Art Linkletter Passes On

I know that I'm going to sound like my father. There's a good chance that you missed one of the most loved and engaging figures in the history of television - Art Linkletter. Mr. Linkletter died today in his Los Angeles home. He was 97. His wife of 75 years, Lois was at his side. The don't make 'em like Art, anymore. A show business star, married to the same woman for 75 years? There is no television host, today who comes close to the dominance that Art Linkletter enjoyed during his career. He hosted network shows on TV for 36 years. "House Party" began on radio in 1944. It went on to TV for more than a dozen years, followed by "People Are Funny." Women loved him, men loved him and kids loved him! He is probably best known for interviewing kids. He was eager to share the spotlight with the kids. Some very funny stuff resulted.
The man had a sense of humor and a willingness to entertain. You may want to check him out on YouTube. I chose a black & white picture of him because this is how I remember him. The TV was black & white, the entertainment was pure and colorful.
It's a shame that TV is too sophisticated and/or too fragmented (or something) to provide us with someone, anyone like Art Linkletter.
R.I.P.