Saying Goodbye to One of America’s TV Greats: Our Tribute to Art Linkletter

Television and radio are saying goodbye to beloved host Art Linkletter, the congenial self proclaimed “happy man” who possessed the distinct ability to put the people he interviewed at ease and often bring out their hilarious anecdotes.

Linkletter, who began his broadcasting career as a local radio announcer, used his easy-going demeanor to successful host two of televisions’ long-running classics: “People Are Funny”, which enjoyed an 18 year run on NBC, and “House Party”, which aired during the 1950’s and 60’s.

While not directly credited, it’s safe to assume Linkletter had a lot to do with pioneering the “funny regular guy” persona that makes many of today’s modern situational comedies so popular.  In fact, the regular segment on “House Party” featuring school-age children telling stories to, and answering questions from, Mr. Linkletter was recreated by fellow family funny-man Bill Cosby with the wildly humorous show “Kids Say the Darndest Things” during the late 1990’s.

Art responded to many of televisions’ critics who labeled him bland and banal with likeable responses such as this one to The New York Post in 1965:  “I know enough about a lot of things to be interesting, but I’m not interested enough in any one thing to be boring.”

Just as McCauley Services utilizes with all of its client relationship management campaigns, Art exposed the power of being personable. Humble, humorous, and good with kids, it’s no wonder Art Linkletter’s female fans kept tuning in year after year.