Huell Howser, whose California Gold series has aired for 19 years over public television, has decided to step away from the camera and and hang up his microphone. The Tennessee native “is retiring from making new shows but does not want to make any formal announcements,” according to an email Howser production company associate Ryan Morris sent to the Sacramento Bee. During his video visits all over California, Howser is known for his unpretentious wide-eyed interest expressed with a Southern drawl — “Wow! That’s amazing!” The Marine Corps vet began his career in Nashville on commercial television. After stints in New York City and Los Angeles, Howser joined public TV station KCET in Los Angeles. “The show will continue to air in reruns for awhile” on public TV stations around the state, Morris emailed the L.A. Times. “We have been gradually winding down all year but Huell has decided to stop, come December 31st.” Concerning rumors about the 67-year-old Howser’s health, Morris added: “While Huell does not always tell me everything, he seems to be doing fine. He is just trying to get away from television and enjoy some free time.”