wcia 3 champaign, wicd 15 champaign, wand 17 decatur, wics 20 Springfield, week 25 peoria, whoi 19 peoria, wmbd 31 peoria, wyyz 43 Bloomington, wbln, wtvh, wirl, wrau, wtvp, wdan, classic tv, central Illinois tv, radio, automation,
Welcome to Central Illinois' On-Line Broadcast Museum. This website documents in detail the history of each of the viewable TV stations, past and present, across mid-Illinois in text, photos, and videos, as well as each station's current status. This site also includes local radio history and automated analog formats, again told in pictures, videos, and text.
Note that this website displays best on a full-size monitor, desktop, or laptop computer. If you're watching on your mobile phone, the mobile phone view has been replaced by the desktop view throughout this site. You can zoom in on the page if needed. Also, you may have to sign in to YouTube to view some videos. Some browsers do not allow some embedded videos to play, so click on the "YouTube" logo on the video to view it from YouTube.
Me at my home studio in August of 2025.
Doug Quick
Radio/TV Broadcaster/Historian, Author, Webmaster
complete bio available here.
TV Time Capsule
The TV Time Capsule is taking the summer off. It will return in the Fall.
Featured Videos
The Featured Videos here at Central Illinois' On-Line Broadcast Museum, now through September 6, include quite a variety of television programs from the 1960s through the 1980s.
The mid-60s were an era of fantasy programming. I include some examples within this collection of programs. The selection consists of "The Addams Family" from 1964 and "I Dream of Jeannie" from 1965.
I also include one of the worst TV series I've ever seen, but it probably wasn't even seen over Mid-Illinois. It was a combination of two mid-to-late 1960s comedy sitcoms.
There weren't many half-hour comedy sci-fi shows on TV, but I have one here, a short-lived NBC series from 1978.
From the early 1980s, a half-hour sitcom series was created and developed by a former writer of "Saturday Night Live." It also co-starred several actors who would later begin successful careers and make many appearances in movies and television. Check out this benchmark series.
He was an Illinois native who went on to a successful stand-up comedy career, later even a movie career. The fact that he would host a Saturday morning kids show was quite out of character, but he hosted and starred in the series for one year on CBS. Check it out; it's pretty good.
Speaking of sci-fi TV (a little earlier), we have one of the most famous sci-fi TV stars in a completely different genre TV series. There was even another sci-fi star whose series involved time travel. Both were in this cop series of the 1980s.
The Classic Radio selections include audio/video from 1977 and 1981. They both feature automated stations in action. Hear them below as well.
The Addams Family (1964) ABC "The New Neighbors Meet the Addams Family"
This series was based on the cartoon characters created by Charles Addams that appeared in the New Yorker magazine. The series was created with David Levy and Donald Saltzman with the approval of Charles Addams, and produced by Filmway Productions at General Service Studios in Hollywood. The TV series aired for two seasons on ABC, for a total of 64 episodes that still air in syndication on one or more TV streaming services and cable TV networks.
The main Addams Family characters were played by John Astin as Gomez Addams, and Carolyn Jones played his wife, Morticia Addams. Their children were Pugsley, played by Ken Weatherwax, and Wednesday, played by Lisa Loring. Ted Cassidy was Lurch, the family butler, and Uncle Fester was played by silent film star and child actor Jackie Coogan. Blossom Rock was "Grandmama," and Felix Silla was Cousin Itt. "Thing" was also reportedly played by Ted Cassidy's hand.
Similar to "The Munsters," the "Addams Family" were two bizarre families who thought they were "normal" and everyone else was odd. Most of the best episodes of both series were when they were faced with various other people who were either frightened or repulsed by the characters from each show. In the video above, a newlywed couple moves into the house next door and finds the Addams are their new landlords.
"The Addams Family" aired on ABC from September 18, 1964, through September 2, 1966, on the Mid-Illinois stations WTVP (later WAND), WTVH (later WIRL), and KTVI.
A screen grab from "The Addams Family" featuring Ted Cassidy as "Lurch," the butler, playing the harpsichord.
(YouTube screen grab)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
I Dream of Jeannie (1965) NBC Pilot Show
You probably know the story of "I Dream of Jeannie," but it's still interesting to watch. In the pilot of this 5-year NBC series, an Air Force astronaut crash-lands on an island where he finds a mysterious bottle that contains a genie, played by Barbara Eden. Larry Hagman (later JR on "Dallas") played the astronaut, Captain (later Major) Anthony Nelson. Bill Daily (later in "The Bob Newhart Show") portrayed his friend and fellow astronaut, Captain Roger Healey.
In the early episodes, no one knew about Jeannie, who chose to smuggle herself with Captain Nelson's gear to follow her back to Florida. The main issue in this pilot is that Captain Nelson is engaged to the daughter of a general he is supposed to marry. Jeannie had other ideas of developing a relationship with her new "master."
The initial meeting of "Jeannie" with the Astronaut, Captain
Anthony Nelson, played by Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman
(YouTube Screen Grab)
Hayden Rorke was Colonel Alfred Bellows, a NASA psychiatrist who was trying to get to the bottom of the strange behavior of Nelson in covering up the appearances of Jeannie and the peculiar "goings-on" with Captain Nelson.
"I Dream of Jeannie" was broadcast on NBC from September 18, 1965, through May 26, 1970. This episode aired on September 18, 1965, and was seen over Mid-Illinois on WICS, WCHU, WICD, WEEK, WTWO, WGEM-TV, and KSD-TV. Notably, this show premiered just 18 days following the initial sign-on of WTWO, Channel 2 in Terre Haute, IN.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Dusty's Trail (1973) First Run Syndication
"Dusty's Trail" was probably one of the worst TV shows of all time. It was part "F-Troop" with Forrest Tucker and part "Gilligan's Island" with Bob Denver. Tucker played Callihan, the wagonmaster of a wagon train, while Denver played Dusty, the bumbling scout. Others in the cast included Lori Saunders and Jeannine Riley, both former cast members of "Petticoat Junction." Jeannine Riley was also an alum of "Hee Haw."
It was produced by Sherwood Schwartz, who also produced "Gilligan's Island," which makes this series more similar to the previous Bob Denver series.
Since it was in first-run syndication, it would have had to be picked up by local TV stations at that time. I don't recall it being seen on any local stations in central Illinois, but it's possible. If "Dusty's Trail" hadn't been seen locally, this would have been the second series spotlighted on Featured Videos that wasn't aired on the Mid-Illinois TV stations. "Dance Fever," featured August 9-23, was also not seen across the area.
Bob Denver, as Dusty and Forrest Tucker as Callihan on "Dusty's Trail"
(YouTube Screen Grab)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Quark (1978) NBC
One of the rare sci-fi half-hour comedy shows on network TV was "Quark." It starred Richard Benjamin as Adam Quark, a garbage ship commander for the United Galaxie Sanitation Patrol. Others in the cast included Timothy Thomerson as Gene/Jean, the commander's androgynous assistant. Richard Kelton was Fiscus (who died just after this series was cancelled and he was set to co-star in the production of "The Centennial" miniseries, also on NBC. He reportedly was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty ventilation system in his trailer.
Others in the cast of "Quark" included twins Tricia and Cyb Barnstable as Betty I and Betty II. (Betty II was cloned from Betty I). Conrad Janis was the boss, Otto Palindrome on the mother ship Perma One.
This short-lived series was probably a relief for its stars Richard Benjamin and Conrad Janis, as Conrad went on to co-star on "Mork and Mindy" later in 1978 after this show was cancelled.
"Quark" aired on NBC from February 24, 1978, through April 14, 1978, and aired on WICS, WICD, WTWO, WGEM-TV, and KSD-TV.
Richard Benjamin, Richard Kelton, and twins Tricia and Cyb Barnstable on "Quark" on a space-age garbage truck .
(YouTube Screen Grab)
Square Pegs (1982) CBS Pilot
The video above was the premiere of the 1982-83 series "Square Pegs," which starred Sarah Jessica Parker as Patty Greene and Amy Linker as Lauren Hutchison.
Others in the cast were Merritt Butrick as John "Johnny Slash" Ulasewicz, John Femia as Marshall Blechtman, Tracy Nelson (Rick and Kristen Nelson's daughter) as Jennifer DeNuccio, Jami Gertz (who would later be the "can't spare a square" woman in a Seinfeld episode, and the movie "Twister" as well as "Modern Family" for eleven years) and Muffy Tepperman, Claudette Wells as LaDonna Fredericks, Jon Caliri as Vinnie Pasetta, Catlin Adams and Steven Peterman as two of the teachers at the school, Basil Hoffman as the school principal.
Sara Jessica Parker and Amy Linker on "Square Pegs" from 1982.
(YouTube Screen Grab)
The series was created and produced by Anne Beatts, a former writer for "Saturday Night Live." It was set at Weemaweek High School. The pilot featured two lead characters who were new students at the high school, where they struggled to become popular students.
"Square Pegs" aired on CBS from September 27, 1982, through September 12, 1983, for one season. It was seen across Mid-Illinois on WCIA, WMBD-TV, WTHI-TV, KHQA, and KMOX-TV.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
(Richard) Pryor's Place (1984) CBS Episode 1
This program, "Pryor's Place," was part of CBS's Saturday morning programming, with the first episode airing on September 22, 1984, and continuing through June 15, 1985. The show was a Sid and Marty Krofft live-action production with Peoria, Illinois native Richard Pryor, who would have had an unlikely association with a program designed for children.
It was set in an urban neighborhood where a young Richard Pryor played by Akili Prince as "Little Richie." The shows dealt with typical issues faced by youngsters, and especially "Little Richie." Each episode was narrated and introduced by the current day (in 1985) Richard Pryor. He would also show up in the form of other characters who would give Richie advice.
This first episode deals with bullies and delivers a lesson for victims and the bullies.
The show's theme was by Ray Parker Jr., who sang the theme song on camera. It aired on Saturday mornings at 10:30 am (CT) on WCIA, WMBD-TV, WTHI-TV, KHQA, and KMOV.
Richard Pryor, host of "Pryor's Place," a CBS Saturday
morning TV show for kids.
(YouTube screen grab from the series)
Click on either image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
T.J. Hooker (1985) ABC William Shatner
William Shatner (need I say former Starship Captain Kirk on "Star Trek?") starred as Sergeant T.J. Hooker, a veteran Los Angeles cop who also trained other rookie cops at the police academy. Adrian Zmed (later host of "Dance Fever") was Officer Vince Romano, a trainee assigned to Sgt. Hooker. Heather Locklear (of "Dynasty"-working both series at the same time!) was Stacy Sheridan, a rookie officer who was also the Captain's daughter. Richard Herd played the Captain. James Darren (formerly a co-star of "The Time Tunnel") was Officer Jim Corrigan.
This episode was from the third season and was episode 18 and was titled "Death On The Line."
T.J. Hooker aired over mid-Illinois on WAND, WRAU, and KTVI.
Heather Locklear, William Shatner, and James Darren on "T.J. Hooker."
(YouTube screen grab)
Classic Radio
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
WHTT(FM) (1977) Moline, IL
This long-range aircheck was recorded by me when I was at Western Illinois University in February 1977. It is of WHTT (FM) at 96.9FM broadcasting from Moline, IL (Quad Cities), 81 miles to the north of Macomb, Illinois.
WXLP, a classic rock station, now holds the frequency. The music selections on this recording have been trimmed to avoid copyright challenges from YouTube.
According to Wikipedia, 96.9FM was originally a beautiful music station, with the call letters of WMDR from 1970 to 1975. The format was changed in 1975 to Drake-Chenault's Contempo 300, a newer version of "HitParade." The format is a syndicated automated format produced by Drake-Chenault. You can read and listen to other products from the leading radio program syndicator at the time on this site by clicking here.
WHTT (associated with KSTT-AM) became WXLP in 1978 with the change to an Album Oriented Rock Format from 1978 to 2004. Another change occurred in 2004-2007 when it was an Active Rock format, changing to Classic Hits in 2007-2014. It's now a Classic Rock Station, still with the call letters WXLP. WXLP is one of the Quad Cities' highest-rated stations.
The front cover of a demo package featuring samples of all Drake-Chenault automated formats available for the 1976-77 period, including the one used at WHTT. Hear the sample on the Automated Radio Formats page on this site, or click here.
(WLS File Photo, Doug Quick Collection)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
WDNL(FM) (1981) Danville, IL
This audio/video is of WDNL, 102.1FM from August 31, 1981 (44 years ago), Danville, Illinois, and is an aircheck with me filling in for the night jock, as I usually was doing the 3 to 7 pm shift. I shifted to a 6 pm-Midnight shift. I was also an advertising sales executive at the station, working the day shift. Don't feel sorry for me about the long hours; it was all pre-recorded, so I only took about an hour to do a 6-hour shift.
Hear the voices of Bob Taylor, Keith Mason, Bill "Boober" LaCombe, Susan Frick, John Eckert, and Bill Pickett, who delivers the local news of the day in a complete newscast. The radio network was "The Source," a news product of NBC. The music selections on this recording have been trimmed to avoid copyright challenges from YouTube.
By the way, this station was 100% automated using the Harris System 90. It was significantly modified by Glen Hopkins (Sangamon Broadcasting Chief Engineer) and by Don Russell (WDAN-WDNL CE). What you're hearing is a pre-recorded talk track with the use of "simulators," which allowed the DJ to listen to the intros of the songs they would "talk up." Learn more about the system in the History of WDNL by clicking here.
WDAN/WDNL Chief Engineer Don Russell is seen with the WDNL analog automation, specifically the Harris System 90 used by WDNL, D-102, from 1977-1987. A complete description of how it was used is on the History of WDNL page.
The Weather for
East Central Illinois
will appear here soon.
Click on the NWS logo above to get the Lincoln, IL site and/or
click on the links below the logo for the latest weather story and current radar view of Mid-Illinois.
Support the National Weather Service! Contact your Congressional Representatives
Latest Updates to the Museum
2025-0824- Many more pictures have been added to my bio page from my nearly 50 years of broadcasting. To visit the page, click here.
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
PLease SUBSCRIBE to my
YouTube Channel
Click on the picture above of my Facebook Channel Home Page and click on the Subscribe button like the one below.
Much of the information on the history of TV pages on this site comes directly from my 2016 book "Pictures on the Prairie: The First Ten Years of Mid-Illinois Television." There are many more pictures on this site than in the book as space was limited.
Latest TV
Headlines
Now Streaming Nationally
Click on the image above to listen to MeTVFM. It's the popular music companion to MeTV, Memorable Entertainment Television, America’s #1 all classic television network. Launched at 87.7FM in late February, 2015, MeTVFM features a unique mix of timeless and memorable music incorporating a wide variety of classic hits, deep tracks and softer sounds spanning several decades of popular music.
Previously on Videos of the Week...
If you've missed any of the "Videos of the Week" or "Classic Radio" recordings, you'll find them here. Unfortunately, there's no written narrative to go along with each. You have to visit each week for that.
The Cara Williams Show (1964) CBS Pilot
Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1968) CBS
Jackie Gleason Show (1969) CBS
Baretta (1976) ABC Robert Blake
Diff'rent Strokes (1978) NBC Pilot
Classic Radio
KXOK Documentary "The Glory Days of Radio in St. Louis"
The Red Skelton Hour (1965) CBS
The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau: Whales (1968) ABC
CBS News with Walter Cronkite (1970) CBS
Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1971) CBS
Classic Radio
WWTO (1973) Drake-Chenault Solid Gold
WLRW (1974) Drake-Chenault Solid Gold
The Ed Sullivan Show (1964) CBS The Beatles
The Hollywood Palace (1965) ABC
The Jack Benny Hour (1966) NBC
The Dick Cavett Show (1971) ABC Guest: John Lennon
Classic Radio
WLS, 890AM, Chicago (1963) Dick Biondi Show
KSHE, 94.7FM, St. Louis (1974)
Johnny Staccato (1959) NBC Pilot Show
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1960) NBC
The Untouchables (1961) ABC "The Loophole"
The Untouchables (1994) Syndicated Pilot Part 1
The Untouchables (1994) Syndicated Pilot Part 2
Danny Kaye Show (1964) Hillbilly Sketch
The Ed Sullivan Show (1964) CBS The Beach Boys
Donna Reed Show (1965) ABC "The Tree"
Classic Radio
See It Now (1954) CBS Edward R. Murrow
See It Now (1954) CBS Reply to Sen Joseph McCarthy
McCarthy (2020) PBS "Have You No Decency?"
Ben Casey (1962) ABC "A Story to be Softly Told"
Fridays (1981) ABC Guest: Andy Kaufman
Fridays (1981) ABC segment with Andy Kaufman Apology
Fridays (1981) ABC Guest: Andy Kaufman with Kathie Sullivan
Classic Radio
Tube Trip (1971) KSHE (FM)/KDNL, TV-30
______________________________________
Sunday nights Nov 1959-Jan 1960
Sunday Showcase (1959) NBC Jimmy Durante
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1960) NBC
The Loretta Young Show (1960) NBC
______________________________________
Here Comes the Brides-Open (1968) ABC Co-Star Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman Special (1971) ABC
Bosom Buddies/Mama's Family Intros (1984) ABC/NBC
Classic Radio
Night Time America (1982) WDNL Danville, IL
TM Stereo Rock (1975) WHBF-FM Quad Cities
The Dating Game (1967) ABC Host: Jim Lange
Love American Style (1969) ABC Ted Bessell, John Beck
The Gong Show (1977) NBC Host: Chuck Barris
Vegas (1978) ABC Robert Urich
Classic Radio
WDNL(FM) (1991) Aircheck with Doug Quick
Saturday Morning TV (1978) NBC
WKRP in Cincinnati (1981) CBS "Daydreams"
Classic Radio
WLS AM/FM (1985) Fred Winston
I Dream of Jeannie (1965) NBC Pilot Show
Dusty's Trail (1973) Syndicated
Pryor's Place (1984) CBS Episode 1
T.J. Hooker (1985) ABC William Shatner
Classic Radio
WDNL(FM) (1981) Danville, IL
Next Regular Update Saturday Evening Sept 6
It's that time of year that the TV networks traditionally would launch a new TV season. That would include introducing us to many new shows, and a new schedule. Relive those exiting times beginning with this Saturday evenings updated Featured Videos as I present promotional videos from the early 1960s through the 80s from all three networks.
Central Illinois On-Line Broadcast Museum and dougquick.com supports the work of the St. Louis Media History Foundation.
Visit their website at:
