Ace of Spades HQ

January 14, 2013

The One Week Late RIP Huell Howser Post
— CAC

I would have posted this right after the news broke about the passing of the World's Oldest Toddler, but I was a bit held up last Monday. So here it goes.

For those who don't live in California, Mr. Howser was the host of over a half-dozen travel shows on public TV out here. So what?

Here's what: he was comically consumed by the most tedious aspects of every "journey" he took (see any of Adam Carolla's podcasts with Dana Gould), genuinely enthused about any tourist trap, sand pit, and park bench he came across, and there will never be another like him. He sucked you in with his child-like wonder. Often impersonated, never imitated, he truly loved the state he adopted and made his home, and it won't be the same without him.

R.I.P., and may the clouds be amazing.

Every possible example of his excitement to follow.

Posted by: CAC at 12:52 PM | Comments (29)
Post contains 163 words, total size 2 kb.

1 The best one was his visit to a park that had a hot spring covered in mud. Just a big pond of steaming mud.

"Hey Louie! Look at the mud! Wow!"

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at January 14, 2013 12:55 PM (WLpmE)

2 He was the best. I was just gutted when I heard of his passing. I followed him on FB as well, just to get that "good" touch of home. We lost a wonderful man, he was much to young. What really sucks is that he had just retired as well. But I have a feeling he lived his life to the fullest. Rest in peace.

Posted by: Mrs Compton at January 14, 2013 12:56 PM (dX4hn)

3 And California basically just consumed his entire estate with their death tax.

Heull's family will probably sell his copy-write to pay the tax man.

Posted by: Marcus at January 14, 2013 12:57 PM (GGCsk)

4 Dana Gould's take on Huell's visit to the tortilla factory, funniest bit ever on Carolla's podcast.

Posted by: BuckIV at January 14, 2013 12:57 PM (gedHR)

5 I saw Huell on TV a while back interviewing an uncomfortable elderly lighthouse keeper and his wife about the contents of their bedroom. In their bedroom. Hilarious.

I heard he died the next day. Huell was one of a kind.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at January 14, 2013 12:59 PM (QKKT0)

6 #4 "THATS TWO KINDS OF TORTILLAS!"

Posted by: CAC at January 14, 2013 12:59 PM (gB3IC)

7 Never heard of him. Sorry for you loss, or whatever.

Posted by: Invictus at January 14, 2013 01:02 PM (OQpzc)

8 Pallet cleanser from the last thread. Now i can finish my meal.

Posted by: Cicero Kid at January 14, 2013 01:03 PM (kWFP3)

9 Exactly the way we should view the world created for us. Through the eyes of a child. RIP

Posted by: Cicero Kid at January 14, 2013 01:06 PM (kWFP3)

10 One thing that most people don't know is that Huell was a Marine. After he got out he started working for a TV station in Nashville, TN doing the same kind of local attraction stuff he did with California Gold. I actually saw him once when he came to my elementary school there.

Posted by: Mætenloch at January 14, 2013 01:09 PM (pAlYe)

11 "Look at all those marbles!" Wife and I always watch his reruns.

Posted by: George Orwell what knows we are indentured servants to the welfare state at January 14, 2013 01:14 PM (Lxw+T)

he was a marine

Posted by: kj at January 14, 2013 01:15 PM (wmA7o)

13 I actually saw him once when he came to my elementary school there. I saw him in a gym, about 22 years ago!

Posted by: George Orwell what knows we are indentured servants to the welfare state at January 14, 2013 01:15 PM (Lxw+T)

14 Mien frau says I should audition to replace he

Posted by: Jeff E. at January 14, 2013 01:19 PM (Ga7m4)

15 He is missed. RIP. He struck me as genuine.

Posted by: nip at January 14, 2013 01:27 PM (11Tdq)

16 (with a slow drawl): You mean to tell me that just by clicking on that little arrow with this little thingy, whatta you call it? A mouse? This mouse. That's a funny name. That just by clicking on that little arrow with this mouse thing, that I can hear a guy who died last week talking to me? Well, I'll be. Will wonders never cease.

Posted by: Dave H at January 14, 2013 01:30 PM (Nc3Jc)

17 "I'm Howell Hueser and I love every place - except Springfield!
-- the Simpsons

Posted by: Gerry at January 14, 2013 01:34 PM (t0VDn)

18
FYI

WHAT: A free, public memorial for Huell Howser

WHEN: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. Gather at Griffith Observatory steps at 4:00 p.m., and remarks delivered at 5:07 p.m.

WHERE: Steps of the Griffith Observatory, 2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles, CA 90027

HOW: A shuttle from the Greek Theatre parking lot will serve those who can't find parking near the Griffith Observatory.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at January 14, 2013 01:36 PM (kdS6q)

If you had a picture of Burt Lancaster hanging on your wall, Huell would walk over hot coals to find out why.

Posted by: Concern Troll at January 14, 2013 01:47 PM (4KOF2)

20 I always enjoyed his shows, made be proud back in the day to be a Californian before it went total shithole... But much like Huell Howser, California is RIP

Posted by: The Political Hat at January 14, 2013 01:53 PM (XvHmy)

21 Huell saved my local Radio Shack from being looted during the LA Riots. He organized a group of locals to guard it from the howling mob. and helped guard it. Also, he interviewed my Mom for 20 minutes or so when he was exploring Death Valley after a winter of Epic Rainfall. All of that was left on the cutting room floor but my Mom still got a thrill for yakking it up with him for a bit. Huell was a great guy.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at January 14, 2013 01:55 PM (qkP36)

22 Viewers loved Huell for simply being Huell. The Mr. Rogers of California travelogue.

One of my fav's was when he visited a north coast dinosaur fossil site. He interviewed a giant black rock. For thirty minutes.

Posted by: 13times at January 14, 2013 02:16 PM (h6XiD)

23 Thanks for this CAC. I'm a CA native, and I share your feelings. He was a good guy, and will be missed. (except you KNOW that every PBS fundraiser will have California Gold marathons for the next year...) WOW! AMAZING!

Posted by: Gromulin at January 14, 2013 02:33 PM (SNjPs)

24 I've loved his shows for decades. I missed this, and will miss him.
But then again, the California state of mind has grown old as well, and bat-shit senile. It will never again be grand place Howser explored. It will always smell of rotting corpse and urine.

Posted by: EZnSF at January 14, 2013 04:42 PM (tzbbV)

25
California has lost a true treasure.

I'm glad you put up the "California Here I Come" video. Quintessential Huell.

RIP Huell...

Posted by: thebronze at January 14, 2013 05:40 PM (PKSwX)

26 I don't know. I found his Gomer-Wonder tedious and though I'd been to most of his touted spots, his shows weren't enough to convince me to go to the rest. His aw-shucks-cain-it really-be-real-whut-yer-a-tellin-me was painful for me to watch, even for the first time. I always thought Ralph Story made the guy look like an amateur.

Posted by: Dirty Old Man at January 14, 2013 05:58 PM (xAF87)

27 Oh man, HH got FOUR MINUTES at the top of the blog.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at January 14, 2013 06:32 PM (qkP36)

28 When is someone going to admit he died ofAIDS?

Posted by: JRT at January 15, 2013 12:00 AM (yKNCH)

HH was a staple of my weekly tube time for many years. What a great guide, and lovable teddy bear.

RIP

Posted by: Born Free at January 15, 2013 12:00 PM (jnJcf)

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