[BC] Local Celebrities

[FrankGott@aol.com]

 In a message dated 2/10/2006 12:22:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
areed21774 at aol.com writes:
 
 << Pittsburgh PA had two:
  WIIC TV (11) had Captain Jim (Eckman) who dressed up in a boat captain's
  uniform and hosted an afternoon cartoon show featuring Popeye cartoons.  I
  went to grade school with his daughter.>>
 
 Was his name Ted Eckman?  There was a pet shop at North Hills Village called 
Captain Jim's.  My understanding is that he had no connection with it and was 
unhappy with the owners selection of the business name.
 
 The real star at WIIC/WPXI was Bill Cardille of Studio Wrestling at 6PM 
Saturday.  But his real fame was as Chilly Billy Cardilly on Chiller Theater.  
Campy skits and classic horror flicks which helped inspire George Romero, who 
gave him a cameo in the original "Night of the Living Dead."  At one time I 
believe he had a midday show called Luncheon at the Ones (channel eleven).  Bill is 
in radio now on WJAS. 
  
  <<WTAE-TV (4) had Paul Shannon's Adventure Time, which featured "Three
  Stooges" and "Our Gang" films, and had a daily studio audience of
  grade-schoolers.  Also featured was Paul's alter ego "Nosmo King", who made
  appearances during the show (Paul in hat and sunglasses).  Nosmo didn't
  talk, I don't remember exactly what he did do, other than appear on the
  show.
  
  Right Frank? >>
 
 Right you are Art.  I had the privilege of working at WTAE and knowing Paul. 
 A true gentleman.  He revived the Three Stooges career.  Moe, Larry and 
Curly-Joe made more than one visit to his show when making personal appearances in 
the area.  
 
 WTAE also had the local version of Romper Room, Ricki and Copper (kids show 
with Ricki Wertz and her Labrador Copper), Junior High Quiz, Bowling for 
Dollars, and the daily Million Dollar Movie cash call.
 
 At KDKA there was the John Reed King local talk/variety show.  Popeye and 
Knish was KD's kids show.  Knish was the star puppet created by host Hank Stohl, 
who recently moved back to Pittsburgh.  Popeye was, well, the Popeye cartoons 
the characters introduced.  In their early days KD Marty Wolfson and his 
musical sketch pad.  The station also aired the Children's Corner with Josie 
Carey.  Her puppeteer was Fred Rogers.  You may have seen his later programs 
produced at WQED in your neighborhood.
 
 All of the stations also had local versions of Bandstand on Saturdays.
 
 I spent some time in Columbus as local TV began to fade.  At WLWC there was 
Jerry Beck's All Night Theater on Saturdays.  WBNS had Fritz the Night Owl and 
Flippo the Clown.
 
 Enough nostalgia for one night!
 
 Frank Gottlieb