In terms of media attention, Long Beach has always languished in the shadow of the colossus of the north, L.A. And of course, it has never provided TV networks with the hours of advertising-delighting conspicuous consumption that OC has (The OC, The Real Housewives of…, Laguna Beach). But tonight the spotlight is on Long Beach– it's featured in one of the most talked about segments of a top-rated network program. Unfortunately, the program is Dateline NBC and the segment is “To Catch a Predator”, which is a sort of Candid Camera for potential statutory rapists. Even more unfortunately, Dateline found enough material (38 arrests) in LBC to make it a two-parter. Part one airs tonight at 8pm, part two is scheduled for February 6.
