I tripped across a large format graphic novel titled "George Sprott: 1894-1971" by Canadian artist Seth. In his interview with popmatters.com, he sites his inspiration for the title character:

“There was a particular host [on Detroit television] of a travel show named George Pierrot that was the direct inspiration for George Sprott,” Seth says. “Some of his surface characteristics are similar – though none of the personal ones are. George Pierrot was famous for falling asleep on the air.”

The New York Times serialized the novella at http://www.nytimes.com/ref/magazine/...gesSprott.html

I credit a portion of my eternal wanderlust to numerous viewings of George Pierott's program. Does anyone else have memories of his show?