"It Was Nice to Know So Many People": The Way It Was, 26 November

2003---Washington, D.C. radio legend Eddie Gallaher---he spent over half a century on the air of the nation's capital---dies at 89. From succeeding Arthur Godfrey at WTOP---after Godfrey moved his base to New York CBS---Gallaher became perhaps the capital's most influential disc jockey, with celebrities from Bob Hope to Jayne Mansfield and back making a point to sit for his interviews.

Famous for his sonorous baritone and his dry wit, Gallaher moved to WASH-FM in 1968, after WTOP switched to an all-talk format, and to WWDC-AM (ultimately a Clear Channel station, whose call letters eventually changed to WGAY) in 1982, staying there until his 2000 retirement.

His vision was failing him and Clear Channel . . . had hired helpers for him for the last couple of years of his career -
people that would read for him and help him with his program.

---Walt Starling, fellow Washington radio personality and a longtime friend, upon Gallaher's death.

This is no 'being forced to retire. I would say that, at 85, it's a good time to call it a day.

---Eddie Gallaher, to the Washington Post.

Gallaher was famous in Washington for his tag line, "It was nice to know so many people." And so many people in Washington and, perhaps, elsewhere, surely thought it was nice to know him.

CHANNEL SURFING . . .

1944: CLARENCE---Fools rush in, fools such as recently-discharged soldier Clarence Smith (Joseph Cotten), who's hired as an odd-jobs man in a rather dysfunctional---and insane---household, whose affairs entangle him, on tonight's edition of The Old Gold Comedy Theater. (NBC.)

Additional cast: Unknown. Host/director: Harold Lloyd. Annoucner: Bob Williams. Adapted from the screenplay by Grant Garrett and Seana Owen, based on the story by Booth Tarkington.

1946: THE THANKSGIVING SHOW---While other courageous suitors approach their prospective fathers-in-law confidently, amidst holiday spirits, Mel (Blanc) needs to throw a brilliant Thanksgiving party to get anywhere near Mr. Colby's (Joseph Kearns) good side, on tonight's edition of The Mel Blanc Show. (CBS.)

Betty: Mary Jane Croft. Cushing: Hans Conreid. Additional cast: Jerry Hausner, Earle Ross. Music: Victor Miller Orchestra, the Sports Men. Writer: Mac Benoff.

1950: WHERE THE ELITE MEET TO EAT?---For a third time Fred Allen and Tallulah Bankhead reprise one of the best-loved satires---"Mr. and Mrs. Breakfast Show," which they did twice on the old Fred Allen Show---from Allen's radio heyday; and, in due course, the evening's company is invited (or should that be hauled off) to Duffy's Tavern, by malaproprietor Archie himself (Ed Gardner), on tonight's edition of The Big Show. (NBC.)

Additional cast: Jack Carson, Mindy Carson, Lauritz Melchior, Ed Wynn, Meredith Willson. Announcer: Ed Herlihy. Music: Meredith Willson and his Orchestra, the Big Show Chorus. Writers: Goodman Ace, Frank Wilson, George Foster, Mort Greene, Selma Diamond.

PREMIERING TODAY . . .

1907---Francis Dee (actress: Lux Radio Theater), Los Angeles; Hot Lips Levine (as Henry Levine; trumpeter: Chamber Music of Lower Basin Street; Strictly From Dixie), London.
1910---Cyril Cusack (actor: Great Expectations), Durban, South Africa.
1912---Eric Sevareid (as Arnold Eric Sevareid; correspondent/commentator: Eric Sevareid and the News; CBS World News Today; CBS World News Roundup; CBS Radio Workshop), Velva, North Dakota.
1915---Earl Wild (pianist: NBC Symphony Orchestra), Pittsburgh.
1917---Adele Jergens (actress: Stand By For Crime), Brooklyn.
1933---Robert Goulet (singer/actor: Guard Session; Voices of Ameria), Lawrence, Massachussetts.