Keillor Hosting Last 'Prairie Home Companion' In Hollywood

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Some 18,000 fans at the Hollywood Bowl will be transported to Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, Friday night as writer and humorist Garrison Keillor hosts his final episode of the old-style variety show "A Prairie Home Companion" after 42 years on public radio.

Keillor's farewell will include "Companion's" best-known segment, "News From Lake Wobegon," folksy reports from a fictional town where "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average."

"Companion" attracts three million listeners in the U.S., many more counting its Armed Forces Radio audiences worldwide. Keillor's final show airs Saturday night.

Wobegon leaves the show with Keillor, but the 73-year-old will keep it alive onstage, and he's working on a "Wobegon" screenplay.

"Companion" returns in October with new host Chris Thile.

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