Happy Birthday, Channel 7!


Happy Birthday, Channel 7!

I have no memory of the Friendly Giant. Apparently it was the first show broadcast by the station on January 20, 1958. I wouldn't be around for almost 9 more years.

Classic Sesame Street
Sesame Street. That was my childhood staple.  Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster and the Grouch were as good as friends. I also enjoyed the Electric Company. As a very young boy I was enthralled by Ms. Julie and Romper Room.  Mr. Rogers?  I found it lame and not much fun.  The whole puppet thing and King Friday?  I didn't get it.  But I know them all because of KUED.

When I became a teenager public television and I experienced a long-term separation.  I don't know if they didn't have programming or if I needed to keep up with the back-to-back Love Boat and Fantasy Island episodes.  Could have been the cacophonous Archie Bunker.  CHIPs was always a predictable hour.  But my network relationship was best represented in the "Who Shot JR?" cliffhanger and the M*A*S*H finale.

There was one exception to this separation.  I continued to cheat on my network partner with the British Comedies that KUED aired here in Salt Lake City.  They were outdated but certainly struck my fancy.  I loved the accents and the seeming connection to a much bigger world across the ocean.

As a child I grew up with KUED.  As I parent I fell back to the Sesame Street of my youth.  To my dismay the Teletubbies found their way into my home.  But so did Dora, Carmen San Diego, Fetch, Arthur and Word Girl. My now adult daughter still gets excited about a new episode of Word Girl.  And as a parent I finally got Mr. Rogers; I even wear cardigans.

So much of what intrigues me about science and discovery has either been introduced or explained to me with NOVA.  From early memories of Carl Sagan and "Cosmos" to Brian Greene's "Elegant Universe,"  KUED has carried important and thoughtful programming that has challenged my thinking and enriched my mind.

KUED has also brought me practical information for news and investing.  I still consume these products regularly.  I miss Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer.  Their election night and big news coverage was spectacular without being sensational. The Nightly Business reports continues to impress even with the recent ownership and anchor changes.

These days the talk is "Downton" and "Sherlock" and I find myself right in the mix. KUED adeptly chooses the dramas it shares and excels in the process.   If you will permit me one tiny gripe; it's the fund drives.  Not the programming, the Les Miz specials, the Choir Christmas Concerts, Self Help Gurus and the rest are all great.  But please get over yourselves a little.  There is great programming in other places too.  Just know that you are worth it.  Put out your hat and keep doing what you do.

So Happy Birthday and many happy returns.

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for keeping your comments positive and helpful..

Popular posts from this blog

Merry Christmas 2013

Image
Today I thank my mother and father for their goodness, kindness and example that I hope to emulate through my years. I thank my brother Paul for his leadership. As the eldest of numerous siblings he has paved the way for us all to set goals and achieve them. My sister Kathy has always stood for that which is right.  Her virtuous living and stalwart life keeps us steady and grounded. Joanne has kept our family fun and imbued us with continued traditions.  Thank you Jody. Diane has blessed us all with the example of continual hope.  Her courage in the face of trials is a gift I remember on this Christmas Day. Elaine will give her support to anyone at any time and for any need.  I am not even sure she asks why.  Thank you for that unconditional love. Richard will get into the grind and solve any problem as quickly as it arises.  He shows me the value of not waiting and rueing but just getting in and doing it. My brother Robert, the second of the twins, keeps his youthful
Read more

Starting in the Corners

Image
My mom with two of my children As parents we watch our children learn and grow. As infants they depend on us for almost everything they need. We feed, clothe, protect and teach them all that we can so that they can enjoy a rich and full life.  We tend to recall those years with incredible fondness.  Curiously that fondness seems to grow as the years go by. In those early days and first few years we mark and celebrate the milestones.  That first smile, even if it was just gas, imprints in our mind's eye.  We celebrate or mourn those first steps depending on whether we were there to see them.  We blissfully enjoy the renewed rest as they finally sleep through the night.  And what parent doesn't rejoice at the moment a child can serve herself at a buffet? Through all of these milestone moments our children gradually become the people they will be.  But development is never even nor perfect.  There are always flaws and mistakes. But as parents to our children we encourage t
Read more

Winter

Image
In winter when gloom and dark abound, We lay our heads upon our beds with cold and dread all about. But at the start of dawn's too bright light some hope seeps in our life. For while we slept the dark black clouds emptied their feigned despair blowing down a serene blanket white. Untouched our world feels like a comforter, deceptively warm. The earth is covered with no escape. But there is no fear nor claustrophobic dread. Instead the shining moon drifts above our sleeping heads. A  continuing snowfall scatters the reflected light. Falling flakes fill the air with a brilliant array of heavenly hope. Hope that comes from this blanket so fair. The world now brimming in brilliant white. We gather our boots our scarves and our coats. We know the cold air that awaits. Our flesh is to weak to withstand the harsh blast of deep winter's icy, sharp flair. We take a step to just explore. We are vulnerable. We feel the cold. We are small.   We groan, we moan
Read more