Channel Surfing: Julien’s Auctions Rewinds TV History with a Glamorous Pop Culture Time Capsule
Television has always had the power to define eras—framing living rooms, shaping cultural conversations, and gifting us characters who feel like family. But what happens when these screen-worn symbols step off the set and into real life? Julien’s Auctions, the world-renowned house synonymous with pop culture provenance, answers that question with CHANNEL SURFING, a dazzling new exhibition and auction series honoring the golden—and platinum—ages of television.
Housed within RiseNY in Midtown Manhattan through May 8, the CHANNEL SURFING exhibition is a sumptuous blend of nostalgia and craftsmanship, offering a curated look at over 600 iconic artifacts from television’s most beloved shows. From the 1950s to the streaming era, this unprecedented gathering brings viewers face-to-face with original costumes, props, and set pieces that defined decades of entertainment.
A Living Time Capsule in the Heart of New York
The exhibition offers more than a showcase—it delivers a sensory dive into seven decades of cultural memory. Children move through the halls wide-eyed, marveling at relics from shows that predate even their grandparents. Adults pause reverently before the legendary Friends couch or Jon Hamm’s razor-sharp Mad Men suit, rediscovering the scenes that once captivated audiences.
This isn’t a traditional museum experience. It’s a living time capsule—one where reverence meets joy in an intergenerational display of shared memory. Few mediums inspire that kind of instant connection across age and background, and television—at its most iconic—has always had that power.
At the center of the experience is Julien’s enduring commitment to storytelling.
“These props of over fifty years have managed to live on through the age of the internet. The younger generations of today can continuously access these shows, clips, and memories through new media, which allows their legacy to live on.”
Catherine Williamson, Julien’s Auctions Managing Director
Heroes, Gags, and Cultural Shifts on Display
Among Williamson’s personal favorites in the auction are two striking pieces: the original Lynda Carter Wonder Woman costume and David Letterman’s Velcro suit from Late Show with David Letterman.
“The 'Wonder Woman' suit is one of my favorites because it was such a moment in time. The show brought a female heroine into homes across America and created a role model for little girls everywhere.”
Catherine Williamson, Julien’s Auctions Managing Director
Equally unforgettable—if wildly different in tone—is the now-legendary Velcro suit worn by David Letterman. This iconic piece, part of one of Letterman's most beloved late-night gags, embodies the absurdity and brilliance that defined the show’s early years, and revolutionized what comedy on a talk show could look like.
Other standout pieces in this vivid homage to television history include:
Frank Gorshin’s green Riddler jacket from the Batman series starring Adam West
A signed Batarang used by Burt Ward as Robin
Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman costume—complete with tiara, boots, earrings, and the famed Lasso of Truth
Several iconic set pieces from The Honeymooners, including the dining room table, icebox, and stove
John Belushi’s “Killer Bee” antennae and Dan Aykroyd’s “Beldar Conehead” from Saturday Night Live
Mariska Hargitay’s badge from Law & Order: SVU
Props from All in the Family, Late Night with David Letterman, and Mad Men—including Roger Sterling’s office set and Harry Crane’s bar tools
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More Than Memorabilia: A Cultural Dialogue
Julien’s has long been celebrated for delivering more than auctions—it offers cultural reconnections. CHANNEL SURFING reframes memorabilia as touchstones, each piece telling its own story about the time, place, and people that shaped it.
The auction, held May 7–8 at Julien’s Studios in Los Angeles and online, presents a rare opportunity for collectors to claim a piece of television history. But the exhibition at RiseNY goes a step further, inviting the public into the process. The setting encourages not only admiration but reflection—on how these props helped define taste, push boundaries, and reflect the world around them.
Julien’s curates more than collectibles. It curates memories, placing them in conversation with the present and future of entertainment.
RiseNY: A Fitting Stage for TV’s Greatest Hits
The partnership with RiseNY adds another layer of immersion. Known for its innovative storytelling and cutting-edge tech, the Midtown museum is an ideal stage for Julien’s theatrical, detail-rich approach to presentation.
New York itself plays a subtle but central role. From Law & Order and Saturday Night Live to All in the Family, the city’s cultural DNA is deeply woven into the history of these shows. RiseNY celebrates that legacy, casting New York not just as a setting, but as a co-star in the evolution of television.
The Story Lives On
In an era of algorithmic viewing and infinite scroll, it’s easy to lose touch with the physical magic of television. Julien’s CHANNEL SURFING reminds us of the tangible impact of shared stories—of what it meant to watch, to wait, to care. These aren’t just relics of pop culture; they’re anchors of memory, creativity, and connection.
As streaming continues to reshape the entertainment landscape, exhibitions like this one offer a vital pause. A chance to look back—not to dwell in nostalgia, but to celebrate the artistry and ingenuity that laid the groundwork for what’s next.
Julien’s Auctions, as always, proves that true icons never fade. They evolve, they inspire, and—thanks to efforts like CHANNEL SURFING—they live on.