NEW BEDFORD — After months of anticipation, the national travel series “Lost In” has officially released its New Bedford and Fall River area episodes on Youtube.
Filmed in August 2025, the half-hour adventure-and-travel episode hosted by Christian “DJ BBQ” Stevenson marks the sixth installment of the series produced in partnership with Explore New Bedford.
Both episodes are now streaming on YouTube but will also be available on Prime Video, Tubi and more than 250 television channels nationwide.
“It was such a fun episode showcasing a variety of awesome things the SouthCoast has to offer. It’s full of energy, color, great food, great people and great places,” said Alyssa Botelho, Fairhaven’s Community Development Coordinator who was featured in the opening sequence.
What to know about the show
When Randy Lavoie, sous chef turned head chef at The Black Whale, got the opportunity to appear on the TV show, he said he jumped at the chance to represent the restaurant as well as his city.
“It was really cool. I haven’t ever really done anything like that before,” Lavoie said. “I’ve done a friend’s podcast, but to be part of a film production and a TV show and see what goes into that, was really cool.”
Lavoie said he was surprised by the amount of work required to capture the perfect moment on camera. “It was a lot more than I had envisioned, doing the different takes, as well as so many different things that go into getting the perfect shot. So I definitely have more of a respect for shows now.”
Filming inside the Black Whale
He also said having the cameras in his own kitchen gave Lavoie a “home field advantage.”
“I wasn’t too nervous. I told them if they ever wanted to do anything like that again, I would totally be down for it,” he added.
The New Bedford episode highlights four locally loved spots that capture the city’s personality and flavors: Goulart Square Bakery, PLAY Arcade, The Whale’s Tail Clam Bar and The Black Whale.
“We eat, explore and experience destinations all over America, focusing on hidden-gem, off-the-beaten-path towns and cities,” said associate producer Mariah Cardenas. “In New Bedford, you can really feel what a 48- to 72-hour visit looks like — how to connect with the locals and experience the heart of the city.”
Designed as a “video traveler’s guide,” “Lost In” zeroes in on rising destinations that may not always make traditional travel lists. The New Bedford episode packs a wide range of experiences into its 22-minute runtime, from behind-the-scenes moments at family-run eateries to immersive visuals of the working waterfront.
Beyond the four featured businesses, viewers will spot sweeping drone shots of the city, scenes from the fishing docks, and a brief ferry ride showcasing New Bedford’s Azorean whaleboats. The cinematic B-roll helps set the tone from the opening moments.
“We want viewers to feel the city’s vibe the second the episode starts,” Cardenas said. “That’s why we go big on visuals.”
Stephen Silverstein, owner of Black Whale and Servedwell Hospitality, also made an appearance at The Whale Tale in the episode. “They were amazing. So fun, prepared and professional. I am not a camera guy but they made it so much fun I got into it,” he said. “They were blown away by New Bedford.”
Adam Katz, co-owner of PLAY Arcade, said he was honored that PLAY was featured in such a beautiful representation of New Bedford.
Seeing the episode on TV
Lavoie said he watched the episode premiere alongside his 14-year-old son, who excitedly sent him the link when it aired on YouTube. “Everybody was texting me and telling me about that the episode aired,” he said.
“There was one part where [DJ BBQ] was commenting about how the swordfish was cut in the shape of a heart. We did a few takes and they went with one when he said, ‘Chef Randy loves me.’ And I said, ‘No, I love swordfish.’ It just came out and I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I can’t believe they used that.’”
For Lavoie, one of the best parts of the episode is showing viewers the real, behind-the-scenes challenges of working in a busy kitchen. “It was really cool for people to get a little bit of that behind the scenes as to what it takes to kind of put the food out, make it look nice and taste good,” he added.
He said he hopes the episode inspires viewers to visit The Black Whale, or at least gain a new appreciation for what goes on behind closed doors.
“It’s a big production back there,” he said. “We’re sweating and moving around fast. There was a scene where we were walking the line and talking about some of the food … a behind the scenes look at what goes into a busy Friday.”
Fall River episode highlights Lizzie Borden and Brewers Garden
The Fall River episode started by visiting Battleship Cove and the Lizzie Borden Museum, also featuring Morgan’s Cantina at the Borden Light Marina and Buzzard’s Bay Brewery in Westport.
“Hosting a visit by Lost In with DJ BBQ was a blast,” said the brewery owner Bill Russell. “He showed up curious, thirsty, and ready to explore. That’s our kind of guest.”
Explore New Bedford helped bring the show to the city after connecting with the production team at the Discover New England conference earlier in the year. Collaborating with the Southeastern Massachusetts Visitors Bureau and local tourism boards for their two episodes, according to Ashley Payne, director of Explore New Bedford, the fit felt immediate.
“They were drawn to how vibrant and diverse New Bedford is,” Payne said. “We talked about our Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, our seafood industry, Cabo Verdean culture and local restaurants — and they said, ‘We need to come here.’”
Planning moved quickly, with filming coming together in just a couple of weeks. Payne said the show aligned perfectly with the city’s focus on locally owned businesses and authentic storytelling.
“It’s about highlighting entrepreneurs, creatives and the local culture that make New Bedford special,” she said.
Produced by Bluewater Studios of Clearwater, Florida, “Lost In” began as a passion project and has steadily grown through partnerships with cities across the country. The New Bedford episode continues that tradition, spotlighting mom-and-pop restaurants, local history and communities proud of where they live.
“We are always grateful for an opportunity to showcase our city and tell our story, but what was so special with Lost In with DJ BBQ was the way the crew genuinely embraced and enjoyed our story, our people, our food, and our culture,” said Amy DesRosiers, Marketing Manager, Tourism & Marketing after watching the episodes premeire.
“That enthusiasm shone through in the episode and watching it I got to relive that joy. Their team truly capture the heart and soul of the people who make our city unique, and I can tell New Bedford capture their hearts and souls in return.”
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. Find out more about him at sethchitwood.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
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