The station was family owned and didn't have much money, so I had to work a lot of overtime in order to afford room and board. Therefore, I filled in doing the weather (absolute disaster) and wrote gag lines for the Saturday night monster movie program "Uncle Ted's Ghoul School."

I was good at that even though Uncle Ted, very fond of scotch, often screwed up my comedic brilliance.

Anyway, you don't get a more humble beginning than that career-wise. And while I wasn't thrilled with the circumstance, I worked hard, and nine months later, I landed a job in Dallas - a big-time market.

Recently, singer and diet maven Marie Osmond went public saying she would not leave her children a cash inheritance. Marie says they need to earn their own way, and she'll spend the money on herself.

I see it differently. The world back in 1976, when I toiled in Scranton, was a far different place than it is today. Yes, I want my children to succeed on their own as I did, and I have prepared them to do that. But America is a difficult place these days, and it is my job as a father to provide my kids a safety net in case things go south for them.

Sadly, treachery and narcissism are rampant in America, and protections are few. You can still prosper and achieve happiness but it's much more difficult now compared to 1976.

So, my protection will extend to my children and others after I'm gone. It's the right thing to do. I hope Marie reads this message and reconsiders.