Louie, Take a Look at This, Part I
Showcase interviews Huell Howser cameraman Luis Fuerte
TV legend Huell Howser, the popular host of California’s Gold and other California-inspired public television shows, would often call out to his cameraman to get a particular shot or focus on something special. Howser’s “Louie, take a look at this” became such a familiar line that it made Louie – Luis Fuerte – a personality in his own right.
Three year after Howser’s death, five-time Emmy winner Fuerte has written the book entitled – to the delight of Howser aficionados — Louie, Take a Look at This! With it, readers relive their memories of the quintessential program with stories of adventures exploring California and Howser’s infectious love for the Golden State.
Recently, Showcase asked “Louie” about his experiences with Howser and as an author.
Showcase: When and how did you meet Huell Howser?
Fuerte: I met Huell in 1989 at KCET. I was in the commissary having lunch when I heard someone speaking with a real Southern accent. I looked up and sure enough it was Huell Howser. I went over to him and introduced myself. He told me he was going to be shooting Videlogs, 3-4 minutes of programming run between shows. I wished him luck and said something conversational along the lines of maybe someday I’d get a chance to work with him. A week later I was assigned to shoot a Videolog with him, “The Elephant Man,” about an elephant trainer.
Showcase: What had you been doing before that?
Fuerte: After service in the Navy, I knew I had to go to college. I happened to go to the TV studio at the college and fell in love with camera.
Showcase: Where did you learn photography?
Fuerte: Largely on the job. I went to work at KVCR, then KCOP, Channel 13. Then from there to ABC for a day, then to KCET, Channel 28. This was the beginning of KCET’s golden age of television programming. I was there for 32 years.
Showcase: What’s the hardest part about shooting a show like Huell Howser’s?
Fuerte: It was not difficult to shoot his show. I was also lighting director, editor, sound engineer, and we understood each other. I understood his style.
Showcase: Where did he get his ideas?
Fuerte: At first from his producers, then later from people who watched the show.
Showcase: Were you instrumental in suggesting places to visit?
Fuerte: Yes. He was open to that, and I could mention or suggest ideas or locations.
Showcase: How did it feel to become a celebrity? One day, there you were going about your business shooting a scene, and suddenly he drew you into the story by talking to you.
Fuerte: I’m not a limelight person, but it’s funny. We’d be at an airport and people would come toward us, walk past him, and ask me, “Are you Louie?” It took getting used to.
Check out Part II next month
to learn about dangerous assignments and more.
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Find Huell Howser’s video archives on
Chapman University’s blogs.chapman.edu/huell-howser-archives,
sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California.