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On Our Way to #1

My program schedule was set.  The cable companies were set.  TV Guide was printing our schedule - but I soon found that “programming” was a job that nevers ends.  And so was my commute from Central NJ to the shore.  I was running out of my personal gas by the end of the week and driving even with the low gas prices of the 1980's was killing my family budget.

 Our show-biz neophyte owner stopped asking me, “What About?”.  A bit of startup success apparently give him the idea that he was a TV pro. (with 6 months of arms-length work).  He started to compare us with the Philadelphia U’s that years of survival in the 4th major market and staffs that dwarfed our minimal crew.  He now called me with - “We have to have!”  I would consult with Bob, my immediate boss and he would say - do it and find the extra budget.  I would leave is office shaking my head.

My next task - create a weekend newscast withe the skeleton weekend crew!!!  And I did it for a cost of $200 bucks a week!

Taking a long-shot I called a new friend of mine who hosted my last summer show for NJN. He was a drive-time NYC radio host who was looking to get some tape on camera.  I proposed my modest deal - create one 5 minute current news break each Saturday and Sunday for $100 bucks each (off his union’s books).  To my surprise he said, “When shall we start?” 

Dick Heaterton (Joey’s brother and Ray’s son) a WCBS Oldies top jock in the big apple, was on my payroll.

He did the rest and gave me more than I bargained for!  He took a free Casino bus from NYC to AC.  Did a trade deal with the Irish Pub for a free room and dinner.  Produced not only one but two “live” show each night - one at 8:PM and another at 9:PM with a taped show at 11:PM.  And he didn’t miss a weekend until we closed and turned off all the lights.

My next Must Have - Election Night Live.  How the hell to do this was my question to our News Director Mike - “How’ sure I know?” was his answer.  But we did it.

We aired a two hour program that he and I hosted.  We “faked” live feeds as hired messengers rushed interviews from our news crews shooting updates at several major race headquarters.  And me of little faith was astounded at the reaction the next day.  Front page praise from the AC Press our print competition.  A for the first time I was recognized in the coffee shop getting my morning infusion of energy.  At lunch I went to a nearby bar & grill and caught a round of applause when I took a seat,  For the next six month I never got a check there and the owner signed up for a series of commercials.  (After one month on the air he informed our account executive that they had to double their weekly food order)

And so it went as the fall days sped by.  As this was “just the beginning of a beautiful friendship” (with the press and our viewers) as Bogart said at the end of Casablanca (One of the many great films we owned! (To Be Contined)

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