L.A. Meekly: A Los Angeles History Podcast

Tasting History with Max Miller (An Interview)- The History of Tamales in L.A. Mar 17, 2021

For this very special bonus we have a very special interview with Max Miller of "Tasting History." Today Max gives us a rundown on his show, his time being the voice of Iago for Disney and the history of tamales in Los Angeles. If you want to check out Max's episode of his own show about tamales you can watch it right here and we highly recommend you do:

Meaning Streets (Street Names) Mar 01, 2021

Stop where you're driving right now and look at the street sign. Ever wonder why it's named that? Well get back in your car and buckle up for this month's episode where we delve into the names of a few of the streets around town. We'll cover Chevy Chase Drive (18:56), Sepulveda Boulevard (28:32), James M. Wood Boulevard (44:23), Rosecrans Avenue (56:26), General Thaddeus Kosciuszko Way (1:16:02) and Roscoe Boulevard (1:25:32). This episode is sponsored by Podcorn! Get started finding ads for your own podcast today at Podcorn.com!

Now Museum, Now You Don't (Museums We Miss) Feb 01, 2021

It's been a year since COVID first showed up on our turf and we've been pining for the old days when museums weren't just places we pined for so this month we're going to give the histories of three that we miss in particular. We've got the Natural History Museum (23:01), the Southwest Museum (1:07:45) and the Autry (1:44:48). We want to thank Podcorn for sponsoring this episode! Get started finding ads for your own podcast at podcorn.com today!

At Risky Business (Places At Risk Due to Covid) Jan 01, 2021

Covid has hit the city hard and since the government has abandoned us maybe we can at least try to save a few historic businesses that are at risk of going away for good. In this month's episode we'll give you the jam packed history of just a handful of these places. We'll cover the El Segundo Old Town Music Hall (18:11), the Pacific Dining Car (44:27), the Bob Baker Marionette Theater (1:04:01) and Vroman's Bookstore (1:46:45). Happy New Year!

Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah Part: Hate (Haunted Tales) Dec 01, 2020

It's the most punderful time of the year, indeed. This December we're back at it with some more creepy/haunted stories for you from around the city. This year we cover the Monster of Elizabeth Lake (34:42), the Bat Man of Echo Park (53:27), the dark secret of a J.M. Barrie (1:14:28), the Mummy of the Pike (1:24:49) and the curse of Rudolph Valentino's Ring (1:38:59).

Avoid The Annoyed (Things That Annoy People In L.A.) Nov 01, 2020

We asked you, dear listener, what annoyed you most in Los Angeles and after we got past the snarky remarks putting us down we have our answers. This month we go off the cuff to air the grievances we and our listeners have with the city from what parts of town are considered suburbs to parking in Century City.

The Meekly Mysteries (Unsolved Disappearances) Oct 01, 2020

Happy Cancelled Halloween! This month we learned how many p's are in the word "disappearances" to bring you this decidedly un-spooky episode on some of the biggest unsolved mysteries in Los Angeles history. We'll cover Jean Spangler (22:24), Gertrude Tompkins Silver (42:16), Jonathan Aujay (1:10:59) and the Salomon family (1:26:59).

Glendale Library, Arts and Culture Presents: Be The Change with Eric Nusbaum Sep 17, 2020

Regular episode of L.A. Meekly this is not! Your beloved Greg has made a special recording on the history of displacement in Los Angeles for the Glendale Public Library's lead up to a virtual author discussion with Eric Nusbaum author of "Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers and the Live Caught in Between" and we wanted to share it with you. Be sure to tune in to the discussion! Details inside. Produced with support from Glendale Arts & Culture Commission

Sunrise On The Sunset Strip (Early Days of the Sunset Strip) Sep 01, 2020

Fade in on a sleepy pueblo street. This month we are diving into the early, lawless party days of the Sunset Strip and a few of its biggest night clubs. We'll cover the creation of Sunset Boulevard itself (22:49), the Trocadero (36:18), Ciro's (1:01:50) and Mocambo (1:25:48).

The Route Less Traveled (Route 66 In LA) Aug 01, 2020

I'll get it out of the way early and invite you to get your kicks right now. Take a cruise down LA's stretch of route 66 with us as long as you're in a completely different car with a mask on and nowhere near us. We'll cover the convoluted history of the road itself in LA (29:12), the Fair Oaks Pharmacy (38:59), the Aztec Hotel (51:22), the Formosa Cafe (1:12:59), the Rialto Theater (1:29:18) and, of course, Chicken Boy (1:45:26).

Voices of Protest: 2020 Jul 02, 2020

Listeners sick of our voices rejoice: an entire episode made up of you the listener! We reached out to all of you who took part in the Black Lives Matter protests to send in recordings of your experiences and you came through. What you're about to hear are a few different stories from the streets of the marches from the people who were there. We want to again thank everyone who helped out and also everyone who has been out there making their voices heard. We're proud of you.

65-92-20 (Watts Uprising and '92 Riots) Jul 01, 2020

Another month of 2020, another episode of L.A. Meekly. In viewing what has been going on in our city the past month and looking towards the future we decided to take a look back at two parallels from the city's past: the 1965 Watts Uprising (21:09) and the 1992 Riots following the beating of Rodney King (1:04:31). ATTENTION! We mention in this episode we will be including recordings from people who attended the protests this past month. We got more than expected so we will be releasing that as it's own dedicated episode TOMORROW.

Summer of Same (Summer In Los Angeles) Jun 01, 2020

Summer is here and it's nothing like any of us expected. In this very summer vacation style loose episode we'll be covering what summer in LA means to us and a few of our favorite traditions we like to take part in under better circumstances. DISCLAIMER: This episode was recorded well before the current situation in the city unfolded which makes our laments sound even more trivial. More important history is in the making but if you need something light just to help you fall asleep at night, this is for you. Stay safe everybody.

The Wrath of Con (Con Artists) May 01, 2020

Hold onto your wallets; this month we're covering some of the city's most notorious con artists. We'll be talking about the town of Girard (19:52), the Bling Ring (35:13), the Julian Pete Scandal (1:09:52), Michael Romanoff (1:30:03) and the Billionaire Boys Club (1:53:22).

Field Trip! The L.A. River with Paul Haddad Apr 08, 2020

Pack a lunch or just catch what you eat out of the always fresh L.A. River as we sit down with author Paul Haddad to discuss his book "10,000 Steps A Day in LA." We'll cover some of the best walks in the city and how great his book is at being a jumping off point to explore new parts of the city. (Never fear: this episode was recorded pre-quarantine)

Easy Writers (Pulp Authors) Apr 01, 2020

Stuck in the house all day and night? Scared to go outside and would rather get lost safely in a book? If this unique situation applies to you and you alone then this is the episode for you. This month we cover a few of LA's prized local pulp writers. Travel to Mars with Edgar Rice Burroughs (14:57), travel to Mars with Leigh Brackett (53:37), travel to Mars with Ray Bradbury (1:20:49) and travel to only LA with Raymond Chandler (1:51:01).

Our Own Fault (Earthquakes) Mar 01, 2020

Strap down your porcelain butts and get ready for "the big one." Our episode on earthquakes. Relive the horror and aftermath of Longbeach '33 (16:42), Sylmar '71 (36:43) and Northridge '94 (47:46).

Demolition, Man (Things We Lost in the Last Decade) Feb 01, 2020

Now that the '20s are roaring forward, we thought we'd take a look back on the previous decade to reflect on the buildings and businesses we lost during the 2010s. Relive the memories that are too soon to relive from places like the Buggy Whip, the LA Sports Arena and Meltdown Comics.

A Tale of Two CDs (Record Stores) Jan 01, 2020

Put the needle on the podcast and ring in a whole new decade with a whole new episode on your favorite local record stores. We've got the granddaddy Wallichs Music City (:17), the young punk Rockaway Records (:41), the scrappy Tower Records (:55) and the mighty Amoeba (1:06).

Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah Part: 7 Deadly Sins (The Queen Mary) Dec 01, 2019

Crack open the eggnog and fry up the latkes because it's time to get creepy and haunted. This year we tackle the Queen Mary in all her luxury lining, world war serving, ghost pool glory. Both the straight history (:14) and the ghouls (1:08).

Fangelenos (Listener Questions and Answers) Nov 01, 2019

You asked for it so we asked it right back. This month we tackle two listener submitted questions: What do you like most about Angelenos? and What should someone not from here be aware of to make their stay as agreeable as possible? Listen to our bumbling answers and the much better answers of you, the listener, who submitted your own takes. You know who you are. And those of you who didn't? Consider yourselves uninvited from LA Meekly Thanksgiving.

Field Trip! Forest Lawn Museum with James Fishburne Oct 28, 2019

Pack your sack lunches for the nicest museum you've ever visited inside a cemetery: the Forest Lawn Museum. We talk with the museum's curator James Fishburne about the museum's role in shaping the art scene of Los Angeles, pigeon photography and the biggest painting of Jesus you've ever seen.

Beyond the Graveyard (Cemeteries) Oct 01, 2019

Halloween is here and what better way to spend it than with your two favorite grave robbers? To get you in the...spirit...of the season we'll be covering the stories of a few of the biggest graveyards in the city: Valhalla Memorial Park (:14), Hollywood Forever (:32) and Forest Lawn (1:03).

Field Trip! The Hollywood Bowl and Museum Interview with Gail Samuel Sep 09, 2019

Pack a picnic for this one as we sit down with Executive Director of the L.A. Philharmonic Gail Samuel (Yes, you read that correct) to talk about everything Hollywood Bowl related from decrepit band shells to Cab Calloway.

The L.A. Meekly Junk Drawer (Random Topics) Sep 01, 2019

Ever wondered where you put that old screwdriver you can't find? How about your mint condition copy of Action Comics #1? Or that old Hope Diamond you used to have lying around? Check the junk drawer! L.A. Meekly's got one too filled with topics that didn't quite fit anywhere else so from that drawer we submit to you: the Spike Jones grocery story of La Crescenta (:13), inspiration for Indiana Jones Antonia Futterer (:28), the roller derby Thunderbirds (:49) and the Alphabet Bomber (1:06).

Field Trip! LA Plaza de Cultura Y Artes Interview with Mariah and Esperanza Aug 26, 2019

School may be back in session today but it's already time for a field trip. Join us on our trip to La Plaza de Cultura y Artes as we discuss the museum's mission and importance as the keeper of the history of the early days of this city with Associate Curator Mariah Berlanga-Shevchuk and Assistant Curator Esperanza Sanchez.

Crème de la Cream (Ice Cream) Aug 01, 2019

What's that sound? The Entertainer by Scott Joplin? That must mean it's the podcast truck with its barely regulated freezer full of treats! This month we go into the stories of everyone but Greg's favorite summer treats: ice cream. We'll dive deep into the history of Fosters Freeze (:14), Baskin-Robbins (:25), Fosselman's (:47) and, of course, Thrifty (:59).

Bummer of '69 (Judy Garland and Roger Corman) Jul 01, 2019

1969. June 22 Judy Garland dies. July 14 Easy Rider comes out. August 9 Sharon Tate is murdered. Summer of love this was not. This month we're going to look at the downfall of the old Hollywood studio system by way of the rise and fall of Judy Garland (:16) and the birth of the New Hollywood movement through the story of Roger Corman (1:09).

It's A Riot (Sleepy Lagoon and the Zoot Suit Riots) Jun 01, 2019

Put on your weekend finest and zip on over to listen to the story of the zoot. Join us as we trace one of the saddest, most disappointing low points in Los Angeles history from the murder and unfair trial at Sleepy Lagoon (:15) to the brutal and just as unfair Zoot Suit Riots (:57). Get ready to be ashamed of your city.

Field Trip! Madame Tussaud's Hollywood Interview with Helen Larimore May 08, 2019

Wax on your podcast device but don't wax it off because it's time for a field trip with Madame Tussaud's Hollywood's very own Helen Larimore. Join us as she discusses the laborious and somewhat disturbing process of creating each wax model and the even more disturbing experience of having to walk through the empty exhibits at the end of the night.

Pun, Forest, Pun (LA's Forests) May 01, 2019

Strap on your sturdiest hiking boots and sit on the couch and listen to our newest episode on a couple of the city's forests! We'll be covering the exploitation and criminal population of the Angeles National Forest (:12) and the Hollywood glory of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (1:04).

Field Trip! Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Interview with Carl Tart Apr 23, 2019

Activate your spellcheck because we are at the harder-than-you-think to-spell Coliseum! We are joined by the hilarious comedian/Los Angeles history connoisseur Carl Tart as we discuss this place's meaning to himself and to the city at large.

The Good, the Bad and the Freeway (Freeways) Apr 01, 2019

Vroom-vroom goes the car and brake-cry goes the traffic. It took us this long to cover freeways because we've been stuck on the 405 for 6 years trying to get here. We'll cover the creation of the city's freeways (:22) and the flipside of all that creation as it destroyed neighborhoods all over town (1:04).

Loco Celebrities (Local Celebrities) Mar 01, 2019

Dive into the world of public access TV, billboards and customized cars in our evening with some of LA's most notable local celebrities. Take a ride with Angelyne (:19), take another ride with Dennis Woodruff (:37), take a look into a future that never happened with the Amazing Criswell (:56), get healed by William Money (1:12) and sing a song of aliens with David Liebe Hart (1:32). Don't forget to use promo code MEEKLY on the Forkspot app to get $15 off your first order.

Behind the Times (LA Times) Feb 01, 2019

What's black and white and read all over? This description for our episode about a newspaper. This month we cover the Los Angeles Times and the major players behind it from the warlike Harrison Gray Otis (:16), the conservative Harry Chandler (:54), the moderate Norman Chandler (1:23) and the surfing Otis Chandler (1:31). This episode brought to you by Forkspot. Use promo code MEEKLY to get $15 off your first order.

Gems In the La La Land (Hidden Gems of LA) Jan 01, 2019

We found an old pirate's treasure map and we're hunting hidden gems all over this city! We'll be looking up at Yamashiro Hollywood (:20), over to Travel Town (:35), sneaking into St. Vincent Court (:49), visiting the Venice Mosaic Tile House (:54), disappearing into the Max Factory Hollywood Museum (1:00) and seeking out the Great Wall of Los Angeles (1:24). If you want to learn about more hidden gems in the city follow LifeHacks LA on Instagram and Facebook! This episode also brought to you by Forkspot! Use promo code MEEKLY and get $15 towards a meal today!

Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah: Part 666 (Haunted San Pedro and Palos Verdes) Dec 01, 2018

Pull up your scariest chair under the hiss-letoe and get ready to spin your dread-le; it's Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah! This year we'll cover the scariest tales from the San Pedro/Palos Verdes peninsula including and limited to the Point Vicente and Fermin lighthouses (:20), the Warner Theater (:40), Clemente Clem (:55), the Hernandez house haunting (1:05) and the Vanderlip mansion (1:23).

Field Trip! The Valley Relics Museum Interview with Tommy Gelinas Nov 12, 2018

Take the 101, 405 or the 118 straight to the 818 for our latest field trip to the Valley Relics Museum! We talk with museum founder and driving force Tommy Gelinas as he guides us on his journey from valley enthusiast and ash tray collector to full fledged museum owner and giant neon sign collector. Fall in love with the valley all over again or for the first time right here.

Fast Food For Thought (Fast Food Chains) Nov 01, 2018

Forget the turkey and make your extended family angry with some cheap, fast food for Thanksgiving! In this supersized episode we'll be covering the crunch shells of Taco Bell (:18), the garlic aromas of Zankou Chicken (:50), the chewy freshness of Western Bagel (1:11), the timeless perfection of In-N-Out (1:17) and the orange flavored goodness of Panda Express (1:56). Come hungry and leave hungrier.

The Party of the Dead See's (Halloween Parties and Famous Candy Stores) Oct 01, 2018

Don't run away, it's only Meek. Put on your favorite Pagan harvest character costume and get ready for our door to door journey through LA Halloween parties across the decades and the candy that went along with them. We'll start with the story of the local creation the Abba Zaba bar (:22), trek through the parties themselves (:26), then on to get some candy in bulk at Jack's Wholesale (1:00), some world famous toffee at Littlejohn's (1:02), a taste of the finest Swiss chocolates at Edelweiss (1:04), a few balls of mochi at Fugetsu-do (1:10) and, everybody's favorite, See's Candies (1:20) to close out the night. Just remember we won't be driving you home and BYO pumpkin.

Call Me By Your Nickname (Famous Nicknamed People) Sep 01, 2018

This is episode 57 but you might know it better as the old "Heinz Variety." That's because this month we're talking about some of the most famous nicknames of people in Los Angeles history. We'll go from the confrontational "Fighting Bob" Shuler (:17), "Slapsy" Maxie (:32) and "Greek" George Caralambo (:49) to the criminal "Two Gun" Davis (:58) and "Machine Gun" Walker (1:20).

Little Rental On The Prairie (The Housing Crisis) Aug 01, 2018

It's the first of the month and you know what that means: It's time to listen to a brand new episode while you write out your excessively long rent check! Tune in as we dive into a thoroughly researched yet still unqualified discussion on LA's housing crisis and the who, what, where, when and why of it. Our answer? We have no idea

1-2-3-4 I Declare A Water War (LA's Water) Jul 01, 2018

Hot town! Summer in the city is here! Cool down with this month's episode on the harnessing of the LA River as the city's water source in the early days (:15) and the creation of the Owens Valley aqueduct and the ensuing water wars in the slightly less early days (:55). Chinatown references need not apply.

The Island of Lost Shoals (Catalina Island) Jun 01, 2018

Welcome to the island! Once your seasickness subsides take a load off and listen to the millennia spanning story of Catalina Island. We'll cover everything from the pre-Spanish era of the Pimuvit (:20) to the gum chewing resort fun of the Wrigley era (:54) and literally everything in between.

Field Trip! Rockhaven Sanitarium Interview with Joanna Linkchorst May 25, 2018

Here we go on another field trip in search of health, wellness and nice tiling at the Rockhaven Sanitarium in Montrose. Listen in as we interview the President of the Friends of Rockhaven Joanna Linkchorst about her efforts to preserve this vital part of LA history started by women to help women in need.

LAXperts (Airports) May 01, 2018

Now boarding all indirect flights to knowledge! Settle in with a bag of airplane peanut references while we cover three of the most important airports in the city's history from Burbank (:19) to Grand Central Airport in Glendale (:25) to LAX itself (:58). There will be no refunds and we've already been delayed until after whenever your connecting flight is.

Haunted By History Book Discussion with Craig Owens Apr 23, 2018

Put on your pod-ing glasses and settle in for this book discussion with author Craig Owens of "Haunted by History Vol. 1"moderated by your very own LA Meekly boys live from the Mystic Museum in Burbank. We delve into the history and lore of some of Southern California's most haunted locations all while spooky speakeasy music plays faintly in the background.

NEW SEGMENT ANNOUNCEMENT! Apr 09, 2018

Stop what you're doing and take a couple minutes to hear (handsome) us explain how we want you (loyal) listener to be part of a new segment on LA Meekly!

The Call Of The Mild (Famous Pets) Apr 01, 2018

Sit. Stay. Now download. Good audience. Lend us a floppy ear as we spend this month celebrating National Pet Day with some of LA's most famous citizens that haven't yet developed complex language. We'll be covering the MGM lion (:12), the absurd lion obsession of Tippi Hedren that led to Shambala (:28), Toto (:42), Room 8 the cat (:51) and, unfortunately, the LA Pet Memorial Park (1:05). Plus we unleash a new segment on the show! Most species welcome.

Field Trip! The Breakfast Club Interview with Lily and Phil Mar 26, 2018

We've already disabled your snooze button so it's time to get up and listen to our trip to one of the strangest, most indescribable "secret" societies in the city: the Los Angeles Breakfast Club. We talk with the wizards behind the curtain of it all Lily Holleman and Phil Leirness about the inclusive positivity of the place and which of your favorite stars from yesteryear were once members.

Two Guys, a Girl and Three Other Girls (Trailblazing Women) Mar 01, 2018

Kick off Women's History Month right right here with two men telling you the stories of Brenda Allen (Madame to the Stars), Alice Stebbins Wells (Officer with a Star), Aggie Underwood (Reporter of the Dead Stars) and Amelia Earhart (Pilot that almost reached the Stars).

Field Trip! The Bearded Lady's Mystic Museum Interview with Erick and Stephanie Feb 21, 2018

Grab the nearest planchette and ask your local ouija board if it's time to listen to our newest field trip episode and the answer will be most definitely probably! Tune in as we talk to two of the owners of the Bearded Lady's Mystic Museum and stay tuned afterwards to hear about Mystic Dylan's experience with a haunted lamb!

The Episode 50 Introvaganza Feb 06, 2018

50 episodes! Could ya ever believe it? Could ya ever have even wanted it? To celebrate, we've compiled all 50 of our episode intros into one long episode that you just keep wanting to start, but it never will. We want to thank all of you for listening these past 50 episodes and for reading this far into the episode description.

The Better Business Broadcast (Black Owned Businesses) Feb 01, 2018

It's February and we're here to celebrate Black History Month like it's none of your business; unless your business is one of the businesses we're talking about. That's right, this month we are covering a few of the most famous LA businesses started by African-Americans. We'll be covering KJLH, Fatburger, Roscoe's, the Lincoln Picture Company and Famous Amos. This is our 50th episode so tune back in in a few days for our big, unnecessary 50th extravaganza!

Naz-In My Backyard (Nazis In LA) Jan 01, 2018

NAZI PUNKS FUDGE OFF! Listen to our first episode of the new year as we discuss the various homegrown local Nazi groups operating in the city pre-WW2 and the efforts of Leon Lewis and his network of spies to bring them down as they learn the hard way that two wrongs don't make a Reich.

Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah: Part Live from the Comedy Central Stage (Haunted Stories) Dec 01, 2017

It's December and you know what that means: Murder! Demons! Plagues! Dreidels! This time live! Light your menorah under the mistletoe and tune in to this year's haunted episode live from the Comedy Central Stage yet again as we discuss this year's helping of ghosts, ghouls and...g-ack Parsons.

To Thanksgive And Die In LA (Things We're Thankful For) Nov 01, 2017

Thanksgiving comes early in this, a very special episode of LA Meekly. Join us as we give a rundown on the places and things in this city that we are most thankful for and mean the most to us. Sincerity reigns supreme while sarcasm silently stages a coup.

Field Trip! MorYork Art Gallery Interview with Clare Graham Oct 09, 2017

Hop on the LA Meekly school bus and take a trip with us into the cabinet of curiosities that is MorYork. Part art gallery, part immersive experience, part motherload of human molars. We talk with the man behind it all, Clare Graham, to get some insight into what it all means and where the nearest bagel shop is.

Cult Classics (Cults) Oct 01, 2017

Feeling empty? Afraid? Alone? Then turn over all your personal possessions and click download! Join us as we take a journey of self discovery through a few of LA's cults from the Blackburns to Synanon. "The Man" and police involvement need not apply.

Field Trip! The Former Ambassador Hotel Interview with Anne Louise Bannon Sep 11, 2017

Pull up a demolished chair and join us for our field trip interview with author Anne Louise Bannon at the site of the old Ambassador Hotel as we discuss her novels, the Cocoanut Grove and just how drunk the old stars of the silver screen got at this place.

Themes, Schemes and Oceanside Dreams (Amusement Parks) Sep 01, 2017

Break out your annual passes and welcome to the wonderful world of LA's old amusement parks! In this blockbuster episode we tackle the stories of places like Pacific Ocean Park, Busch Gardens and the never realized Disney plans in both Burbank and Long Beach. Come for the amusements, stay for the end credits.

Field Trip! The Los Angeles City Archives Interview with Michael Holland Aug 09, 2017

File this episode under "filed" because the archive has already done its job. Tag along with us as we head to the Los Angeles City Archives where we visit the City Archivist for Los Angeles Michael Holland as he tells us about all the decades of information available there to any citizen of the city, the tremendously large rooms all that information's held in and the horrific fire suppression system in place just in case.

Hot Sun Oddities: Live from the Andres Pico Adobe (Strange Things in the San Fernando Valley) Aug 01, 2017

Put on your airiest clothes and brave the valley heat for a LIVE discussion from the Andres Pico Adobe of some of the weirdest, strangest and downright did-we-already-say-weirdest things in the San Fernando Valley from the former Graceland imitation Melodyland to the ridiculous Monkey Island.

Blah Blah Land (LA Movies) Jul 01, 2017

Buy a ticket for this very special episode where Greg and Daniel go through a slew of some of their favorite "LA" movies and their real life filming locations on their quest to understand what makes an "LA" movie "LA"..."movie."

Magazinophobia (Magazines) Jun 01, 2017

Your monthly meekly has arrived! Flip through the pages of this month's episode where we discuss the stories of some of the biggest and most influential magazines from LA history from Land of Sunshine to Slash to the weekly one whose vaguely familiar name we can't remember. Ad free and just as little gloss as ever!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boyles and Goyles (Boyle Heights) May 01, 2017

Head east, young audience. This month we're covering the story of Boyle Heights and its transition from a predominantly Jewish community to a predominantly Latino community. Join us to hear about the area's multicultural/politically active/alligator loving journey from blintzes to burritos.

Field Trip! Rainbow Bar and Grill Interview with Staci Layne Wilson Apr 24, 2017

Pack a peanut butter and Lemmy sandwich and join us at the legendary Rainbow Bar and Grill for a talk with Staci Layne Wilson, author of the book "So L.A.: A Hollywood Memoir," about this place's rock and roll history and when best to go to see Ron Jeremy.

LAnd Of The Lost (Lost Landmarks) Apr 01, 2017

They once were lost but now they still are. Step back in time with us as we tell the tales of six of LA's once prominent but now gone forever landmarks from the beautiful Richfield Tower and Pan Pacific Auditorium to the ominous Deadman's Island. Listen now before they become somehow even more gone!

TiVo's Revenge: Live from the Comedy Central Stage (Local Commercial Personalities) Mar 01, 2017

This episode recorded in front of a live studio audience. Jealous?! Join us for our very first live episode as we discuss a few local commercials and the mad cowboy mattress manic geniuses behind them from Crazy Gideon to Cal Worthington. Since we showed video clips in the show be sure to follow along with the cheat sheet of links on our tumblr page so you too can see the glory that is these videos. And don't you forget our video intro which will also be on that page!

The First Timers Club (African-American Pioneers in LA) Feb 01, 2017

It's gonna feel like the first time all over again in this month's episode where, in honor of Black History Month, we discuss some trail blazing African-Americans from Los Angeles. From the city's first African-American mayor to the first African-American surfer, this just may be the first time you actually enjoy one of our episodes.

Field Trip! The Petersen Automotive Museum Interview with Ada Ruiz Jan 18, 2017

Here it is at long last! Our very first field trip episode! Just play along and say you've been waiting as anxiously for it as we assume you were! Join us on our excursion to the Petersen Automotive Museum with the one and only Ada Ruiz and hear what the most exciting and controversial cars they have are and where to eat once you're sick of seeing them. We apologize for the audio quality but we hope you'll forgive us as it is our first time using this equipment. We wouldn't hold it against YOU so show some mercy.

For Whom The Bell Taxes (Corruption of Bell and Vernon) Jan 01, 2017

Embezzlement. Bloated pensions. Voter fraud. Hog guts. What do all these have in common other than being beautiful names for your children? They're all part of the dirty corruption stories we're about to cover from two cities in southeast LA: Vernon and Bell. Settle in and be glad you have a conscience. If you don't have a conscience, we're sure you can steal one from one of our good little listeners.

Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah: Part Gore (Haunted Canyons) Dec 01, 2016

Take a festively eerie drive through the many canyons of Los Angeles with us as we talk about the strangest/spookiest stories that have taken place in them from Superman's ghost to a barrage of alien encounters. As the experts we are, we recommend you listen to this at night. Preferably walking alone through one of these canyons. We are not responsible for any lost items, respect or life if you choose to do so. (Keen eared listeners alert! The curse of our haunted episodes lives on! Listen out for strange flapping noises that are in this recording for no explainable reason!)

Pulp Non-Fiction (Oranges) Nov 01, 2016

Peel away the skin, take that gross white stuff off, section it up and extract the seeds and what you've got left is our long awaited (and dreaded) episode on oranges! Bite into the story of LA's mythological cash crop all the way from the first orange tree to come to the city all the way through the rise of a little local business known as Sunkist. Some sugar added.

Witchy Women (Local Witches) Oct 01, 2016

Eye of nerd. Pod of cast. Leave a review or this show won't last! And with that incantation comes our Halloween special on some of the witchiest women in LA history...and a house. Crack open a cauldron as we pod-cast a spell on your ears of the stories of Louise Huebner, Vampira, Elvira and the Beverly Hills Witch House. Be there or be there. It's not a choice.

Candy Is Dandy But Liquor Is CLICK HERE (Prohibition and Alcohol) Sep 01, 2016

You must be 21 or older (in dog years) to listen to this episode on the long, cursed, prohibited, corrupt and tasty history of alcohol in this city from the very first grape vine to the very last boot legged. Fake IDs welcome.

The Grand Ol' Ympics (The Two LA Olympics) Aug 01, 2016

We declare this the XXXIInd episode of LA Meekly listenable! Settle in to hear about LA's two trysts with the Olympics in 1932 and 1984 and about our chances to make the third time the charm in 2024. It's a gold medal episode brought to you by two bronze gods.

Float Hopes (Parades) Jul 01, 2016

March along with us to the beat of the stories of a few of LA's biggest parades! Including and limited to the PRIDE Parade, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Festival of the Chariots, La Fiesta, the Rose Parade and the Doo Dah Parade. No we do not have a permit for this episode.

Well, Dam! (Man-made Disasters) Jun 01, 2016

In telling the stories of the two worst man made disasters in Los Angeles history, the St. Francis Dam and the Porter Ranch gas leak, the LA Meekly boys inadvertently create the third worst man made disaster in Los Angeles history.

A Landmark Episode (Main Local Landmarks) May 01, 2016

Here is our long overdue tourist guide on the city's most famous and recognizable landmarks. Whichever ones you're thinking of, they're in here. But not that one. Think of a better one.

The Warm California Gun (The Assassinations of RFK and the Notorious B.I.G.) Apr 01, 2016

Take a drive down Wilshire with us this month as we explore the two biggest assassinations in LA history; those of Robert F. Kennedy and the Notorious B.I.G. One of these men were almost president when they died. You'd be surprised which one though. Unless you know who Robert F. Kennedy is.

March Madness (Biggest Protests) Mar 01, 2016

What do we want? An episode about the biggest marches, protests and walkouts in the city's history! When do we want it? When we click download now!

Red Is the New Blacklist (The Hollywood Blacklist) Feb 01, 2016

In this episode we are seeing Red and naming names as we tell you the story of the Hollywood 10 and the shameful Hollywood Blacklist of the 40s and 50s. How does a thing like that happen you ask? Well, just take a community built on pleasing the general public, add rumors of Communist ties and watch a city devour itself.

For LACMA Better Title (Art Museums) Jan 01, 2016

Let us paint you the story of USC's Fisher museum. Let us sculpt you the history of the ever changing LACMA. Let us performance art you the saga of Norton Simon and his museum. Let us multimedia presentation you the struggle of MOCA. Let us art reference you the controversy of the Broad! (Psst! This episode is about a few of the city's biggest art museums)

Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah: Part Scream (The Cecil Hotel) Dec 01, 2015

Ya better not pout, ya better not cry because we can't take any more suffering. Join us for our annual holiday episode as we check in to the Cecil Hotel to explore its horrific history and four of its most notorious guests. As always, it wouldn't be a haunted episode without paranormal audio issues so be warned. Your soul will be spared if you can spot the (very clear) mark in the episode when the audio starts to fail.

Los Angeles: Year One (The Spanish and Mexican Eras of LA) Nov 01, 2015

Open wide for duck stuffed inside a turkey stuffed inside a podcast! Join us in giving thanks for the founding of Los Angeles as we explore the very beginnings of the city from the founding during the Spanish era, into the Mexican era and ending with the (almost) climactic battle against the American army as they took control...for now.

Angeleno Frights (Carroll Avenue) Oct 28, 2015

Be not afraid. This episode will only scare the real estate developer inside of you. In this bonus we'll give you a brief rundown on one of the best kept Halloween secrets in town: Carroll Avenue.

A Song of Ice and Umpire (The Dodgers and the Kings) Oct 01, 2015

We've got an inter-league double header for you folks tonight with a full history of the Dodgers all the way from Brooklyn to LA followed immediately by the full history of the Kings all the way from LA to slightly more north in LA. Play puck!

Uproot, Root, Root For the Home Team (Chavez Ravine and Pre-Dodger Baseball in LA) Sep 01, 2015

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks and we'll tell you the story of Los Angeles' baseball history before the boys in blue showed up including the upheaval in Chavez Ravine to make room for said boys in blue.

You're Killin' Me LARy (Pacific Electric and the Los Angeles Railway) Aug 01, 2015

Hop aboard for the twisting, turning, overcrowded story of the Los Angeles Railway yellow cars (LARy) and the Pacific Electric red cars (PE). All fares are non-refundable (NR). We are not joking (NJK).

Hot Dog Days of Summer (LA Hot Dogs) Jul 01, 2015

Summer's here and you know what that means: History lessons about hot dogs! Listen up to the stories of a few of the most famous hot dog purveyors in the city. Ask for extra relish and see what happens.

Bad Cop/Bad Cop (The Rampart Scandal and Christopher Dorner) Jun 01, 2015

Put your hands and feet up and relax while we tell you the story of two of the most corrupt cops in LAPD history: Rafael Perez and Christopher Dorner.

Googie A-Go-Go (Googie Architecture) May 01, 2015

Pull up a cantilevered stool and order a malt while we delve into the architectural style with the irritating name that defined the look of Los Angeles. We'll touch on the architects and establishments that made it possible from the eponymous Googie's itself to the legendary Armet and Davis. No substitutions.

Lucy, I'm Homing! (A Story About Lucille Ball's Teeth) Apr 19, 2015

TV's wackiest lady does it again. Don't be a Mertz, come listen to the tall tale of Lucille Ball's inadvertent involvement in World War II.

Centr-All That Jazz (Central Avenue Jazz) Apr 01, 2015

We're gonna jazz on down to Central Avenue to go over the story of LA's local Jazz scene of the early 20th century and the history of the people and culture that made it all possible. Feel free to scat along with us.

Tender is the Bite (The Death of F. Scott Fitzgerald) Mar 15, 2015

All great writers are capable of great endings. Here's the story of how F. Scott Fitzgerald met his own.

Boneless Episode (Origin Of The Chinese Chicken Salad) Mar 08, 2015

Chinatown episode leftovers are even better than the first time around. Here's the origin of another native Los Angeles dish: the Chinese chicken salad.

Forget It (Chinatown) Mar 01, 2015

It's Chinatown. Take a non-offensive because they actually had them rickshaw ride through the atrocious histoy of old Chinatown and the Chinese people of Los Angeles all the way up to the present day new Chinatown or, as you know it, Chinatown.

Hollywood Area or Bust (Famous Out-Of-Towners In LA) Feb 01, 2015

This month we explore two of your favorite American authors, one of your favorite heroes from the Old West and one of your favorite Beatles who all spent brief but memorable (and drunken) stays in Los Angeles. Hint: It's not Stephen King, John Ringo, Johnny Ringo or Ringo Starr.

You Say You Want A Resolution Jan 16, 2015

In this brief bonus episode we draw out our announcement of our new episode release schedule for the new year and share a few words about some new occurences around town.

Creepy Christmas/Haunted Hannukah Part Boo (Haunted Stories) Dec 24, 2014

Another year another fear. Our seasonally creepy and haunted look at LA's sordid history is back to take on ghostly hospitals, culty parks, lizardy people and more. Pray to baby Jesus and hold on to your yarmulke.

Padre Issues (Native People and the Missions) Dec 01, 2014

In honor of what we now know as "Thanksgiving", we'll be talking about the native people who lived in what we now know as "Los Angeles" and what happened to them once what we now know as "the Spanish" came to take their land and put them in what we now know as "the Missions". This description is now known as "over".

The Meekly-Go-Round Came Round Nov 11, 2014

Miss learning about LA's golden age of animation? Hear us delve even deeper into it on the This is Rad! podcast hosted by Kyle Clark and Matt Burnside. Take a listen to find out how.

Monsters and the Nerds That Love Them (Universal Movie Monsters) Oct 31, 2014

Ever wonder what goes thump in the night? A new episode of L.A. Meekly downloading. This month we celebrate Halloween with the story of the golden age of Universal monster movies and the tortured men that played them in addition to the endearingly obsessive efforts of hometown hero Forrest J Ackerman to keep their memory alive. Bonus credit to anybody who can keep count of how many wives these people had.

The Podcast That Time Forgot (Forgotten Stories From LA's Past) Sep 30, 2014

Nazis? The plague? Union bombings? Aliens? Crimes against civil rights? What do all these have in common you ask? We forgot. Join us this month as we shine a light on some Los(t) Angeles history that most history books and Nazi sympathizers would rather not talk about.

The Meekly-Go-Round Broke Down (Animation In Los Angeles) Aug 29, 2014

DRAW up a chair as we ILLUSTRATE to you folks the ANIMATED story of Los Angeles' cartoon history. We'll TRACE it's roots all the way from when Walt Disney first set up shop in his uncle's Los Feliz garage, through the COLORFUL cast of characters that populated Termite Terrace up to the SYNCHRONIZED mayhem of the cartoon renaissance of the '90s and beyond!...INKING DEPARTMENT!

There Will Be Mud (Extreme Weather) Jul 31, 2014

This month we talk about the extreme forms of weather Los Angeles has been subjected to throughout history. Join us as we watch the thermometer go from hot and dry to hot and wet to hot and on fire. We’ll also give you tips on what you can do to survive the city’s impending environmental doom. Hint: not much! (We apologize for the slight loss in audio quality this episode. Tom Bosley was being very uncooperative. That will make sense shortly.)

Under the *Venice* Boardwalk...*Venice* Boardwalk (Venice) Jul 01, 2014

You must be this tall to hear this extensive history of Venice of America. Join us as we take a gondola ride through the canals, join one of LA’s oldest gangs and watch the rivalry of the Venice and Ocean Park piers as they’re built up and burned down and built up and then burned again. And again. And again. (All heights welcome)

Episode 6: Episode 2-11 (Bank Robberies) May 31, 2014

Los Angeles was once the bank robbery capital of the world so put the money in the bag and put your headphones in as we give you a rundown of some of the city’s most notorious holdups, heists and bandits.

City Bites: Back for Seconds? May 08, 2014

A poisonously vital part of the puzzle from one of last episode’s stories falls into place just a little too late so we present to you our very first bonus episode to fill in one of what promises to be many gaps.

City Bites (Original LA Dishes) Apr 30, 2014

On tonight’s menu we have a sampler of our proudest native dishes. Strap on your bib and get ready for the history of six famous foods invented in LA.

Griffith vs. Getty (The Griffith Observatory and The Getty Center) Mar 31, 2014

The showdown you never knew you were waiting for. The dueling histories of the Griffith Observatory and the Getty Center.

Broadway Theater District Feb 20, 2014

An historic look at the rise and fall of the country’s greatest moving picture theater district.

Creepy Christmas/Haunted Hannukah (Haunted Stories) Dec 25, 2013

A seasonally creepy and haunted look at LA’s sordid history.

Los Angeles Public Library Dec 02, 2013

A brief history of the Los Angeles Public Library system.