Lost LA is a public television historical documentary series that explores Southern California's hidden past through documents, photos, and other rare artifacts from the region's libraries and archives.
Hosted by writer and historian Nathan Masters, each episode of Lost LA explores a different aspect of Los Angeles history.
The half-hour series is co-produced by KCET and USC Libraries and is broadcast by KCET, PBS SoCal and other public television stations.
Development The show began as a series of online articles that featured historical materials from the L.A. archives. When the online series became successful, it was spun off into its own TV series.
Funders
Lost LA is made possible by Anne Ray Foundation, a Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropy; The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation; and the California State Library.
Plot Los Angeles is often thought of as a city without a history, an instant metropolis defined by the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. Lost LA challenges these stereotypes, offering a history of Southern California not found in other media. Unlike other history shows which only look backward at antiquarian arcana, Lost LA explains the Southern California of today and how we got here.
Cast and characters Historian Nathan Masters has hosted the series since its inception. Los Angeles City Archivist Michael Holland has also appeared in several episodes. Other frequent guests include journalist Gustavo Arellano and historians Eric Avila, William Deverell, and D.J. Waldie.
Awards The series has been honored with numerous awards, including seven Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards;Carras, Christi. "Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards: The Complete Winners List," Variety (July 28, 2018).Schneider, Michael. "KCET Leads 2019 Local L.A. Area Emmy Awards; KTLA, KVEA Earn Top Newscast Nods," Variety (July 27, 2019).Schneider, Michael. "KCET Wins Most Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards; KABC, KNBC, KMEX, KVEA Take Top Newscasts," Variety (July 19, 2020). the Los Angeles Press Club's SoCal Journalism Award;"WINNERS: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JOURNALISM AWARDS CONTEST," Los Angeles Press Club website (Aug. 2018). the Los Angeles Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award;"WINNERS OF THE 11th NATIONAL ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALISM AWARDS," Los Angeles Press Club website (December 2018). and the Radio and Television News Association (RTNA) of Southern California's Golden Mike Award."KCET and PBS SoCal Win Seven Golden Mike Awards Presented by the Radio & Television News Association of Southern CA," KCET website (January 23, 2019).
Episodes
Season 1 (Premiered January 27, 2016)
Special Summer Episode (2017)
Season 2 (Premiered October 10, 2017)
Season 3 (Premiered October 9, 2018)
Season 4 (Premiered October 15, 2019)
Season 5 (Premiered March 19, 2022)
Season 6 (Premiered January 2, 2024)
Season 7 (Premiered January 7, 2025)
Season 8 (Premiered January 6, 2026)
References
External links