Season 7

1999 · 41 episodes

Episodes

1Frick and FrackHuell travels to Palm Springs to uncover the real origin of the famous expression "Frick & Frack". He meets with Werner Groebli (the original "Frick") to look back at the long history of the iconic comedy ice-skating duo that entertained millions across the 20th century.
2May CompanyHuell tours the historic May Company department store building on Wilshire Boulevard. He details how this striking Streamline Moderne architectural landmark is being completely reinvented as "LACMA West" to house the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Southwest Museum.
3Mt. HollywoodHuell sets out on an early morning hiking adventure up Mount Hollywood. Starting at the Griffith Observatory parking lot, he interviews dozens of local residents who make the grueling daily climb for exercise, fresh air, and community bonding.
4WellnessHuell profiles a specialized regional health hub dedicated to providing psychological support, community bonding, and holistic wellness education for local cancer patients and their families navigating difficult medical challenges.
5Salton SeaHuell travels out to Bombay Beach on the shores of the Salton Sea. He wanders the unusual desert town to chat with local residents about community lifestyle, local wildlife, and the accidental 1905 flooding of the Colorado River that created the massive inland sea.
6Nethercutt CollectionHuell highlights an exceptional hidden gem in the city with a tour of the Nethercutt Collectionin Sylmar. He explores a grand museum filled with over 100 perfectly restored classic automobiles, rare antique mechanical musical instruments, and fine historic furniture.
7City HallHuell secures a bottom-to-top tour of the massive seismic and earthquake retrofit project happening inside Los Angeles City Hall. He tours underground stabilizer assemblies in the basement up to the observation deck bell, guided by the grandson of one of the original 1926 architects.
8NYPD BlueHuell pulls back the curtain on the television industry with a behind-the-scenes tour of the popular drama series NYPD Blue. He joins production designers to see how an active Los Angeles studio stage is modified to look exactly like a real New York precinct before chatting with series star Dennis Franz.
9Java DogHuell experiences a culinary taste adventure at the Marukai Market in Gardena, a bustling marketplace showcasing traditional Japanese restaurants. The primary highlight features a stop at a unique local coffee shop called Java Dog to sample their signature jello-cheesecake pastries.
10Fort TejonHuell pulls off Interstate 5 at the top of the Grapevine to tour Fort Tejon State Historic Park. He shifts past the site's reputation as a famous travel pit stop to present a living history lesson tracing the 135-year legacy of early gold miners, cavalry units, and frontier pioneers.
11San Bernardino StationHuell visits the historic San Bernardino Train Depot. He guides viewers through the striking, Spanish-Colonial architectural elements of the building and speaks with local civic groups organizing major preservation plans to restore the transit center to its former glory.
12Egyptian TheaterHuell walks down Hollywood Boulevard to celebrate the grand reopening of Grauman's Egyptian Theatre. He highlights how a massive multi-year restoration project by the American Cinematheque saved Hollywood's first historic movie palace by integrating state-of-the-art cinema technology while protecting its original 1922 design.
13Hadley's and DinosaursHuell maps out a classic desert road trip along the Interstate 10 corridor. He uncovers the history behind two famous roadside attractions in Cabazon, stopping at Hadley Fruit Orchards for an iconic date shake before exploring the interior architecture of the towering roadside dinosaurs.
15Palm Springs History Tour (Part 1)Huell begins an expansive tour of the desert oasis of Palm Springs. This first segment focuses on the city's early mid-century architectural boom, tracking how it evolved into a world-famous recreational haven and premier retreat for Hollywood's elite.
16Indian HistoryHuell visits a regional cultural center or museum to learn about the ancestral heritage, traditions, and deep geographic roots of Native American tribes in Southern California, highlighting traditional art, storytelling, and local artifacts.
17Jeep Eco-TourHuell jumps into an open-air 4x4 vehicle to experience a guided ecological backcountry tour across California's rugged desert terrain, profiling regional wildlife, native flora, and historic trails managed by environmental preservationists.
19Krispy KremeHuell stands in line at a buzzing new Southern California location to document the immense public excitement surrounding the arrival of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. The episode features an inside look at the automated "doughnut theater" assembly line at work.
20Park PlazaHuell takes an architectural tour of the majestic, historic Park Plaza Hotel (originally the Elks Lodge No. 99 building) overlooking MacArthur Park. The segment explores its breathtaking Neo-Gothic design, historic athletic spaces, and status as a favorite Hollywood filming location.
21Last Day of SchoolHuell drops in on a local Southern California elementary campus to capture the high-energy excitement and unique traditions of the final day of the academic calendar. The program documents children and teachers reflecting on the year as summer vacation begins.
22MCAS TustinHuell visits Marine Corps Air Station Tustin to explore its monumental, world-famous historic wooden blimp hangars. Built during World War II, the episode investigates the massive architectural scale, engineering history, and modern preservation of the giant structures.
23MCAS El ToroHuell takes a historic and sentimental tour of the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Orange County shortly following its official decommissioning. The program honors the base's vital military aviation legacy and interviews active personnel ahead of its transition to civilian use.
24AlpacasHuell travels to a specialized ranch in Southern California to get an up-close look at the breeding, shearing, and herd management of alpacas. The episode highlights the agricultural value of their fine wool and profiles the unique lifestyle of regional alpaca farmers.
25Survival FoodHuell checks out a local manufacturing or distribution warehouse to investigate specialized long-term food preservation techniques. The program breaks down the science behind freeze-dried, military-grade, and emergency backup rations designed for disaster survival.
26Gardena ArtHuell visits Gardena High School to explore its incredible, historic collection of early 20th-century California Impressionist art. The segment details how student classes originally acquired the valuable masterworks and highlights ongoing preservation efforts.
27Tustin and El ToroHuell returns to Marine Corps Air Station Tustin and MCAS El Toro for a definitive follow-up visit to bid a final farewell just as the historic military facilities officially close their doors.
28StutteringHuell hosts a moving, thematic episode highlighting a local support network and workshop designed for individuals who stutter. The program explores personal stories of confidence, communication barriers, and regional community empowerment.
30BrickyardHuell travels to Castaic Brick to get a firsthand look at how bricks are manufactured. The episode showcases how the facility mines its own raw materials on-site to produce approximately one million bricks per week.
31Pink's Chili DogsHuell Howser visits the legendary Pink's Hot Dogs on La Brea Avenue to celebrate the world-famous roadside stand's multi-generational history. The episode highlights their traditional menu items, long customer lines, and features lively interviews with the owner family and celebrity patrons.
32UkuleleHuell drops in on a lively community gathering of ukulele enthusiasts. The musical episode highlights the history of the instrument, traditional playing styles, and the joyful camaraderie shared by regional club members.
33Water CarHuell meets up with a highly inventive local engineer who demonstrates a custom-built, amphibious "water car." The episode showcases the unique mechanical design and features a trial run as the vehicle drives straight into the water.
34PalmsHuell visits the desert oasis of Twentynine Palms to explore its native palm trees and unique arid ecosystem. The program highlights the environmental history of the area and the conservation efforts to protect its natural landscape.
35Turtle LadyHuell spends an inspiring day with a local resident affectionately known as the "Turtle Lady," who has dedicated her life to rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for desert tortoises and turtles.
36S.S. CatalinaHuell investigates the preservation status and grand maritime history of the SS Catalina, the historic steamship that transported millions of passengers between Los Angeles and Santa Catalina Island from the 1924 era onward.
37SPAMHuell explores the enduring cultural legacy and culinary versatility of SPAM. The episode features interviews with passionate fans, looks at unique regional recipes, and highlights how the canned meat evolved into a pop-culture phenomenon.
38MuralsHuell takes an outdoor walking tour to examine vibrant neighborhood wall murals. The episode profiles local community artists, detailing the social histories, cultural preservation, and creative inspirations behind their massive public canvases.
39GuastiHuell travels to Guasti, California, to tour one of the oldest wineries in the state. The episode explores the historic stone architecture, regional vineyards, and the rich legacy established by the Guasti family.
40MozzarellaIntrigued by the scientific name Bubalus bubalis, Huell visits a local agricultural ranch to meet a herd of water buffalo. The episode provides an educational look at livestock handling and details the traditional processes used to craft authentic fresh mozzarella cheese.
41DiapersHuell Howser takes a look at the niche business of home diaper delivery by visiting the family-owned and operated Dy-dee Diaper Co.. The episode explores the logistics, history, and community demand for this specialized service.
42TugboatHuell boards the historic tugboat Angels Gate, a 1944 vessel built for the U.S. Army that was later acquired and preserved by the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. The program explores its structural engineering, service record in the Port of Los Angeles, and ongoing volunteer maintenance efforts.
43Boat BuildersHuell explores the unique history of maritime engineering at Special Productions, a multi-generational company founded by Raymond Wallace. The episode tracks how Wallace originally designed the iconic replica ship Columbia for Disneyland in 1954 and examines how the family continues to construct historic theme park vessels.
44Dry DockHuell goes behind the scenes at a massive maritime facility to see how massive ocean-going commercial tankers and cruise ships are maintained. The episode breaks down the logistics of how vessels are brought into a dry dock to clean, repair, and paint their hulls.