Call For Help
Current Call For Help Logo
Running time	1 hour (with commercials)
Creator(s)	Leo Laporte
Starring	Leo Laporte
Country of origin	United States  Canada
Original channel	TechTV G4techTV Canada
Original run	May 11, 1998 – Monday, 27 February 2007
No. of episodes	486
Official website

Call for Help (also known as CFH) was a computer-themed television program that first aired exclusively on TechTV (formerly ZDTV), a cable and satellite television network focused on technology, and then aired on G4techTV Canada and the HOW TO Channel in Australia. It's final episode aired on Monday, 27 February 2007, a spin-off is The Lab with Leo Laporte which will air alot of the same content and run on the same networks from April 2007. Image File history File links Call_for_Help_Canada. ... Leo Gordon Laporte (born November 29, 1956 in New York City, New York) [1] is a technology broadcaster, and author. ... Leo Gordon Laporte (born November 29, 1956 in New York City, New York) [1] is a technology broadcaster, and author. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Canada_(bordered). ... TechTV is also the name of a closed-circuit television network based in Ruston, Louisiana TechTV (May 11, 1998 – May 28, 2004) was a 24-hour cable and satellite channel based in San Francisco, California featuring news and shows about computers, technology, and the Internet. ... G4techTV Canada (formerly TechTV Canada) is a Canadian category 1 digital cable television channel co-owned by Rogers Media (66. ... May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (132nd in leap years). ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Monday (pron. ... Events The Emperor Tiberius retires to Capri, leaving the praetorian prefect Sejanus in charge of both Rome and the Empire. ... For other uses, see February (disambiguation). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... A BlueGene supercomputer cabinet. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... TechTV is also the name of a closed-circuit television network based in Ruston, Louisiana TechTV (May 11, 1998 – May 28, 2004) was a 24-hour cable and satellite channel based in San Francisco, California featuring news and shows about computers, technology, and the Internet. ... TechTV (May 11, 1998 - May 28, 2004) was a 24-hours per day technology cable and satellite television channel based in San Francisco, California, featuring news and shows about computers, technology, and the Internet. ... Coaxial cable is often used to transmit cable television into the house. ... Artists impression of a Boeing 601 satellite, as configured for digital television transmission by SES Astra Satellite television is television delivered by way of communications satellites, as compared to conventional terrestrial television and cable television. ... A television network is a distribution network for television content whereby a central operation provides programming for many television stations. ... G4techTV Canada (formerly TechTV Canada) is a Canadian category 1 digital cable television channel co-owned by Rogers Media (66. ... The HOW TO Channel is an Australian cable and satellite television channel. ... Call for Help (also known as CFH) is a computer-themed television program that first aired exclusively on TechTV (formerly ZDTV), a cable and satellite television network focused on technology, and now airs on G4techTV Canada and the HOW TO Channel in Australia. ...

United States origin (May 1998 – May 2004)

Broadcast live from San Francisco, California, the show premiered on May 11, 1998 with Leo Laporte as host. The show's very first caller (by accident) was Laporte's mother. He functioned as a technical advisor to viewers experiencing difficulties with their personal computers (or "personal confusers", as Laporte jocularly referred to them). Such individuals were encouraged to contact the show via e-mail, telephone or webcam, with telephone/webcam users serving as on-air participants. Laporte also welcomed in-studio guests (including Martin Sargent, Roger Chang, Brett Larson, Hahn Choi and others), who expertly highlighted and reviewed various technology products with a novice perspective in mind. Nickname: The City by the Bay; Fog City; The City Location of the City and County of San Francisco, California Coordinates: Country United States of America State California City-County San Francisco  - Mayor Gavin Newsom Area    - City  47 sq mi (122 km²)  - Land  46. ... May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (132nd in leap years). ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Leo Gordon Laporte (born November 29, 1956 in New York City, New York) [1] is a technology broadcaster, and author. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The telephone or phone is a telecommunications device which is used to transmit and receive sound (most commonly voice and speech) across distance. ... A Creative webcam A web camera (or webcam, real camera) is a real-time camera (usually, though not always, a video camera) whose images can be accessed using the World Wide Web, instant messaging, or a PC video calling application. ... Martin Sargent, circa 2001 Martin Sargent (born August 18, 1975) is a former American television personality. ... Roger Chang was a segment producer and on-air contributor for TechTV. He appeared regularly on Call for Help, and sometimes filled in for host Leo Laporte. ... Brett Larson on CBS 2 News on WCBS in July of 2006. ...

In 2001, Laporte decided to focus solely on another TechTV program, The Screen Savers, and Becky Worley became the lead Call for Help host (briefly joined by Scott Herriott as co-host). Later that year, Chris Pirillo took over the lead hosting duties, with Cat Schwartz, Morgan Webb, and TechLive correspondent Laura Burstein serving as rotating co-hosts. In 2003, Pirillo was terminated from TechTV for publicly unspecified reasons, and Laporte returned as lead host alongside Cat Schwartz. Morgan Webb left her CFH co-hosting duties (and her other show, The Screen Savers) to go co-host TechTV's X-Play. Image File history File links Call_for_Help. ... The Screen Savers (broadcast May 11, 1998 - March 18, 2005) was a live American TV show on TechTV. The show launched concurrently with the channel ZDTV (later known as TechTV) on May 11, 1998. ... Becky Worley was TechLives Computer Security Analyst. ... Scott Herriott at CES Scott Squatch[1] Herriott (born Los Angeles, California)[2] is an American documentarian, comedian, and Bigfoot hunter. ... Galileo figaro Magnifico! Chris Pirillo (born July 26, 1973 in Des Moines, Iowa) is the founder and maintainer of Lockergnome. ... Cat Schwartz on Call for Help Catherine Michelle Schwartz (often called Cat for short) (born May 27, 1977) is an American television personality best known for her former role as co-host on the TechTV television program Call for Help with Leo Laporte. ... Morgan Ailis Webb (born October 5, 1978) is co-host and senior segment producer of the G4 (formerly G4TechTV) television program X-Play and The Gaming Goddess of FHM, where she contributes a monthly video game column. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... X-Play logo X-Play (previously Gamespot TV and Extended Play) is a video game review television show hosted by Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb. ...

Call for Help performed an annual "Call-For-Help-a-Thon" on December 26. The live telecast lasted eighteen hours in 2002, and twelve in 2003, during which viewers with questions pertaining to new technology gifts called in. December 26 is the 360th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, 361st in leap years. ... giFT stands for giFT: Internet File Transfer. ...

In December 2003, the original animated cartoon opening and theme music were replaced with a new live-action sequence (featuring Laporte and Schwartz) and a different song. A new version of the show's logo was introduced. Image File history File links Call_for_Help_US.jpg Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

In May 2004, TechTV and G4 merged to form G4techTV. Call for Help, despite being the network's second-highest rated show (ranked just below X-Play in viewership), did not appeal to the combined channel's target demographic in the opinion of G4 executives, and was cancelled immediately. The final United States edition of Call for Help, taped two days prior, aired on May 21, 2004. G4 is an American cable and satellite television channel originally geared toward male viewers aged 12–34 and devoted to the world of video games and the video game lifestyle. ... G4techTV (May 28, 2004 – February 15, 2005) was a cable and satellite channel resulting from a merger between Comcast-owned G4 and TechTV. The headquarters were based in Los Angeles. ... When TV viewers or entertainment professionals in the United States mention ratings they are generally referring to Nielsen Ratings, a system developed by Nielsen Media Research to determine the audience size and composition of television programming. ... X-Play logo X-Play (previously Gamespot TV and Extended Play) is a video game review television show hosted by Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb. ... May 21 is the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (142nd in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Canadian origin (August 2004 – 2007)

A short time after the cancellation, Rogers Media (one of the three owners of G4techTV Canada at that time) expressed interest in reviving the program as a Canadian production, and licensed from G4 Media the rights to the Call for Help name and format, along with the 1998–2003 music and graphics. Taped in Toronto, Ontario, a new version of Call for Help made its G4techTV Canada debut on August 16, 2004, and quickly became the channel's highest rated series. Leo Laporte (who regularly commuted from his residence in Sonoma County, California) served as lead host, with co-hosts Andy Walker and Monica Litonjua. The program followed the same basic formula as the original, but was pre-recorded instead of airing live. Nonetheless, the viewer participation element remained, and a large number of United States residents continued to call and e-mail (despite the fact that no US channels carried the program). Image File history File linksMetadata Leo_Laporte_and_Amber_MacArthur. ... Rogers Communications (TSX: RCI.NV.B) (TSX: RCI.MV.A) (NYSE: RG) is Canadas largest cable television service provider with approximately 2. ... G4 Media, Inc. ... August 16 is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... See Commute for other meanings. ... Sonoma County is a county located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, north of Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area. ... Andy Walker Andy Walker (born July 4, 1967 in Norwich, England) is a Canadian television personality and journalist. ... Monica Litonjua was a co-host of the Call For Help television show, she reviewed websites, handed off phone calls to Leo Laporte. ...

Timeline

• In September 2004, Litonjua (who had retained her position in the promotions department of the Rogers-owned OMNI Television) decided that her schedule was too hectic, and resigned as co-host. Filling the vacancy was Amber MacArthur, who previously contributed the show's "Web Workshop" segments.
• On March 7, 2005, Call for Help was made available in Australia on the HOW TO Channel. The US made Call for Help series was screened in Australia on Foxtel's TechTV channel until the end of 2004.
• On June 9, 2005, the original animated cartoon opening and theme music were retired once again. A new opening sequence (featuring Laporte, MacArthur and Walker) and a different song were introduced, as was a radically redesigned logo (sometimes featuring Laporte's name).
• On August 31, 2005, Andy Walker announced on his official blog that he was leaving the show, citing an unsatisfactory pay cut in his proposed contract renewal. He was not replaced with a new co-host, and the number of guests and viewer calls was increased.
• On August 28, 2006, nearly one year since Andy Walker's departure, co-host Amber MacArthur announced on her blog that she would be leaving Call For Help to work at the Canadian network Citytv. Her final episodes aired in early November 2006. Cali Lewis will be the new temporary co-host. [1]
• On February 26, 2007, the final Call For Help episode, number 486, aired on G4techTV Canada and the HOW TO Channel, the new episodes for The Lab with Leo Laporte are expected to air in March 2007.

OMNI Television is a Canadian television brand owned and operated by Rogers Communications. ... Amber MacArthur Amber Dawn MacArthur (b. ... March 7 is the 66th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (67th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The HOW TO Channel is an Australian cable and satellite television channel. ... June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 31 is the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (244th in leap years), with 122 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A weblog (now more commonly known as a blog) is a web-based publication consisting primarily of periodic articles (normally, but not always, in reverse chronological order). ... August 28 is the 240th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (241st in leap years), with 125 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Citytv is an urban television brand owned by CHUM Limited. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... February 26 is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... G4techTV Canada (formerly TechTV Canada) is a Canadian category 1 digital cable television channel co-owned by Rogers Media (66. ... The HOW TO Channel is an Australian cable and satellite television channel. ...

United States return (August 2005 – January 2006)

On August 29, 2005, following months of public outcry, G4 (which, as part of its licensing agreement with Rogers Media, held the right of first refusal) began airing the show in the United States. The program started out airing at 11am ET Monday-Friday. August 29 is the 241st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (242nd in leap years), with 124 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Right of first refusal is the right to make an offer before offers from others are considered. ...

However, in December 2005, G4 "shelved" Call For Help indefinitely, meaning that the show was acknowledged in the network's programming lineup, but not actually scheduled to air. This happened a month after G4 moved the show to its earliest and least-viewed time slot, 9am ET weekdays. On December 17, 2005, Leo Laporte announced on his KFI Los Angeles radio show that G4 was dropping Call For Help from its lineup at the end of 2005. On January 3, 2006, Call For Help aired for the final time on G4. December 17 is the 351st day of the year (352nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... KFI is an AM radio station that began operating on March 15, 1922 as one of the United States first high-powered, clear channel stations. ...

Online Distribution (June 2006 – present)

On June 13, 2006, Rogers began offering Call For Help for 99 cents per episode via Google Video. [2] The offer is only available to United States residents. At launch, only a select few episodes are available; however, Rogers plans to roll out all episodes of the show over time, including all new episodes. June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Google Video is a free Google service that allows anyone to upload video clips to Googles web servers as well as make their own media available free of charge or through Google Video Store for a cost that they can set. ...

MoboVivo started offering each episode for download for iPods and other portable devices, including new episodes starting in January 2007.

The Lab with Leo Laporte

Main article: The Lab with Leo Laporte

Call for Help (also known as CFH) is a computer-themed television program that first aired exclusively on TechTV (formerly ZDTV), a cable and satellite television network focused on technology, and now airs on G4techTV Canada and the HOW TO Channel in Australia. ...

Call For Help Specials

Six shows have recently been shown on G4techTV Canada, repackaged programs with a specific theme of select episodes from Call for Help. Web Gems focuses on tips and tricks on navigating the Internet, along with new developments online. Super Software shows viewers how to use certain programs. A recent program, Digital Lifestyle illustrates the connection between technology and everyday life and lessons on do-it-yourself projects. My Media focuses on the multimedia aspects of technology, More Gadgets shows all the latest in "tech toys", and Tech To Go showcases technology that can be used on-the-go. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

External links

• Call for Help official website
• The Lab with Leo Laporte official website
• Press Release about the move to Greedy Productions