"Have you ever talked to the rock?"

Who amongst us doesn't fondly recall the 50's and 60's when WPIX childrens programing was a daily mainstay? Each afternoon we looked forward to our Wonderama, Captain Kangaroo, Soupy Sales and others. One of the stars we sat in front of our black & white Zeniths to watch was the multi-talented Chuck McCann

Keeping with our WHS Blog theme to reminisce our school days and life growing up we thought it would be fun to catch up with Chuck and share with all of you what he is doing since the days he entertained us with his silliness and reading us the comics while dressed as Little Orphan Annie.

Chuck was kind enough to speak with me this past week for our Blog. Even at the age of seventy seven, his energy and voice are still the same; his kindness and humble appreciation for our interest in him was a very pleasant surprise. Chuck and his wife Betty have lived in Los Angeles since the early 70's. We spoke while Chuck was driving in LA with his destination being the "rock". Our forty minute conversation was full of laughs with an enjoyable exchange of stories. He shared with me that he worked the Chuck McCann Show three hours a day seven days a week, including Christmas Day. He loved his work and none of it was scripted. His producers allowed his zany creativity to rule the studio.

Daytime television hadn't yet become the massive money generator that it is today, which is why most local programming pre-1970's was aimed at children. Multi-faceted performers like Chuck McCann were expected to go out there with no scripts, very little budget and scant support behind the camera.

Chuck became known for his funny character bits and puppetry that included the Laurel & Hardy characters on Let's Have Fun, The Puppet Hotel, The Great Bombo's Magic Cartoon Circus, The Clay Cole Show, Chuck McCann's Laurel & Hardy Show and The Chuck McCann Show (1963-1967). He's also famous for one of the hottest catch phrases of the 1960's as the man in the Right Guard commercials that pops up on the other side of a fellow's bathroom cabinet and cheerfully exclaims "Hi Guy!"

Among the hundreds of animated commercials he's done, boomers may know him best as the voice of both Sonny the Cuckoo Bird and Gramps in those unforgettable 1960's Coco Puffs commercials.

In 1975 Chuck co-starred with Gilligan's Island's Bob Denver in the Saturday morning sci-fi Far Out Space Nuts (he was also co-producer and writer). Aside from television, he earned critical acclaim for his dramatic roles in The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter with Alan Arkin and for starring in The Projectionist, a genuine cult favorite. Knowing that our May Blog update was featuring the Jersey Shore, Chuck pointed out that "The Projectionist" was filmed in Asbury Park. He has been a guest star on basically everything on television from the Bob Newhart Show to appearances as a judge on Boston Legal.

Back in the 60's his main competition was a fella named Soupy Sales, Soupy oddly enough was also his best friend. Chuck will return home every now and then when he feels the need for really good food, to re-energize his soul and to appreciate his old neighborhood roots. He currently stars with his long time friend, Tim Conway, on a national touring stage show. In August he will be playing The Auditorium in Ocean Grove and has invited anyone in the area to take in the show and say hello.

Chuck was a workaholic and for most of his career didn't fully realize the impact that he had on us baby boomers until two years ago when he was convinced to join Facebook. "Rich, when I see the amount of daily comments on my FB pages of kids your age thanking me for having an influence on their youth, well, it is beyond description". Chuck has asked that you contact him on Facebook, he would love to hear from you and yes, he will answer you. He also asked that I pass along to all of you that followed him back then that he is sincerely grateful for our continued interest in him and his career. You can also visit his web site at: www.chuckmccann.net

In closing, Chuck had reached his destination and asked me to hold on for a moment while he spoke to the rock...I heard him introduce himself and a voice back from a speaker instructed him to proceed through the gate. "Rich, have you ever dealt with the rock?" I laughed and said no Chuck, realizing where he was by then. He said, "Hef has been my best friend for over forty years and we're here several times a week. If you would like to visit you can be my guest." I said, "Chuck, you're on!" You see, the rock was the hidden security speaker at the driveway entrance to the famed Playboy mansion.

...guys, more to follow soon. :)