Mac and Mutley, Memory from 40 Years ago

I have done quite few videos for various news outlets, a game show, a talk show and few animal programs with my Angoras.   Most visible ones were done in the mid 2000 to mid 2010s.   However, the earliest one was done in 1986 but very few people today had seen it.   I have the tape/disc, I tried to upload it to our blog but was unsuccessful.  The video is 6 minutes long, too much for our blog.   I'll find a way to load it somewhere and will announce it when I have success.   I thought it'll interesting to show some screenshots here.

 

In the 1980s there was a popular animal program called "Mac and Mutley".  It's a syndicated show produced in the San Francisco Bay Area at CBS KPIX.

The 'Mac" is Doug McConnell and the Mutley is the pup.   Doug was known for his efforts on enviromental issues, "Bay Area Backroads" is one of his most well-known programs.   Doug passed away a month ago on January 13, 2026.    There were more than one "Mutley" for this program, pictured here was the first generation "Mutley".  

The Angora was featured on the "Mac and Mutley" show in 1986.

I was the fortunate one to be featured in the segment with my Angoras.   In the frame with me was Chu's Vanessa, the 1986 Angora National Best In Show winner.  

Some questioned why I would put on posts discussing the French Angora as I have been known to be the English Angora lover/breeder.   Look at me here with my French Angora in 1986!   I've had French Angora off and on for 40 years.  The English Angora was a continuous presence in my barn for 44 years but the French Angora was off an on.   At the current, I've had French Angora continuously since 2012, and that's not a short time, 14 years!  I pioneered the concept of non-molting genes and have been in the forefront of developing non-molting English Angora since 1985, and the concept of non-molting French Angora was picked up around 2008, I have a tiny part of promoting this development.
 

I was filmed spinning Angora wool in silhouette. 

In 1986, blower was not a part of the grooming tool, the English Angora had just started the journey of going non-molting, most were still "pluckable".   Here I was having an English Angora on my side plucking and spinning at the same time.    It was a popular way to do demos during the 1980s to have an Angora sitting on the side or on the lap then pluck and spin.   I wouldn’t be caught dead doing that today!

I was showing off my first Angora sweater from the wool of my white, fawn, lynx, tort, and black English Angoras.   Yes, I had all colors of English Angora at that time.   It took many years of selection to end up with my two favoite English Angoras, White and Tort,  that occupy my barn today.