> Anyone know why the Christmas parade was held in front of
> the Kodak Theater and not the KTLA studios like in years
> past?
>
> Always made me happy to see the KTLA antenna in the
> background.
>
Well if I had to guess it was to show the part of Hollywood that some consider it's heart. The Chinese Theater and the Hollywood and Highland area.
This is the area that is lit up for the cameras and where the reviewing stand with the TV anchors is located now. It's gone through extensive renovation and looks pretty good.
In years past they would set up on Sunset, just up the block from the parade's start at KTLA. Even though the old White House looks okay, I'm guessing that it's still not considered the best looking part of Hollywood by those making the choices. The parade follows the same route and direction, it just starts and ends in a different place. On the plus side, the "green room" is now the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel instead of a soundstage at channel 5, and it's much more comfortable. They put on a really nice spread and an after party poolside at the hotel was held for participants by KTLA. We scored some very nice goodies there thanks to the trend to give you gift bags and baskets with very cool stuff... The downside at present is a serious lack of big stars. But when you think of it, a lot of those who would participate have passed on in recent years. But Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt were there to represent those bygone days...
