[bajabaja]

DougfromUpland, you undoubtedly already heard about this. But here are some other factoids, which I believe are correct, about Putnam.

Descended from Israel Putnam, General in the Revolutionary War (though not a good one).

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

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 suspect he wanted to be around at least to see this November’s outcome.

Guess he is on a new and better assignment somewhere . . .

[doug from upland]

It was a remarkable career. He started talk radio.

[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...