My wife asked me this questions when she walked in the door after work. My response was from the heart. "Ah hell… no fucking way." I loved Huell Howser. I loved his shows, his personality and his friendliness. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I'm sure he was a good guy. There is no way to fake what he brought to his viewers. R.I.P. Huel Howser.
The L.A Times does a much better talking about him. So does NPR.