KMBC Kansas City, Mo
1982-2001

What Do You Say to Lovable Joints?

In 1982, Walt was appearing regularly on Channel 41, doing his call-in show on KMBZ and teaching two days a week at UMKC. But when KMBC asked him to do regular commentaries, he jumped at the chance.

The station was looking for standard talking head pieces, but Walt wanted to do something oriented a bit more toward human interest. Not long into the job, Walt heard that a neighborhood bar called Streetcar Named Desire was closing down. The first in a long string on "lovable joints," a Bodine trademark and a mainstay of his commentaries for almost two decades.

Watch: "What Do You Say to That?" Commentaries
Provided by KMBC
(Viewing reqires Windows Media Player.)

Streetcar Named Desire - Audience response to this piece was such that the restaurant opened up at a new location in Crown Center.

Muehlebach Presidential Suite - A fire at the Muehlebach Hotel inspired this trip to the Presidential Suite that often served as a temporary Oval Office by President Harry Truman.

Barber Poll - Can't afford to run a poll? One sure way to find out what’s on the public mind is to ask barbers what people are talking about.

Car Insurance Rates - Another example of Walt's visual sense. Also, add equestrian skills to Walt’s long list of accomplishments.

NuWay Sandwich - Walt tracks down one of his favorite foods. Note the fine ad-libbed response to the off-camera noise.

Aboard Chopper Nine - Look! Up in the sky! It's Walt Bodine!