Big Chuck and Lil' John w/ Miss Seven Hills 1988

[jigglar]

The type of movies Big Chuck showed changed after Fox bought TV8. They used to be light-hearted science fiction and comedy. Then they turned into dark underworld type movies with murder plots and the like.

[bhayes06]

Hoolihan did a really good Ricardo Montalban imitation.

[RealAgentOfSHIELD]

How big were these guys in Cleveland? I actually got some beta tapes from someone from the Cleveland-area and I found some of this stuff.

[lizajane54]

They were extremely popular- everyone who grew up around here knows of them. The TV8 Friday late night venue started with Ghoulardi in the 60's and after he (Ernie Anderson) went to CA and became a well known voice talent ie," the Love Boat', Houlihan and big Chuck

took over. It's quite fun for us to watch these and reminisce. There's a book about Ghoulardi and Chuck's written one, too.

[tritonrocks]

How bit were they? HUGE. In fact, many national shows owe their existence to the creativity of Big Chuck himself. Example: They had a segment called New Talent Time that ended up becoming David Letterman's Stupid Human (and Pet) Tricks. In my view he was so underpaid for what he did it's disgusting. Many people got their start here as well (Tim Conway, etc.).

Cleveland was the birthplace of so much talent it boggles the mind. Those were the days...

[mrdandrea]

Being a local show created a family type of station for TV8. The Ghoul, went to Hollywood making millions. Big Chuck chose not to uproot his family. Thanks to his tireless energy and the supportive fans, he remained on the air 47 years! I guess not being told he was "permanent" kept him on his toes. Once a consulting firm told TV8 news director Virgil Dominic that being #1 doesn't mean you're good. Poo poo! Chuck made it appear easy. Self-effacing & unpretentious - hard to find 2day!

[daflyboy13]

I second that!!

[diamond1727]

It is kind of sad and ironic on the channel 8 news promo when the announcer says people who plan to grow old here right after the picture of Casey Coleman.

[myronfalwell]

Doubly so after his dismissal right after Fox bought the station. :(

I remember those promos, BTW.

[WizardGlik]

Beth was wicked hot.

[usa02]

That's longtime WJW TV-8 announcer Bill Ward voicing the end of "The Arsenio Hall Show" promo.

[BigVideoFan88]

And I know Bill Ward has appeared on camera a few times in Big Chuck and Lil John skits. By the way Steve, do you happen to have any more ads or BC & LJ skits from when this movie aired?

[steve44070]

Nope, that was it unfortunately.

[BigVideoFan88]

For as long as Big Chuck and Lil John have been on the air and how much of a success in Cleveland TV they've been, I wouldn't be surprised if they were ever offered a chance for their show to go national. Now that would be awesome!

[daflyboy13]

Good thing they didnt, this is a piece of Cleveland history we were fortunate to keep with us. Remember when we used to randomly meet them in Dowtown Cleveland so many years back? They were "our" celebrities when we were kids!