Remembering 'Our Gal Sal'
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Remembering 'Our Gal Sal'
Stu Bykofsky, Daily News Columnist
(Editor's note: Philadelphia TV legend Sally Starr died peacefully in a South Jersey nursing home Sunday. She was 90.)
Unlike most of you, I didn't grow up here, so I never saw Sally Starr on Popeye Theater, when she and we were young.
Unlike most of you, I did enjoy a light personal friendship with Our Gal Sal, one benefit of my line of employment.
By the time I met her, in the '80s, she was already off the air, but already a legend.
The Sally I knew was warm, outgoing, cheerful and occasionally a bit bawdy (but never when kids were around). That sparkle in her eye could be motherly, or sexy. Over the years I knew her, Sally faced a variety of challenges -- health and financial, among others -- but her smile rarely faded. She was a cockeyed optimist.
As a cowgirl in Philadelphia, she was unique.
As a women and a performer, she was courageous.
Love, luck and lollipops forever, Sally.
Rest in Peace, Sal. You were definitely a Philadelphia icon and will be missed by your many fans.— BillyBob369- R.I.P. Sally i grew up watching you EVERY day and had the pleasure of meeting you as a kid in the 60's as well as a few years ago. I have lots of happy memories when i think of you.
Alas another of my childhood memories is gone along with Playtown park,Harry Kallas,Chief Halftown,Marra's pizza (Springfield) The Longhorn. Etc... I must be getting old.— johnsothermail 
We'll miss and always love, "Our Gal Sal!!!" Thank you for raising us! "Love, luck, and lollypops!"- Sally Starr, Chief Halftown and Bertie the Bunyip are all gone now. If you are in your late fifties or early sixties you grew up watching Sally Starr and Popeye theater along with The Three Stooges. She lived a long life even with the struggles of her recent years. The Philadelphia broadcasting legends have all moved on.— Drew777
- @Drew: mostly true, but Pixanne and Wee Willie are still here as far as I know.— einreb
- No one read a restaurant ad better than Wee Willie on the radio. I was a major Charlie Chinchopper fan, although that name would have a different connotation now. — Spaceman Eddie
- Gene London is still kickin'. Did a Hollywood fashion show at Boscov's recently.— Spaceman Eddie
- "Hope you feel as good as you look, beacause you sure look good to your gal Sal."— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Wee Willie is gone, sad to say.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Saddened to learn of this. An era ends with her passing. So long, Sally, we hardly knew ye.— Nostromo
- She provided fun, safe, entertainment for kids.— Falls Ed
- Naturally, I've been Googling other Philly broadcast pioneers that geared their programs to children; mostly all 'em universally loved and recalled by their viewers and nary a scandal among 'em. High esteem from hundreds of thousands of admirers; hard to top.— Nostromo
- You came home from school on a cold winter day, snow on the ground and there was our gal Sal to entertain until 6. Made being a little kind even more memorable and a boring day better. RIP and thanks.— Redguy
- Grew up watching Sally, does anybody know that cartoon she use to put on? I think it was two secret agent animals, a cat or squirrel or something like that. Can't remember what it was called. Sally will be missed.— neddyflanders
Follow Stu on TwitterReach Stu at stubyko@phillynews.com.
