Nearly four and-a-half months after an evening of stirring theological debate, it was thought that Jess Romero(pictured above, bottom row-left) and his Catholic apologist partner, Tim Staples(pictured above, bottom row-right) would return to W.P.M.D. for a promised follow-up on the controversies surrounding Pope Pius XII. In the intirim, the Catholic Church was facing a modern day controversy all its own with Boston at the epicenter of what was a clergy sex abuse crisis that had a name: Black Collar Crimes.

Staples, lead apologist and director of evangelization for Catholic Resource Center, began this two-on-two debate by saying, "Vince, when you asked Jessie and me to appear, I wasn't sure who would be taking the for side in this debate." He was indeed joined by the returning Romero, apologist for St. Joseph's Communications. They would square off with Joe Palumbo-Basile, a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of a Catholic Priest at a Chicago High School that
Palumbo-Basile had attended.

Sitting alongside and supporting Joe was A.W.Richard Sipe(pictured above, bottom row-middle), psychotherapist and a volunteer pastoral counselor. A former Benedictine Monk and Roman Catholic Priest, Dr. Sipe is the author of "Sex, Priests and Power," "Celibacy in Crisis" and "The Serpant and the Dove" among many books. He is also credited for providing the definition for celibacy to the Oxford Companion for Christian Thought. A book often referenced by Tim and Jess (one used to denounce Richard Sipes' research) is by Dr. Philip Jenkins called "Pedophiles and Priests: Anatomy of a Social Crisis." Our two defenders of an institution that they teach to be the spotless bride of Christ continually maintained during the course of this 95 minute segment that "this is less a church problem and more of a reflection of the culture as a whole." In a debate tactic used to minimize Richard, Staples and Romero would always refer to "Dr." Jenkins and "Mr." Sipe.

The headlines surrounding Cardinal Bernard Law and the Archdiocese of Boston brought the topic of Catholic Clergy sex abuse, pedophilia and cover-up by the church to the forefront. During the time of this show, lifelong Catholics who were struggling with these issues felt that maybe it was simply an orchestrated attempt by the media to engage in "catholic bashing." A woman would call in and bring up this very point while also taking survivor Palumbo-Basile to task. In a classic confrontation not to be missed, she asked him "why did you wait? why didn't you report the crime sooner?" No sooner had she apologized to Joe that she went on to make the assertion that the reason that he filed a civil lawsuit was for "the money."

When Vinnie refers to this as a special show, it was literally billed as a special. In 2002, he was working full-time for another radio station and had to exit his former Wednesday night time slot. That year he only logged 3 of what were called "The Vince Daniels Special." This was one of them. Special thanks to some special people who enthusiastically and with no pay helped make the studio audiences feel right at home for both this and the Calvary Chapel Meets the Catholics programs. Mauricio Carcamo was Producer for both shows. Research and call screening were also very essential and helping Vince on Black Collar Crimes were associate producers, Melissa Canchola and Monique Martinez. Also, a big thank you to associate producer, Christine Lynch for research and time spent on the Calvary show. Without these wonderful people, none of this would have come together. Thank you all for being there!

 

Vince Daniels well remembers a time in his youth when his father would conduct Catholic Bible Studies at home once a week. Word of these meetings soon spread to the local Christian community and especially to a few that attended Calvary Chapel nearby in Costa Mesa, California. The studies would begin at around 7:30 in the evening with a teaching approach utilized by Daniels' Dad that was both scripturally-based and also implored the traditions behind the scripture and the teachings of Roman Catholicism. Being regarded as highly fundamentalist, those from Calvary Chapel stuck to the Bible alone as their sole authority. As a result, vehement arguments would commence and the studies would go on as late at 4 in the morning.

At the time of this broadcast, The Many Moods of Vince Daniels was still in its infancy. Vinnie's original concept of the show was to do talk radio differently and to try to pierce that 4th wall. He wondered what it would be like to bring this memory from his youth to the radio and to allow a microphone to capture it live. With that, Calvary Chapel Meets the Catholics was born and to Vince's surprise, brought with it a studio audience due to an announcement that went out weeks before from several local churches. It included supporters from both faiths, and true to form, included a longtime friend of Daniels, Alex Galindo, an ex-Catholic who attended every Bible Study taught by Vince's father, but now attends Calvary Chapel/South Bay.

"I don't even think that this kind of thing can be done on a Christian Radio Station in quite the same form," recalled Daniels in remembering the success of this show that over the years (and to this day) has remained the most requested show to be uploaded to his website. "It had to be done with limited commercial interruptions in order to have the same flow as what I vividly recalled going on for hours at a time in our family room every Friday night." In fact, this segment ran an unprecedented 2 hours and 50 minutes - an eternity in radio, but also perfect timing in that the topic was related to Eternity. "If listeners hear a strange noise, it's a fan that was blowing in the studio where the debate took place. We had to keep their door closed in order to keep the noise from the audience outside from wafting in."

Moderated by Daniels, the subject was Salvation as this theological two-on-two debate centered on the question, "How does one get to Heaven?" Guests on the side of Catholicism were Tim Staples, director of evangelization for Catholic Resource Center who was partnered with apologist, Jess Romero of St. Joseph's Communications. On the side of fundamentalism were Bill Wynne, who co-teaches for Calvary Chapel's School of Ministry in Costa Mesa, along with Rob Yardley, also from the bible college; though according to the two scripture scholars, neither speak for the Calvary Chapel franchise founder, Chuck Smith.

When Los Angeles Television personality, Wally George died of pneumonia on October 7, 2003 the news of his passing was hardly noticed.  On that day, California was holding a special election for Governor. 

 

11 days later, Anaheim Television station, KDOC Channel 56 (Wally's second home since 1982) and Cerritos College radio station, WPMD paid tribute to the self-described Father of Combat T.V. In Honor Thy Father - Wally George: Father of Combat T.V.  ninety minutes were devoted to paying homage to a man that Vinnie knew was only being looked at one dimensionally by viewers of his weekly "Hot Seat" show, a Saturday night instution through much of the 1980's and 90's.   

 

Clips from KDOC's George tribute are heard here as well, including the classic moment from 1983 where pacifist, Blase Ponpane overturned Wally's desk and stomped out of the studio, a move that prompted national headlines.  Heated exchanges with Timothy Leary and Morton Downey, Jr. are also featured in addition to the roar of the studio audience chanting "Wally!  Wally!  Wally!" or in synchophant style, shouting "Sick!  Sick!  Sick!" to the assorted array of guests that George referred to as "liberal lunatics."

 

Daniels and WPMD took it a step further by also playing music that was near and dear to Mr.George along with exploring the man who would have considered himself an actor and very much a liberal in the way he raised his children and how he encouraged other young people in bringing out their talents, as evidenced by the many new bands he would invite on to his show.    In the first segment, Vince speaks with Wally's first born. Daughter, Debbie Quinata calls in from Guam to remember a loving father.  Quinata says that her Dad was married 4 times and in all cases was a good husband and a good father and that "at least he cared enough to marry these women." 

 

Debbie attended Wally's memorial service presided over by the Rev. Robert Schuller and held at the Garden Grove, California Crystal Cathedral Church, but noticed another daughter that was not in attendance - Wally's daughter/actress, Rebecca De Mornay.   Said Quinata, "well, I hope she's happy with that."  Other words of admonishment were offered by the eldest, to Wally's estranged daughter.

 

The second segment welcomes George's 4th wife, Janise Carey, who married Wally in a televised ceremony on KDOC in the late 1980's.  Their daughter, Holly would go on to have a 'producer' role on the Hot Seat Highlights late night program. While the two divorced in recent years, Janise speaks of the great friendship she maintained with Wally and shares her memories of her time working on the show in what she described as "the years when the show had already reached its peak and was starting to wane in popularity."  She speaks about relationships in general and why theirs was not able to work out, yet how much of a strong bond he had with Holly until the end. 

 

Born George Walter Pearch in Oakland, California on December 4th,1931 the man that local Southern California audiences came to know as "Wally George" was never credited for inventing the kind of television that would be introduced to national audiences later on by the likes of Jerry Springer.  Some argue that there might not be a Bill O'Reilly or a Hannity and Colmes were it not for Hot Seat.  The final segment aptly closes with Wally ending his late night highlight show, as he offered his blessing.