George Putnam, longtime L.A. newsman, dies at 94, LA TIMES

times.com ^ | 091308 | times.com

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"Was a Democrat, an FDR man (interviewed Eleanor Roosevelt), though I don’t see these claims verified anywhere other my memory."

He wrote often about being a lifelong Democrat, and was one 'til his death.

Back then they made Democrats different than they do today...

Rest well, George. We're missing one reporter now.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"Was the template for Ted Baxter on Mary Tyler Moore’s show. This was a dig at him by the lefties, even back then."

I'd been told that was Jerry Dunphy, but your story makes more sense.

Dunphy's gone now, too. As is Eddie from Zachary All, who almost single-handedly kept KTTV's 11 pm news broadcast funded! He passed away a couple years ago.

And of course Tom Snyder is gone now, too; perhaps the most entertaining anchorman any city ever produced. Lots of talent in the LA newsrooms, looking back...

[Mentos]

Ah what an awesome L.A. talent. He had a kickass show within at least the last 10 years when he must have been 85+. Doug From Upland was a regular caller; I believe he did song parodies. George’s rallying cry even back then was “ILLEGALS!!!!”. My other fond memory was when Clinton came up with the “Don’t ask don’t tell” travesty George would expound on the ramifications of this policy in terms of sailors on ships and submarines where they were quartered “butt to butt” heh heh.

Semper Fi bro.

[Falconspeed]

"George Putnam established the template -- the deep voice, the carefully groomed hair, the friendly I'm-talking-directly-to-you-and-no-one-else presentation," Joe Saltzman, a USC journalism professor.

I enjoyed listening to Mr. Putnam and agreed with many of his conclusions.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

GEORGE PUTNAM was a great public flag bearer for the people of Southern California who see the World as it really is.

GEORGE PUTNAM gave his ‘Talkback’ radio talk show callers a fair hearing, and championed many of their conservative causes.

Some he went against, such as the fight to keep Little ELIAN Free in a Free America. In his view, an extension of our country’s problem with Illegal Immigration. His big issue for many decades, before it was fashionable.

It was always interesting calling into GEORGE, to talk about things current or about how things in one’s life were positively affected by his warm friendly nightly “ALOHA” spirit just beaming away on our local TV sets to we new arrivals to Southern California. In the era of a brand new DISNEYLAND Magic Kingdom.

I’m just glad to have had more than one opportunity to personally thank him live on the air on behalf of his many longtime listeners out there.

He also personally trained his admirer MATT DRUDGE in things Talk Radio before MATT went on to do his own show nationally.

.

Thanks for everything, GEORGE PUTNAM.

Just ...EVERYTHING.

.

PUTNAM Caller “ALOHA RONNIE”

.

[ken21]

i read the print edition this morning,

and i did not find the biography to be a good one.

of course, it’s the los angeles times.

[msnpatriot]

A man who refused to be muzzled. And predicted decades ago that illegal immigration would be a problem.

Admired and will miss him very much!

[bajabaja]

Thanks for that confirmation and update on LA’s past news anchors.

Back when I was in LA Brie Walker (sp?) was my dream date. Then I found out she was married to Jim Lampley. Because of that now I just date brunettes.

I’d make an exception for Palin, but she’s not single either.

Enjoy (what’s left) of LA, ROTLC.

[Deo volente]

One of his favorite expressions was “DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY!”
I can almost hear his voice now...

George Putnam was a true patriot and a great American. May he rest in peace.

[bajabaja]

Thanks for that confirmation and update on LA’s past news anchors.

Back when I was in LA Brie Walker (sp?) was my dream date. Then I found out she was married to Jim Lampley. Because of that now I just date brunettes.

Enjoy (what’s left) of LA, ROTLC.