WGN Channel 9 - John Drury and NewsNine (Opening & Break, 1980)

Here's the opening moments of John Drury and NewsNine on WGN Channel 9. Also featuring sportscaster Bill Frink (who, like Drury, had come to WGN from WLS Channel 7), meteorologist Roger Triemstra, and commentator Len O'Connor. Includes:

WGN "Last Farewell" ID (voiceover by Marty McNeeley)

John Drury teases the following headlines:

- President Carter reports progress in trying to get 52 U.S. hostages held in Tehran released
- Possibility of strike by Chicago firefighters

Roger Triemstra promises snow and temperatures in the 20's

Bill Frink previews a De Paul win (they defeated Valparaiso, 95-71) - and a loss of home-court advantage

NewsNine open (dig that groovy theme music, as also heard here), with faraway shot of set (and RCA TK-45A camera with Q-TV's VPS-100 teleprompter system attached atop camera lens, strategically positioned and pointed towards Drury) (voiceover by Marty McNeeley)

John reports on President Carter's first news conference in 11 weeks (the last being November 28th 1979) in which he reports on "significant progress" in securing the release of the 52 American hostages held in Tehran, and Carter's condemnations of Senator Edward M. Kennedy's (D-MA) criticisms of the President's Iran and Afghanistan policies during recent campaigning. Excerpts of Carter's press conference are shown. John then introduces Len O'Connor who gives analysis of the significance and implications inherent in the President's news conference.

John reports on Vice President Mondale and wife Joan campaigning in Chicago for the Carter/Mondale re-election bid. A clip of Mondale's press conference is shown where he refers to the recent feud between the Carter campaign and Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne.

John goes to a commercial break with previews of the following stories:

- The growing threat of a firefighters' strike
- School board meeting
- Update on trial of serial killer John Wayne Gacy

Commercial: North West Federal Savings - with chefs at a bakery - Offers of any of 29 gifts (including lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners and blenders) with deposits of $300 or more - "We've Got More Time for You"

Commercial: Amlings Flower Land - Roses inside Bowler Beauty crystal clear glass - perfect as a gift for birthdays, anniversaries, anniversaries or "thank yous"

Commercial: Illinois State Lottery "Three of a Kind" game - same as seen back in 1978 (tape cuts off before the end, at the point of "Mind if we get a couple of--")

"I'm the Pope John of the Democratic Party."

This aired on local Chicago TV on Wednesday, February 13th 1980 during the 10pm to 10:07pm timeframe.

Add To

You must login to add videos to your playlists.