Duration: 0:59

Views: 3290

By: fuzzymemories

Description: Here's the ending of The Great Radio Comedians (end credits cut off early) followed by a neat vintage pledge break on WTTW Channel 11. Features Michael Hirsh, who was also the producer of the highly-regarded documentary special "Making M*A*S*H". In between asking for donations, Mike shows some blooper outtakes from M*A*S*H, including a couple with a few bad words, which necessitates the standard disclaimer:

**Warning: May be slightly inappropriate for some environments. Contains material which some people may consider unsuitable for younger or more sensitive viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.**

Hey, if it was good enough for Channel 11 to show over 30 years ago, it should be ok here. ;-)

Mike references Rich Well at the console of the Grass Valley switcher. And despite what Mike Hirsh says, "Making M*A*S*H" wouldn't premiere on WTTW until Wednesday, January 21st 1981, nearly 10 months after he said it would be "upcoming" and "later this year".

Veteran WTTW'er Rick Kotrba adds, "There's a couple of brief glimpses of Marvin Pienta (who was floor directing) immediately following each of the MASH montages. Rich Well (who was the evening's technical director, working the switcher & creating the cheesy special effects) is not to be confused with another longtime WTTW engineer, Rich Wells (aka R.K. Wells, but whom we usually referred to as Fonzie to avoid confusing him with Well!)...

Also features a WTTW Station ID & slide at the end (voiceover by Don Ferris).

"...if there is anyone in our viewing audience that would be upset at the Anglo-Saxon reference for feces..."

This aired on local Chicago TV on Wednesday, March 5th 1980 at around 11:20pm.