Columns

Two memorable series from Old Time Radio debuted on this date .. ‘The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street’ on NBC, and ‘Yours Truly Johnny Dollar’ on CBS. Jack Paar (pictured) walked off NBC-TV’s ‘Tonight Show’ because the network had censored his bathroom joke. The 100th episode of ‘Ironside’ aired, starring New Westminster’s Raymond Burr. And Kurt Russell’s TV-movie titled ‘Elvis!’ debuted on ABC. ALL the milestones for Feb. 11th INSIDE.

It's been over three years since we had Steve Goldstein from Amplifi Media on the show. He has an excellent feel for audio and how it is consumed, whether that is podcast, radio, streaming, voice or smart speakers. In particular, I have been fascinated with the advent of the smart speaker. Is it really a device that will save radio? Can it access those 1.8 million podcasts? How much of a game changer is it?

It was Feb 10th when the Saturday morning TV series ‘My Friend Flicka’ (starring a 12 year old Canadian) debuted on CBS. When the UK singing duo Chad & Jeremy played dramatic roles on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show.’ When NBC-TV aired the 100th episode of ‘Miami Vice.’ And when Vancouver actor Robert Clothier (pictured), who played the loveable rogue ‘Relic’ on the CBC series ‘The Beachcombers,’ died at age 77. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

It was a Feb. 9th when Vancouver’s CHQM AM 1320 ended 34 years of nostalgic/easy listening music and morphed into all-Chinese-language CHMB. When AM 730 switched from a MOJO talk radio format to become Vancouver’s first All-Sports station. When The Beatles made their first of three appearances on CBS-TV’s ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ (pictured). And when the 100th episode of ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ aired on FOX. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

It was a Feb 8th when President Warren G. Harding had the first radio installed in the White House. When Prince George got its first radio station… CKPG with 250 watts at 1230 KHz. When Seattle’s KIRO TV channel 7 (CBS) began broadcasting. When Johnny Cash (pictured) made his one-and-only appearance on CBS-TV’s ‘Ed Sullivan Show.’ And when ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ ended its 6-and-a-half-year run on CBS-TV. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

Jane Fonda made her TV acting debut in the NBC’ movie for television ‘A String of Beads,’ which she credits for being considered for more serious bigscreen roles. The 100th episodes of two iconic CBS-TV series, ‘Barnaby Jones’ and ‘Magnum PI’ aired, eight years apart. Comedian Richard Pryor guested on Tom Jones’ first variety hour for ATV in the UK. Gladys Knight and the Pips (pictured), Carol Channing and Sid Caesar headlined ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ on CBS-TV. And Robin Williams starred in the pilot movie about ‘Mork & MIndy.’ The ABC-TV series began the following September. ALL the milestones for Feb. 7th INSIDE.

89 years ago today comedian Eddie Cantor’s illustrious radio career got underway as he made an appearance on Rudy Vallee’s “The Fleischmann Hour” on NBC. Two decades later the Fifth Emmy Awards gave top honors to I Love Lucy, Thomas Mitchell and Helen Hayes. Also this date ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Show’ (pictured) debuted on CBS-TV, the 200th episode of ‘Married with Children’ aired on FOX-TV, and the 50th ‘Andy Griffith Show’ was seen on CBS-TV. ALL the milestones for Feb. 5th INSIDE.

Baseball’s Jackie Robinson (pictured) signed a contract with NBC’s New York radio & TV stations as Director of Community Activities, thus becoming the first black broadcast executive. Elvis Presley made his second appearance on CBS-TV’s ‘Dorsey Brothers Stage Show.’ ABC-TV aired a 25th anniversary salute to Dick Clark’s ‘American Bandstand.’ And Katie Couric’s “All Access Grammy Special” aired on CBS-TV, featuring interviews with Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Lil Wayne and Taylor Swift. ALL the milestones for Feb. 4th INSIDE.

The third of WXYZ Detroit’s kids radio adventure shows ‘Challenge of the Yukon’ debuted… for a Michigan audience only. The comedy team of Abbott and Costello (pictured) joined the cast of CBS radio’s ‘Kate Smith Hour.’ The mischievous chimpanzee J. Fred Muggs became a regular on NBC-TV’s ‘Today Show.’ And Vancouver radio station C-ISL got the okay to move down the AM dial from 940 to 650 KHz and increase power to 10,000 watts. ALL the milestones for Feb. 3rd INSIDE.