WTTW Channel 11 - Summerfest '79 (Pledge Break #1, 1979)

Here's the first pledge break for Summerfest '79 on WTTW Channel 11. This segment features Cherie Mason and WCLR Radio personality Paul Brian; and, in a short film, Dick Orkin (by then famous for a series of radio ads he did with Bert Berdis) and a pre-fame Shelley Long. Includes:

Ending of segment with Charles Aznavour, with voiceover (by ??) teasing an upcoming appearance by Jane Olivor

Summerfest '79 video bumper

Start of pledge break, with Cherie Mason (joined by Paul Brian) bemoaning the lack of phone calls (and hinting that they won't return to the program after this break), and emphasizing that this programming does not come free or cheap, but rather from viewer contributions, upon which the first rings are heard; then Paul explains what the banks of people who've given up their Saturday nights for this drive do when taking calls, and Cherie explains they'll take whatever the viewer can give, however small; Paul then says they take cash, check, installment plan, or MasterCharge (now MasterCard) / VISA.

The co-hostess then previews a part of Sunday's lineup:

- The Great American Gospel Sound (featuring Tennessee Ernie Ford and Della Reese) at 1pm
- The Detroit Symphony playing Beethoven's 5th Symphony at 4pm, with description of its subtleties by E.G. Marshall and a view of the Detroit River by tugboat

Cherie and Paul then explain the premiums viewer gets for their contributions, including a thank-you brochure and a trivia book ("The Trivia Encyclopedia" by Fred L. Worth, offered to those pledging $60)

They then introduce a short film featuring Dick Orkin and Shelley Long, with a young man about to marry her, in a mini-play which ties in to the station's pledge drive, and ends with the message superimposed on the screen: "Before You Ask . . . Subscribe to 11"

Cherie then explains this was one of many approaches WTTW has taken to coax viewers to call the station with their contributions, a process the stations undertakes four times every year; she and Paul then make some final comments that end this break.

Summerfest '79 video bumper

Opening moments of Jane Olivor's segment, with her preparing to get to the stage as stage directions are heard in voiceover and the music begins

"You are the public in public television . . . This is really pay television on the honor system."

This aired on local Chicago TV on Saturday, August 25th 1979 during the 8pm to 10pm timeframe.

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