samantha Fish and Eric Gales. After getting Demi Lovato, Gary Clark Jr., Iggy Pop and more to sing on his blues-inspired album, the rock guitarist is bringing Slash's S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival to the Greek Theatre on Saturday, July 13 with special guests Warren Haynes Band, Samantha Fish and Eric Gales.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LDN-L-SLASH-0712-18-1.jpg?w=132)
Guns N’ Roses’ Slash loves blues and summer festivals. So he conjured S.E.R.P.E.N.T.
![Former housewife Alexis Bellino returns after nearly a decade off the show while newcomer Katie Ginella brings her background as an Asian American to 18th season of the series. Former housewife Alexis Bellino returns after nearly a decade off the show while newcomer Katie Ginella brings her background as an Asian American to 18th season of the series.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-RHOC-NEWWIVES-0707-11-1.jpg?w=140)