goldenthroat's Blog

They say nothing is certain outside of death and taxes.  But for those of us in our fifties-plus who grew up in northeast Ohio watching Cleveland television, we have all been stunned at the news - albeit mildly - of the impending retirement of Big Chuck. 

I can still remember as a teenager staying up late on the weekends watching the then "Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show" and falling asleep in the wee hours of the morning to the great movies and sketches these guys put on. 

Then Hoolihan moved to Florida and Little John took over - the tradition continued with the great movies and slapstick - perhaps even funnier. I have to admit that, when I heard the news and watched the interview with Big Chuck on the newscast on Fox8 Friday evening of May 18, I had a bit of an empty pit in my stomach feeling like I was about to lose a lifelong friend.  Knowing that I literally grew up with this show and have enjoyed in my adult years, even with my 11 year old daughter, will now be just a memory.  She has enjoyed "Couch Potato Theater" and knows that Dad has been watching Big Chuck and Little John much longer than she has been around.

I have thought over the years if any other television station in any city had ever offered their viewers such terrific local TV programming like "Hoolihan/Big Chuck/Little John".   If not, they have been deprived of what television was meant to be - fun, clean, and most of all, entertaining. These guys were our  "Abbot and Costello", "Laurel and Hardy" - but we had the additional privilege of knowing they were northeast Ohio's own - our entertainment - for our viewing - something we looked forward to on a weekend night for decades. 

I hope we'll have the opportunity to buy a compilation DVD of the sketches from these legendary shows someday - sketches like "Readings by Robert", "Soul Man", highlights from the pizza eating contest featuring "Mushmouth" Mariano Pachetti,  "Mary Hartski! Mary Hartski!", "Ben Krazy", "The Certain Ethnic (fill in the blank)", BC and LJ's rendition of "Who's On First?" - just to name a few.

How about it, Fox8?

Best wishes to Big Chuck and Little John.  Like the late Bob Hope sang: "Thanks for the memories." 

You'll be missed. 

I don't get it - I just don't get it.  Why did the city of Cleveland ever go after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when for years now it seems no one there gives the south end of a north bound horse about the induction ceremonies being held in New York City?

From the get-go the Big Apple has hosted this event. Why? Is Cleveland embarrassed to fight for this for some unknown reason?  This would be like holding the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Green Bay!  I lived in Stark County for 23 years and, believe me, the city of Canton would declare war if that happened! 

Hasn't Cleveland rolled over and played dead long enough about this issue? When will the powers-that-be at the R and R HOF put their foot down and say "enough is enough, the inductions will be held in Cleveland. Period!"

Oh, wait a minute - I just checked and that falls under the "when hell freezes over" category!