Call for Help (television program)
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Call for Help logo
Call for Help is a computer and technology help television program that first aired exclusively on TechTV, a cable and satellite television network focused on technology. It premiered on May 11, 1998 with Leo Laporte as host. Becky Worley took over hosting for a short time, followed by Chris Pirillo, who permanently replaced Laporte as host so that he could focus solely on another network show, The Screen Savers. In 2003, Pirillo was terminated from TechTV for reasons unknown and Laporte returned as host.
Call for Help also featured Catherine Schwartz, Roger Chang, Brett Larson, and many others through its long run. Call for Help developed a strong following from technology novices and performed an annual Call-For-Help-A-Thon on December 26. The live show often lasted 12 hours during which viewers with questions pertaining to new technology gifts would call in.
In May 2004, TechTV and G4 merged to form G4techTV. Call for Help was not carried over in the merger and was cancelled immediately. The final United States episode of Call for Help, taped two days prior, aired on May 21, 2004.
Call for Help returned August 16, 2004 on G4techTV Canada. The new Call for Help features Leo Laporte with co-hosts Amber MacArthur and Andy Walker. On March 7, 2005, Call for Help was made available in Australia on the HOW TO Channel on Foxtel and Austar digital service.
External links
- Call for Help official site (http://www.g4techtv.ca/callforhelp/)
- G4techTV Canada (http://www.g4techtv.ca)
- Leo Laporte's official site (http://www.leoville.com)
- Amber MacArthur's official site (http://www.ambermac.com)
- Andy Walker's official site (http://www.cyberwalker.com/)
- Mike Lazazzera's official blog (http://www.plastictrees.net/) (Call for Help technical researcher and regular guest)