The Morning Show TV Memories

Wake up and play the Trading Game.

The graphic above was created by Reni Cortesi

Remember when there were only two TV stations in Anchorage?

KTVA channel 11 and KENI-TV channel 2 (now KTUU). And yes, with just two stations to watch, it seemed like there was more worth viewing than there is today with hundreds of channels to choose from… but that’s another story.

In 1965, KTVA premiered a new, local morning program called “Breakfast in Bedlam”. It was presented Monday through Friday and gave us something really different to watch as we got ready for school or work

BONUS

Take a look at these memories of “Breakfast in Bedlam” and enjoy.

But the people of Anchorage only got to enjoy all the morning bedlam for a short time before the show’s producers decided to end the show.

Remember to be Nice and Share

Yes, moms, dads, and our teachers all told us to “be nice and share”, so as a tribute to them, we’ve made it super easy for you to share this edition of the Anchorage Memories Club.

Just click on the following link, and you’ll feel so happy because you decided to be nice and share.

The Morning Show

Meanwhile, KTVA knew that there was an Anchorage audience who enjoyed watching local entertainment, news, and weather before they headed out the door for school or work.

So, Anchorage welcomed, “The Morning Show”.

In the picture above and on the right is the host of “The Morning Show”, Roger Latham. The man on the left is Bill Martin who contributed as co-host and presented the morning news.

In the photo above, Roger Latham presents the morning weather.

Roger had been a radio announcer on KENI radio, before joining Northern Television, Inc., which had KTVA channel 11, KBYR AM, KNIK FM and the elevator music service called Muzak all located in the Broadcast Center in Spenard.

At Northern Television, Roger became a rock and roll DJ on KBYR and was also named the host of “The Morning Show”.

In the photo above, Bill Martin handles the news for “The Morning Show”

Let’s Have Some Fun

The producer of “The Morning Show” was a lady named Lynn Lucchetti. And Lynn came up with a brilliant idea.

Every morning, Roger Latham would ask the Anchorage audience to call in and offer something in trade for whatever “The Morning Show” was offering that morning.

So, a bag of marbles might be traded for a coffee pot. The next morning, the coffee pot might get traded for an old pair of ice skates… You get the picture.

Did you trade it for a Gerbil?

Mary of Anchorage memories recalls the time her sister Betty called “The Morning Show” on a winter’s day and played the game by trading her stepfather Bob’s snow shovel for a Gerbil.

Later, when Bob went out to shovel snow from the driveway, he couldn’t find his snow shovel. When Betty told him what she had done, Bob was not a happy camper.

All the fun graphics for the program were created by the very creative and talented KTVA graphic designer, Reni Cortesi.

Music was a big part of “The Morning Show” with local musicians, singers, and school groups performing on the show.

Producer Lynn Lucchetti also brought in visiting music groups who were playing at local hotels and clubs.

In the image above, Roger enjoys a duo that were regular performers at a local night spot.

Do you see the credit above that reads “cameraman: Mike Dougherty”? Yes, that’s Mike of Anchorage Memories when he was working behind the camera at KTVA while “The Morning Show” was going strong.

Color TV in Anchorage

Do you remember when channel 2 was the first to bring color TV to Anchorage?

The graphic above was one of several used by KTVA channel 11 when they were getting ready to become the second station to bring color TV to Anchorage.

Remember reading ads in the local newspaper that read, “Think Blue”, or “Think Green” or Think Color”?

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

“I arrived in Anchorage in November 1968 to be an F-102 pilot”

Gayle

From our Anchorage Race Car Memories edition

“My dad raced with some of those guys at the same track. Oren Johnson #22 and then # 1 …. Sponsored by our family company “Anchorage Electric”.  I used to go to the track as a little one.”

Robin

“Can't remember which track, but in 1962 when I first got my drivers license, we went to the race on June 21st… Summer Solstice… and many celebrations around town, one of which was the races starting at midnight without lights…

Fun and Special.”

Pat

Do You Know What this Is?

In the graphic above is a special 45 record. But can you read the label? It’s well known to Anchorage radio audiences.

Here’s a hint:

Radio DJ, Ron Moore had a theme song, and he was called… ?

Tell us if you know the answer. Mike and Mary are smiling in the picture above because they know… that you know the answer.

Do you remember “The Morning Show”? Did you play the Trading Game? Send us a comment by replying to this email, or you can Contact Us right now to say. “I know what’s on that 45 record”.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories Club