Ménage Á Pop is a three times a week intimate discussion between two people and a piece of pop culture.
We all had our favorite afternoon tv show. And maybe an ad for our favorite toy. But did any of us really look forward to all the other commercial interruptions? Rick Brooks (BATTLE OF THE NETWORK SHOWS) did, specifically a station ID for New York’s own Channel 11. Decades later it would be the first thing he ever searched on YouTube and today he discuses why the WPIX Henry Tillman Promotional Campaign will resonate long after the complete demise of broadcast television.
Rick Brooks is co-host of BATTLE OF THE NETWORK SHOWS, a weekly podcast that explores TV through the 70s and 80s. Its newest season begins this Thursday, September 24th and can be heard on APPLE PODCASTS, STITCHER and the homepage of www.battleofthenetworkshows.com.
POP NOTES
The Henry Tillman promotional spots began airing on WPIX Channel 11 in 1985. They were created by the Vice President of Creative Services at WPIX, Paul Bissonette and directed by Michael Grasso (THE UMBRELLA MAN).
The role of Henry Tillman was portrayed by actor Chis Chisholm. Having appeared in a previous ad promotion for channel 11, he has gone to appear in the feature film CORRINA CORRINA (1994) as well as an episode of NBC’s MATLOCK (1988).
WPIX Channel 11 first broadcast out of New York City on June 15th 1948.
WPIX was an independent broadcast channel from its inception until becoming a WB affiliate on January 11th 1995. The WB and fellow newcomer network UPN both struggled in the ratings, eventually merging into the CW of which WPIX has been an affiliate of since September 17th 2006.
The main broadcast transmitter for WPIX was one of the structures destroyed in the September 11th 2001 attacks on New York City. Lead Station Engineer Steve Jacobson was one of the casualties of the collapse. The final broadcast image of the twin towers burning remained frozen onscreen for much of the day until a secondary transmission tower could be established.
Former on-air talent at WPIX includes film and TV producer David Susskind (REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT) voice actor Chuck McCann (DRACK PACK) , anchor person Jodi Applegate (MSNBC LIVE) and talk show host Sally Jesse Raphhael (MEET WALLY SPARKS).
Tune back on Wednesday when RICK, smelling what you are cooking, snaps into a … ahm… bit of beef jerky to discuss his childhood collection of PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED magazine.
This episode of MÉNAGE Á POP was recorded by CAST, an online audio platform that lets you create and record a multi-guest podcast straight from your web-browser. It was then mastered by AUPHONIC, a web-based post-production service. Check out both sights for trial and subscription information.
MUSIC FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:
“Three Ways To Do That” (opening theme) composed and performed by The Madeline Prior. All rights reserved with Not A Holograms podcasts.
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