The Spectator, the “most opinionated show” award winner at MTN, lost its host and creator when he died during surgery on August 15. He was 48. Originally called “Sports Spectator,” “Spectator” is a variety showcase of sports, issues, entertainment and personalities in a live talk show format. You can see it on Mondays at 5 p.m. on Channel 17. It got its start 16 years ago in MTN’s Northside studio with the help of producer Tony Geer. Three years later Richard Darud started directing. The show has been produced pretty much every other week since, until this past summer when Ray took ill suddenly. We all expected Ray Whebbe Jr. to walk back in through our doors like he had after other bouts with various health issues in the past. On September 15, “Spectator” went live again in tribute to its guiding light, Ray Whebbe, Jr. Stories were related about Ray’s dealings with boxers, promoters, money, politicians, activists, comedians, caterers, and musicians. An amazing network of friends showed up to pay respects. Ray was a journalist, writer/editor, and maybe a shameless agitator, too. He was a courageous, big-hearted man. He wrote for Insight News, Pulse, and The Watchdog. There is a hole to be filled with his absence. S o many cohosts/cohorts shared the spotlight with Ray: the late Jim O’Connell, Papa John Kolstad, Bill Borea, Travis Lee, and we don't have the space or the research funds to name them all here. He truly shared the spotlight with others, with people who shared his passion for justice and/or sports. That combination of justice and sports can make a powerful paradox, or they might be the same. They both involve competition, winners and losers and underdogs succeeding despite the odds. It seems like Ray is watching. You can still hear his comments on the mistakes and misplays of the Twins, Vikings, the Minneapolis City Council, the police and the Mayor. Sports, housing, boxing, politics, entertainment: you know he still has opinions on them. You may not know much about boxing - I don't - but we got a look at it from the inside, as boxers and promoters often strolled into the MTN studio to share Ray’s passion for the sport. He connected with so many people. He helped so many people with their simple dreams, the little guys, underdogs, plain folk. Now we have to carry on without him. And the “Spectator” program will go on as well. It’s the way Ray would want it. – Doug Cain