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Lost LA

Sci-Fi Origins: Saving Star Trek, Fan Zines, Cosplay and Counterculture

Season 8 Episode 2

Boldly go into the heart of science fiction storytelling and discover its deep roots in Los Angeles. From UC Riverside’s vast sci-fi collection to author Octavia Butler’s Pasadena, host Nathan Masters explores how Southern California became a launchpad for stories that imagine new worlds—and reflect our own hopes and fears.

This program is supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

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Season
A Bowl, A Barn & A Tower: Birthplaces of the Entertainment Industry
27:42
From a barn to a bowl to a tower, the early history of Hollywood.
Neon, Stained Glass, Mosaics: Hidden Backdrops of SoCal
29:00
Hidden in plain sight, neon, mosaics and stained-glass shaped Los Angeles’ backdrop.
Oranges & Avocados: A Tale of Two Fruits
27:04
Exploring two fruit trees that transformed Southern California.
Surfridge, Tehachapi & Thomas Guide: How Southern California Moves
28:08
Nathan visits Surfridge, the Tehachapi Loop and the largest collection of Thomas Guides.
The Charm & Chaos of SoCal's Botanical Landscape
26:29
From wildflowers to jacarandas, explore the plants that paint California in vibrant hues.
LA’s True Crime: Fact & Fiction
26:40
Discover how the True Crime genre was shaped by its deep historic legacy in Los Angeles.
The Fast and the Forgotten
27:10
Auto racing's LA roots, from dry lake beds to movie ranches, left tread marks across the region.
Animation
28:46
Uncover Disney’s LA roots and how the city became the birthplace of modern animation.
When the St. Francis Dam Collapsed
27:05
Trace the devastation of the 1928 St. Francis Dam collapse and its deadly flood.
Cold War Secrecy
26:40
How Cold War vigilance and secrecy shaped Southern California culture.
Space Shuttle
26:39
The Space Shuttle Endeavour’s journey is traced from its origins.
Tiki Bars and Their Hollywood Origins
26:40
Tiki culture isn’t a Polynesian import — it’s a Hollywood creation.
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