Weekly radio show with entertainment, TV, and society news.

Host: John W. Griffin   

Guest is George Maharis.                     

A SPECIFICA RADIO documentary on the Birmingham racial integration crisis. Produced in Birmingham by Dale Miner.
                       

Topic: Latest news on the racial crisis in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Host: Robert Potts.                         

A satire on President Kennedy and associates.                       

A debate on the segregation crisis in Birmingham, Alabama.
Broadcast on WHN 1050 radio in New York City.           

A repeat of a rare July 15, 1962 broadcast for its time. A round table discussion by eight male homosexuals discussing their lives and loves.     

Moderator: WBAI Public Affairs Director, Dick Elman. 

To humanize homosexuality, Randolfe Wicker brought together a panel of eight homosexuals to speak as they would speak to each other. WBAI public affairs director, Dick Elman moderates a discussion recorded at a Brownstone home in NYC on the West Side. 

NOTE:

In early 1962, WBAI New York’s listener-supported “progressive" radio station aired an hour-long special, “The Homosexual In America.” It featured a panel of psychiatrists who described gay people as sick and in need of a cure — a cure that they could provide with just a few hours of therapy.

Gay Activist and founder of the “Homosexual League of New York” Randy Wicker was livid, not only at the ignorance of these so-called “experts,” but also because, once again, there was a panel of straight people talking about gay people they didn’t even know.

Wicker went to the WBAI studios and confronted Dick Elman, the station’s public affairs director. “Why do you have these people on that don’t know a damn thing about homosexuality? They don’t live it and breathe it the way I do. … I spend my whole life in gay society.”  Wicker demanded equal time and Elman agreed, provided Wicker find other gay people willing to go on the air as part of a panel.  When plans for the program were announced, the New York Journal-American went ballistic. Jack O’Brian, the paper’s radio-TV columnist, wrote that the station should change its callsign to WSICK for agreeing to air an “arrogant card-carrying swish.”

The broadcast titled “Live and Let Live,” featured Wicker and seven other gay men, identified only as Harry, Jack, Bill, Peter, Marty, and two others, talking for ninety minutes about what it was like to be gay.  They talked about their difficulties in maintaining careers, the problems of police harassment, and the social responsibility of gays and straights alike. The program’s host guided the programs with questions to the panel. “Is there harassment?” he asked. One panelist described some of the police harassment he had experienced, when one officer “roared up, jumped out of the car, grabbed me, and started giving me this big thing about ‘What are you doing here, you know there are a lot of queers around this neighborhood.’ He said, ‘You know, there’s only one thing worse than a queer, and that’s a nigger’.” (Remember this was 1962.)

The New York Times’s  called the program “the most extensive consideration of the subject to be heard on American radio” —  
   
A week before the broadcast, Jack O'Brian, a "right-wing" columnist for the New York Journal American, attacked it as an attempt to present "the ease of living the gay life." Wicker made the rounds to Variety, Newsweek, and The New York Times informing them of the broadcast and the attack on it by O'Brian. The 90-minute program, believed to be the first such in the United States, aired on July 15, 1962. Several mainstream media outlets, alerted by Wicker, covered the broadcast, which received favorable treatment in The New York Times, The Realist, Newsweek, the New York Herald Tribune, and Variety.

As a result of the publicity, from 1962 through 1964 Wicker was one of the most visible gay people in New York. He spoke to countless church groups and college classes and, in 1964, became the first openly gay person to appear on East Coast television with a January 31st appearance on The Les Crane Show which was recorded at the time of the original broadcast by Phil Gries founder and owner of Archival Television Audio.

 Wicker is credited with organizing the first known gay rights demonstration in the United States. 
                                                                       

Senator Jacob Javits of New York answers various questions such as the space race to the moon, the debt limit, civil rights, and politics.             

A documentary on Nazis and extreme right-wing groups operating in the US today. Included are interviews with George Lincoln Rockwell, the leader of the American Nazi Party who claims he will gas the Jews after he becomes the President of the US in 1972. 

Broadcast on WBAI radio in New York City.           

           June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971

ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles. 

 Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half-year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
 
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.  

Ed's guest is President Kennedy impersonator Vaughn Meader.  
  
NOTE: After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy Vaughn Meader's career faded over night. He made three appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show impersonating JFK and one last appearance May 3, 1964 attempting a new routine. His fate was doomed and this would be one of his last television appearances before leaving the business. 

It's probably very safe to say that no performer within memory ever became a has-been as quickly as the man born Abbott Vaughn Meader. After toiling away on the small-club circuit for several years, his spot-on impersonation of then-President John F. Kennedy got him noticed by writer/performer/producer Earle Doud, who decided to build a comedy album around the nation's highly popular Presidential family. Built up of a series of satiric audio sketches about the Kennedys, and surrounding Meader with a supporting cast of top New York-based character actors, "The First Family" (Cadence: 1962) became an unprecedented success when it was released around Thanksgiving time in 1962. Its sales were so phenomenal that copies had to be rationed, it occupied several weeks at Number One on the Billboard Album charts, and was one of only two comedy albums ever to be awarded the Grammy for Album of the Year. A follow-up, "The First Family, Part Two" (Cadence: 1963), released the following summer, did almost as well. Both a third album and a TV special were in the works. Kennedy himself was a fan of the album, his biggest criticism being that he felt Meader sounded more like Robert F. Kennedy than himself.

Then, on November 22, 1963, the unthinkable happened. John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas. Literally within hours of the shooting, all of Meader's engagements were canceled. Meader, who admired Kennedy and was as much in shock as everybody else, was at a loss. His Kennedy impersonation, which comprised a small portion of his club act, could have been easily cut. But, as he himself later put it, "literally overnight, nobody wanted to know from me. As far as they were concerned, I was as dead as the President."
                                                                                

January 2nd, 1954-May 8th, 1954-NBC  
April 2nd, 1957-August 27th, 1957-CBS
August 1st, 1960-Sept 19th, 1960-CBS
July 17th, 1961-Sept 25th, 1961-CBS 

Bandleader Spike Jones hosted several half-hour comedy/variety series. They featured his wife Helen Grayco and the Spike Jones band.

Tonight's show features "Horror music and lyrics."

                                             

The reception and press conference for astronaut Gordon Cooper.

Host: Walter Cronkite.               

A brief excerpt from the Dan Ingram rock 'n' roll show heard over WABC radio in New York City.

                                           

October 11th, 1961-August 26th, 1963 (NBC)  

This program was the winner of both an Emmy and Peabody award in 1962. NBC newsman David Brinkley covered a wide variety of topics during its two-season run. Brinkley appeared live and filmed segments were also featured. 

The US populace speaks out on current events such as Vietnam, Laos, etc.

Host: David Brinkley.                                                             

Highlights:

Bobby Rydell promo- Palasaides Amusement Park
Bruce Morrow-continues to promote the Park
"I Wish I Was a Princess" by Peggy March
Bruce- Million Dollar Survey
Song Excerpt- "Lazy, Hazy, Crazy, Days Of Summer" by Nat King Cole
Bruce Morrow Intro- Action Central News with Bob Emory "Gallo Gang Murders."-             

October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. 

Joined in Progress.

Guest is Mort Sahl and Elsa Lancaster, who briefly chimes in at times. Sahl comments on current events which include Time magazine, will there be an election in 1964? his impressions and observations of Governor Nelson Rockefeller, President Lyndon Johnson, race riots at the Shrine Auditorium Rally. 

Sahl questions why negroes have become so militant and Jewish people have become minstals? 

Impressions of Malcolm X who last month appeared in an interview in Playboy magazine. Mort mentions to Johnny Carson it is interesting that negroes currently seem to be the oppressor fighting for their rights. 

Johnny asks Mort if he is a happy guy to which he gets an affirmative response. Mort states that USC is a "dingbat" school to attend, where he studied engineering. 

Sahl discusses why he collects wrist watches and has many including one made for astronauts. He tells Johnny that he changes his watch everyday like clothing. Sahl mentions he gave a special watch with a viewable tuning fork to friend Bill Dana who commented that every time he looks at it he feels wanted. 

Johnny Carson asks Sahl if he is a happy guy? Sahl responds and also has commentary about appearing on The Steve Allen Show.  


Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past. We are introduced to the show's opening by announcer Ed McMahon, who also jokes with Johnny Carson during his monologue. 
                                                

Astronaut Gordon Cooper gets a hero's welcome in Washington, DC.            

1963 TV movie. 

Once the heart of Soviet Russia and the center of the communist world, The Kremlin embodies the rich and fascinating cultural heritage of Moscow. This was the first time ever that an American film crew was granted permission to enter and discover the rich treasures and history of the government and system whose ideology swept through half the modern world in the 20th Century.

Edwin Newman narrates.                      

January 2nd, 1961-March 26th, 1965 (NBC)

A half-hour game show similar to The Price is Right. 
Contestants chose items of merchandise and the object of the game was to choose a set of items closet to a preset dollar amount.

Art James hosted the show and was assisted by Ruth Hasely.           

Astronaut Gordon Cooper receives a ticker-tape reception in New York City.            

Barry Farber was an American conservative radio talk show host. He produced the Tex and Jinx radio program which starred Tex McCrary and Jinx Falkenberg. The show was heard weeknights on WNBC radio from 10:30 PM to midnight. Farber was also an author and commentator who wrote for various US newspapers. He was ranked the ninth greatest talk show host of all time by Talkers Magazine. He joined WOR radio in 1962 after a stint at 1010 WINS radio in New York City. When Farber left WOR radio he joined WMCA radio in New York City for an afternoon drive time show that lasted until 1989 when WMCA changed its format to a Christian radio station. 

Barry Farber interviews conservative William F. Buckley Jr.
                                                                                      

Weekly radio show with entertainment, TV, and society news.

Host: John W. Griffin 

Guest: Bob Hope.   

                    

1961 (Syndicated)

One of television's first children's shows, Supercar was the creation of Gerry and Slyvia Anderson. A marionette show centering on Mike Mercury the driver of Supercar. Other characters included Dr. Beeker, professor pop kiss, and Mitch the monkey.

                                                              

The Neo-Nazis ("National Renaissance Party") create a disturbance in Yorkville- insult Jews, Jewish war vets try to arrest Nazi leader James Modolny, comment by Congressman John Lindsay, Attorney General Robert Kennedy attends a meeting with negro leaders, comment by James Baldwin.                                       

Voices in The Headlines was an American news program broadcast on ABC radio featuring the top news stories of the day. It was hosted by long-time radio and television announcer Fred Foy. 

A review of the week's top news stories. 

Narrator: Fred Foy.   

NOTE: Fred Foy, best known for his voicing the opening of THE LONE RANGER on radio joined the ABC TV announcing staff in New York in 1961. For ABC RADIO he narrated the award-winning news documentary, VOICES IN THE HEADLINES a 25-minute weekly wrap up of salient news events of the week with sound bites representing the news as it was recorded.                                                                                                                

The 15th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are presented from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California. 

Hosts: Annette Funicello and Don Knotts.                        

Topics: Pope John the 23rd is ill with a stomach disorder, possibly cancer, James Meredith tells of decisions to enroll at Mississippi University, Kennedy influence, RFK to discuss desegregation in a movie theatre, Adam Clayton Powell comments on segregation in Alabama, Arlene Francis is in a car accident Emmy Awards results.                         

      The Edie Adams Show, an Emmy Award winning SPECIAL, was a pilot for future Edie Adam's monthly SPECIALS...a total of eight half hour broadcasts were televised on ABC television, premiering October 23, 1962, followed by broadcasts on December 13, 1962, January 20, 1963, February 26, 1963, March 17, 1963, April 19, 1963, May 28, 1963, June 18, 1963 and called "Here's Edie." 

7TH SPECIAL of the season.      

Barry Farber was an American conservative radio talk show host. He produced the Tex and Jinx radio program which starred Tex McCrary and Jinx Falkenberg. The show was heard weeknights on WNBC radio from 10:30 PM to midnight. Farber was also an author and commentator who wrote for various US newspapers. He was ranked the ninth greatest talk show host of all time by Talkers Magazine. He joined WOR radio in 1962 after a stint at 1010 WINS radio in New York City. When Farber left WOR radio he joined WMCA radio in New York City for an afternoon drive time show that lasted until 1989 when WMCA changed its format to a Christian radio station. 

Barry Farber interviews John Tully. Comment on Neo-Nazis and hate groups, comments on the attitude of the US today on welfare, and the feelings of others.
                                                            

Recollections and music of World War 1.  

BBC Production.                      

Stars congratulate Bob Hope on his 60th birthday salute. Testimonials from Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
Included are excerpts from old broadcasts 7/43, 8/43, 8/44.
Bob also marks his 25th year with NBC. 

Host: Hugh Downs.                                       

Pope John the 23rd is dying of cancer, President Kennedy will send Congress his civil rights pact, negroes plan demonstrations in Florida, violence in Philadelphia over job discrimination, nuclear fallout to increase in the US, Kennedy, and Macmillan sends a note to Khrushchev on the nuclear test ban treaty, 1000 Japanese protest visit of US nuclear submarine to Japan.                          

September 21st, 1962- September 10th, 1965 (NBC)

A Friday night variety series starring Jack Paar. Jonathan Winters was a frequent guest on the show.


Jack talks about the cargo-cult in New Guinea. 

                                      

Stan Musial and Duke Snider guest on Ralph Kiner's New York Mets post-game show from the Polo Grounds.  Snider fondly remembers his days when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.