Wally George Observes 7th Year With Volatile ‘Hot Seat’ Show

Orange County Nixon-mania continues tonight with a tribute from one of the former President’s most stalwart supporters, Wally George, on the combative talk-show host’s seventh anniversary edition of “Hot Seat.”

A poster of Nixon, who resigned from office in 1974 in the midst of the Watergate scandal, has been a part of the “Hot Seat” set since the show began.

“In my opinion, he’s one of our great patriots,” George said. “My next favorite would be Ronald Reagan of course, if that’s a surprise to you.”

And what about Watergate? “I’ve always thought he was railroaded and stampeded out of office by the media,” offered media commentator George.

Tonight’s show, which airs at 11 on Anaheim’s KDOC-TV, channel 56, will also include taped “Hot Seat” highlights.

Among them: a 1983 confrontation with pacifist Blase Bonpane, who tipped over George’s desk in an incident that drew national media attention.

“That was the show that put us on the map,” George said. “I have (since) been tabbed by the media as the father of combat talk shows.”