Mel Stewart to 1978. In the 1980s, Stewart starred on "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" as section chief Billy Melrose during the show's four-year run from 1983 through 1987, and continued guest starring in both television and films. His last on screen appearance came in the 1993 film "Made in America", starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson. In addition to acting and directing, Stewart was an accomplished jazz saxophonist. A longtime resident of San Francisco, he also taught acting at San Francisco State University. His students included actor Danny Glover. He established the theater group Black Actors Now Through Unity (BANTU) and directed
Wake Up with Whoopi program. The program was produced by longtime WKTU morning show producer Michael Opelka until he left the show and the company, ending nearly 10 years of his affiliation with the station. Opelka left to join Opie and Anthony; he was replaced by a team of Matt Bosso, Lisa Jackson, and Glenn Baker. Cubby Bryant, who had been Goldberg's co-host, left the show in January 2008, staying on WKTU's morning drive. The show's cancellation had been anticipated for months, and the last live broadcast was March 27, 2008. "Wake Up with Whoopi"'s final broadcast on March 28, 2008 was a taped