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HOLLYWOOD -- Television brought "perfumed freaks like Gorgeous George" to the art of wrestling, but the claimant to the world's chmpion heavyweight wrestling crown decided today those "clowns" are on the way out.

Since the advent of the home screens, Lou Thesz' job has included not only toe and scissors holds on victims but also exhibiting his talents on TV.

The grunt-and-groaner, who has held his title since 1948, admits there must be "a little showmanship" in video wrestling.

But he rolled his eyes and sighed at the mention of Gorgeous George, the wrestling star who sprays perfume over the ring and has his hair curled.

"That era is finished," he said. "It wasn't healthy for wrestling. Before TV we had more prestige.

"Now there's some guy who comes out dressed like an Indian. His wife beats a drum and he jumps up and down. But is he a good wrestler? Those guys are a flash in the pan, just clowns. People are getting tired of them. They don't really have ability.

"Some college boys are coming out now who are wonderful. They are less on histrionics and more on ability."

Once Thesz was pitted against Gorgeous George on a TV match. The world's champion came close to losing a point because of a gag.

"When I started to apply a hold he clutched his chest and said, 'Oh, my heart! I burst out laughing. It just broke me up," Thesz chuckled.

Although TV cameras brought this "nonsense" to wrestling, the home screens have popularized the sport, he went on.

"Where I used to get one fan letter, I now get a hundred," he said.

Thesz, from St. Louis, journeyed here to appear on NBC in a wrestling match. But he also kept busy with personal appearances and guest shots on other shows, like any comedian or actor, and he has the dignity of a top performer.

For our meeting he wore a conservative gray flannel suit and white vest. He speaks softly, using Harvard-type words. Except for his cauliflower ears he could be a cloak-and-suiter or a movie agent. He even ate a light lunch.