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Wally George, Dead

Matt Welch | 10.7.2003 3:00 AM

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You probably had to live in Southern California to get the joke, but his was the most watchable lunatic patriotic Reaganite conservative scream-television show of the 1980s. He was 71.

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Matt Welch is an editor at large at Reason.

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  1. Jim Walsh   22 years ago

    Now THERE'S the guy ESPN should've hired for commentary...

  2. Russ D   22 years ago

    Wally's show was sydicated for a short time. I never understood what was so special about it, every city had at least one radio show from a rabble-rouser before Rush became the national kingpin of that stuff; Wally's show was too much schtick to be entertaining on a scary-believable level.

  3. B   22 years ago

    Today is truly a sad day. I remember first watching Wally on KDOC at 2am while a teenager waiting for the commercials for the sex chat lines. Right-wing rabble rousing and sex! Does it get any better?

  4. mdw   22 years ago

    Wally George was Rebecca De Mornay's father? That's just...incomprehensible.

  5. Steve Smith   22 years ago

    This is going back further, but during the '70's Wally George used to be the producer/co-host of a local show starring former mayor Sam Yorty. Yorty would spend an hour bitching about Tom Bradley and Jimmy Carter, repeat the mantra that he didn't leave the Democrat Party, the Democrat Party left him, and interviewing guests. The most frequest guests were probably Ben Stein, Georgie Jessel, and psychic Tamara Rand (the woman who gained fame for predicting the assasination attempt on Ronald Reagan after it happened).

  6. Susan Friesen   22 years ago

    Good comments about Wally George. I am sad to hear he died. He lived very close to where I grew up in Orange County. In college, the Young Republican group, which I belonged to, would head to the Sam Yorty Show to whoop it up, clap, boo/hiss. That show was great entertainment-esp. in-person. Once, I even had the chance to be a hostess on the show, ushering-in Darryl Gates, and Tiny Tim (of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" fame). I wish I could have written Wally George before he died to share how he made a difference. He was a good, humble, and colorful man who shared his opinions openly, causing fireworkds to fly. Somewhere in my collection of old LP's is a autographed record that Wally George gave me of his political diatribes.
    Susan

  7. Jerry   21 years ago

    Today I found out wally george had died. Today is the best day of my life. that man is now in hell.
    Hurray he's in HELL!!!!!!!!

  8. Goodlife 2000   21 years ago

    just a quick hello and congratulations to your nice website ! i'll visit you again! Cu 😉

  9. FitLine   21 years ago

    Hello, What a beautiful and awesome site. I adore what you've done with your setup and graphics. I recently built a new homepage of my own, so I'm doubly impressed. Thanks you so much.

  10. Andrew Jonathan Magallanes   21 years ago

    I can not believe it. I have wondered why the Hot Seat has not aired on KDOC anymore. I am very saddened by his death. God Bless his heart. I really looked up to him. I grew up watching his show since I was 14 years old (5 years ago). I hope all his family is okay and I wish him the best because I know he is in heaven. And to those of you who posted bad messages about his death; GET A LIFE! Never make fun of someone's death even if you hated them. I had nothing but the most respect for Wally and his talk show. May his soul rest in peace for I have just found out about his death and it has been over half a year! To those that knew him personally, I am truly sorry and I know he was a good man though I never met him. I wish you all the best.

  11. Mark Ojeda   21 years ago

    I'm gonna miss you fella.You were pure mindless entertainment at it's best.You were the epitome of the 80's and all it stood for. When I think of the 80's, I think of how great it was to live in Orange County, have a bad hairstyle, Ronnie Ray-gun and watching your show. You were a sign of the times and a part of the Orange County culture the rest of the world won't understand. Enjoy Heaven!

  12. Mark Ojeda   21 years ago

    I'm gonna miss you fella.You were pure mindless entertainment at it's best.You were the epitome of the 80's and all it stood for. When I think of the 80's, I think of how great it was to live in Orange County, have a bad hairstyle, Ronnie Ray-gun and watching your show. You were a sign of the times and a part of the Orange County culture the rest of the world won't understand. Enjoy Heaven!

  13. Ed Heard   21 years ago

    Happen to catch Wally and Hotseat for the first time when I was in junior high.I thought it was unique , and for what was on during that time , thats saying a lot. I loved his radio shows, they were just so darn funny! Wally was pure entertainment to me, and Im sad that he is gone.What I cant understand is why his daughter (actress Rebecca D.) disowned him. oh well, R.I.P Mr. George

  14. Rick   21 years ago

    It's nice to hear some people still remember Hot Seat with Wally George. I was a regular guest on the show from 1983-1992 and it was a very memorable time in my life... I have many of my appearances on streaming video if anyone is interested.
    Go to http://www.rickredrock.com and click on Hot Seat TV....

    Rick

  15. Jamie   21 years ago

    I watched his show for only a few months and thought it was interesting. I liked how he spoke his mind. What I liked more is that he was a Christian. I could tell that God and his son Jesus Christ were always there for Wally. I also like how he loved his daughter, Holly, very much.
    I have a feeling that when Ronald Reagan died and went to Heaven, Wally ran to him and they rejoiced because they were with God and each other. Wow.
    Anyway, Wally did a very good show and I hope to meet him in Heaven someday. See you there in many years, Wally.

  16. Jamie   21 years ago

    I watched his show for only a few months and thought it was interesting. I liked how he spoke his mind. What I liked more is that he was a Christian. I could tell that God and his son Jesus Christ were always there for Wally. I also like how he loved his daughter, Holly, very much.
    I have a feeling that when Ronald Reagan died and went to Heaven, Wally ran to him and they rejoiced because they were with God and each other. Wow.
    Anyway, Wally did a very good show and I hope to meet him in Heaven someday. See you there in many years, Wally.

  17. Jamie   21 years ago

    I watched his show for only a few months and thought it was interesting. I liked how he spoke his mind. What I liked more is that he was a Christian. I could tell that God and his son Jesus Christ were always there for Wally. I also like how he loved his daughter, Holly, very much.
    I have a feeling that when Ronald Reagan died and went to Heaven, Wally ran to him and they rejoiced because they were with God and each other. Wow.
    Anyway, Wally did a very good show and I hope to meet him in Heaven someday. See you there in many years, Wally.

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