TV REVIEW : ‘Sun Up’ Signs Off With Grace, Style

The final episode of “Sun Up San Diego,” which aired Friday, was much like the thousands of episodes that preceded it.

The San Diego Zoo brought animals. Co-host Kathi Diamant smiled constantly, hugging members of the studio audience. Her partner, Jerry G. Bishop, sang his own version of “Yesterday.” Natasha Josefewitz read a poem.

Above all, though, the show had the warmth and relaxed atmosphere that has symbolized “Sun Up” for 30 years.

In its three-decade history, San Diego’s morning talk show has not been aggressive like “Donahue” or “Geraldo,” nor was it a tabloid like “Sally Jessy Raphael.”

“Sun Up” was representative of the kind of old-time television programs that once were chauvinistically termed women’s shows in the industry. It included cooking segments and friendly chats with celebrities. A few self-help tips were usually included.

It was a kinder, gentler talk show.

Although not all the regulars and celebrities were available for Friday’s program, they were there in spirit.

The cancellation came after ratings for the show slumped during the past year, but that didn’t deter more than 100 people from gathering in the KFMB studio to wish the show a fond farewell. Those tuning into the program for the first time may not have understood the self-congratulatory and lackadaisical tone of the final program, but it was quintessential “Sun Up.”

Not much happened. People talked to each other and the hosts joked around, trying desperately to keep things lively.

The final show brought together five “Sun Up” alumni, including Bob Mills, the program’s first host. He brought the show’s concept to San Diego when he moved here from Tulsa, Okla., in 1960.

The other ex-hosts on hand were Sue White, Mel Knoepp, Danuta and Shane, all of whom shared memories of the show.

Not nearly enough vintage video clips were shown, but everyone told more than enough stories to satiate the audience. Danuta fondly recalled the day she was talked into diving into the killer whale pool at Sea World. White’s favorite was the time Mills apparently forgot they were on live television, and turned to her and said, “Oh hell, it’s time for the weather.”

The studio atmosphere felt like a reunion. Many friends of Diamant and Bishop were in the audience, and, during breaks, the hosts walked through the crowd sharing greetings. Others in the crowd were simply fans who had spent many mornings with the show. Several said they had seen the first “Sun Up” episode.

One woman held up a sign: “Like the southern belle she is, Kathi Diamant will rise again.”

Dan and Nicola Bernard were on hand to reminisce about their wedding, which “Sun Up” aired live in 1986.

At least four public relations executives also attended. Through the years, “Sun Up” has provided a willing forum to spotlight their clients.

“ ‘Sun Up’ was a public relations person’s dream,” said Nikki Symington, who owns a local company.

It was clear that an hour was not going to be enough time for all the reminiscing the audience and hosts wanted to do.

Diamant, who was clearly working to control herself, finally broke into tears when Bishop sang “Yesterday,” as a montage of old photos of Bishop appeared on the screen. She cried more when producer Pat Elwood joined them on stage, along with the past hosts.

Finally, they ran a collection of clips, shots of the younger Bishop and Diamant and the other hosts cavorting with guests.

And then, after 30 years, it was over.