Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: Cruise Down The 1980s Sunset Strip Of 'Wicked City'
Tonight, ABC premieres Wicked City, a show about a serial killer (played by Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick) who stalks the Sunset Strip, preying on naive women, who have freshly arrived in Hollywood. He almost sounds like a Brat Pack-era version of 1893 Chicago World's Fair killer H.H. Holmes.
So far, advance reviews of the pilot are not good. Judging by the flashy '80s pop soundtrack, it seems that much of the budget for Wicked City went towards licensing music from the era—much of which was born on the Strip itself.
But the show is as good a reason as any journey back to the past, in all its seedy, hair-sprayed glory. As Westwick's character says in the pilot episode of Wicked City, "Accept me for who I am—that's the Sunset Strip." We dug up photos of those famous billboards and marquees on Sunset Blvd., inside the seedy clubs and outside where protesters campaigned against prostitution. If you've got a hankering for even more photos of the '80s L.A. scene, beyond the Strip, the Los Angeles Public Library showcased an exhibit featuring photos of the L.A. music scene from 1978—1999 earlier this year.
Support for LAist comes from
|
|
Support for LAist comes from
|
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist