150+ Attendees Turn Out for Burgers, Milkshakes and Fries Followed by Screening and Discussion in Burbank Hosted by PBS SoCal, KCET and USC Libraries
By Judy Shields
Photos The Hollywood Times (THT)
Burbank, California (The Hollywood Times) 01/11/2024
On a chilly Wednesday night, January 10, PBS SoCal and KCET, Southern California’s flagship PBS stations, celebrated the return of the locally produced, award-winning, historical documentary series LOST LA, a co-production with the University of Southern California Libraries.
The event began at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank where over 150 guests enjoyed dinner prior to a screening of the premiere episode Fast Food and Car Culture followed by a panel discussion at the Garry Marshall Theatre. Attendees included PBS SoCal/KCET viewers and staff, the team from USC libraries, local historians, media, influencers, as well as the filmmakers and onscreen experts from all six of the upcoming episodes from the new season of LOST LA, now streaming on the free PBS app and available at pbssocal.org/lostla.
It’s been quite a long time since I’ve been to a Bob’s Big Boy and being able to pull into this one in Burbank and see some classic cars was totally awesome. We parked the car and walked around to see the classic cars. Those that owned the cars were very happy to talk about their cars and that they were invited to the KCET LOST LA Sixth Season event. The event started at 5:30p with seating inside at a booth or the counter.
When we entered Bob’s Big Boy restaurant, we were all greeted by J.P. Shields, (my cuz in spirit, but sorry to say, no relation) Senior Director, Communications & Publicity at PBS SoCal, KCET and Link TV. He made sure to welcome us all and thanked each one of us for attending the event. He gave us a raffle ticket for Bob’s Big Boy merch, that would take place after the screening of the LOST LA Fast Food and Car Culture episode.
A perfect place to hold the event, since this particular Bob’s Big Boy is featured in the episode. It is currently streaming on pbssocal.org. There are many streaming services out there to watch good television, but honestly there is nothing like public television and KCET, with shows like LOST LA for so much information and every season brings more amazing secrets of LA history and also a program like Finding Your Roots, which totally brings the look of amazement, shock and tears to the celebrities they feature about their roots/heritage and then us the fans learn about them as well. What brilliant programming they offer at KCET, and PBS SoCal.
Once inside the restaurant there was a step and repeat, which is the perfect place for a photo. Here are a few of some important folks taken before we were greeted by the staff at Bob’s Big Boy:
A two-hour private reception at Burbank’s Bob’s Big Boy preceded the screening where guests celebrated the new season of LOST LA while enjoying burgers, fries and milkshakes while listening to classic oldies tunes and featuring classic cars from years gone by provided by the Burbank Road Kings. Attendees included PBS SoCal Board Members Val Zavala and Bridget Baker, Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, LOST LA Director Matt Bass, Burbank Road Kings president Karen Arellano and more.
The friendliest of staff members were on hand to seat the invited guest to a booth or counter of our choice and we chose a booth. It wasn’t too long after we sat down that the waiter came over and took our order from the special event menu card at all the tables. I ordered the Famous Bob’s Big Boy Burger, protein style, crispy fries and a vanilla milkshake. Delicious!
We then made our way across Burbank’s Riverside Drive to the Garry Marshall Theatre’s lobby featuring “Happy Days” paraphernalia as collected by the acclaimed TV series creator. KCET/PBS SoCal President and CEO Andrew Russell gave opening welcome remarks followed by a sneak peek of the entire new season of the series and then the screening of Fast Food and Car Culture. LOST LA Host Nathan Masters moderated a panel discussion once the 30-minute episode ended with chef/author George Geary, LA Times writer Stacy Perman and LA Magazine writer Chris Nichols celebrating the season six premiere of LOST LA Fast Food and Car Culture at Bob’s Big Boy and the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank on January 10, 2024.
Each of the panelist talked about their involvement with the episode, which features George talking with Nathan about fast food and cars at the Burbank Bob’s Big Boy, Stacy talked about the research for her book about In and Out restaurant, sounds like a really interesting book to learn about the history of that wonderful establishment, who are a real privately owned business. Chris talked about his involvement of saving an original McDonalds in Downey, California and I can’t wait to go there in person to order me a Big Mac and fries. Let’s all go down there to support that iconic and historical site. It was really a great panel discussion with historical facts. Nathan asked them about parts they filmed but didn’t make it on the show and that brought some interesting and funny stories. The panel discussing could have lasted for hours and I don’t think anyone in the standing room only theater would have mind that. Another great event for KCET for the new year 2024 and we can’t wait for all the many wonderful ones to come!
The event closed with a raffle featuring items from Bob’s Big Boy followed by a wine reception featuring Angeleno Wine Company wine. Guests left the event happy and content with a custom LOST LA branded “Happy Meal”- style gift bag that included LOST LA merchandise and other goodies.
Don’t miss this episode and the others featured on Season Six of LOST LA. Each of them will entertain you, teach you new historical information on each subject and have you telling all your friends and family to watch it.
Here is an interview with Nathan Masters about season six of LOST LA:
The new episodes of LOST LA will be telecast as follows (subject to change):
“Fast Food and Car Culture” – Tues., Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal / Wed., Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. on KCET
From McDonald’s to Taco Bell, many of the world’s most iconic fast-food chains were born in SoCal including Bob’s Big Boy, In-N-Out Burger and Del Taco. This episode explores how car culture and the restaurant industry collided in the LA region, forever shaping the way Americans dine and drive. Featured interviews include: LA Times’ Gustavo Arrellano and Stacy Perman, LA Magazine’s Chris Nichols and author/chef George Geary.
“Historic Filipinotown” – Tues., Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal / Wed., Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Filipino Americans fight to make their heritage more visible in Los Angeles. This episode explores the Yo-Yo’s surprising origin story, tours Historic Filipinotown in a Jeepny and tastes classic Filipino street foods. Featured interviews include: activist/librarian Florante Ibanez and the hosts of “This Filipino Life” podcast.
“Hiking Trailblazers” – Tues., Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal / Wed., Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Meet the people who led Angelenos onto their local trails, including early wellness guru Paul Bragg. In this episode, Nathan explores the origins of LA hiking, from the Indigenous people who first walked the land to activists like Walk Good’s Etienne Mauricewho blaze new paths over familiar terrain. Featured interviews include: Modern Hiker’s Casey Schreiner.
“Eternal City: Los Angeles Cemeteries” – Tues., Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal / Wed., Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Visit Forest Lawn, Evergreen and Hollywood Forever to see how LA reinvented the cemetery. In this episode, Nathan and UCLA’s Eric Avila visit the gravesites of the rich and famous while learning how racial segregation once divided the dead. Featured interviews include: The Chinese Historical Society’s Eugene Moy and film historian Karie Bible.
“Tuberculosis, the Forgotten Plague” – Tues., Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal /Wed., Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Archives reveal the “forgotten plague” that shaped Southern California. In this episode, Nathan explores how California’s fresh air and cheap land drew consumptives to local sanatoriums as well as the stark reality of life as a tuberculosis patient. Featured interviews include: USC’s William Deverell, LA Times’ Patt Morrison and infectious disease specialist Dr. Brenda Jones.
“Tiki Bars and Their Hollywood Origins” – Tues., Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal / Wed., Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Nathan explores some of the oldest Tiki bars in Southern California. In this episode, discover the Hollywood origins of Don the Beachcomber and learn how postwar American pop culture appropriated the rich traditions of the South Pacific. Featured interviews include: Tiki Ti’s Mike Buhen, Tiki Scholar Sven Kirsten and Strong Water’s Ying Chang and Robert Adamson.
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About PBS SOCAL and KCET
PBS SoCal and KCET are both part of the donor-supported community institution, the Public Media Group of Southern California. PBS SoCal is the flagship PBS station for diverse people across California and delivers content and experiences that inspire, inform and educate. PBS SoCal offers the full slate of beloved PBS programs including MASTERPIECE, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, and a broad library of documentary films with works from Ken Burns; as well as educational content including PBS KIDS programs like DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD and CURIOUS GEORGE.
KCET showcases the best of PBS and is a leading source for arts, culture, and news in Southern California. Through innovative storytelling, KCET explores and expresses our dynamic local communities helping residents understand and connect with the region’s diverse communities and ideas. For additional information about both KCET and PBS SoCal productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org and pbssocal.org. Locally produced original content and PBS programs are available to stream on the FREE PBS App, which is available on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO SmartCast TV. PBS SoCal is available to livestream on the PBS App, YouTube TV, Direct TV now, Hulu TV Live and Local Now. KCET is also available to watch live on YouTube TV.
About USC LIBRARIES
The USC Libraries actively support the discovery, creation, and preservation of knowledge at the University of Southern California and beyond. The libraries serve as host institution for L.A. as Subject, an association of more than 267 libraries, cultural institutions, official archives, and private collectors dedicated to preserving and telling the sometimes-hidden histories of the Los Angeles region. Southern California history is among the USC Libraries’ prominent collections and programming strengths, and Lost LA is an emblem of USC’s connection and commitment to Los Angeles as a Pacific Rim megacity.