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SHOW TIME



Unofficially WWAC-TV had been broadcasting a test signal for a week but tonight we would “officially” publicly go on the air.  Our engineering department constructed a large switch that was connected to nothing for Frank, our chairman to “turn on”.  Everyone was nervous.  The 7:PM show time was announced in the AC Press which had a big distribution throughout South Jersey.  We had radio spots on all 4 of our local radio stations (several of their morning drive-time staff were going to moonlight on our air - their dream was to come  true; their faces would be finally seen after years of never being recognized in restaurants.  I spent a lot of time pacing and checking things that already had been checked and double checked.

I got into my “costume” two hours early - a new expensive gray suede sport coat, french cuffs and a great regimental striped tie that was provided by one of our newest sponsors.  Our first trade deal with the top men’s store on the island, Gordon’s Alley - one of the nation’s first pedestrian shopping centers, that just happened to be owned by the Vice President of our board, Murray Raphel, national recognized merchandising guru.  At 6:PM Bob stopped by my office, asked if all was ready and then closed the door to my office.  He then took a large flask out of his pocket and two coffee cups and poured us a few “fingers'' of vodka.  He said, “Great job Cal!”  (This was the first time I got an idea if I was doing everything the TV veteran expected) We toasted the station and he left saying, “Break a leg"!

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bThe next two hours were the most bizarre I ever had (so far) in my broadcast life.  I walked into the studio and to my surprise there were at least 100 people crowded wall to wall surrounding the phony switch which was glowing with the light from a pin spot overhead.  At 6:59:30 the studio light went down and the test pattern switched to black.  As the spotlight came up Frank was there and I got a cue.  “From beautiful downtown Atlantic City (borrowing the tag line from the Laugh In show intro)...Frank S. the Chairman of the WWAC-TV 53 Board of Directors.  Frank looked in the camera like a TV veteran and announced, “Good evening South Jersey…I’m told if I throw this switch something magical is going to happen - The Wonderful World of Atlantic City’s own TV station will be on the air.”  (Drum roll, dozens of studio lights on the news and talk show sets literally banged on).  And the studio audience went wild as they say.

My first interview was with Frank.  Lynn and I alternated chats with the guest.  When I introduced our “weathercaster” for the first time I was still in shock and blew.  I called her by her maiden name.  She corrected me and from that moment my nerves settled.  Our planned one hour show went almost two hours as we introduced guest and staff.  In the middle of one of my interviews.  Lynn interrupted me.  “Cal we have a special guest that has just come over, between shows at the Sands, to say hello to you!  A nationally known performer and regular Johnny Carson guest raced into the studio, grabbed me and gave me a great kiss on the lips and immediately left.  Needless to say I was speechless and tossed the mike back to Lynn.

Our grand “Titanic Ride” had begun and as they say, it was absolutely great…while it lasted.

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