We've lost a couple of legends of local Los Angeles TV lately but fortunately, we still have a couple to have and to hold. Better still, you can hear them interviewed later today and even call in and ask them questions. Stu Shostak's guests on Stu's Show, everyone's favorite weekly Internet radio station, will be Tom Hatten and Jimmy Weldon.
If you grew up in Los Angeles and you're close to my age, no further explanation is necessary. You remember how Tom Hatten hosted the Popeye cartoons on Channel 5 for much of my childhood and how he put his skills as a cartoonist to good use on those programs. He used to sketch the Popeye characters and give little drawing lessons, and if you think that didn't have a lot to do with my interest in cartooning, you're wrong. KTLA used him as a host for many years in many time slots, and he's more recently served as an entertainment reporter for KNX radio. This is in addition to his busy career as an actor…and he's also a classy, smart guy.
Opposite him at times, over on KCOP Channel 13, one could watch cartoons hosted by Jimmy Weldon and his ducky pal, Webster Webfoot. "Uncle" Jimmy was a master of duck talk and he not only spoke for his puppet pal Webster but also for Yakky Doodle, the baby duck on The Yogi Bear Show. He has since become a motivational speaker, flying all over the continent to fire up audiences…but always taking li'l Webster along with him. He's another great guy with a long career in broadcasting and a generation or two of kids who grew up watching him.
If you were/are such a kid, or if you just want to hear about the fine art of kids' show hosting from two masters, tune in Stu's Show today for a live broadcast. It all happens from 4 PM to 6 PM Pacific Time, which is probably 7 PM to 9 PM Eastern Time…and you can figure out the other time zones based on that. To listen in, go to the website of Shokus Internet Radio at the appointed hour and click as directed. This oughta be one of Stu's best episodes…and he's had some pretty good ones lately.