May 1969 - 'Citywatchers' Debuts
On May 30, 1969, the program "Citywatchers," hosted by L.A. Times writers Charles Champlin and Art Seidenbaum, made its debut.
The hour-long weekly program presented various viewpoints on issues, places, and events around Los Angeles, and interviews with various people around town. Among various topics, the program explored places like downtown L.A.'s historic Bradbury Building, highlighted hang gliders on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and discussed local issues with Venice residents on the future of their neighborhood in light of a proposed development project,
In 1972, "Citywatchers" won a local Emmy award.
The program's hosts Champlin. L.A. Times' Entertainment Editor, and Seidenbaum, fellow Times staff writer and West magazine contributor, brought viewers one of KCET's first forays into citywide local-interest programming, a tradition that lives on today in such programs as "SoCal Connected" and Huell Howser's various shows.
The series, which was produced by Tom Burrows and directed by Allan Muir, ran until 1976.
Take a look back at a 1972 episode of "Citywatchers" here:
