It was sad to see that Bob Wells, best known in Cleveland for
The Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show and as WJW Channel 8's "Hoolihan the Weatherman," passed away on Wednesday at the age of 93. Wells and his on-screen partner, Charles "Big Chuck" Schodowski, made
The Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show a weekly must-see TV fixture every Friday night for years.
This Wiki post provides a nice biography of Wells, and tells how he teamed up with Big Chuck to create the beloved show that was a successor to Shock Theater with Ghouldardi (necessitated when Ernie "Ghoulardi" Anderson left Cleveland to pursue a career in Los Angeles).
Although my siblings and I were too young to stay up late and watch the show when it premiered in 1966, it was regular viewing for us on Friday nights beginning in the early 1970s.
It's pretty incredible how great a comedy team Wells and Schodowski made. They had the perfect balance – with Hoolihan providing the energetic, upbeat delivery contrasting with Big Chuck's likable, low-key personality. And each shined in their comedy skits.
What some people may not know is that Hoolihan and Big Chuck made countless appearances in high schools and community sports events, pitting their All-Stars team against a variety of competitors, including school faculties, police departments, amateur teams, Amvets and others. Sports included touch football, basketball, softball, and bowling.
And let's not forget the pizza eating competitions.
Anway, here's an ample sample of clippings showing just how dedicated Wells and Schodowski were when it came to making personal appearances in Northern Ohio on behalf of various charities and causes.
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| Dec. 2, 1968 |
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| June 14, 1969 |
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| October 8, 1969 |
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| Dec. 3, 1969 |
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| Dec. 8, 1969 |
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| Jan. 26, 1970 |
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| July 9, 1970 |
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| Nov. 20, 1970 |
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| Sept. 11, 1972 |
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| Dec. 17, 1972 |
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| April 18, 1973 |
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| June 3, 1974 |
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| March 22, 1975 |
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| Oct. 27, 1975 |
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| Nov. 21, 1975 |
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| Nov. 25, 1975 |
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| Nov. 29, 1975 |
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| March 11, 1976 |
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| March 1, 1977 |
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| March 3, 1977 |
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| March 11, 1978 |
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| Sept. 16, 1979 |
It was disappointing when Wells left Channel 8 for good, moving to Florida for a new opportunity in Christian broadcasting. But he never forgot Cleveland, and made many pilgrimages back for various personal appearances at conventions and shows.
Hoolihan and Big Chuck (and Ghoulardi too) have been featured on this blog
several times.
I grew up in Birmingham and the Woolly Bear was a big event. I remember seeing those folks in the parade. I always associated Big Chuck with Little John but my parents and older siblings remembered Hoolihan very well!
ReplyDeleteOne of Hoolie's funniest skits...
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/8-4_CQKN3ec?is=v7L8U4mf46V5BlOw
Alan --- That skit actually encouraged a friend of mine to attend The Sharon School of Broadcasting in Sharon, PA. Guy became a fairly well-known on-air "personality." I sill miss him.
Deletehttps://hudsonvalleycountry.com/saying-goodbye-is-never-easy/
I think that Brother Bob would have gotten a kick out of that.
DeleteI truly think that today's bratty kids would actually attack Hollihan and Big Chuck if they were to be around today to still do a pizza fight.Especially at the newer Lorain High as there is always a lock down or 5 per year there because of some unruly kid bringing a gun to school.Sad times for all the innocent fun of years gone by.But at least the grown up "kids" of today still have all those squeaky clean memories of Hoolihan.
ReplyDelete