By age 14, George was working as a disc-jockey at AM radio station KIEV in Glendale, California, followed by work at other local stations. In 1965, he was credited with writing an episode of the long-running television series "Bonanza". In 1969, he launched "The Wally George Show" on FM radio station KTYM in Inglewood, California. Three years later, he became producer and co-host of "The Sam Yorty Show" on Los Angeles television station KCOP with his political mentor Sam Yorty, the former mayor of Los Angeles. By 1979, George had his own talk show at KCOP, and when it moved to fledgling UHF station KDOC in Anaheim, he launched "Hot Seat" in 1983.