Salute to 'Citywatchers'

"Citywatchers" was a local interest and public affairs program that ran between 1969 and 1976. The hosts, Art Siedenbaum and Charles Champlin, both L.A. Times writers, took to exploring Los Angeles by foot with a microphone and a whole lot of questions. Through the majority of the '70s, the duo highlighted such topics as the Venice Canals, Dodger Stadium, the Bradbury Building, and other landmarks and neighborhoods around Los Angeles. Many considered this show the precursor to such shows as CBS's "2 On The Town" and "California's Gold" featuring our very favorite man-on-the-street, Huell Howser.

This clip from 1972 features Siedenbaum, Champlin, and their "father figure/boss," KCET's Programming Director, Chuck Allen, sipping on red wine and reminiscing on their Emmy-award winning program.

Local Television ought to really connect to people on a local level and it seems to me that that's what we've tried to do. - Art Siedenbaum

The great thing about having a show like "Citywatchers" in Los Angeles is that you never run out. - Charles "Chuck" Allen

Today, KCET continues the tradition of exploring the city on a hyperlocal level with its award winning web series Departures.