Huell howser was gay

A reader writes:

Regarding the commenter who is upset that the Huffington Post's obituary of Huell Howser didn't speak of that he was gay: shouldn't it be the objective of the same-sex attracted and lesbian group to live in a society where it no longer matters that they are gay and lesbian?  Shouldn't it be the objective of people who believe in equality and the alike rights for all that we no longer have these labels? Whether it is African-American, same-sex attracted or straight, Catholic or Muslim, the never-ending need for labels is what drives us apart rather than together. 

Another writes:

People can utter what they will about Huell Hower’s television function, but there is little doubt he was a singular embodiment of California. During the L.A. riots in 1992, I witnessed Howser produce a revolver and personally guard my neighborhood Radio Shack in the Larchmont district. He was just fed up with people wrecking his municipality and practically dared anyone to attempt and steal a boombox. That incident cemented my esteem for him. Yeah his show was corny, but he was a manual to everything wonderful and ordinary about the Golden Express, and I’m content I got to take his tour

Stay Gold

It’s always refreshing to shift on the television, peruse the channels and come across the warm smile and enthusiastic liveliness of Rob Stewart, host of KVIE’s Rob on the Road. Stewart’s engaging personality always lures me in. Being a companion of California, I’m forever searching for new adventures and Rob on the Road provides that, taking viewers all over Northern California and beyond to travel the people, places, history and beauty this area has to offer.

Stewart’s personality shines as bright, if not brighter, in person. During our conversation we talked about his upcoming shows, how his life has changed over the last few years and, of course, Huell Howser.

After viewing just one episode of Rob on the Road it’s easy to see why some compare Stewart to the legendary Huell Howser, host of the long-running PBS show California’s Gold.

“Every single day someone says to me ‘We’re so glad you replaced Huell,’” Stewart says with a smile. “I quickly say, ‘I didn’t,’ because there’s no such thing. You cannot replace Huell Howser. He’s irreplaceable. All we’re doing is trying to continue the identical spirit of exploring California.”

Howser did take notice of what Stewar

It’s a hot Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, but I can barely view my hand in front of my face. It’s dark inside La Cita, the famous ranchero lock in Bunker Hill, but I’m not here for the cumbia. Instead, I make my way down the long bar, past many Stetson-wearing dancers, and back out into the sunlight. There, on La Cita’s back patio, is a woman seated next to a life-sized cardboard standup of the slow journalist and TV individuality Huell Howser.

Her name is Shawniece Swain. She’s a production assistant, longtime KCRW volunteer, and operator of the Where Would Huell Go? Instagram and Facebook pages. On this summer afternoon, Swain has organized a meet-up of Huell Howser superfans.

Though I’ve never met her, she’s plain to spot: She’s wearing a gray shirt with a photo of her meeting Howser at KCRW in 2011 and the words “Hug Life.” The cardboard standup is also hers, as are the stacks of AAA maps of California that point out places Howser visited during his nearly three decades of work here that Swain has placed around the patio. Old episodes of Visiting . . . With Huell Howser are playing on a projection screen and on TVs over the block (made possible by that day’s marathon o

Huell Howser

AKA Huell Burnley Howser

Born:18-Oct-1945
Birthplace:Gallatin, TN
Died:6-Jan-2013
Location of death:Palm Springs, CA
Cause of death:Cancer - Prostate

Gender: Male
Religion:Methodist
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation:Gay
Occupation: TV Personality

Nationality: Combined States
Executive summary:California's Gold

Military service: USMC Reserve

As host of the popular KCET widespread television series California's Gold, Huell Howser tirelessly crisscrossed the Golden State in search of underappreciated tourist spots. With the "aw shucks" charm of a Tennessee transplant, Howser was uniquely equipped to bring out the best in California's tour guides, museum curators, and park rangers.

Father: Harold (attorney)
Mother: Jewell (homemaker)

    University: BA History and Political Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

    Congressional Staff US Senator Howard Baker

    TELEVISION
    Entertainment Tonight Correspondent (1982-83)

    FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (23-Jan-2006) · Himself

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