WCIA Champaign

(Click on each thumbnail image above to see a larger version of each poster)
"Soulside" was produced by WCIA as part of their public affairs committment to the community during the late 1960's and early 1970's. It dealt with issues of the Black community of Champaign-Urbana and Central Illinois. It was originally hosted by former NFL player, actor, artist Harold Bradley Jr.. "Soul Side" was a 30 minute show which aired at seems at various times on the WCIA schedule, including Sunday at 6PM, as well as week nights during prime time at various days and times. Some of the subjects touched on were housing, jobs, health issues, politics, music, culture, lifestyles and more. Included here are a few of the posters produced by the Art Department at WCIA during the time of the shows airing. Other hosts included Beverly Murray, Tom McDaniel, Quenten Bradford and Anne Franklin. It's also noted just how progressive the production and subject matter was for central Illinois television at the time. It's the dedication to the community and the efforts of WCIA and it's staff members during it's history which gives the station the reputation it has enjoyed over the years. The posters above are just a few of the many pictures which were submitted to this website. If you have a particular request for any "Soulside" program you might remember, but not featured here, e-mail your request. I may have it on file.

Many thanks toJohn Steege(son-in-law of Harold Bradley Jr.) who
contributed the reproductions of the original posters from "Soulside" on WCIA.
Also, thanks to other Harold Bradley Jr. family members,
Oliver Bradley as well as Kevin and Michaela Brown, who contributed
information about "Soulside" and "Close Up" which also featured
the efforts of Mr. Bradley.

WCIA, Channel 3, Champaign, Illinois

Page 2: 1960 to 1980 Color Comes to WCIA!

Plans for a New Studio....or maybe a golf course....

In 1957 a site along U.S. 45 further south on South Neil Street, just north of the WDWS AM/FM studios on Champaign's south side was purchased by WCIA to house a new facility. But at the same time a challenge to the station was being filled by the FCC to change WCIA from it's VHF channel number 3 to a UHF channel, like all of the other stations in the market.

(picture left from the WCIA 50th Anniversary Special
and the Ed Mason Collection)

A New Member in the Family

In 1960 a purchase was made of another Radio/TV station. WMBD AM/FM/TV (CBS) in Peoria was added to the lineup of Midwest Television. By 1964 Midwest Television made another purchase, this time KFMB AM/FM/TV (CBS) in San Diego, California. KFMB(AM) radio was one of the major Top 40 stations in Southern California. Also during 1961, the microwave link between WCIA and WMBD was completed by the end of the year. The system included 6 towers, two at the end stations, and four between which would relay signals between the two stations. There were several program elements which were simulcast or passed between the two stations which made it necessary for the installation of the microwave link. Among the simulcast events were farm programming and news items, plus weekend weather which usually originated from the city sidewalk in front of the WMBD studio's on South West Jefferson Street in downtown Peoria.

One side note concerns the purchase of WMBD. WMBD-TV went on the air January 1, 1958 as a CBS affiliate. It's also noted that WTVH-Channel 19 in Peoria was a primary CBS affiliate with a scondary affiliation with ABC. It appears that WMBD pulled CBS from right underneith WTVH. This also appeared to devistate WTVH, as various news items in TV Guide, and by checking out the schedule of the Peoria stations, showed big changes within the programming and staffing of Channel 19. It was during this time that WTVH eliminated virtually all of it's newscasts and reduced it's weekend broadcast schedule. This would result in a major cutback of staff levels and operating costs for the station. It could also be why Channel 19 today broadcasts at such as low power level. It's possible that in an effort to reduce operating costs, the station voluntarily cut back on power and later was forced to maintain that level later by the FCC.

It wouldn't be the first time that happened to a central Illinois TV station. (See WICD) It's also possible that WMBD obtained the CBS affiliation with the help of central Illinois' powerful WCIA influence, even though it would be two years before Midwest TV would obtain the Peoria CBS station. These speculations on my part are only speculations and are not be taken as fact.

During 1961 the FCC sent a "trial balloon" to test the waters on once again making the Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, Danville market an all UHF market which once again brought the possibility of WCIA leaving channel 3 to broadcast on a channel in the UHF band. This proposed change could have cost Midwest Television it's position of a regional broadcasting station and according to figures from the station, would have left almost 150-thousand people without the services of WCIA. That included the populations of 56 cities and villages in central Illinois and west central Indiana. Midwest television vowed to fight the change to the FCC and in the courts if necessary. The change would have reduced the range of the station from 65 miles to 50 miles in all directions from it's transmitter and tower near Seymour. Whereas the original petition to the FCC was triggered by Plains Television owners/operators of WICS in Springfield, this one was simply a result of a plan by the FCC to change 8 markets in the country to all UHF, or all VHF to put UHF stations on a more equal competitive basis with the current VHF stations.

The Fight to be on Channel 3 comes to an end

At that point a very vocal protest was heard by local legislators coming from various municipalities, interest groups and even individuals to keep WCIA at Channel 3. Midwest Television called the station "a natural resource." The company said "Midwest Television has an obligation to the people of the central Illinois area to fight to preserve channel 3 or any other VHF facility as a natural resource to the area." The proposal was finally dismissed by September 13th, 1962 to end the fight. WCIA remained at Channel 3.

Maybe a golf course would be better....

By 1962, WCIA's plans for building and relocating the station appeared to have been scraped. The use for the purchased acreage on U.S. 45?....a golf course which opened in May. It was also in 1962 that the microwave repeater from AT and T in Danville to Champaign was eliminated when a coaxial cable was installed to Champaign. Until then, switching of network signals had to be done from the AT and T distribution point in Chicago, then relayed to Danville where it was microwaved to another microwave repeater near St. Joseph, then to Champaign and WICA's studios.

Golfers in Champaign might remember the "Par3 Golf Course." It's now the site of a strip shopping center, office complexes, and car dealerships(Carriage Center) off of South Neil Street in Champaign. Along with the golf course, it was the site of a tower and microwave repeater which was the initial stage of a system which passed a signal from Champaign to Peoria and WMBD-TV.

WCIA Picking Up Some Local Color

Even though it appeared that WCIA was able to pass CBS network programming in color in the mid 1950's, CBS broadcast hardly anything in color. It wasn't until 1965 WCIA added local capabilities to bring central Illinois color programming. With this move, WCIA was able to broadcast movies, the network and eventually local news, weather and sports along with any other locally produced programs.

In 1967 Midwest Television added another station to the stable. W-49-AA was constructed in Springfield to bring the Illinois capitol a city grade UHF signal which served as a translator for WCIA. During the 1960's, and even through the 1970's, Midwest Television fought local cable systems to maintain a monopoly on CBS programming. Cable companies in Paxton, Kankakee were two of the communities which border other TV markets and wanted to bring outside CBS signals into their communities. One argument in favor was the many times in which WCIA preempted popular CBS programs to broadcast University of Illinois sports. Many viewers complained that they had a right to bring in outside signals from Chicago to add to their station lineups. This attitude toward cable TV as being "the enemy" virtually eliminated any cable TV advertising on WCIA throughout much of it's history.

A scene during one of the debates between Presidential candidates Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon which was televised by all networks in 1960.

"The Andy Griffith Show" a TV Classic ran on CBS from 1960 to 1968. It was a spinoff of "The Danny Thomas Show" in which Danny is pulled over for speeding by Sheriff Andy in a small town in North Carolina. Spinoffs include: Gomer Pyle USMC and Mayberry RFD. One of CBS' rural comedy series which gave CBS a rather folksy image, one they chose to shed in the 1970's. My opinion: the black and white episodes with Don Knotts are are absolute best, ignore the color episodes.

"Dennis the Menace" starred Jay North in the title role. and was a regular Sunday night feture airing at 6:30-7pm CT from 1959 to 1963. This series was based on the Hank Ketcham comic strip. His parents were played by Gloria Henry and Herbert Anderson. The poor next door neighbor was played by long time radio and TV character actor Joseph Kearns until his death in 1962. He was replaced by Gail Gordon before he became Mr. Mooney for Lucy. This show ran in syndication for years after it's first run.

"The Ed Sullivan Show" ran on CBS from 1948(as "Toast of the Town"unitl 1955) until 1971 when CBS choose to "modernize" the prime time schedule. No other show reflected the entertainment cultural variety of the United States more than "The Ed Sullivan Show." It was an institution on Sunday nights having held the 7PM CT hour from 1949 to 1971.

"Tightrope!" starred a pre-Mannix Mike Conners as a police undercover agent who worked in corruption and organized crime for CBS during the 1959-1960 season.

	More to Come later
"Make Room For Daddy" ran on CBS from 1957 to 1965 after it's initial start on ABC from 1953-1957. It was called "The Danny Thomas Show" during it's CBS network run, but repackaged for network and local syndication under it's first name(1953-56) "Make Room for Daddy." It ran on CBS daytime for time in the early 1960's.

One of the major TV personalities of the 50's and 60's, This title "The Garry Moore Show" was from his daytime CBS show. Gary Moore who's tradmarks were his crew cut hair and bow tie also hosted "I'v Got a Secret" on CBS for many years.

Garry Moore hosted a primetime variety show on CBS from 1958 through 1967 and became the stepping stone for many major future CBS star. Those include Marion Lorne(Aunt Clara on Bewitched), Carol Burnett, Allen Funt(Candid Camera), John Byner, Jackie Vernon and Chuck McCann. Gary Moore won an Emmy Award for variety shows during the 1961-62 season.

"Route 66" was an anthology show with regular stars who coasted in and out of peoples lives across the US, not entirely along the path of U.S. Route 66. This CBS show ran from 1960 to 1964 and starred Martin Milner as Tod Stiles, Geroge Maharis, from 1960-63, as Buz Murdock and replaced by Glenn Corbett from 1963-64. The show was filmed on location, but the real star was the car: a Chevrolet Corvette. The theme was a top 40 hit in 1962 recorded by Nelson Riddle.

"My Three Sons" began it's run on ABC in 1960, but shifted to the CBS schedule in 1965. Here father Fred MacMurray is making one of his wise fatherly statements. Other cast members, including the three sons were: Tim Considine(from the Micky Mouse Club), Don Grady and Stanley Livingston. After Considine, the oldest son left the series he was replaced from the younger end by real life brother Barry Livington playing "Ernie" the adopted son. The families housekeeper was non other than William Frawley(Fred in "I Love Lucy") who played "Bub" who died during the production of the show in 1965. He was replaced by his brother Uncle Charley played by long time movie character actor/grouch William Demarest.

Fresh out of the ocean and his run on the syndicated "Sea Hunt", Lloyd Bridges stars as "The Loner" on CBS from 1965-66. Bridges played a former Union cavalry officer roamed the west and helped the pioneers he came across.

During the 1964-64 season George C. Scott along with Elizabeth Wilson and Cicely Tyson starred in "East Side West Side" on CBS. It was a drama dealing with topical issues from New York. Scott starred as a social worker. It was liked by the critics for it's realism, but viewers found it a bit depressing.

Shows for kids were an important part of the weekday afternoon programming on WCIA. At far left is long time WCIA personality Sid "Sheriff Sid" Perry spending time with central Illinois kids on what was probably "The Sheriff Sid Show." An audience of kids, games and the selection of Popeye cartoons entertained kids in central Illinois and helped to establish long term viewing habits for those kids, who later became adults!
Other shows included "The Little Rascals(near right)," "Cartoon Time," and "Popeye's Circus with Captain Eddie."
This is from the WCIA's 50th Anniversary website.

Sheriff Sid, Sid Perry, Sid Fulkerson

Sid Fulkerson, was also known as Sid Perry, and of course Sheriff Sid. MORE TO COME on one of the most recognizable personalities of WCIA coming soon!! (all pictures except the upper left are from the WCIA 50th Anniversary Special and the Ed Mason Collection, upper left picture from the WCIA 50th Anniversary Web site)
		(left) Two screen shots of Sheriff Sid on a commercial for Kelly's Potato Chips. Along with commerical appearances many personalities at WCIA also did personal appearances as well. I remember one at the Taylorville Montgomery Ward store, probably sometime in the early 1960's.
(right) Along with being a talented TV host, weathercaster and announcer, Sid Perry was also a terrific artists. Here is a couple of screen grabs from 1963 in which he drew a free-hand cartoon of Popeye. (below left) A segment from the "Sheriff Sid Show" from the early 1960's. (below middle-right) Picture from a skit done as part of the "Shefiff Sid Show. (below right) A screen grab from what appears to be a commercial with Sid Perry.

(from the WCIA 50th Anniversary Special and the Ed Mason Collection) If you were one of the kids pictured here at one of the Sheriff Sid Shows over the years, please contact me at my e-mail address!!

Walter Cronkite making the announcement that President Kennedy has died. This was from November 22, 1963.

This was the graphic which introduced the bulletin which stated that "President Kennedy has been shot!" It interupted the daytime serial "As The World Turns."

Another of the CBS rural comedies, "The Beverly Hillbillies" was hated by the critics, but loved by the audience from 1962 to 1971. This was one of CBS longest running sit coms. My opinion: the early episodes were the best with Bea Benaderet as Cousin Pearl Bodine(Jethro's mother) and Max Baer, Jr. played his twin sister Jethrene.

This is another of the CBS Classic Comedies of the 1960's. Produced by Carl Reiner, Sheldon Leonard(I Spy) and Jerry Paris(Happy Days), and starring Danville, Illinois' own Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Larry Mathews, Richard Deacon and Ann Morgan Guilbert(Seinfeld).

Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke from "The Dick Van Dyke Show." The show ran from 1961 to 1966 and unfortunately none were produced in color. Rob was Head Writer of "The Alan Brady Show", a show within a show, but episodes also concentrated on his home life as well.

Now divorced from Desi(although he still is listed as producer from the Desilu Studios) Lucy stars as Lucy Carmichael and her "I Love Lucy" co-star Vivian Vance for "The Lucy Show." Her first choice for Fred in the original series Gale Gordon co-starred as Mr. Mooney her poor boss. Her first choice for Ethyl, Mary Jane Croft, also had a role. Lucy gained her title of "The First Lady of American Television" with her solo Lucy shows which ran on CBS from 1962 to 1974, as well as in reruns during daytime.

(left) Gene Robinson anchoring a newscast on WCIA....sponsored by Sealtest Ice Cream.

(lower left) A shot of the news set at WCIA during the early 1960's. The desk at the left appeared to be news desk, the right desk was for sports and that's Mr. Roberts in front of the map.

Paul Davis was WCIA's News Director and main Anchor during much of the 1960's. He was there when WCIA produced the first color newscasts when ads told viewers that Paul Davis had blue eyes. Here the news was sponsored by Schlitz Beer with a logo actually on the news desk. That's something that would never happen today....or would it? That fact that WCIA had a national sponsor for local news was an indication that being the only VHF station in the market gave WCIA a great advantage in having an appeal to national advertisers. Having access to much bigger ad dollars guarenteed the success of WCIA!
This is from the WCIA's 50th Anniversary website.

"Slattery's People" starred a bunch of current and future TV stars such as Richard Crenna(off of Real McCoys), Edward Asner(future Lou Grant), Alejandro Rey(future Flying Nun) as a politician in the state legislature. James Slattery was played by Creanna on CBS from 1964-65

"The Hop" was one of WCIA's most popular shows for the teens. It aired on Saturday afternoons originally hosted by John Coleman(the weatherman, pictured above left) and later by Ed Mason("Captain Eddie").

The show, according to the WCIA 50th Annivesary webstie, featured guests like Jerry Lee Lewis, Fabian and Frankie Avalon during it's run.
These pictures from the WCIA's 50th Anniversary website.

"Huckleberry Hound Show" was syndicated and broadcast on WCIA as part of the weekday afternoon schedule at 5PM during the early 1960's. Even though the cartoons were produced in color it was never shown in color on WCIA.

"Yogi Bear" was part of the syndicated "Huckleberry Hound Show" but later was spun off in syndication in his own show with Boo-Boo. Once again, this Hanna Barbera Production was produced in color, but didn't appear in color on WCIA.

"The Guilding Light" has been a daytime serial favorite since 1961.

"Love is a Many Spendored Thing" was a CBS daytime drama which ran from 1967 to 1973.

"My Name is Barbra" aired on CBS on April 28, 1965 in glorious Black and White. This one woman show featured a girl growing up to womanhood. Each act featured a different age. I'm assuming by the costume shown here she was a young girl. She won two Emmy awards for this special.

"The Judy Garland Show" ran on CBS beginning in the Fall of 1963 and continued to March of 1964. The show went through several format changes along with producers during it's short run. Among the regular cast members was Danville's own Jerry Van Dyke.

This CBS Special featured as guest stars the children of Judy Garland including Liza Minelli and Lorna Luft.

"Mister Ed" premiered on CBS in 1961 where it ran until 1965. Sponosred by Studebaker. The series actually began in January 1961 in syndication where it was picked up by CBS in October of the same year. Mr. Ed was voiced by "Allan "Rocky" Lane a former B-movie western star. Alan Young was his owner Wilber Post. HIs wife, Carol, was played by Connie Hines.

Another courtroom drama, "The Defenders"aired on CBS from 1961 to 1965 and starred E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed(before "The Brady Bunch"). Both actors starred as Lawrence Preston and Kenneth Preston from the law firm of Preston and Preston. They played father-son attorneys. It was based on a "Studio One" live presentation which starred Ralph Bellamy and William Shatner as the father-son attorneys as they defended the character played by a young Steve McQueen accused of murder.

"The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9th,1964. Here is Paul McCartney and George Harrison. The songs featured included: All My Loving, Till There Was You, She Loves You, I Saw Her Standing There and I Want to Hold Your Hand. On that first appearance over 73 million people watched the Beatles. During this show most normal activities in America came to a standstill. They appeared eight more times on "The Ed Sullivan Show" over the years. They received $10,000 plus expenses for their mini-concert.

From the same appearence on "The Ed Sullivan Show" here is John Lennon of the Beatles.
The appearance of the Beatles on Sullivan's show made headlines and began the period called "Beatlemania" which brought incedible popularity for the Liverpool England group.

I remember watching the Beatles' apperances on WCIA/CBS during those dark days of 1964 after the Kennedy Assassination. Never again will a popular music group have the impact on TV and America!

"The Ed Sullvan Show" featured the Beatles a total of 9 times through the 60's. Several of the appearances were either filmed or video taped from London. This appearance was produced in London and aired on Sullivan's show in 1964. This scene is with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and in the background Ringo Starr.

Here is John Lennon from the same appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964.

The WCIA studios (below) utilizing the former Firestone Tire Store on South Neil Street in Champaign.
The microwave tower is still at that location at 509 South Neil.
This is from the WCIA's 50th Anniversary website.

"My Favorite Martian" was another one of the Sunday night child friendly shows along with "Lassie," "Mr. Ed" and "Dennis the Menace."

This show was about a newspaper reported played by Bill Bixby who discovers a martian played by Ray Walston who was stranded on earth. Bixby's character Tim O'Hara passed the martian off as his Uncle Martin. They were always trying to keep his identity secret, while using his powers to make life a easier for them. This aired from 1963 to 1966, Sundays at 6:30-7:00pm CT.

"Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall" was a special presentation of CBS in 1962. It won an Emmy for "Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama" for Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews in 1963.

A spinoff of "The Beverly Hillbillies" it was also a cousin to "Green Acres" which ran on CBS. "Petticoat Junction" starred long time CBS character actress Bea Benaderet after completing her voice over role as Betty Rubble in "The Flinstones." She starred as Kate Bradley owner/operator of The Shady Rest Hotel at Hooterville. The three daughters were played at one time or another by Jeannine Riley, Gunilla Hutton, Meredith MacRae, Pat Woodell, Lori Saunders and Linda Kaye(daughter of the producer/creator).

Tom Jones (below), was another of the long time personalities of WCIA during the 60s' and early 70's. Not only was he a sportscaster and Sports Editor(in 1971) but also hosted his own morning show "Sunup" on WICA during the 1960's.
This is from the WCIA's 50th Anniversary website.

By the 1960's the format of the "Jack Benny Show" became inconsistant at best. Gone were the episodes which were sit com formatted, and now Jack featured musical acts revolving around short skits with major guest stars. Some of them were really bad, including the one's with guest stars like Wayne Newton

"The Munsters" aired on CBS from 1964 to 1966. How can you describe this sit com? To them, they were normal the rest of the world was odd. The charecters were based on those Universal Studios movie characters of Frankenstein's monster, along with the bride of Frankenstein and Dracula. Here, though, they were harmless, in fact lovable. Fred Gwynne played Herman, long time B movie actress Yvonne DeCarlo played his wife Lilly while Al Lewis played Grandpa Munster. The son was Eddie played by Butch Patrick and neice Marilyn was the "normal" one played by Beverly Owen and laer by Pat Priest. It lasted until being placed opposite of "Batman" on ABC in 1966 which brought about the end of the show.

From 1960 to 1966 here is a partial list of CBS network shows seen on WCIA, Channel 3: Lassie, Dennis the Menace, The Ed Sullivan Show, G.E. Theater, Jack Benny Show, Candid Camera, What's My Line, To Tell The Truth, Pete and Gladys, Bringing Up Baby, Danny Thomas Show, Andy Griffith Show, Hennesey, Presidential Countdown, Father Knows Best, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Tom Ewell Show, Red Skelton Show, Garry Moore Show, Aquanauts, Wanted: Dead or Alive, My Sister Eileen, I've Got a Secret, Armstrong Circle Theatre: U.S. Steel Hour, The Witness, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, Angel, Peck's Bad Girl, Person to Person, DuPont Show with June Allyson, Rawhide, Route 66, Mr. Garlund, Twilight Zone, Eyewitness to History, Perry Mason, Checkmate, Have Gun Will Travel, Gunsmoke, Window on Main Street, Dick Van Dyke Show, Ichabod and Me, Alvin Show, Mrs. G. Goes to College, Frontier Circus, Bob Cummings Show, The Investigators, CBS Reports, Father of the Bride, Real McCoys, G.E. True Theater, Lucy Show, New Loretta Young Show, Stump the Stars, Lloyd Bridges Show, Beverly Hillbillies, Mr. Ed, The Nurses, Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Fair Exchange, Jackie Gleason Show, Defenders, My Favorite Martian, Judy Garland Show, East Side/West Side, Petticoat Junction, Clynis, Danny Kaye Show, Password, Great Adventure, Phil Silvers Show, My Living Doll, Joey Bishop Show, Candid Camera, Many Happy Returns, Slattery's People, Doctors and the Nurses, Cara Williams Show, Baileys of Balboa, The Entertainers, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., The Reporter, Gilligan's Island, Mr. Broadway, Hazel, Steve Lawence Show, Lost in Space, Breen Acres, The Munsters, My Three Sons, Smothers Brothers Show, The Trials of O'Brien and The Loner.

"Mr Terrific" was a response to the other super hero sit comes of the day, including "Captain Nice" and "Batman." "Mr. Terrific" starred Stephen Strimpell as the gas station attendant Stanley Beamish. His top secret power pills allowed him to work for the Bureau of Secret Projects and fight crime for about an hour....two pills, an hour and 20 minutes, but he was the only person who could use the pills. The January through August 1967 series also starred Dick Gautier and John McGiver.

"Gilligan's Island" aired on CBS from 1964 to 1967. The first two seasons were in black and white. It was met with scorn from the critics, but audences, especially kids, loved it. The show really hit full steam when it was syndicated during the late 60's into the 70's. It was so popular that NBC in the late 70's produced a series of "Gilligan's Island" TV movies beginning in 1978. Do I really need to run through the cast?

"My Three Sons", second incarnation with Barry Livingston(Chip) and real life brother Stanley Livingston(Ernie) as two of the three sons. Don Grady(Robbie) was by then the older of the three. One of the shows which went color in 1966 on CBS. This show was so unrealistic it was pathetic! It's like it was written by 80 year old men who thought that this was the way young guys acted.

"Family Affair" ran on CBS from 1966 to 1971. The show starred Brian Keith as Bill Davis, Sebastian Cabot as man servant Mr. French, with children Cissy played by Kathy Garver, Jody played by Johnnie Whitaker and Buffy(pictured) played by Anissa Jones. Her doll was Mrs. Beezely. Here's another of the totally unrealistic CBS family sitcoms much like "My Three Sons." This style of shows was why CBS was regarded as the "old folks network" an gave ABC the foothold to be considered the young people's network.

"Gomer Pyle-U.S.M.C." was a spinoff series from "The Andy Griffith Show" and ran on CBS from 1964 to 1970. It was one of the rural comedies of CBS which fatured Jim Nabors as the lovable naive, bumbling character from Mayberry. The show also starred Frank Sutton as his Sgt. Carter, along with Ronnie Schell, (a pre-That Girl) Ted Bessel and (a pre Father Mulcahay-MASH) William Christopher. The show went color in 1966.

In 1965 WCIA made the major committment to bring central Illinois local programming in color by purchasing equipment from RCA.

By the Fall of 1967, the entire CBS broadcast schedule was broadcast in color.

On August 19th, 1965 "The CBS Morning News with Mike Wallace" became the first network news program broadcast in color. The same evening, "The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite" was the first half hour network newscast broadcast in color, but wasn't regularly in color until January 31, 1966. Click on the CBS logo above to view the actual 10-second color presentation logo.

By 1965, half of the primetime schedule was broadcast in color. By the fall of 1966 the entire primetime broadcast schedule was broadcast in color. CBS was the last of the three networks to do so, in spite of being the first to broadcast in color in the early 1950's. CBS suspended color broadcasting throughout the rest of the 50's into the early 60's mainly because CBS would have had to purchase equipment from RCA, the owners of NBC their competitor.

(Below): "The Prisoner" was a British export, which was a "continuation" of a former British and CBS series "Secret Agent Man." That's the series in which Johnny Rivers sang the theme. "The Prisoner" was a limited series which shows the secret agent in

"The Danny Kaye Show" was a Wednesday night regular from 1963 to 1967. The show was a musical variety show with monologues, pantomime and sketches while Danny sang, danced and played music. Supporting cast members included Harvey Korman, Joyce Van Patten as well as the Johnny Mann Singers. "The Danny Kaye Show" ran during the 9-10pm CT hour.

"Ed Sullivan" in color during the 1966 season on CBS.

By the late 1960's, most of the daytime serials were being produced in color. On February 20, 1967 "As the World Turns" was broadcast in color. March 13, 1967 was the first day of colorcasting for "Guiding Light"

Walter Cronkite witnessing the first steps on the Moon by Neil Arnstrong during the CBS coverage in 1969..

"Hogan's Heroes" was about as improbable as a sitcom can come, but it was a hit on CBS from 1965 to 1971. It starred Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner, Robert Clary, Richard Dawson, Ivan Dixon, Larry Hovis and others as POW's in Stalag 13. Here they conducted underground sabotage against the Nazi's during WW II. This scene was from the 1966 season in which CBS aired the show in color. "Hogan's Heroes" was produced by Bing Crosby Productions.



"The Smothers Brothers" ran on CBS from 1967 to 1969. The comedy variety series also starred Pat Paulsen(who ran a makebelieve campaign for President), Bob Einstein(Curb Your Enthusiasm), Mason Williams(song "Classical Gas"), Jennifer Warnes(song "Right Time of the Night"), John Hartford, Sally Struthers(All in the Family), Don Novello(Father Guido Sarduci), Steve Martin and others. An incredible cast and CBS blew it. Constant problems getting sketches cleared by CBS censors who were sensitive with antiwar messages and political and religious satire. CBS cancelled the show in 1969 even though the ratings were high. It moved to ABC a little more than a year later, but the chemistry wasn't there. In 1975 NBC gave them a shot, but their show didn't have the edge it had before and only lasted a few months in 1975. These particular scenes were from the CBS run of the show.


"Hawaii Five-O" was one of the most popular crime dramas of the 60's and 70's on CBS. It ran from 1968 to 1980. Here is Jack Lord(Below) as Det. Steve McGarrett. Other cast members included James MacArthur and Kam Fong. The catch phrase for this series was, "Book 'em Dano." One of the main attractions was the Hawaiian Islands and the scenery.

Jethro, Max Baer Jr., and Granny, Irene Ryan of the "Beverly Hillbillies" checking out what was on TV in Mr. Drysdale's office. There were probably wondering why people were still watching their program. This was long after they "jumped the shark" and moved the storyline to England after Jed bought a castle.

From 1966 to 1970 here is a partial list of CBS network shows seen on WCIA, Channel 3: Lassie, It's About Time, Ed Sullivan, Garry Moore Show, Candid Camera, What's My Line, Gilligan's Island, Run Buddy Run, Lucy Show, Andy Griffith Show, Family Affair, Jean Arthur Show, I've Got a Secret, Dakatari, Red Skelton Hour, Petticoat Junction, CBS News Hour, Lost in Space, Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., Danny Kaye Show, Jericho, My Three Sons, CBS Thursday Night Movie, Wild Wild West, Hogan's Heroes, CBS Friday Night Movie, Jackie Gleason Show, Pistol's and Petticoats, Mission: Impossible, Gunsmoke, Gentle Ben, Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Family Affair, Carol Burnett Show, Good Morning Show, He and She, Dundee and the Culhane, Cimarron Strip, Mannix, Here's Lucy, Mayberry R.F.D., Doris Day Show, Good Guys, Jonathan Winters Show, Blondie, Hawaii Five-O, To Rome with Love, Leslie Uggams Show, Lancer, Govenor and J.J., 60 Minutes, Clen Campbell Good Time Hour, Medical Center, Jim Nabors Hour, Get Smart, Tim Conway Comedy Hour, Hee Haw, Storefront Lawyers, The Interns, Arnie and the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Mike Connors played Joe Mannix in "Mannix" which aired on CBS from 1967 to 1975. The show also starred Joseph Campanella as Lou Wickersham and Gail Fisher as Peggy Fair. Robert Reed also co-starred as Lt. Adam Tobias during the years of the Brady Bunch.

This show was called one of the most violent shows of the time, but was also one of the longest running shows on the CBS schedule. It started out as a secret agent/detective show, but during the second season he became indepentant private eye with Peggy Fair as his assistant.

"Bridget Loves Bernie" was one of the relavent ethnic comedis of teh early 1970's. This one had the Jewish young cab driver-writer played by David Birney getting together with the Irish Catholic girl played by Meredith Baxter. If the names ring a bell , it's because the two stars later got married in real life. The series ran on CBS during the 72-73 season. Pictured below is the happy couple.

"Maude" was a spinoff of "All in the Family" as the title character was Edith Bunker's liberal cousin. She was played by Bea Arthur(pictured).

"Maude" was the center of controversy for WCIA during the 1970's as a demostration against the series was staged at the station when the character Maude, had an abortion.

Maude was extremely outspoken and dealt with many issues brought about by her daughter Carol, played by Adrienne Barbeau and Maude's husband Walter played by Bill Macy(shown). Other characters included her maid Florida Evans played by Esther Rolle(who went on to reprise the character in "Good Times"), Conrad Bain and Rue McClanahan were the next door neighbors the Harmons. Even though it was a Sitcom, it also had a serious theme as Maude had an abortion, went through menoause and had a face lift. It ran on CBS from 1972 to 1978.

M*A*S*H became a hit for CBS during it's run from 1972 through 1983. It was based on the Robert Altman movie of the same name which was a medical drama/black comedy in 1970. It starred Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Wayne Rogers, Mike Farrell, McLean Stevenson, Harry Morgan, Larry Linville, David Ogden Stiers, Jamie Farr and Gary Burghoff(the only cast member who was in the original movie). It was later syndicated and ran on WCIA at 10:30pm for a number of years before David Letterman made the move to late night on CBS. It's continued at various time slots in syndication on WCIA and later on sister station WCFN.

Starting in 1966, "Petticoat Junction" went through some cast changes....but same characters...and was now in color and it continued until 1970.

"The Edge of Night" continued it's run on CBS when it was cancelled and moved to ABC in 1975.

Bonnie Franklin in "One Day at a Time" which aired on CBS for nine years beginning in 1975. It was a Sunday night staple of CBS during many of it's years on the schedule. Bonnie Franklin starred as Ann Romano a divorced mother of two daughters played by Mackenzie Phillips(Julie) and Valerie Bertinelli(Barbara). Pat Harrington Jr. played Swayne Schneider, the apartment building maintanance man. Reruns were also shown on CBS daytime beginning in 1979.

"The Waltons" began with a TV Christmas Special with a slightly different cast in 1971. One character which had the same actor was John Boy Walton, played by Richard Thomas(pictured). It was narrated by Earl Hamner Jr. and defined life during the depression in the south. The large family, the large supporting cast, great production and great writing made this one a family favorite especially in rural areas and with the WCIA audience. It's credited with the cancellation of "Flip" on NBC with Flip Wilson.

It was the reverse of "The Beverly Hillbillies" when the downtown urban Douglas's moved from the city to the country....Hooterville, to be exact. Yea, the same place, just down the tracks from "Petticoat Junction." "Green Acres" starred Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor and a cast of charactors. It ran on CBS before the great "Rural TV cancellation in 1971, 1965 to 1971.

Here is Chad Everett on CBS' "Medical Center." It ran from 1969 to 1976. The story was based in a L.A. based hospital, part of a university complex. Everett played Dr. Joe Gannon. It co-starred James Daly as Dr. Paul Lochner. Other regulars included Jayne Meadows as Nurse Chambers, Corinne Camacho as Nurse Courtland and Audrey Totter as Nurse Wilcox. "Medical Center" was the longest running medical drama in the history of prime-time TV at 7 years!

From 1969 to 1971, "Scooby-Doo, Where are You?" was part of the Hanna Barbera Saturday morning catalog. It premiered in 1969 with the production of 17 episodes, and 8 episodes in 1970 and 71. Four teens, Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy and Scooby-Doo solved supernatural mysteries. Voices were provided by: Scooby-Don Messick(also Astro on "The Jetsons"), Shaggy-Casey Kasem(of radio's "American Top 40"), Fred-Frank Welker, Velma-Nicole Jaffee and Daphne-Indira Stefanianna Christopherson.

Telly Savalas was "Kojak" which ran on CBS from 1973 to 1978. Along with catch phrases like "who loves ya baby?" he was street smart and outspoken. Other cast members included Dan Frazer playing Frank McNeil, Kevin Dobson as Lt. Bobby Crocker and his real life brother George Savalas as Det. Stavros. The series was shot in New York and he maintained a supply a his trademark lollipops.


It was a risky show..so risky...because it dealt with current day issus that were previously thought unsuitable for television. Subjects included racism, women's liberation, rape, impotence, homosexuality and breast cancer. It grew from being #34 on it's first season to being the most watched TV show of the 1970's. Spin offs of "All in the Family" included "Maude," "The Jeffersons," "Archie Bunker's Place," "Gloria," "704 Hauser," "Good Times"(spin off from Maude), and "Checking in"(spin off of the Jeffersons). Other cast membes included Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers.

"Mission Impossible" aired on CBS from 1966 to 1973 and featured several cast changes during it's run. The cast included Barbara Anderson, Barbara Bain, Sam Elliot, Lynda Day George, Peter Graves, Steven Hill, Martin Landau, Peter Lupus, Greg Morris, Leonard Nimoy and Lesley Ann Warren.

"Good Times" a sitcom about life in the Chicago projects, starring Jimmie Walker, John Amos, Esther Role. This was a spinoff of "Maude" with the common character being Esther Role as the former maid of Maude.

MTM Enterprises, brought CBS some major hits of the 1970's and 80's. The shows included "Mary Tyler Moore," "Newhart," "Rhoda," "Phyllis,""Lou Grant," "The Betty White Show," "The White Shadow," WKRP in Cincinnati" and "Paris."

"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" ran on CBS from 1970 to 1977 and became a classic, right out of the box. Mary played Mary Richards an idealized single woman moving to Minneapolis to produce a local TV news broadcast. The cast included Ed Asner as Lou Grant, Ted Knight as Ted Baxter(the news anchor), Gavin MacLeod as Murray Slaughter(a writer), friends Valerie Harper as Rhoda Morgenstern and Cloris Leachman as Phyllis Linstrom. Both Harper and Leachman went on to star in "Rhoda" and "Phyllis" on CBS during the 70's.

This was the final scene when the series left the air on September 3rd, 1977. Mary's real life husband Grant Tinker were the force behind MTM Productions which went on to produce other shows for CBS. In spite of high ratings, they decided to end the series in 1977.

"Rhoda" was spun off from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and aired on CBS from 1974-1978. Valerie Harper was in the starring role with Julie Kavner, playing her sister, Brenda. The story line has Rhoda leaving Minneapolis to move back to New York where she was born. Here she dealt with her sister Brenda as well as her parents played by Nancy Walker and Harold Gould. The best ratings of the series was the marriage of Rhoda and Joe Gerard on October 28, 1974. Her marriage fell apart after two seasons of ratings declines and boring story lines and she and Joe divorced during the 1977 season.

More to come

"WKRP in Cincinnati" aired on CBS from 1978 to 1982 and featured the adventures of a struggling radio station in Cincinnati. The cast included Howard Hesseman, Gordon Jump, Gary Sandy, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Jan Smithers, Richard Sanders and Frank Bonner.


	"Phyllis" was another spin off of "Mary Tyler Moore" and aired on CBS from 1975-77. Cloris Leachman was in the title role and featured stories about her in laws and her free spirited daughter Bess played by Lisa Gerritsen. Workmates were played by Barbara Colby, who was murdered in real life, and replaced by Liz Torres and Richard Schaal. She lived with her inlaws after the death of her husband Lars, who was referred to throughout the series. This was one of my personal favorites. Cloris Leachman was incredibly funny and the moments with Phyllis's inlaws were priceless!

From 1970 to 1980 here is a partial list of CBS network shows seen on WCIA, Channel 3: Lassie, Hogan's Heroes, Ed Sullivan, Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, Tim Conway Comedy Hour, Gunsmoke, Here's Lucy, Mayberry R.F.D., Doris Day Show, Carol Burnett Show, Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Hee Haw, To Rome with Love, 60 Minutes, Storefront Lawyers, Govenor and J.J., Medical Center, Hawaii Five-O, Family Affair, Jim Nabors Hour, CBS Thursday Night Movie, The Interns, The Headmaster, CBS Friday Night Movie, Mission:Impossible, My Three Sons, Arnie, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mannix, CBS Sunday Night Movie, Cade's County, Cannon, Bearcats, Chicago Teddy Bears, O"Hara U.S. Treasury, New CBS Friday Night Movies, All in the Family, Funny Face, New Dick Van Dyke Show, Anna and the King, M*A*S*H, Sandy Duncan Show, New Bill Cosby Show, Maude, The Waltons, Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, Bridget Loves Bernie, Bob Newhart Show, New Adventures of Perry Mason, Barnarby Jones, Kojack, Calucci's Dept., Roll Out, Apple's Way, Rhoda, Good Times, Sons and Daughters, Manhunter, Planet of the Apes, Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers, Three for the Road, Cher, Bronk, Phyllis, Joe and Sons, Switch, Beacon Hill, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Kate McShane, Big Eddie, The Jeffersons, Doc, Delvecchio, All's Fair, Executive Suite, One Day at a Time, Ball Four, Alice, Blue Knight, Spencer's Pilots, On Our Own, Young Dan'l Boone, Betty White Show, Rafferty, The Fitzpatricks, Lou Grant, Busting Loose, New Advetures of Wonder Woman, Logan's Run, We've Got Each Other, Tony Randall Show, Mary, Kaz, WKRP in Cincinnati, People, Paper Chase, In the Beginning, Incredible Hulk, Flying High, American Girls, Dallas, Archie Bunker's Place, Trapper John M.D., White Shadow, California Fever, Last Resort, Struck by Lightning, Dukes of Hazzard, Working Stiffs, Bad News Bears, Big Shamus-Little Shamus, Paris, Flo, Ladies Man, House Calls, Enos, Magun P.I., Knot's Landing, Tim Conway Show, Freebie and the Bean and Secrets of Midland Heights.

WCIA didn't show "Tattle Tales" from CBS on weekday afternoons. In spite of that, I include it here, simply because it was one of my favorites watching it on KHQA in Quincy when I was at Western Illinois University. Burt Convy hosted the show as well as earlier hosting "Super Password" and later "Win Lose or Draw" in syndication. "Tattle Tales" aired on CBS at 3pm CT and WCIA didn't air the show because of "The Early Show."

Gene Rayburn hosted an updated CBS version of his original "Match Game" which aired on NBC duirng the 60's. This time, Match Game aired beginning in 1973-79 and included 6 celebrity guest stars who would complete phrases and sentences to be matched by contestants. The real show was the many double-entendres and the comic talents of the stars including Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Dawson and Brett Somers. Other often guests included Betty White, Fannie Flagg and Dick Martin. The show also ran in syndication as "Match Game PM"and was revived by NBC in the 80's as part of the Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour.

"The Carol Burnett Show" began in 1967 and became one of CBS longest running comedy variety shows. It was a success during a time when the variety show as a genre was dying a quick death. It ran on CBS until 1978. A great supporting cast made this show the success that it was with older viewers who remembered the great comedy variety shows of the past.

"The Carol Burnett Show" thrived while other comedy variety shows were dying. It later moved in 1979 to ABC as "Carol Burnett and Company." Other cast members during the CBS run included Harvey Korman, Lyle Waggoner, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and for a while Danville's own Dick Van Dyke and later Kenneth Mars. Here was one of the classic sketches with Korman in the Clark Gable role and Burnett as Scarlett having made a gown from the curtains in the window. Her line, "I saw it in the window and couldn't pass it up."

"The Monkees" premiered on NBC during it's first run between 1966 and 1968 than ran reruns on CBS from 1969 to 1973 on Saturday mornings. For more details see WICD/WICS pages.

"Dallas" ran on CBS from 1978 to 1991 and was a national sensation during it's run through the 80's. This nighttime serial starred ex-"I Dream of Jeannie" star, Larry Hagman in a much different role as J.R. Ewing. There's more about "Dallas" in Part 3.

Many of the WCIA "Early Shows" as well as the "Late Show" movies were from the Paramount package of films. The "Camp Night at the Late Show" featured the Paramount movies of W.C. Fields, Mae West, and the Marx Brothers. If I remember correctly, it ran on Tuesday nights at 10:30pm CT. (see more on "The Early Show" in Part 3 of WCIA.)

WCIA ran "Star Trek" in syndication, until it was picked up by WILL(the PBS affiliate).

"Star Trek" premiered on NBC in 1966 and ran for three seasons. At least during it's first season the local NBC affiliates, WICS/WICD did not air the series, choosing instead to show reruns of "Laramie." The show grew in syndication after it's network run throughout the 70's, enough to bring about a major motion picture franchise over 10 years after the original series left the air.

Here's DeForest Kelly as Doctor McCoy, William Shatner as Captain Kirk and James Doohan as Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. "Star Trek" popped up in syndication on WCIA during the 70's.

"Captain Kangaroo" was a staple in early mornings on CBS during the 1950's and 60's, but by the 70's he was running only on Saturday mornings.

"To Rome With Love" starred John Forsythe, Kay Medford, and even Walter Brennan during it's run on CBS from 1969 to 1971. Forsythe(pre Dynasty), was Michael Endicott, a teacher at the American Overseas School in Rome.

Relevent programming was beginning to make an appearance on CBS. This one combined relevance with the estabished star power of Broderick Crawford. "The Interns" ran on CBS in 1970-71 and also starred young actors Stephen Brooks, Christopher Stone, Hal Frederick and Mike Ferrell(later M*A*S*H) among others.

Buddy Ebsen formerlly of the rural classic TV sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies" later came back as a retired P.I. in "Barnaby Jones." This Quinn Martin Production also starred Lee Meriweather as his daughter-in-law, Betty Jones. She joined him to find the person responsible in the death of his son, her husband, and kept on fighting crime through the 1973 to 1980 seasons.

This one was a very unique sit com as it included two former co-stars of another classic, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." "The Betty White Show" included Betty White and Georgia Engel. It was a show within a show concept, which spoofed the TV industry. Betty was a star of a fictional TV police show "Undercover Woman" and was on the down side of her movie career. The Director of the show was her ex-husband played by John Hillerman(later of "Magnum P.I."). The beautiful Caren Kaye played a much younger actress who was a threat to the career of White. It ran on CBS during the 1977-78 season.

"Cannon" starred veteran radio/TV actor William Conrad. After an incredible career as a radio actor(he played Matt Dillon in the radio version of "Gunsmoke" during the 1950's, along with many other appearances on classic radio shows). Now he had his own series which ran on CBS from 1971 through 1976.

Another veteran actor came to the small screen from the large screen after his movie career slowed. Glenn Ford starred as Sam Cade, the Sherriff of Madrid County, California in "Cade's County" a modern day western themed series. It ran on CBS and WCIA in 1971-72.

"Switch" was somewhat inspired by "the con" as was done in the very popular movie of the era, "The Sting." This was a modern day version, with Robert Wagner playing the former con artist, and Eddie Albert playing the police detective who recruited him to help the department fight crime. Others in the cast included Charlie Callas, Sharon Gless and others. This one ran from 1975 to 1978.

	"Barn Dance" was a Saturday afernoon tradition during the 1960's and 70's. Various local country-western talent was featured, with long time host Marvin lee and his Band. Picture is from WCIA's 50th Anniversary website.

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