Charles Karel Bouley

Charles Karel Bouley, known on-the-air as Karel, is an American talk radio host, singer, TV personality, and author.

He began his career as a comedian and singer. Karel released one album and multiple singles in the 1990s, including the album Dance... Or Else. While promoting a record, he was signed to do a radio show on KYPA Los Angeles called "Different After Dark." After that show Karel and his now co-host and domestic partner Andrew Howard became morning drive at Triangle Broadcasting in Palm Springs, heard in the Seattle area [1] . Then they went on to become the first openly gay radio talk show hosts on KFI in Los Angeles.[2][3]

Andrew Howard died unexpectedly in 2001[4] and Karel stayed on KFI for two years solo. After a shift in management at KFI, Karel was let go; he subsequently hosted a show on San Francisco-based KGO. He was fired from KGO in November 2008 when his profane off-air comments about Joe the Plumber were inadvertently broadcast live.[5] He would then regain his job in 2010 and stay at KGO until 2015.[6] After being let go he began The Karel Cast as well as performing his stage show Karel Stands Up nationally.[7]

Bouley subsequently has hosted a show on Free Speech TV, in 2014. He is also a writer.

  1. ^ Anthony, James (May 11, 1999). "Queering rush-hour radio – openly gay radio talk show in Los Angeles, CA, hosted by Karel and Andrew", The Advocate.
  2. ^ "The Rusty Humphries Show: Talk Show Host Karel Joins Rusty to Talk Sexuality – Talk Radio Network". Trn1.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  3. ^ Calvo, Dana (2001-05-22). "Andrew Howard; Part of the First Openly Gay Radio Talk Show Duo". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  4. ^ Kowalski, Eileen (2001-06-05). "Andrew Howard". Variety. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference fong was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Club, San Francisco Press (2011-03-14). "Karel returning to KGO". San Francisco Press Club. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  7. ^ Hartgrave, Buzzin’ Lee (2011-05-27). "Blue Man Group – "Remarkable!"; Karel – "A Comic for the Ages"". Beyond Chron. Retrieved 2023-06-14.