TV Station Identification: Chicago's WGN

WGN: World's Greatest Newspaper (Chicago Tribune)

[@That0neMonkey]

Lou and Milo on the Lead Off Man a couple years before Milo joined the WGN team! So many other great memories. The nostalgia is so strong it hurts. Love this so much.

[@tomservo56954]

You didn't explain that one of WGN's IDs used a few seconds of the instrument bridge from Roger Whittaker's "The Last Farewell"

[@JohnHolton]

Everybody who grew up in Chicago in the second half of the 20th century has memories of WGN. My brothers and I were watching "Bozo's Circus" on November 22, 1963, when they broke in with the bulletin that President Kennedy was shot in Dallas, after which they started playing the CBS feed. Hearing that the President was assassinated was bad enough, but we were really sad when we heard that "Garfield Goose and Friends" wouldn't be on that afternoon.

[@townhall05446]

Not saying you're wrong, maybe I missed something, but I was home from school sick that day and remember them breaking the news about JFK right after Bozo was over. I wish there was a recording of that day's show. I do remember something after Bozo though. And of course any time you were sick or had a day off there was no question but that you'd be watching Bozo!

[@gpalmerify]

Wow, hearing Orion Samulson again after all these years! Thank you so much.

[@Maggie22002]

Thank you, Fred! Born there in 1963 & raised on the North side. Tom Skilling still does the weather on WGN.

[@timmmahhhh]

I'm responding to your comment 4 years later and during Tom Skilling's final month on WGN before retiring, a legend who will be missed. I grew up in Kokomo, Indiana watching him thanks to cable TV.

[@daviddavenport1485]

CHICAGO'S VERY OWN!

[@johnm3152]

"The Cubs will shine in '69" - Ernie Banks

[@luisreyes1963]

And they won the World Series in 2016! ⚾️

[@josephposavac3767]

Some of my earliest memories are from watching WGN Channel 9 years before it became a superstation, growing up in and around Gary, Indiana, before my dad moved us out west. Bozo's Circus, Garfield Goose, and The Ray Raynor show are etched in my memory. I also remember the news with John Drury, either at 6 or 10PM. They say you can't ever go home again, but you can hold onto the memories. Thanks, Fred.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome Joseph.

[@chuckwagon5518]

I used to get home from work in time to watch Marty McNeely on Nightbeat. WGN used to be really cool, but eventually became just another TV station lost in the shuffle of the modern corporate media miasma.

[@armorybrunotjr.3204]

When WGN began in 1948, the station's call sign was taken from its radio station,which stood for (W)orld's (G)reatest (N)ewspaper. WGN Radio was owned by the Tribune.

[@syxepop]

And later on Tribune shared that same idea with their Denver superstation: KWGN (2-1).

[@mightylonesome9426]

The weather map, before modern technology, was a hoot. Good video.

[@footpuppy100]

That was great Fred !!! one thing I remember when I was a kid, stay up long enough to watch the end broadcast day of each Chicago station, whether it was ch.9, 32, 11. just to watch the station information and national anthem video. On other hand, wake up really early Saturday morning, watching test pattern ch. 9 before 3 stooge s came on. see if you can find that. THANKS FRED !!!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, footpuppy100.

[@elifoust7664]

Changed the way people saw TV IN 1978 Pensacola,Fl. WTBS also a gem.

[@cuddzilla]

I've been so stressed out. Seeing and hearing this...helped me feel like it's all going to be okay, somehow. I needed that right now. THANK YOU!

[@tadool5352]

I remember that weekend theater bumper-WGN used to show some great classic movies back in the day. Loved the creature feature bumper!

[@dadoctah]

Had to do a little research to find out that "Creature Feature" was a nationally-syndicated package, with no regular host, although on WGN they added a sequence of hosts. When it was eventually discontinued, it was replaced by "Son of Svengoolie", who's still doing monster movies to this day (having dropped the "Son of" qualifier) on MeTV

[@andremax77]

Svengoolie originated from station WFLD Channel 32 The show was called Screaming Yellow Theater , he was played by Jerry G. Bishop. It later left the air and was resurrected as Son of Svengoolie with Rich Koz.

[@jb888888888]

_Son of Svengoolie_ was on WLFD 32, not on WGN.

[@johnm3152]

Creature Feature kept us kids up late on Saturday nights.

[@andremax77]

Thanks Fred, i grew up in Chicago and WGN was the first Independent TV station in Chicago along with the 3 network affiliates on the VHF band. In the 60's the UHF band produced a few more local channels. WGN was a class act back then.

[@Foxonian]

I remember when WGN became part of our cable line up in the mid- 80's. WGN was replaced less than a year later with the Golf Channel channel due to our cable company being taken over by Cox cable.

[@bernie2231]

Thanks Fred! Can you tell me where I can buy that cool Salvo laundry detergent? 100 lbs of pressure, exploding in my washer!...Now that's a good time!

[@FredFlix]

Ha!

[@malirabbit6228]

Bernie22 Salvo was for rich people!

[@tomservo56954]

@@malirabbit6228 You were committing yourself to two tablets per load, with no capacity to adjust.

[@tomservo56954]

Proctor & Gamble marketed it at least through the early 70's...a subsequent ad campaign featured Wally Cox dropping two tablets into a washer, then an arm burst out through the lid (it was parodied on the episode of THE MONKEES where Julie Newmar played a laundromat manager the boys all flipped over)

[@bernie2231]

@@tomservo56954 I saw that episode, but I never got the joke...until now!

[@stevecrow3075]

Grew up watching W.G. N. As a kid great times when life was simple.😊

[@luisreyes1963]

When I was a mere toddler, WGN-TV was the first TV station I ever watched. Thanks for the memories, FredFlix. 📺

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Luis.

[@cordiscoscorner]

Hi Fred. Love your videos !!!! Sometimes I get a little teary eyed. THANKS AGAIN from upstate NY.

[@FredFlix]

Glad to hear from you, John.

[@cordiscoscorner]

You as well. I remember the first house in our neighborhood that got cable. (late 1960's) Mr. Wasser got pissed because all of the neighborhood boys came over on Saturdays to watch Monster Movie Matinee from Syracuse on channel 13. ( liven large 13 channels !!! LMAO) Be well.

[@SorryWereOpen247]

Sunday (and Saturday) afternoon matinee was great stuff especially with the intro music !!!

[@zoppie]

I read somewhere that the latest iteration of Scooby-Doo will go back to the format of The New Scooby-Doo Movies, in that each episode will feature a "guest star" in animated form.

[@dillysgirl4ever]

Fred, you outdid yourself on this one. Kudos to you!

[@youtubeviewer7030]

australias own national broadcaster the weather report i remember that theme back in the late 1970's i wonder if neil remembers the weathermans name

[@laguns64]

It's funny, when we finally got cable, we did have WTBS but not WGN until a few years later. I was wondering, was WGN briefly a WB channel? I seem to remember that, but they didn't stick with it too long. Speaking of superstations, I've heard our own local Los Angeles station, KTLA, was considered one. I never saw this on any cable option outside of California, but did see it on a Dish Network plan my grandmom had. It's a CW station now, but I wonder if there are any old clips available from KTLA. I know they ran an anniversary show back in 1992, but they haven't really done anything like that since.

[@davidlineweaver2263]

WGN actually helped launch The WB in 1995, putting it on their "superstation" feed for several years. Back then, a lot of mid-size and smaller markets didn't yet have enough stations for a fifth commercial network, so this arrangement greatly helped The WB until more stations could get on the air. WGN Channel 9 Chicago stayed with The WB until it ended and with The CW until 2016 when the station became independent again. However, it stopped carrying its programming on the "superstation" feed in late 1999, substituting non-WB/CW shows in prime time.

[@SupremeNerd]

Night Beat RIP Marty McNeely

[@menopassini9348]

1960's and 1970's were the WGN's best years of locally produced shows. Do a video on Channel 32 WFLD, WGN's closest competitor small independent with a good mix of local shows. The BJ and Dirty Dragon show gave WGN a good run for after school audience.

[@johnm3152]

Except the reception on channel 32 was always snowy on the old Zenith

[@danielmorse6597]

We could get it in SW Michigan. Off the old windmill/tv tower.

[@danielmorse6597]

Just amazing. Local programing and national. It was and IS the Super Station. Stations 9, 11, and 32. The best of my life.

[@tcphvacr9950]

Like the history lesson on WGN, thanks! I remember the old weather maps back in the day, they really had to work in order to show you the fronts moving in and the temps around the nation.

[@RusstheTroubadour]

In the Lead Off Man clip that was Baseball Hall of Fame member Lou Boudreau conducting an interview w/ Milo Hamilton. Who would a short time later be in the Cubs booth. Hamilton famously called Hank Aaron's 715th home run passing Babe Ruth. Tom Skilling is still doing the weather for WGN. He's amongst the highest paid meteorologists in the country. Family Classics was created by future broadcast executive Fred Silverman & Frazier Thomas.

[@luisreyes1963]

How i miss the old theme for Lead-Off Man whenever the Cubs are playing.

[@jb888888888]

Tom Skilling doesn't just report the weather, he *makes* the weather. kzbin.info/www/bejne/faqzl5aPacmHobs

[@gac914]

Thank you for that! Having lived in a Chicago suburb for all my 65 years, I certainly grew up with "Chicago's Very Own, Channel 9!" Of course, we didn't have "color" until 1973, so it's interesting to see a lot of the old stuff in color! Wish you could have included more, (like Jack Brickhouse, and later Harry Carry, calling the plays for the Cubs and Sox, and "Len Burtin for certain," who advertised used cars ("bought here, serviced here,") for a Ford dealer I can't remember the name of on WGN, especially late night!)

[@douglasmontgomery2063]

You're probably thinking of Bert Weinman Ford. Those commercialas were on all the time, back then.

[@RusstheTroubadour]

Douglas Montgomery I remember that as well.

[@gac914]

That's exactly who the dealer was! Thanks for that, I was having a brain fart last night, and just couldn't remember. I do remember that most of the cars were those big "boats" with velour interiors, LOL!!

[@FredFlix]

Since I never lived in Chicago, I wouldn't have known of those things. Although I got WGN on cable and watched it often, I wasn't exposed to everything (except, yeah, I should have remembered to include Harry Carry).

[@SupremeNerd]

@@gac914 and all brand new for as much as 2000 bucks

[@randallsage6740]

That was very nice. We never were able to get anything like this but it's still very nice for the people who did. Thank you for posting !!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Randall.

[@rstyeast73]

That clip brought back some memories. Jacksonville, NC didn't get WGN on our local cable system until 1983. I remembered watching the Scooby Movies as well as the Superfriends plus later in 1984 we got to see G.I. Joe and Transformers everyday. Also seeing some of those local commercials were pretty neat too.

[@bethdibartolomeo2042]

As a 40-year-old Chicago area native, I've loved growing up with this station. ^_^ I can remember Bozo quite well, and the Sunday family classics.

[@youtubeviewer7030]

here in Australia when we first launched televison in September 1956 TCN 9 was first cab off the rank but it was affiliated with HSV 7 in Melbourne it wasnt until 1962 that stations seven and nine networks channel Ten first broadcast in Melbourne in 1964 and Sydney in 1965 and it wasnt until the 1st of March 1975 (after two attempts in 1968 and 72) we finally got colour

[@itz2komplikayted207]

THOSE DELICIOUS GRAPHICS - "IN COLOR" !!! And that BEAUTIFUL, ORCHESTRAL song!!! 📺📺📺🤩🤩🤩❤🧡💛💚💙💜🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶 ❤👍❤👍❤👍

[@douglasmontgomery2063]

If there are any old Steve and Garry fans here, the voice-over guy at 4:09 was the inspiration for Garry's character "Cliff Mansavage." :)

[@douglasmontgomery2063]

If you're not from Chicago, that will mean absolutely NOTHING to you. :)

[@RusstheTroubadour]

Douglas Montgomery Being from the area I do remember that.

[@bonscott602]

There was a show about a janitor at a theater who would host the three stooges shorts. He had a moustache and was elderly. Andy I think was his name.

[@luisreyes1963]

The guy's name was Andy Starr & he was played by Ray Rayner. The show was called "Three Funny Men".

[@bonscott602]

Thanks luis

[@ChristopherUSSmith]

5:54 There's a very short-lived MB game... That's the first I ever heard of it.

[@osbangloromerog.3559]

Big times and Moments from TV of the past years!

[@steveprestegard5151]

A friend of mine moved into our neighborhood from Danville, Ill. (I think), and they had cable before we did, so he was more familiar with WGN and Cubs games before we got cable. The first time I saw a Cubs game was when a Madison TV station was picking up Cubs games on Sundays in the early '70s. I wonder who it was who figured out that the horn notes from "The Last Farewell" (which was released in 1971 and probably played on WGN radio) worked for "W-G-N Te-le-vi-sion."

[@TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

About the time I started recording the Channel was in 1979. I haven't transferred the tapes yet but I recorded all of the Bozo Show on my VCR until it went off the air. Dad recorded many news programs on his. Great Memories

[@clairelfhs02]

That first one after your channel intro is my favorite!

[@mr2del]

WBZ and WNAC BOSTON (in this order) launched TV operations days or weeks apart in 1948.

[@mariebarnes416]

This was my favorite station when growing up in Chicago during the 50's and 60's.

[@youtubeviewer7030]

@4:32 sounds like the american version of the voice over man on prime televison here in australia

[@gidzmobug2323]

Are you planning on doing one for WOR-TV?

[@nalvarado1384]

I'd like to see a TV station identification for Denver's 2 KWGN in Denver, Colorado if you please???

[@Seanpatf66]

If you grew up in Chicago, listening to Steve and Garry, you definitely know the voice at 4:10, the one and only Cliff Mercer.

[@happyplace123]

What a wonderful collection of memories from practically my whole past life! Thanks so much! The only thing I hated was the Creature Features bumper! Warn a person will ya? I was terrified of that thing as a kid and now I know it still bothers me!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Henry. But I say this to anyone who is still bothered or scared by stuff from childhood: When the fear comes back, you are still thinking the thoughts of the child who was scared. So next time it happens, dismiss the negative thoughts and remember you're an adult. I'm not a psychiatrist but I play one on KZbin. :-)

[@timothyross308]

That young fellow with the full head of hair (toupee) was Tom Skilling? "Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future."

[@TimEric4d3d3d3]

When Tom Skilling is on WGN doing weather on 2/7/23 it'll be 43 years after this clip aired! 8:06

[@ul7185]

Three Years Until WGN’s 75th Birthday

[@larryshaver3568]

how did you find this . i was so happy to hear the nightbeat theme again on another channel

[@FredFlix]

I cheated, Larry. I found it on KZbin.

[@larryshaver3568]

@@FredFlix have you ever been to Chicago / I lived in Wilmette for a few years

[@FredFlix]

@@larryshaver3568 Yes, i have visited Chicago.

[@larryshaver3568]

@@FredFlix i've lived out here in west viginia since 1997 and haven't been back to northern Illinois but i do miss living near a big city

[@thomasrsunday8945]

Where’s Harry Carey?!

[@JetblackThemeTime]

7:57 Whoa YOUNG Tom Skilling.

[@juxvma542]

That was really late news.

[@luisreyes1963]

One of the highlights of staying up late nights.

[@silvereagle2061]

7:30 MST3K riff lol

[@malirabbit6228]

Tom Skilling is as old as dirt now! He looked great back then!

[@davidhardcastle8702]

He started at WGN around 1977 when he was about 25. Still with thrmn

[@davidhardcastle8702]

45 years later, and pushing 70!

[@timmmahhhh]

He retires this month.

[@smittykins]

5:55--Hungry Hungry Dolphins? 😛

[@footpuppy100]

there was a game, hungry hungry hippo

[@smittykins]

I know, I was riffing on that. :)

[@rstyeast73]

I think it might be the forerunner to Hungry, Hungry Hippos.

[@wildhorsestudios1209]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoGkgmyCjtl3mZo Lou Rawls song was my view the best version of WGN-TV advertising, a Chicago singer doing a station promo at the peak of WGN - SuperChannel years. Tons of Cubs, sports and still daily Bozo Show. Lots of viewers beyond Chicago. Recall this started late summer/September on return from Denver Colorado - seeing KWGN with its variation of Channel 2 with the Sun instead of the channel 9 globe - long used in from early cable to this last big push with the update to futuristic "9" logo showing the past meets the future.

[@timmmahhhh]

Thanks for posting th Lou Rawls ID that was amazing I forgot about that one.

[@trumpstroll7438]

Dizzy Dolphins looks like a Hungry Hungry Hippo rip off.

[@armorybrunotjr.3204]

That's exactly what this game is.

[@dannyvails9342]

I miss WGN

[@justinedwardvaliente9512]

WGN was WB/CW Affiliate.

[@AmandaAcresHomestead]

YOUNG SKILLING!

[@__hjg__2123]

creature feature!!!!!

[@trumpstroll7438]

I never knew Bozo was a locally produced Television show in Chicago. Then again as a child why would I even give a shit.

[@tomservo56954]

The owner of Bozo, Larry Harmon, licensed the character to individual stations to produce their own shows. (Later he produced episodes for stations unable or unwilling to do that)

[@joshgalka9414]

Cool!

[@Crustymarine]

Just in time to be first1