California's Gold is a public television human interest program that explores the natural, cultural, and historical features of California. The series ran for 24 seasons[1] beginning in 1991, and was produced and hosted by Huell Howser in collaboration with KCET, Los Angeles. The series ceased production when Howser retired in November 2012, shortly before his death on January 7, 2013,[2] although episodes continue to be shown on KCET and are featured on the page at the station's website about his shows.
| California's Gold | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | California's Gold with Huell Howser |
| Genre | Human interest |
| Created by | Huell Howser |
| Written by | Huell Howser |
| Presented by | Huell Howser |
| Opening theme | "California, Here I Come" |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 24 |
| No. of episodes | 443 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Huell Howser, Phil Noyes, Harry Pallenberg |
| Editors | David Swofford, Mary Danly |
| Camera setup | Single camera |
| Running time | 30–60 minutes |
| Production companies | KCET Huell Howser Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | California Public Television |
| Release | 1991 – 2012 |
The series theme song is "California, Here I Come". Typically, it is performed by local musicians who may be from a given episode's locale. However some episodes include an old-time recording of the California state song "I Love You, California".
Production
editThe minimal production allowed locations and people to remain the focal point of the program. Howser's archives are now housed at Chapman University in Orange, California, and can be streamed online.[3] The decision to donate them grew out his experiences making an episode of the show.[4]
Episodes
editCalifornia's Gold is divided into 24 seasons of varying lengths (plus specials), comprising 443 episodes.[5]
In May 2016, KCET showed a "lost" episode on the Charles F. Lummis House, now considered to be the final episode.[6] In March 2018, documentary filmmaker John McDonald released an unofficial episode of the series. "California's Gold: The Ghost Mountain Experiment" documents the life of California hermit Marshal South and family, and incorporates previously unreleased footage produced by Howser.[7]
Related shows
editSeveral related shows were also produced by Huell Howser Productions in collaboration with KCET. These were California's Green, a show about environmentally friendly measures being undertaken in California; California's Golden Coast; California's Golden Parks; California's Water; California's Missions; Road Trip, a show about sights along California's highways and byways;[8] Downtown, a show about Los Angeles' downtown; Visiting..., a show about sights in the Los Angeles area;[9] and Palm Springs.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Huell Howser Show List" (PDF). Chapman University – Huell Howser Archives. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
- ^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times. 28 November 2012.
- ^ "Huell Howser Archives at Chapman University".
- ^ "'Lost' Episode of Huell Howser's 'California's Gold' to Air Monday: LAist". Archived from the original on 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
- ^ "California's Gold with Huell Howser". KCET. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "'Lost' Episode of Huell Howser's 'California's Gold' to Air Monday: LAist". Archived from the original on 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
- ^ "A Lost, Final Huell Howser Episode Has Been Discovered". 22 February 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ "Road Trip". KCET. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "Visiting with Huell Howser". KCET. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "Palm Springs with Huell Howser". KCET. Retrieved October 21, 2016.