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July 18, 2005
WILL-TV Plans Televised Classics, Special Events
To Celebrate Station’s 50th Anniversary
In 1955, workers carefully hoisted an antenna past the brick-and-stone walls of Memorial Stadium and installed it on the northwest corner of stadium roof. On Aug.1, the antenna began sending a signal for “educational television” into the homes of central Illinois for the first time. That day marked the inauguration of WILL-TV’s broadcast service.
Starting up the same year that “Gunsmoke” and “The Honeymooners” began on commercial television, WILL-TV offered an alternative to what was on commercial channels. It became the 14th educational station in the nation, operating from studios in the cavernous Great Hall beneath the west stands of Memorial Stadium. The station aired commercial-free educational programs for children, live musical concerts by University of Illinois School of Music faculty and students, public affairs programs about government and current events, and “how-to” programs about photography and cooking.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary, WILL-TV will host an Aug. 7 Open House and air a special week of
Channel 12 Classics at 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8-Friday, Aug. 12.
The week of programming starts off at 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, with a half-hour retrospective, the
WILL-TV 50th Anniversary Special, hosted by Alison Davis Wood. From nightly news with colorful reporter Henry Lippold to the 1960s’ children’s program
Mister Cane with Bill Korbus, the 1970s’ magazine program
Two Sense Worth, and the 1980s’ Country Music
Hall, viewers will get a sample of the history of WILL-TV, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at some of the personalities who appeared on Channel 12 throughout the years.
Wood, who produced the retrospective, said it’s been a kick to look through the old footage and photos. “I was amazed that WILL-TV produced such high-quality programs with limited resources over the years,” said the Prairie Fire producer-host. “It makes me realize that the tradition of telling central Illinois stories is a very long one at WILL-TV.”
Classic programs in the schedule include a Prairie Fire from 1992, at 9:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8; a 1983 performance by the
U of I Jazz Band at the Jazz Club, directed by John Garvey, at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9;
Country Music Hall, re-creating the intimate, sometimes rowdy atmosphere of a country music hall, with central Illinois favorites Pork & The Havana Ducks at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, followed by Sunny Norman and The Drifting Playboys at 9:30 p.m.
Saving Nature airs at 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. It was written, produced and directed by Leslie Epperson in 1989. She and associate producer Jeff Cunningham spent nine months traveling Illinois from one end to the other to film nature preserves and other unspoiled areas that were targeted for preservation.
Against the Wind, about wheelchair athlete Jean Driscoll’s battle to become the first seven-time champion in the women’s wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon, airs at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12.
The WILL AM-FM-TV Open House from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, will feature walk-around Cookie Monster, who will pose for pictures with children, and David Newell, Mr. McFeely the Speedy Delivery Man from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, who will help greet guests. Open house visitors will also have the opportunity to tape a promotional spot for WILL-TV, talk to WILL on-air personalities, and tour WILL’s Campbell Hall for Public Telecommunication.
“We invite everyone to join us for this celebration,” said Carl Caldwell, WILL-TV station manager. “A great deal has changed in 50 years. But we want people to remember that the station is theirs. We’re still committed to the people of central Illinois and we want to share our anniversary with them.”
Mr. McFeely and WILL-TV will also participate in the Decatur Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 6. Mr. McFeely will appear at 10 a.m. in the Razzle Dazzle Good Times Parade and will greet children from noon-2 p.m. in the children’s area.
Beginning Aug. 1, WILL’s Web site at www.will.uiuc.edu will feature a special section with anecdotes and stories about WILL-TV history, archival photos, and video clips of past programs.
Contact:
Mary Barrineau
Public Information Coordinator
WILL AM-FM-TV
(217) 333-1070
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