PBS SoCal, KABC/ABC7 and KMEX led the tally on Tuesday as the TV Academy announced nominations for the 78th annual L.A. Area Emmy Awards.
The annual ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 25, at the Skirball Cultural Center. As for this year's nominee totals, PBS SoCal landed 29 nominations; KABC/ABC7 received 21, Univision outlet KMEX received 20, Telemundo's KVEA had 18, KNBC/NBC4 landed 15 and Spectrum News 1 had 10.
Per the TV Academy, the Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards "honor locally produced programs in the categories of Crime and Social Issues, Culture and History, the Arts, Human Interest, Sports, the Environment, and Live and Breaking News Coverage."
For the station newscast awards, every TV station that submits is eligible. This year's eligibility period was for the 2025 calendar year, which means many of the news categories were dominated by local coverage of the devastating wildfires that ripped through the region last January.
Last year, PBS SoCal (KOCE/KCET) led the 2025 L.A. Area Emmy awards with eight total, but the other big winner of the night was Telemundo’s KVEA-TV, which took home all three station awards for best newscasts — for daily morning (4 a.m. to 11 a.m.), daily daytime (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and daily evening (7 p.m. to 12 a.m.).
It’s a cheat, but one of my biggest applause lines these days while moderating an industry panel is when I point out that a show shoots in Los Angeles. It’s an easy way to get a cheer from a Hollywood crowd looking for any good news.
So here’s some positive spin. Despite the very real concerns about runaway production and the scarcity of Hollywood shoots, there actually have been quite a few right now on the comedy side: “Hacks,” “Shrinking,” “The Studio,” “Nobody Wants This,” “Platonic,” “I Love L.A.,” “Running Point” and others.
Not only have those series chosen to film in Los Angeles, but they’ve done an amazing job showcasing cool pockets in and around the city. L.A. used to almost always play itself, but lately it feels like Vancouver or Atlanta is scrubbing in as the City of Angels. Los Angeles is having a rough go of it, but at least on TV, it’s still looking shiny and vibrant.
But is that too much of a disconnect from the malaise we’re actually feeling here? I knew the right person to ask: TV writer-producer Hayes Davenport, who is also an activist, has worked in L.A. city government and recently co-founded the local news site L.A. Material.
“I think the tension in some of these shows is that, by definition, a TV show is about people doing things,” he tells me. “And one of the biggest concerns that people have in L.A. right now is a reduction in the amount of activity in the city. Vacant businesses, population decline, affordability issues sending people out of the city and state, the loss of entire neighborhoods from the fires — all of it has led to, I think, a sense in the last few years of just a less vibrant city.”
But the creators of the series mentioned above live and set their shows in Los Angeles neighborhoods that still feel dynamic: Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Silver Lake. “These neighborhoods that they’re showing are neighborhoods that have retained their activity,” Davenport notes. “These are not shows that are necessarily reflecting the drawdown in activity that we’re seeing across the city.”
Other parts of the city haven’t been so lucky. The disastrous ICE raids have turned portions of downtown, like the Flower District or Santee Alley, into ghost towns. The fires, the housing crisis … why isn’t any of that depicted in TV’s L.A. stories? That’s partly due to the time it takes to get shows made in the streaming era, Davenport notes.
“They’re trying to do things that are a bit more evergreen, stories about people that live in the city, but maybe not stories about the city itself as much,” he says. “Because the city is changing so rapidly, you risk making an outdated show if you’re trying to reflect the city as it exists right now.”
It cuts both ways: Neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Altadena are chilling to see right now, unrecognizable after last year’s fires. But on the flip side, areas around Wilshire and Fairfax are gaining new life as the Metro’s D line starts service and the new LACMA building opens.
“You have activity increasing here in ways that it hasn't for decades, and like the nodes of activity in the city are shifting around pretty quickly,” he says. “It's hard to anticipate how that movement is going to happen.”
Davenport says shows about the entertainment biz, like “Hacks,” “The Comeback” and “The Studio,” are perhaps the most authentic in portraying Los Angeles at the moment, since they’re tackling some of the real issues that come with the industry’s downturn and how L.A. is changing because of it.
Also missing in Hollywood’s depiction of Los Angeles is a nonwhite perspective. A decade ago, shows like “Insecure,” “Black-ish” and “Vida” celebrated a diverse city — and that representation is strikingly missing from the current crop of L.A.-set series. Davenport blames it on the business’s contraction.
“If you have fewer people making shows and movies now, you are going to see fewer experiences reflected,” he says. “That applies to neighborhoods too. The coverage is going to shift to the places where people working in the entertainment industry live — and there are fewer people working in entertainment than there were just a few years ago.” No applause there.
“Ninja Warrior” is making its way to the Olympics. Tokyo Broadcasting System Television — the producer behind the TV format “Sasuke” (adapted around the world, including in the U.S., as various versions of “Ninja Warrior”) — has sealed a deal with Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne to incorporate the format into the new Modern Pentathlon discipline of “obstacle racing.”
UIPM, the international federation and the world governing body for “a multisports universe spearheaded by Modern Pentathlon,” has worked with TBS since 2022 in creating several test events based on “Sasuke”/”Ninja Warrior” and other obstacle sports elements. That led to the development of UIPM’s obstacle racing.
The Pentathlon was introduced to the Olympics in 1912, consisting of five disciplines: fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, running and shooting. (Running and shooting have more recently been combined as “laser run.”)
The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously in 2023 to include the updated Modern Pentathlon — with obstacle racing — at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. So, after the 2024 Paris Olympics, UIPM replaced equestrian show jumping with obstacle racing at all levels.
It’s early on a warm January morning in Las Vegas, and the entire “Hacks” team — stars, crew, producers — is milling around Kyu, a sushi restaurant at the Fontainebleau. It’s going to be a busy day of filming, with three locations scattered around the city.
But a wistfulness permeates the production today as cameras prepare to roll. After five seasons on HBO Max, this is the final day of stateside filming for “Hacks,” so for most of the cast and crew, it is also farewell.
“I’m not going to be boisterous or fun today,” star Hannah Einbinder warns me. When Jean Smart walks over and I remind her what a monumental moment this is, she instantly tears up. “We really came to feel like best friends and family and so — yeah, that’s very hard,” she says.
Hours later, as the clock approaches midnight, production has relocated to the Orleans Arena, and it all comes down to this: a quiet, touching scene between Smart’s character, legendary comedian Deborah Vance, and her confidant and creative partner, the younger writer Ava Daniels (played by Einbinder).
The walkway where they’re shooting this two-hander — next to some brightly lit concession stands — is huge, and dozens of crew members are standing there, frozen, as they capture the shot. It’s hushed as Deborah strolls through the empty arena; she’s just faced a tremendous disappointment, and Ava is there to comfort her. The two are alone, and few words are exchanged or even necessary. Having been bonded by the events of the past five seasons, Deborah and Ava have never been closer.
“The entire crew was just standing behind the camera watching us, like every department, in a way that’s not typical,” Einbinder recalls later. “It was almost eerie and sad and beautiful and familial. It’s seared into my brain forever.”
And then it’s over. A producer breaks the tension, announcing, “After six incredible years, that is an American wrap on Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart!”
It’s late, everyone is exhausted — yet the crowd can’t stop cheering. At the center of it all, Smart has her arm around Einbinder, who returns the affection with a peck on her co-star’s cheek. By now, their eyes are bloodshot. They take a moment to soak it all in, and then Einbinder motions for the crew to get closer. It’s a group hug that lasts and lasts, and she doesn’t want to let it go: “I would like to organize some semi-regular park hangs,” Einbinder tells the crowd as they finally pull back. “I’m just putting that on your radar. You’re going to get department texts!”
And that was just the “American wrap” for “Hacks.” No spoilers, but the show traveled to Paris to shoot its final episode, and managed to film in the Louvre (no easy feat given the museum’s recent heist!). With just 12 or so people in the room, that made the series’ final take even more intimate.
“We said, ‘I love you,’ and cried,” Smart says, describing it to me later. “The last shot of us was in this long room with huge, high ceilings, and just us on a bench about the size of a couch. We were lying flat on our backs staring at the ceiling, with these 40-foot-high Dutch masters paintings, and ad-libbing. We were just making up crazy shit. It was fun to end it that way.”
What a poignant send-off for “Hacks,” after a tremendously successful and hard-won (more on that later) journey. Created by showrunners Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky and Paul W. Downs (who also plays Deborah’s beleaguered agent Jimmy), “Hacks” returns for this final season on April 9, with the series finale airing on May 28. This is one of those “end-of-an-era” moments, as “Hacks” was a defining series of the decade — and will be remembered as one of the most influential comedies of all time.
Cheryl Ladd chuckled as she remembered being called a “troublemaker” by “Charlie’s Angels” producer Aaron Spelling. Ladd said Spelling liked her being in a bikini on the hit 1970s series — but she was having to wear one on screen so often “that it was starting to piss me off.”
Speaking on stage Monday at the Paley Center’s PaleyFest L.A. panel celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Charlie’s Angels,” Ladd recounted how she sent the show’s producers a message: “I went out and bought the tiniest little bikini ever seen on television!” Something that wouldn’t pass muster with ABC censors.
“We filmed, and Aaron was not happy,” she said. “So he said to someone, ‘tell the little troublemaker that she’s never going to do that again!’ And I didn’t, but I did make my point. And after that, I was wearing swimsuits I felt comfortable in.”
Added co-star Jaclyn Smith: “And our ratings went up!”
Ladd, Smith and Kate Jackson — who was instrumental in first getting “Charlie’s Angels” up and running — shared stories about the show’s origins, their favorite moments and other memories to a packed PaleyFest crowd at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
They weren't kidding at the end of last night's Oscars: Conan O'Brien, if you want it, the Academy Awards "host for life" job is yours — well, at least for the final two years of ABC's deal.
"Oh, that is no joke, Conan is host for life, yes," Walt Disney Television's Rob Mills, the executive vice president, unscripted and alternative entertainment who's in charge of the Oscars telecast, told Variety on Monday morning. "He hasn't even accepted yet. He's just being told. We're assuming that was not a comedy bit. We're going to treat that as if that was fact."
Variety got on the phone with Mills and others involved with the telecast on Monday to discuss some of the highlights and burning questions.
Jimmy Kimmel has hosted the Oscars four times, and his "Jimmy Kimmel Live" studio is right across the street from the Dolby Theatre. So he's especially well equipped to break the news to the rest of America about something everyone in Los Angeles already knows: The Academy Awards are held in a shopping mall.
Yep, the Ovation Hollywood — formerly known as Hollywood and Highland — has been home to the Oscars since 2002, having opened as a shopping center at the corner of, yes, Hollywood and Highland in November 2001. On Monday night's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," the host recounted the night's Oscars while reminding his audience where the telecast takes place.
"Monday after the Oscars is one of the weirdest days of the year around here," he quipped in his opening monologue. "It’s like Cinderella when the clock strikes midnight – and everything turns into rats and rags. That’s how I would describe our neighborhood: It’s raggy and ratty out there right now.
"I’m not sure how many people watching around the world know that the Oscars are held in a mall," he added. The Dolby Theater is just a mall! There’s a Foot Locker, there’s a Johnny Rockets. Last night, Barbra Streisand was like this close to a Hot Topic store."
Kimmel noted how “One Battle After Another” won six Oscars, including best picture, while “Sinners” had a very strong night with Michael B. Jordan winning best actor: "Michael B Jordan is now so successful, he announced today he’s retiring from acting - to play baseball," Kimmel joked. "He’s been signed by the White Sox."
The host also noted how "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" won best original song ("Best Original Song your kids play so much it almost makes you miss Baby Shark") and pointed how how the most unexpected moment of the night may have been when there was a tie for best live action short.
Longtime KTLA weather anchor Mark Kriski, an eight-time Emmy winner who has been an L.A. TV fixture since he joined "KTLA Morning News" at its launch in 1991, has been let go by the station. Kriski's exit is a part of nationwide staff cuts by Nexstar, including major layoffs at flagship stations WPIX New York, WGN Chicago and KTLA Los Angeles.
Also let go at KTLA were midday anchors Glen Walker, who had been at KTLA since 2010, and Lu Parker, who had been with KTLA since 2015. At WGN, the Chicago Tribune reported eight layoffs, including Dean Richards, who had been with the station in various capacities since 1991.
"Nexstar does not comment on personnel issues, but the company is taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change," a Nexstar spokesperson said in a statement.
The Nexstar job cuts come as the company is in the process of acquiring the Tegna station group, which would give it a massive oversight of TV news departments in major local markets across the country.
In a statement, SAG-AFTRA blasted Nexstar for eliminating its union positions at KTLA and WGN — and noted that the layoffs come as SAG-AFTRA is actively bargaining with Nexstar stations in several markets.
In no particular order, I've selected my favorite tracks from 2025's playlists for my 23nd annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. And once again I am doing my Casey Kasem impression and turned it into a radio show as well. Here ya go:
Also, check out the Choice Cuts 2025 YouTube playlist here, or stream the full playlist on Spotify playlist here.
Or you can listen and watch each one below!
1. Float (feat. Jim Adkins) — Jay Som (3:28)
Jay Som is the stage name of Melina Duterte, a California singer songwriter who grew up playing trumpet and guitar and started writing and recording music at the age of 12. Now, her latest album, "Belong," features collabs with Haley Williams, Mini Trees, and this one, the song "Float," which features Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World.
2. Ring Ring Ring — Tyler, The Creator (3:22)
"Don't Tap the Glass," the ninth release from Tyler the Creator, is a short 10-track release but stands out for its use of house, funk, techno and more with tracks like "Sugar on My Tongue," and of course, "Ring Ring Ring."
3. Sally, When The Wine Runs Out — Role Model (3:39)
Back in February, Role Model released a deluxe edition of his 2024 album "Kansas Anymore." Dubbed "Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)," new tracks included "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out." And of course, wouldn't you know, that became Role Model's breakout hit. It's become standard now at each concert, Role Model will bring out a fan or celebrity to play Sally. On "SNL," it was Charli xcx's turn.
4. Edge of the Earth — The Beaches (2:40)
Formed in Toronto in 2009, The Beaches have become the pride of Canada — winning the Juno Award for Group of the Year in both 2024 and 2025. Off their 2023 album "Blame My Ex," which was their second full-length, "Edge of the Earth" was a 2024 hit that I was a year late to.
5. What Would I Do (A Kalapana Tribute) — Franskiiz, Lelz (3:25)
In 2025, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Kalapana's breakthrough first album. Still considered one of the high marks of the 1970s music revolution in Hawai'i, that album is chock full of gems, including "What Do I Do," which I used to play a ton on my KCSN Hawaiian music show. Cut to 2025, and Franskiiz and Lelz pay tribute to "What Do I Do" with their contemporary take, "What Would I Do." To make the song, the duo connected with Kalapana founding member Kirk Thompson, who appears in the music video.
6. Sunshine Baby — The Japanese House (3:40)
U.K. singer Amber Bain is also known as The Japanese House, who got her start in 2012 after meeting The 1975's Matty Healy, who offered to produce her music. Healy can be heard on "Sunshine Baby," from her album "In the End It Always Does."
7. Grave — Kid Cudi (3:11)
Kid Cudi has been wearing many hats for some time; this year he was simultaneously promoting his appearance in "Happy Gilmore 2," as well as his memoir "CUDI: The Memoir," while also releasing his 11th studio album, "Free." Oh, and Cudi also got married this year. Among the singles: "Grave."
8. Seein’ Stars — Turnstile (3:06)
Formed in 2010, Maryland's Turnstile is often described as a "hardcore punk band." But their breakout 2025 single "Never Enough" is much more ethereal. Then there's the track "Seein' Stars," from the album "Never Enough," which is completely poppy.
9. Church & State — Brandi Carlile (4:18)
Speaking of expanding your sound, Brandi Carlile is known for her folk, Americana and roots influenced songs. But in these unprecendented times, Carlile has something to say: And the rock-infused "Church & State," from her eighth album "Returning to Myself," is the protest anthem we need at this moment.
10. Father Time (10am) — Cautious Clay (2:28)
Born Joshua Karpeh and raised in Ohio, Cautious Clay released his third studio album, "The Hours: Morning" this year. The album's songs are all subtitled with times, from 5 a.m. to noon. At 10 a.m. is the track "Father Time."
11. eau de vie — Halima (2:52)
Halima was raised between Lagos and London and started studying folk and piano, which then led to jazz and R&B. From her debut album "Sweet Tooth" comes "eau de vie," which translates to "water of life."
12. Right Here, for Now — Bakar (3:01)
From his 2023 album "Halo," British singer Bakar's "Right Here, For Now" gained new life after being featured in the game "Dream League Soccer 2025."
13. Divinize — Rosalía (4:07)
On her latest album "Lux," it's said that Rosalía sings in at least 14 different languages. You hear several of them here on "Divinize." One of the best-reviewed albums of the year, "Lux" apparently took time to build as Rosalía learned all those languages. With lush orchestrations and challenging lyrics, "Lux" lives up to the hype.
14. Shower Song — Tierra Whack (2:43)
Yes, Tierra Whack is her real name -- why would you need a stage name when you've been gifted something cool like that? From her album "World Wide Whack," how about something funky? I hope the folks at Dove have found a way to use "Shower Song" in its advertisements.
15. Catch These Fists — Wet Leg (3:09)
From the Isle of Wight in England, Wet Leg has been one of rock music's biggest success stories in the past few years. From their second full length, "Moisturizer," comes the hit "Catch These Fists" — their first new music since 2022.
16. I'd Miss The Birds — Joy Oladokun (3:10)
American singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun has said the chorus of "I'd Miss The Birds" has "put words to a pain I've had for a while." As a Black, queer Americana artist, living in Nashville and dealing with an industry that can be hostile to some folks hasn't been easy. Those raw, brutal honesty is on full display here.
17. NUEVAYoL — Bad Bunny (3:04)
“Nuevayol,” or in other words “Nueva York” (“New York”) was the lead track on Bad Bunny’s 2025 release “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” The song, about Puerto Rico’s identity, opens with a sample of Any Montañez and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico’s “Un Verano en Nueva York.” I’m hoping we hear this powerful track when Bad Bunny performs the half time show at this year’s Super Bowl.
18. Dracula — Tame Impala (3:25)
Tame Impala, aka Kevin Parker, has a new classic on his hands. I expect to hear “Dracula,” off his fifth studio album “Deadbeat,” on everyone’s Halloween playlists next year. Off his album “Deadbeat,” “Dracula” also happens to be Tame Impala’s highest-ranking Billboard Hot 100 single yet.
19. Toro — Remi Wolf (2:56)
Remi Wolf makes a return to Choice Cuts, following up on last year’s “Cinderella” with “Toro,” also off her album “Big Ideas.”
20. The Field (feat. The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek & Daniel Caesar) — Blood Orange (3:19)
“The Field” kicked off Blood Orange’s 2025 album “Essex Honey,” his first full length since 2018. The album features collabs with Lorde, Ben Watt of Everything But the Girl, Naomi Scott, Amandla Stenberg, Zadie Smith, Brendan Yates of Turnstile… and for “The Field,” The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek & Daniel Caesar.
21. luther (feat. SZA) — Kendrick Lamar (2:58)
One of the best concerts I saw in 2025 was Kendrick Lamar and SZA, together, at the Sofi. And of course, midway through, they bring the house down with “Luther,” which features a sample by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s “If This World Were Mine.” With 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, it was the second longest-running hip-hop song of all time at No. 1.
22. 南宮FEFERE 남궁페페레 (feat. Japanese Breakfast) — Silica Gel (3:49)
For her collaboration with Korean band Silica Gel, Michelle Zauner — aka Japanese Breakfast — wrote lyrics in Korean for the very first time. The song, “Namgung Fefere,” is a tour de force.
23. Automatic (feat. Lalah Hathaway) — Nate Smith (4:52)
Drummer Nate Smith recruited some heavy hitters on his album Live-Action, and that includes Lalah Hathaway doing her version of the Pointer Sisters’ 80s single “Automatic.” It’s a reimagining that brings more jazz and soul to the dance pop gem.
24. Pussy Palace — Lily Allen (4:02)
From the homage to “Stranger Things” at the start of this song to the dig at his “dojo,” we know exactly whom Lily Allen is singing about in “Pussy Palace.” Her ex does not get off easy in Allen’s “West End Girl,” and “Pussy Palace” — and with its catchy chorus accusing him of being a sex addict — revenge has never sounded better.
25. Saoirse — Maruja (5:14)
English rock band Maruja, which formed in 2014 in Manchester, perhaps have the most important song of the year in “Saoirse.” From their album “Pain to Power,” the song opens with an intense jazz riff — before moving on to its key lyric, repeated over and over: “It’s our differences that make us beautiful.” We need more people to recognize that in the coming year.
The Paley Center for Media’s PaleyFest LA is revealing the first programs set for next year’s PaleyFest LA: Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This,” Apple TV’s “Shrinking” and HBO Max’s “The Pitt.” The org also announced that PaleyFest LA 2026 will return once again to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, from Saturday, April 4 to Sunday, April 12.
More shows will be announced next month on Monday, Jan. 26, and ticket presales will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
“’Nobody Wants This,’ ‘Shrinking’ and ‘The Pitt’ stand out not only for their exceptional writing, but for the way they’ve captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, and we are honored to announce these acclaimed shows as our first selected programs for this year’s PaleyFest LA,” said Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO, The Paley Center for Media, in a statement.
The PaleyFest is sponsored by Citi, while William S. Paley Foundation is the founding benefactor.
Entering its 43rd year in Los Angeles, the PaleyFest features screenings and conversations for some of the most popular shows on TV.
A long-awaited docuseries about the life of late hip-hop star Nipsey Hussle may finally be released next year. The filmmakers behind the series say the interviews, music and footage are all in place — now they’re on the hunt for a network or streaming home. Director One9, who was behind the recent three part Prime Video doc “Allen Iv3rson,” says the tentatively titled “Hussle” will have between five and seven episodes, and will be narrated posthumously by Hussle along with his brother, Blacc Sam.
The Grammy-winning Hussle (real name Ermias Asghedom), who became a respected figure for both his music career and his community outreach (which included investing in Crenshaw’s commercial district), was killed outside his clothing shop in 2019. He was just 33, and his death continues to reverberate in South-Central L.A. and the wider Southern California region — where tribute murals depicting the performer are commonplace.
“We’ve been working on it for several years, and making sure that it’s told the right way,” One9 says. “You talk about one of the most inspirational figures out there, who was a highly gifted child building his own computers to burn CDs and get his music out there.”
Fueling the multipart doc, One9 says, is a trove of footage he’s sifting through as he assembles the episodes. “Nipsey had the foresight to videotape everything in his life,” the director says. “Even when he was young, his father videotaped everything. You see the whole transformation of a young man coming of age, going through the iterations of childhood to gang life to independence to music to finding his own voice — and then becoming such a huge inspirational figure to the Crenshaw culture and environment.”
The footage includes the first time Hussle went into the studio at age 12. He also recorded an unreleased audio book, parts of which will supplement the voice-over narration. And the series will feature never before-heard music from the vault.
Blacc Sam — aka Samiel Asghedom — has been instrumental in gaining the participation of Hussle’s family, One9 says: “Sam’s learning more about Nipsey’s life from just watching the archival [footage]. … It’s really the story of those two brothers and how they navigated their lives.”
I know I say this every year, but I think most who attended can agree it was our biggest walk yet. We ran out of "I ❤️ LA" hats from TV's "Hacks" (thank you Universal TV) and our handouts, and those ran around 500 -- so it was a lot! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the 20th edition of the Great Los Angeles Walk and hit the boulevard that started it all — Wilshire — on Saturday. Many (most?!) braved all 15.8 miles to make it to end too!
And it was a beautiful day for a walk. The temperature was mild (not too cold, not too hot) and after the past week's rain, the skies were perfect.
Other than that pesky security guard at Pershing Square (hey, he was just doing his job and I'm not sure he expected 600 people to randomly show up at 9 a.m.!) the morning kicked off well, starting with Jenny from the LA Conservancy giving us a little pep talk about what to see on Wilshire. A double thanks to the LA Conservancy, as I cribbed from an old Wilshire guide of the organization's to populate this year's handout.
First thing, some folks checked out the Biltmore Hotel (again, apologies to security there!) while most headed to One Wilshire to kick off our proper walk from downtown to the ocean. Early on, we reconnected with one of our favorite walkers, Julian from Santa Fe, who walks the route every year completely barefoot! Julian missed last year's event, but he was back and ready to go for the 20th!
We quickly made our way through downtown, and saw some classic architecture in the Good Samaritan Hospital and La Parrilla restaurant, a 1905 home that has been converted into an eatery. We made it to MacArthur Park, which quite honestly is looking ROUGH right now.
And yes, we witnessed perhaps another GLAW first: An LAPD arrest right in front of us, Yikes. I will not share a photo of that. Some of the beautiful buildings in the area are currently shut down and looking for some TLC, like the Park Plaza Hotel/The MacArthur, where I've been to many events over the years, including the wedding of good friends Jeff and Jess. Hopefully the building will recover.
From there, we saw a ton of wonderful apartment buildings like the Wilshire Royale, the Bryson, the Talmadge and more. We talked our way into the Gaylord, next to the HMS Bounty, were we once held the Ambassador Hotel wake. We saw the RFK school that took over the Ambassador, checked out the churches like Oasis, St. Basil, the Wilshire Blvd. Temple and then the Wilshire Colonnade.
Then there was the Wiltern, the newly painted red doors of the St. James Episcopal Church and the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple. Another treat was checking out the "House of Explore Indonesia" inside the Deco Building on Wilshire, where we got a free coffee! Along the way we also met an engineer behind one of those delivery robots, and we saw mahjong players setting up their tables. Learning a lot from fellow Angelenos!
By lunchtime it was LACMA (still can't believe what happened to the old buildings) and the Academy Museum (inside the old May Co. building), where many stopped for lunch at Fanny's.
Later, we walked through Beverly Hills (where some construction forced a sidewalk detour); and admired the rainbow patterned glass above the Bank of America building. We made it to the Beverly Hilton, where again construction forced some crafty running (and jaywalking, sigh) back and forth across Wilshire.
At Westwood, some of us stopped by to see People's Vision Zero painting crosswalks at the corner of Malcolm and Lindbrook in Westwood. The Hammer museum's "Made in LA 2025" exhibit also was a draw for some, especially since that venue is free! There was a bit more to see after that as we passed by the VA and the Wadsworth Chapel -- the oldest remaining building on Wilshire, from 1900 — and then entered Santa Monica. And of course, after taking celebratory photos at the Santa Monica statue, we gathered to eat at Papi Tacos & Churros!
What a day! Thanks to everyone who made all of the trek, some of it, or even just helped give rides to their friends. Check out The Great Los Angeles Walk's Instagram feed for more pics, and the hashtags #glaw and #greatlawalk for more as well.
But here are just a few highlights from the day:
Some of the crowd watches as I kick off the 20th annual Great Los Angeles Walk, with help from the LA Conservancy's Jenny!
Just a fraction of the crowd. We pretty much filled a big chunk of Pershing Square!
Holding a banner we made for the occasion.
And we're off!
Our barefoot regular, Julian!
Excited for a day of walking!
Overlooking the 110. The safety rail sure is low.
La Parilla restaurant, created out of a 1905 house that is one of the oldest remaining buildings on Wilshire.
Westlake Theatre (1926) closed in 1991.
General Harrison Gray Otis is pointing to the site of his former home.
MacArthur Park
The MacArthur (aka Park Plaza Hotel) (1925)
Looks like there's not much going on at the Park Plaza right now.
American Cement Building (1961)
Wilshire Royale (1927)
Bullocks Wilshire/Southwestern Law School (1929)
Getting to know our friend Coco
This engineer was repairing another robot and giving us the scoop on how they work.
I remember when this mural went up about 15-20 years ago. It sure does need a new paint job.
The Brown Derby dome, which was moved to the top of the strip mall that replaced it.
Pretty much all of the Angels Walk pillars that were put up in the 2000s now look like this, sadly.
Peace! Outside the Line hotel.
St. Basil Church (1969)
Wilshire Colonnade
The Wiltern and Pellissier Building
New red doors at the St. James Episcopal Church (1925)
The Getty House -- aka the LA mayors' house in Hancock Park
Inside the art deco building that now houses the House of Explore Indonesia (HEXI). It's an old bank building (see the vault above) that has since been transformed...
...and thanks for the coffee!
Wilshire sidewalk haircuts!
La Brea Tar Pits!
Berlin Wall remnants across the street from LACMA
Oscar at the Academy Museum
Thanks to the Academy Museum for welcoming us and offering a discount off future visits!
Petersen Automotive Museum
Entering Beverly Hills!
Bank of America building features a rainbow patterned glass of a dalle da verne cornice cantilevered nine and a half feet out from the top of the building.
People's Vision Zero painting crosswalks at the corner of Malcolm and Lindbrook in Westwood.
Made in LA 2025 exhibit at the Hammer Museum
Walkers having a little fun at the Hammer
Wadsworth Chapel (1900) -- the oldest remaining building on Wilshire
