The history of television in Chicago begins with the birth of the medium and is defined by the city's pioneering stations. WBKB (now WLS-TV) was the principal innovator of the Chicago School of Television, an improvisational production style that combined small budgets, personable talent, and the creative use of scenery and props. WNBQ (now WMAQ-TV) expanded the innovative concept to a wider audience via the NBC network. WGN-TV scored with sports and kids. Strong personalities drove the success of WBBM-TV. A noncommercial educational station, WTTW, and the city's first UHF station, WCIU, added diversity and ethnic programming. The airwaves in Chicago have been home to a wealth of talented performers and iconic programs that have made the city one of the country's greatest television towns. Chicago Television, featuring photographs from the archives of the Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) and the collections of local stations and historians, gives readers a front-row seat on a journey through the fi rst 50 years of Chicago television, 1940-1990. Founded in 1982 by broadcaster Bruce DuMont, the MBC Web site offers over 10,000 digital assets.
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Title: Chicago's TV history: When the medium was well done
Author: Robert Feder
Publisher: vovcalo.org
Date: 1/29/10
It takes a lot of nerve to claim to tell the panoramic story of Chicago television in just 144 pages of pictures and words. But I'm pleased to report that two former archivists for the Museum of Broadcast Communications, Daniel Berger and Steve Jajkowski, have proved themselves up to the task.
Through Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series, they've just published Chicago Television, a glorious and nostalgic journey through the first 50 years of the medium -- a period roughly from 1940 to 1990. Proceeds from the paperback, officially out Feb. 1 and available online at www.museum.tv and Amazon.com, benefit the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
More than 200 vintage photographs are complemented by the editors' illuminating captions and commentary. They're all here -- from "Kukla, Fran & Ollie" to "Siskel & Ebert" -- the pioneers and pitchmen, the kids' shows, the talk shows, the game shows, the sports shows, and, of course, the news shows. Another thing I liked about the book: I counted four pictures of Kup and not one of Oprah.
More than anything else, as Berger and Jajkowski note in their introduction, it really is the story of "how a city fell in love with television." One of those love-struck citizens, Bob Sirott, a child of Chicago television's golden age who became a local broadcast icon himself, lends his considerable authority to the book with his foreword. In part, he writes:
"For baby boomers like myself, the screens may have been small, but the personalities were huge. We did not have VCRs, DVDs, iPods, and podcasts, but we did have television hosts who connected instantly to us in a very human way. And because we did not have many other sources for home entertainment, those men and women were as important to us as members of our family, sometimes even more so. As the youngest of three children -- who were much older than me -- I spent a lot of time alone at home with the television."
In 1951, Chicago was singled out as America's "Top TV Town" in a Collier's magazine piece that took note of what was known as the "Chicago School of Television." Thanks to trailblazers like Dave Garroway and Burr Tillstrom, shoestring budgets and primitive technology proved no obstacle to creating programs that were inventive, intimate and intelligent, all at the same time. Adds Sirott:
"Looking back, it is easy to see why I became comfortable speaking into microphones and cameras. The impression all those television friends made on me is indelible. It made me want to grow up and do what they did. I learned from the best. These days when I am on television -- now on the other end of that relationship -- I never forget the warmth, comfort, and companionship that connection can bring to someone through the lenses, wires, screens and whatever Apple invents next. All those early practitioners of television know how to do it. Maybe it is because they all started in radio, like Garroway, broadcasting to thousands one at a time."
Author: Robert Feder
Publisher: vovcalo.org
Date: 1/29/10
It takes a lot of nerve to claim to tell the panoramic story of Chicago television in just 144 pages of pictures and words. But I'm pleased to report that two former archivists for the Museum of Broadcast Communications, Daniel Berger and Steve Jajkowski, have proved themselves up to the task.
Through Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series, they've just published Chicago Television, a glorious and nostalgic journey through the first 50 years of the medium -- a period roughly from 1940 to 1990. Proceeds from the paperback, officially out Feb. 1 and available online at www.museum.tv and Amazon.com, benefit the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
More than 200 vintage photographs are complemented by the editors' illuminating captions and commentary. They're all here -- from "Kukla, Fran & Ollie" to "Siskel & Ebert" -- the pioneers and pitchmen, the kids' shows, the talk shows, the game shows, the sports shows, and, of course, the news shows. Another thing I liked about the book: I counted four pictures of Kup and not one of Oprah.
More than anything else, as Berger and Jajkowski note in their introduction, it really is the story of "how a city fell in love with television." One of those love-struck citizens, Bob Sirott, a child of Chicago television's golden age who became a local broadcast icon himself, lends his considerable authority to the book with his foreword. In part, he writes:
"For baby boomers like myself, the screens may have been small, but the personalities were huge. We did not have VCRs, DVDs, iPods, and podcasts, but we did have television hosts who connected instantly to us in a very human way. And because we did not have many other sources for home entertainment, those men and women were as important to us as members of our family, sometimes even more so. As the youngest of three children -- who were much older than me -- I spent a lot of time alone at home with the television."
In 1951, Chicago was singled out as America's "Top TV Town" in a Collier's magazine piece that took note of what was known as the "Chicago School of Television." Thanks to trailblazers like Dave Garroway and Burr Tillstrom, shoestring budgets and primitive technology proved no obstacle to creating programs that were inventive, intimate and intelligent, all at the same time. Adds Sirott:
"Looking back, it is easy to see why I became comfortable speaking into microphones and cameras. The impression all those television friends made on me is indelible. It made me want to grow up and do what they did. I learned from the best. These days when I am on television -- now on the other end of that relationship -- I never forget the warmth, comfort, and companionship that connection can bring to someone through the lenses, wires, screens and whatever Apple invents next. All those early practitioners of television know how to do it. Maybe it is because they all started in radio, like Garroway, broadcasting to thousands one at a time."
About the Author
Coeditors Daniel Berger and Steve Jajkowski are lifelong Chicagoans and television fans. Berger served as MBC archives director from 2005 to 2009; Jajkowski served as the museum's deputy archives director from 2001 through 2004 and is known as "the Video Veteran."
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13 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By J. Hodges
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I grew up in Chicagoland back in early days of TV. Prior to 1946 television was practically unknown. From 1946-1949 TV set sales went through the roof. It was at that time, when great numbers of people started watching that "Chicago Television" was created.
I have no idea of the ages of the authors, but this book shows either their ignorance of, or lack of interest in, the early and most interesting period of Chicago television.
For example, The biggest and most important TV show to originate in Chicago was "Garroway At Large". This book has one closeup photo of Dave Garroway facing a TV camera. No mention of Cliff Norton, the sets, the full orchestra in the studio, the Merchandise Mart studios, Nothing but one lousy photo of Dave!
Perhaps one the most seen seen local TV personalities was Jim Moran "The Courtesy Man". He had a full production one hour show on Friday nights called "Courtesy Hour". In addition, he had hours of movies and commercials the rest of the week. He used to call his commercials "Torture Time". The authors provide us with one vanity photo of Jim sitting at a desk with his producer looking over his shoulder. Nothing else!
Can you imagine a book on Chicago Television with only a short mention of "Super Circus". No photo's of Calude Kirchner, the stage, or the theater. Only a vanity glamor shot of Mary Hartline. Indeed, most of the book is nothing more that full or half page vanity photo's (some signed) of unknown producers, unknown directors, and third rate TV personalities.
It is really irritating when the authors fail to mention major personalities that built the medium. The authors spent pages promoting Harry Volkman as a legendary weathermen in Chicago TV, but not one word about Clint Youle.... Read more ›
I have no idea of the ages of the authors, but this book shows either their ignorance of, or lack of interest in, the early and most interesting period of Chicago television.
For example, The biggest and most important TV show to originate in Chicago was "Garroway At Large". This book has one closeup photo of Dave Garroway facing a TV camera. No mention of Cliff Norton, the sets, the full orchestra in the studio, the Merchandise Mart studios, Nothing but one lousy photo of Dave!
Perhaps one the most seen seen local TV personalities was Jim Moran "The Courtesy Man". He had a full production one hour show on Friday nights called "Courtesy Hour". In addition, he had hours of movies and commercials the rest of the week. He used to call his commercials "Torture Time". The authors provide us with one vanity photo of Jim sitting at a desk with his producer looking over his shoulder. Nothing else!
Can you imagine a book on Chicago Television with only a short mention of "Super Circus". No photo's of Calude Kirchner, the stage, or the theater. Only a vanity glamor shot of Mary Hartline. Indeed, most of the book is nothing more that full or half page vanity photo's (some signed) of unknown producers, unknown directors, and third rate TV personalities.
It is really irritating when the authors fail to mention major personalities that built the medium. The authors spent pages promoting Harry Volkman as a legendary weathermen in Chicago TV, but not one word about Clint Youle.... Read more ›
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Tom Duggan was arguably the biggest star in the history of Chicago television - see Wikipedia for a brief history. He is not included. Knowing that, I don't have to read this book. It's like finding out a history of the United States doesn't include George Washington. Clint Youle was the best and where is he?
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It takes me back to fond memories of the early days of Chicago Televsion. Lots of photos and excellent back stories.
By D. Bischel
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Chicago Television was my profession and am listed and pictured in it several times. It brings back many memories of the unique beginning of the very special creative video style that became known thoughout the country as "Chicago Television."
4.0 out of 5 stars
A nostalgic and scholarly journey through Chicago television history
June 30, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed reading about all the pioneers, shows, and concepts of the early days of Chicago television programming. It was nice to read about the folks who entertained and informed Chicagoans during the last century. I only wished that there had been a little more connection with today's programming and the influential pioneers. Overall, this is a fine piece of communications/television history.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having grown up in Chicago during the 50s and 60s, paging thru this book is like stepping into Mr. Peabody's Wayback Machine. OMG!! Incredible! Hat's off to Daniel, Steve, Bruce and the MBC. Thanks for the memories.
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