What's a week without the continued adventures of KCET's Golden State-trotting hero, Huell Howser? It's like springtime without poppies, that's what. This week, Huell crisscrosses the state, mingling with whales and climbing up one of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi.
Monday, May 21 @ 7:30 PM -- "Videolog Classics #11"
Do you ever say to yourself, "Huell, I love you, but what if instead of one central adventure, you took a bunch of mini-adventures?" Well, Huell is happy to accommodate you, as Monday's installment of "California's Gold" features highlights of Huell's early days.
Check out one of Huell's retro clips below:
Tuesday, May 22 @ 7:30 PM: -- "San Diego County Fair"
What do you get when you cross a Hollywood movie star with racehorses? The San Diego County Fair, surprisingly enough. Find out what role Bing Crosby played in the formation of this California tradition, as well as the story behind the San Diego Fair figurehead, "Don Diego."
Watch the full episode now:
Wednesday, May 23 @ 7:30 PM -- "Videolog Classics #10"
Yep, it's another "best of episode." What Howserian treasures could be hinted at by segment titles such as "Snow White," "Pet Pigs" and "Organ Man"? The mind reels.
Have a look at one of Huell's most famous "back in the day" outings:
Thursday, May 24 @ 7:30 PM -- "Videolog Classics #9"
Just when you thought you'd have to settle for a single, solid half hour-long episode of "California's Gold," Huell throws you a curveball with... another clip show. "The Vine," "Grass House," "Paper Dog" -- the names of the segments included in this "best of" episode read like some abstract prog rock album track list. And if Huell Howser ever records such an album, I would totally buy it. Just saying.
Friday, May 25 @ 7:30 PM -- Tallest Building
When Huell visited downtown L.A.'s First Interstate Building to tape this segment, it was the talent structure west of the Mississippi. Today, it's not only no longer the tallest building in L.A., it's not even the First Interstate Building. It's the Aon Center. What's the tallest out city has to offer? Why, that's the U.S. Bank Tower, of course.
Watch a preview here:
Saturday, May 26 @ 5:00 PM -- "Huell's Whale Adventure"
Let's be honest: Huell Howser has a reputation for being an excitable guy. It's one of his greatest virtues as a TV host, this tendency to be so genuinely enthusiastic about his travels. So can you imagine how audibly awed this guy gets in the presence of cresting whales? No one has ever meant it more when they said "oh my gosh."
Get a preview of Huell's whale contact here:
Sunday, May 27 @ 7:00 PM - "Aircraft Carriers"
What's the historical connection between Apollo 11 and the U.S.S. Hornet? Huell heads up to NorCal and learns this aircraft carrier recovered the astronauts who landed on the moon. In fact, the Hornet -- now decommissioned and working as a museum -- holds the trailer that the astronauts lived in immediately following their return to Earth.
Watch a preview here:
Psst. Didn't catch KCET's Saturday night airing of the Montgomery Clift war film, "The Big Lift"? That's no problem, because right now you can watch the entire film -- plus the cartoon, the musical number and vintage news reel -- over on KCET's "Classic Cool Theater" video channel.
- To watch the whole feature-length presentation, click here.
- To watch this week's cartoon, a Popeye short titled "Out to Punch," click here.
- To watch this week's musical number, Louis Jordan's "Honey Chile," click here.
- To watcha newsreel of the real-life events that inspired "The Big Lift," click here.
- And finally, what Hollywood icon once called "The Big Lift" star Montgomery Clift "a little sh--"? To find out, click here and read this week's "Classic, Cool Context" article on the history behind "The Big Lift" as well as a little insight what Los Angeles was like when this film originally hit theaters back on April 16, 1950.
Maybe you're sitting at work right now, a bit laggy from lunch and needing a special something to propel you through the rest of the day. Might that something be an excitable Tennessee accent? Just maybe?
If so, you may be interested to know that Huell Howser is more readily available than ever on KCET's video page. The Huell Howser channel now boasts more than 40 full episodes of Huell's various series -- from "California's Gold" to "Visiting with Huell Howser" to all the rest. It's Huell Howser, on demand when you need him most. Just click here.
In fact, why don't we just watch a classic Huell episode right now?
Ta-da! Your day has now benefitted from additional Vitamin H.
(And while you're looking at KCET's video page, be sure to check out channels for original series such as "SoCal Connected," "Open Call," "Your Turn to Care" and "Classic Cool Theater.")
What's a week without the continued adventures of KCET's Golden State-trotting hero, Huell Howser? It's like springtime without poppies, that's what. This week, Huell crisscrosses the state, from kelp beds to gold country to very center of California. (And no, it's not L.A.)
Monday -- May 14, 7:30 PM: San Luis Obispo Train
The citizens of San Luis Obispo celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first-ever arrival of a steam train with a re-creation of the event. And you can bet that Huell was there to watch as SLO transformed from the bustling metropolis it is today back into the sleepy, isolated town it once was.
Watch a video clip of the steam train's passage back into town:
What's airing this weekend on KCET primetime? Suspicion, political machinations, deception and shady deadlings -- or, in short, good entertainment.
This Saturday at 9 p.m., Cool Classic Theater brings you the 1945 thriller "Blood on the Sun," starring James Cagney and Sylvia Sidney. Watch the trailer here:
The film offers a perspective on American sentiments toward the Japanese just before the end of World War II. This week's edition of "Cool, Classic Context" takes a closer look at these attitudes -- both the ones expressed by a less-than-factually-accurate plot as well as the ones expressed off screen. Read it now!
And then on Sunday at 9 p.m., KCET screens the third and fourth hours of "I, Claudius" back-to-back. Watch a trailer for this celebration of togas and backstabbing here:
We've posted recaps for episode three and episode four, in case you'd rather have your plot twists spoiled. Those of you who missed last week's installments can read our recaps for episode one and episode two. And, as always, refer back to our "I, Claudius" character guide in case you have trouble differentiating one debauched Roman from another.
Every Saturday night for the past few weeks, KCET has been airing "Classic Cool Theater," a unique film package that offers not just a feature presentation but also a vintage cartoon, newsreel and musical number. The result? A peek into the past that offers a little more context than just a film by itself. Starting this week, KCET is also posting the past Saturday's "Classic Cool Theater" online, and you can enjoy the feature presentation -- this week's was the Orson Welles thriller "The Stranger" -- as well as the cartoon, newsreel and musical number. Watch them all. Or just watch the segment that appeals most to you. Either way, you can now enjoy it from the comfort of your office cubicle.
Here are this week's 'Classic Cool Theater' offerings:
- the 1946 film "The Stranger"
- Louis Armstrong and his orchestra performing "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead (You Rascal, You)"
- the classic Popeye cartoon "Gopher Spinach"
- a newsreel detailing the exploits of a waterskiing elephant
- And the weekly Classic Cool Theater bonus feature, "Classic Cool Context," which takes a look at what the United States, California and Los Angeles were like when the movie of the week first hit theaters
What's a week without the continued adventures of KCET's Golden State-trotting hero, Huell Howser? It's like springtime without poppies, that's what. This week, Huell crisscrosses the state, from as far north as Leggett in Mendocino County to as far south as the fanciest Orange County resident that doesn't belong to Sleeping Beauty.
Monday -- May 7, 7:30 PM: Modjeska House
When Helena Modjeska commissioned the construction of her fantastic Victorian home in Orange County, the veteran Shakespeare performer subbed the place "Arden," after the sylvan setting of the play "As You Like It." The Standford White-designed home still stands today, proving that the Disneyland castle isn't the only structure of note in L.A. County's neighbor to the south.
Watch a preview of Huell's look at the non-Disneyland places of note in Orange County:
Before "The Sopranos" promoted a negative stereotype of Italians, before the "Game of Thrones" families taught the world how to stab each one another in the back, and before those "Downton Abbey" folks showed off the cushier side of period dramas, there was "I, Claudius," the 1976 BBC series that tells the story of Claudius, the fourth emperor of Rome, and his royally messed-up family. Combining Roman history with campy, soapy melodrama, "I, Claudius" is a must-see for TV fans and history buffs alike.
KCET is running the complete miniseries beginning on Sunday, with the first episode airing at 9 p.m. and the second at 10 p.m. In hopes of making sure you get the most out of your "I, Claudius" experience, KCET is offering you a few resources.
- The "I, Claudius" Character Guide: Because sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between one British guy in a toga and another.
- Our "just the good parts" recap for the first episode, "A Touch of Murder", or as we'd like to call it, "Why Is Grandma Poisoning Everybody?"
- Our similar recap for the second episode, "Family Affairs", which features the single most disturbing use of the word "caressing" in pop culture history.
- And finally, just in case you're really into the "I, Claudius" spirit, here's how you can fold an ordinary bedsheet into a toga. Hey -- someone might want to.
Yes, KCET is always proud to beam its evening entertainments into your living room, but tonight, May 2, we're offering an especially exciting package of shows.
8:00 P.M. -- Your Turn to Care, "Time to 'Ask' for Help from the Professionals"
This third installment of KCET's original series on eldercare focuses on Americans who find themselves tasked with providing these services for their parents but who aren't always up to the job alone. Follow three families as they navigate they balance love, obligation and finances in an effort to do what's best for everyone. All this plus a look at the housing meltdown by "SoCal Connected" at 8:30 P.M.
9:00 P.M. -- Life of Mammals, "A Winning Design"
If you were born with a pouch, what would you put in it and why? This is a question that David Attenborough doesn't ask during his narration of "World of Mammals," a new nature series premiering on KCET tonight, but you're welcome to consider it anyway. Couldn't every show that KCET airs potentially be titled "World of Mammals," if you really wanted to be technical about it? Yes. Yes it could. However, not every KCET show will take so close a look at those pouched evolutionary weirdos, the marsupials. And it's not just the kangaroos of Australia, either. Our favorite of tonight's profiles species is the yapok, a possum-like Central and South American native that spends most of its time swimming.
10:00 P.M. -- "Mi-5," Season 9 Premiere
It's a new season of your favorite show about across-the-pond government spooks, and Season 9 delivers new characters, new intrigue and the same high levels of Britishness. What's in store for tonight? Spoiler warning! Everything you could ask for in a jam-packed season opener: a funeral, a marriage proposal, a murder, a resignation and a sexy new member for the Mi-5 team.
What's a week without the continued adventures of our Golden State-trotting hero, Huell Howser? It's like springtime without poppies, that's what. This week, Huell crisscrosses the state, heading as far south as the San Diego Arizona Railway and as far north as Calaveras County. Read on for previews!
Monday -- April 30, 7:30 PM: Crossroads of the World
Sometimes Huell's best finds happen right here in L.A., and this episode takes Huell to the local landmark at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Los Palmas Avenue. So aside from being an entertainment industry mecca that bigwigs such as Alfred Hitchcock once called home, what's this spot's claim to fame? It was Los Angeles's first outdoor shopping mall. Crossroads of the World, look what you've done.
