Mon., Dec. 6, 2010 at 8 pm on WNED-TV -- Premiere!
(Repeated Sat., Dec. 11, 2010 at 5 pm)
Produced by
WNED
in cooperation with
the Buffalo Broadcasters Association
Remember when “Irv, Rick and Tom” ruled the evening news?
Did you tune in for bowling? Meet the Millers? Santa Claus? The Hound Dog?
Who was your favorite radio “character?”
 Relive the memories with this nostalgic, upbeat special that looks back at popular local programming and media personalities. It follows Buffalo’s top radio stations and three major commercial television stations from the 1950s through the early 1980s.
Narrated and co-produced by long-time WNED-AM 970 News host Al Wallack, the program covers the growth and change of radio as well as television news, sports, weather and children’s programs.
“Great moments” are brought to life through archival clips and interviews with some of the top names in Buffalo broadcasting history (see below). These contributors also share their own media influences and memories of their peers and mentors.
“Only WNED could tell all of their stories,” says co-producer Lynne Bader Gregory, who describes the special as “a very entertaining and memorable look back.”
The program also recalls how Buffalo’s pioneering talents distinguished themselves and influenced the national media landscape -- from the conception of Top 40 radio to exclusive news coverage of the 1971 Attica prison uprising.
While working on the project, Bader Gregory was impressed to learn about several national “firsts” that occurred in Buffalo. “A lot of stardom was born here,” she said.
Sharing “Great Moments”
DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL features interviews with the following:
News: Irv Weinstein, Rich Kellman, Susan Banks, Sheila Murphy,
Mike Igoe, Rich Newberg
Sports: Rick Azar, Van Miller, Ed Kilgore, John Murphy
Weather: Barry Lillis, Kevin O’Connell; Tom Jolls
Children’s/Local programming: Dave Thomas, Doris Jones, Mike Randall
Radio: Dan Neaverth, Jim Santella, Joey Reynolds, Stan Roberts
Plus Lee Coppola, Dean of Communications, Saint Bonaventure University; Historians Marty Biniasz and Steve Cichon
Watch Clips on YouTube
Remember Rocketship 7? Commander Tom? Irv Weinstein and the rest of the Eyewitness News team? Relive the memories. Watch On YouTube
One powerhouse radio station pioneered TOP 40 in Buffalo and imprinted its distinctive voice on a generation. Relive the glory days of WKBW radio. Watch On YouTube
Remember when “Irv, Rick and Tom” ruled the evening news? Take a look back at the winning style and synergy of the Eyewitness News team. Watch On YouTube
A generation ago, superheroes and the “space age” spurred children’s television icons. Relive memorable moments with Rocketship 7 and Commander Tom. Watch On YouTube
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 So You Think You Know Buffalo Broadcasting? (Answers below.)
- Which well-known meteorologist was once a teenage radio DJ?
- What was the name of Dan Neaverth’s popular “puck” character?
- “I’ll be seeing you.” was the farewell message of what Rocketship 7 character?
- WKBW radio first aired a local version of War of the Worlds on Halloween night of what year?
- Who was the well-known host of NBC’s The Howdy Doody Show who started out as a singing radio personality in Buffalo?
- What well-known threesome comprised the longest-running news team in America?
- Eyewitness News at 11 pm opened with what question?
For the ANSWERS, Click and Drag From Here >>
Answers: 1. Kevin O’Connell; 2. Pierre; 3. Promo the Robot; 4. 1968; 5. Bob Smith (aka “Buffalo Bob”) 6. Irv Weinstein, Rick Azar & Tom Jolls 7. Do you know where your children are? << To Here |
