KCRW's Chris Douridas arrested

Radio's Chris Douridas Arrested
KCRW host is suspected of drugging and trying to kidnap a girl, 14, but has not been charged.
By Martin Miller and Geoff Boucher
Times Staff Writers

January 14, 2006

KCRW-FM radio host Chris Douridas, an influential Grammy-nominated musical tastemaker who has consulted on such Hollywood films as "American Beauty" and "Shrek 2," was arrested last week outside a popular Santa Monica bar on suspicion of drugging and trying to kidnap a 14-year-old girl.

Douridas, 43, was arrested shortly after midnight Jan. 6, said Lt. Frank Fabrega of the Santa Monica Police Department. Witnesses, who reported seeing Douridas put a substance into the victim's drink and carry her out of the Circle Bar on Main Street, flagged down police, Fabrega said. A man, identified by authorities only as in his 30s, was arrested as a possible accomplice to Douridas.

The unidentified girl, who became ill, was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released, Fabrega said. It was unclear how the girl got into the bar.

Douridas, a Pacific Palisades resident, was released by police after posting $1-million bail.

The Los Angeles district attorney's office, which is still gathering evidence in the case, is awaiting toxicology results before deciding whether to file charges, said Eva Jabber, deputy district attorney with the sex crimes division.

On Friday, KCRW-FM (89.9) stood behind the popular radio personality, who will remain on the air as host of "New Ground," a two-hour program airing Saturdays that showcases new musical talent.

"Chris has been with us for 15 years, during which he has interacted with thousands of people, men and women of all ages, and has been entirely appropriate at all times," said Jennifer Ferro, assistant general manager at KCRW. "We believe in Chris as a person, and we think he has strong character. And we also think people are innocent until proven guilty."

Douridas, who could not be reached for comment, is widely respected for his music-related projects that venture outside mainstream commercial radio.

In addition to his work at KCRW, he hosted a season of "Sessions at West 54th Street" on PBS.

Those acclaimed forums led Douridas to later work on other television programs, radio, the Internet and film.

His most notable efforts may be as the shaper of soundtracks — his work helped define the offbeat musical imprint made by shows such as "Northern Exposure" and films such as "Grosse Pointe Blank," "Shrek 2," the "Austin Powers" franchise and "As Good as It Gets."

He was a Grammy nominee for his work on the soundtrack of "American Beauty."

Apple's iTunes Music Store, an increasingly potent merchant for digital music, has been the latest to turn to Douridas.

He created the recently launched live performance and interview series known as iTunes Originals, and he is the curator of iTunes Essentials, a signature series of downloadable playlists for the online music hub.