Radio showmanship (Jan-Dec 1949)

SHOWMANSHIP IN ACTION WCKY Program Improves Examination System WCKY's "Official |Ans wer" program, heard each Sunday at 5:15 P. M., has been responsible for increased time for examine ing applicants for drivers' licenses in cities of 200,000 population or over, according to a statement by Fred Mortiz, Assistant Superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The condition was brought to light by a listener who had spent three consecutive Saturday mornings waiting to be examined. In the official answer to his question, broadcast on WCKY on October 23, it was revealed that cities of 200,000 population or over are now being furnished driver's license examining service six full days a week, open every day except Sunday. WCKY acts as a clearing house for questions of a civic or public nature sent in by listeners. The questions are takento the official or agency best able to answer them, the replies are recorded and played during the program on Sunday afternoon Station Helps Future DJ's Under a late Saturday night program arrangement with station KDYL Salt Lake City, students of the University of Utah who are planning to become radio disc jockeys get the opportunity of some experience. Music for the program "Saturday Night Dancing Party" aired over this station is selected by a University student who emcees portions of the program and gives a commentary on his choice of selections. Radio Station Turned Baby Sitter So you're in the radio business. So you look up one day and here's a studio, bedecked with playground paraphernalia, loaded with 50 kids each bent on the immediate destruction of whatever is nearest him, all screaming bloody murder. So you think to yourself. I know this business is screwy, but not this bad. You think, what do sparks and transmitters and microphones have to do with kids. So you shrug. You're puzzled. So you figure that's this blasted atomic age for you and try to go back to work. The above thoughts go through your head if you happen to work for WJW, Cleveland. Because WJW has gone into the baby sitting business, and not content with that, is going to put it on the air. Every Saturday morning mothers who wish to shop downtown may bring their youngsters, ages 4 to 9, into WJW's playground-studio No. 1, leave them under the competent supervision of a Registered Nurse and advanced Girl Scouts trained in child care, and go about their shopping. The children will be cared for from 9 A. M to 12:00 noon. "Uncle" Bruce MacDonald and "Cousin" Walter Kay will receive the mothers and children, and from 9 to 10 A. M. will conduct a variety show, "Baby Sitters," from the studio. Music will include everything from the classics to Westerns. Bruce will spot-interview arrivals during the show. Walter Kay will tell stories and play records from his large selection of kiddie records. A studio playroom will be set up with teeter totters, slides, sandboxes and other gadgets to keep the small fry busy. Toys will be available for usage, — rough, and each child will take home with him one toy. To prevent any mix-up, all children will be given a number on registration, tagged with a number when -they come into the studio, and their clothes and a chair will carry the same number. Mothers who wish to leave their children may register for the following week by calling WJW, leaving their names, child's age and other informa 28 RADIO SHOWMANSHIP