Monday, January 7, 2013

wacky tacky Icons: Huell Howser

Outside of California (and maybe some parts of Tennessee), the name Huell Howser probably doesn't mean very much.  Within our borders, however, it is a venerated name that invariably elicits a smile and/or a goofy impression.  Just about everyone in California does a Huell Howser impression (to varying degrees of accuracy/success), with everyone thinking their impression is the best.  A native son of Tennessee (with the accent to prove it), he moved to California in 1981 as a television news reporter and quickly became the unofficial, one-man Chamber of Commerce for our entire state.

Huell Howser
(October 18, 1945 - January 6, 2013)

Best known for his PBS series, "California's Gold," Huell had a folksy charm and guileless innocence that gave him entree into countless businesses, museums, homes, landmarks, monuments, parks, restaurants, and the hearts of history lovers and wacky tacky-ites all over the state. It was with great sadness that we learned he passed away last night at the age of sixty seven.

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To be honest (and it might be obvious by now), Huell is a huge hero of mine.  Whenever anybody asked me what my dream job would be, I always said, "Huell Howser's;" he showed us everything in our state that makes it so uniquely fun and fascinating.

His sunny disposition and optimism made him watchable.
His restored, mid-century volcano house made him wacky tacky!
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If you needed further proof...
Dolly, Huell & Loretta
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It is funny that it took a Southerner to remind us of the vitality and excitement of our western landscape; I guess that sometimes it takes a keen and objective eye and the wonder of a child to show you the beauty of your own hometown/state.

Huell at The Apple Pan

Huell Howser as himself with Tracey Ullman
in "Tracey Takes On Hollywood"


Huell's Videolog - "The Elephant Man"

Growing up in Southern California, Huell has been a fixture of our regular family viewing since my earliest days.  Indeed, in the war for the remote control, "Visiting," "Videolog," and "California's Gold" were always the unspoken, entertainment peace treaty.  Huell's show and his unbridled enthusiasm are the unquestionable inspiration for our desire to explore, create, report, and celebrate the joy that surrounds us.  As my mom said, "It felt like he did nothing but go around and bring out the good in people and places...he will be missed.  We need more people like him on the earth...take the bad ones away and leave the Huell Howsers of the world."  Even though his place of birth was Gallatin, TN he was truly a part of California's gold.

Huell & The Del Rubio Triplets
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Many celebrities pass every year; some deaths are a surprise, some are tragic, and some come sweetly at the end of a long life well-lived.  Few have left me feeling more sad than good old Huell's.  In general, I'm not one to experience disproportionate emotion over things not directly related to my family.  In fact, in a world rocked by mass killings and war, it feels strange (and self-indulgent) to be so sad over the death of someone I have never met, but this one has hit me hard.  I keep thinking of the illustration of Mickey Mouse (his head the globe) crying over the death of Walt Disney.  In my mind, I can see a similar image of California mourning the loss of our patron saint, Huell Howser.  Huell stood for something good in this world; his was an example of positivity and light that helped me not be swallowed by the hate and ugliness that can exist.  As has been said, "All the darkness in the world can not extinguish the light of a single candle."  He gave hope to those of us who want to preserve a sense of our past.  He legitimized the old buildings, landmarks, watering holes, and traditions of California's rich heritage.  He gave credence to the notion that exploring your own backyard for a living was not just acceptable but of great import.  As was the tradition on his show, we close this post with the song "California, Here I Come," this time as performed by Huell himself.


R.I.P. Huell Howser


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. For local readers, I would love to find a time and place to get together and remember Huell and celebrate his legacy.  In my mind, Clifton's is the most obvious choice but it is still under renovation.  Pink's, Philippe's, Palm Springs...I'm open to suggestions.

UPDATE:  You are invited to our unofficial, wacky tacky Huell Howser memorial to be held on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 2:00pm at Philippe's in downtown Los Angeles.  We'll meet there for food, fun, prizes, and sharing our best memories of our pal, Huell.  This is an informal gathering of wacky tacky and Huell Howser fans and is a totally unsponsored event.

Philippe the Original
1001 Alameda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

Please let us know if you are interested in raising a glass of
Broguiere's to our wacky tacky friend and icon too.
(Source)

29 comments:

  1. Aww this is such a sweet post. I had no idea he had passed. I didn't know much of him except for briefly watching his PBS series of California Gold. My husband and I would love to join you in any commemoration for dear Huell. I love Cliftons so I am in!!!! By the way, I posted something about you Mr.Tiny on my blog. Maybe it will put a smile on your face. Go check it out.

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    1. A meet-up is int he works. Thanks for your kind words about my sewing on your blog! It did put a smile on my face!!!

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  2. Thank you for such a wonderful tribute to Huell. My family was once on vacation in Pebble Beach, CA and my dad had brought along a recording of the "California's Gold" Pebble Beach episode for us all to watch. It made our trip to the beach so much more exciting trying to unearth some clams just as Huell had done while exclaiming "That's Amazing!" in his fantastic Southern accent. He will truly be missed. I would love to take part in raising a glass in his memory. Please let me know when and where.

    - Suz

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    1. Did you dig for them with your feet? There are so many wonderful places that we go that make us think of Huell. A meet-up is in the works and we will let you know!

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  3. You are carrying his torch my friend.
    I started the morning reading your post becoming sad as hell & now close the day with your blog feeling optimistic and grateful. Great tribute Chris.
    ***Lisa***

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    1. Thanks Lisa!!! It sounds so silly, but I really did take the news pretty hard. Thank you for reading and sharing this!

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  4. I agree to Philippe's no matter what the occasion... but Pink's is fine too.

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    1. I think it will be Philippe's - date and time TBD.

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  5. Aw, what a lovely post! Huell was certainly a treasure, and it's happy, wondrous attitudes like his that keep the world turning. I'd love to raise a glass in his honor. Phillippe's would do just the trick, I think!

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    1. He was the BEST!!! I think Philippe's is the unanimous decision. We would love to have you join us...figuring out a date and time!

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  6. Loved this man. My friend works for KVIE so I've known he was ill for a while. So sad it finally took him.

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    1. So sad! He was a transplanted treasure in our midst and I will definitely miss him!

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  7. What a touching eulogy for Mr. Huell Howser! Thank you for doing this post. I will truly miss this winsome, curious, idealistic, loveable man. He is definitely the best of California. I am so glad for the legacy that he has left behind and excited to visit the many places in California he has uncovered. I’d be down for a tribute at Philippe’s, especially since I work down the street.

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    1. Thanks Crystal Lee!!! I will let you know when we figure out a good date & time. Hopefully, everyone will be able to come!

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  8. Well, you just made me cry at work. (we will not discuss the fact that I'm reading blogs instead of working) Thank you for putting into words what I could not. Huel was a fixture in our home as well and his spirit will always have a special place in the home of my heart.

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    1. I was a little weepy all day when I heard the bad news. Nobody can take his place but I'm glad that he inspired me and so many others; his legacy of finding joy in weird stuff and cool places will thrive!

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  9. Although I am not familiar with Huell, I think he would have been quite happy to read this glowing tribute to him!! Be sure to tell us about your memorial get together!!!!

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    1. Thanks RS!!! If/when we have a mini-memorial, I will definitely fill you in on the details!

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  10. My mom sent me a text last night that said he'd passed and I'd heard about it online, but didn't really know much about the man. I can't believe he's a fellow Tennessean AND he found fame and fortune in the Sunshine State...there's hope for the rest of us yet! I learned a lot about him from this wonderful tribute post and the videos you put up-- the elephant one might be the best. RIP, HH!

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    1. Even though he was born in your neck of the woods, we definitely claim him as our own. He shone so much light on our state; I think he brought the sunshine with him!!!

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  11. I'll aways remember the guy in Newberry Springs who had his rock collection in his from yard right down from the Bagdad Cafe. To show off the color in the rocks the guy would lick the rock. I met this guy before he moved, rock collection and all to somewhere back east. He said he had to get the heck out of California. His house was on the on Rte 66. I bought some of the rocks from him and he gave me a rockhounding map of the area. What a guy!

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    1. The rock licker is unforgettable! I can't believe you went out there and met him too. He was the highlight of that odd and meandering episode. Time for some more Huell-themed desert adventures - let's go!

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  12. i didn't realize he was from tennessee! we watched his show on sunday mornings o n PBS for YEARS and my dad and I do a great impression of him! and i always think of the theme song when I hear the word california! i was just talking about him the other day when someone mentioned abalone. i told them about the episode where they are catching them and eating them on the beach and it almost made me throw up! i'm legitimately sad to hear he passed. i loved him on that show. If i lived on that side of the country I would definitely come out and pay him some tribute.

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    1. Yep - a true Tennesseean! Although, I think he was a California boy at heart! I'm glad that folks outside of CA were aware of him too; he was a huge asset to our state and a wacky tacky hero!

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  13. I was so sad to hear of this news the other day. How could you not love California's Gold, and the fact that Huell turned you on to future "must-see" destinations? Great post, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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    1. Thanks Erin! He was/is such an inspiration. I am still so bummed but we have plan for a meet up to memorialize him in wacky tacky fashion!

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  14. I appreciate you writing this post. He brought a lot of people joy. He died in Palm Springs - where I live. It's been on the radio a lot. He was really a neat guy. I loved his enthusiasm - especially for the simple or peculiar things in life that are so easily overlooked.

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    1. Thank you Patti! His appreciation for everything and everyone around him was infectious. He forced us to acknowledge the beauty in everything and be grateful - that is an example I hope to follow all through my life. Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. PLEASE tell me how I can get a Wacky Tacky Huell Howser pin!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!

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