God needed someone in heaven to tell Satan, "Get off my show!", so He took Wally away. From today's LA Times: >>By Jean O. Pasco, Times Staff Writer Wally George, who pioneered insult television on his long-running Orange County talk show "Hot Seat" in the 1980s, died Sunday in Fountain Valley.<<
He was also one of the first to stage guests - he'd have one of his staffers come on covered in Bill Clinton buttons and pretend he was a lifelong Democrat, for example. It was a very funny show, although he'd have been horrified to hear it described as such. People who never heard of him stole his act, and with the exception of Michael Savage, usually did it better. I'm pretty sure he predated Morton Downey Jr., and followed Joe Pyne, if that means anything to talk radio historians out there.
Damn right! Back when blow-dried wannabes like Rush Limbaugh were flacking for baseball teams, Wally and his polyester hair were defending America! And there's no better way to defend the American way of life than running commercials for 900 number services right after you throw the Reverend Bud Green off your show. Instead of Cal State Fullerton frat boys screaming, "Wally, Wally, Wally"; now the angels in heaven are. It's just as well; Wally would not want to see Cruz Bustamante elected in 2006.
Did Wally get any play outside Southern California? I remember goofing on him during High School. The whole conservative thing was good fun, like the WWF. Then I grew out of it. If you're unfamiliar with the man, he really help pave the way for blow hards ranging from Morton Downey to Jerry Springer to Rush Limbaugh. Not neccessarily a legacy I'd be proud of, but I always sensed he was a decent man. Rest in Peace, Wally.
Wally is El Pollo Loco, Sigalerts, the Marine Layer and supporting the LA Galaxy. That is to say, a purely southern California phenomenon.