Alumni Comments

Miss you Grampy. Really nice seeing your history i never really knew about growing up. Public radio is such a special thing, it’s nice to know you had such a special relationship to it and a place in it’s community....

Yes, or maybe “the news, read and reported by your Morning Pro Musica host, Robert J. Lurtsema.” (Long pause)

I would love to hear one of Robert J’ s shows again!! I guess I have to be content with his intro recording

I'm very saddened to hear of Austin's passing. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. When working in post on Eisenhower, I remember losing almost a full afternoon because I got hung up reading the script -- wonderful prose. One sentence,...

Austin was a hoot to work with during his and my time on Zoom , especially when we won an Emmy. He took me and Janet (Zoom “mother”) to the first daytime Emmy awards show in NYC and treated us...

Saddened to hear this. Austin was a visionary with the public's and the planet’s welfare always core to his productions. Way way ahead of his time. I so liked hanging out with him when we both had a little time....

Hello, I was privileged to join the WGBH team back in 1966. I moved on in 1971 to create WGBY. (Great Blue Yonder) Then and now I stop to reflect - Why was WGBH so successful, so dominant, so special?...

I loved those lunches, Karen, and I still miss our conversations. Most of all right now I miss Austin.

Another sad loss. Austin and I did not agree politically and when I applied to work on the Advocates, he turned me down. But he was an important presence through the many years of "greatness" at the old WGBH. He...

So sad to hear this news. Austin was part of a small group of long-time 'GBHers in the '80s and '90s who ate lunch together in the cafeteria at 125 Western Avenue, most days of the week, at what I...

I worked with Austin on quite a few of his documentaries. He was always calm and cool and a pleasure to work with. I’m saddened to hear of his passing.

Saddened, we lost Austin a dear friend. Smart, curious, and great fun. We bonded early 60's at 'GBH when we started together; Austin, a Producer trainee, me a GBH/BU scholarship intern learning every aspect of TV production. We both had...

"Ravenous." That's priceless. Thanks for sharing.

I was in high school and just starting to listen to FM Radio when I heard William Pierce's voice for the first time. Actually, the first sound I heard was static, I thought, but later I figured out it was...

I really enjoyed learning more about Bill Pierce and his contributions. It's always inspiring to read about people whose work has made a lasting impact in broadcasting and storytelling. Thank you for sharing his story.

Joan was an extraordinary individual. Revered by her department’s co-workers. As the Globe article says she had the best job at the Foundation. I agree 100%. I will always remember the time I was assisting for a rare Saturday editing...

I miss his pauses when listening to classical music. Announcers jump in on the last note, it's very annoying. And the bird songs. On another note, in 1982 I produced an anti-nuclear short film (remember there were lots of anti-nuclear...

Would you mind sharing some memories of your mother and your stepfather? Fascinating, irreplaceable human beings.

Would you mind sharing some more memories of Joan and Jeremy Brett? So many of us still miss them.

As Robert J.'s long-time Producer, I can offer the two basic reasons for his famous pauses: 1) his poor eyesight, especially problematic when he was reading the news wire, and 2) his refusal to speak before he'd decided exactly what...

I remember that transition of the Queen of Sheba. But I am writing to make a comment on how I still mourn the loss of Robert J's programming. It hit me hard the other day. WFCC, a classical station that...

So sad the world has lost the inimitable Josie. Her style, her humor, her clarity, her beauty, her razor-sharp mind, her organizational genius, her enormous heart…I could go on…but I’m too sad.

Hola Chas, believe it or not I only just this day (June 26, 2026) saw this. No doubt it'll get a good laugh from you - it should. I'm years late and dollars short. But also, better late than never....

We all got to know Linda's creativity and special spirit at GBH as the "art department" soon became the "design department." When she moved to Vermont we kept in touch, and were happy to see her flourish with her own...

When I saw the obit, l was saddened. I remember her being a forceful and focused friend, who I had not kept up with. May she rest in power.

Deb Gibbs!!! You were my mentor & don’t know if you (or I) knew it but always wanted to thank you if given the chance as you were instrumental in my career. Don’t know if you remember me….think waaay...

Ah yes....my heart goes pitter patter when thinking about the duce, one of my favorite (and most harrowing) projects that I dreamed up back then. Had hoped it would end up in Boston's car museum but they turned us down....

Hi, I am working on a research project regarding the original WHDH Radio and TV. I was hoping to discuss your role and photos of WGBH production at the WHDH studios on Morrissey Blvd in the times following the WGBH...

Agreed, that Cindy's recollection was beautiful -- and emotional and evocative. Mary-Kate and I worked together very briefly in the 1980s, or maybe early 90s, and my recollection is of how cheerful and full of energy she was. And friendly,...

I met Mary-Kate over 40 years ago when I was working as an audio engineer at 'GBH. She came in on a small wave of women entering the fields of video editing and tape room operations, along with Mary Helen...

I was saddened to learn of Mary Kate Shea’s passing. She was the on line editor for many This Old House and Victory Garden shows. She was so kind, sweet and talented!

When I was first hired as an online editor at WGBH, Mary-Kate was already a veteran, commanding the central chair in the A" suite. At that time, 1985, most online suites used an edit controller called CMX. But our suite...

For those not on Facebook, you can also see the clip Chris mentioned here: https://youtu.be/ocA1WOgA5sM

Have a look at this vintage clip from our TOCN: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1276344580778701 My first grand-daughter sent it to me a few weeks ago because she heard my voice on it. Immediately I knew it was Mary-Kate’s genius at work: the perfect...

That was a beautiful recollection, Cynthia. Thanks for sharing. Mary-Kate was a gem. A pearl. One of the sweetest, kindest and most adorable humans to ever walk this earth.

The hardest thing for me about getting older is losing the people I love. Certain people in life carry a lot of importance and meaning. Mary-Kate was one of them. I met Mary-Kate at WGBH public television in 2000. I...

Are the videos posted anywhere? My friend is in one from the 70s and I would love to see it.

As a rookie director, I was in awe of the creative universe that Fred inhabited. Once, I was fortunate to assist on a Fred Barzyk production, and it really opened my eyes to what could be done when you pushed...

Jay, so glad you posted Fred's video, I've been wanting to see it. Fred - I loved every second of it! I learned more about the history of experimental film pioneered at WGBH through your video than during my ten...

We received a copy of Fred's video, so you should be able to see it embedded at the top of this post: https://www.wgbhalumni.org/2025/11/21/freds-goodbye-at-89/

Fred, You are my hero. And had you not recognized my wacky video art and featured it on WGBH Artist’s Showcase, I am quite sure I would never have found a career in Public Television. Love and Thanks!

Hey Dick! Thanks for sayin’ “Hi”! Much appreciated!! Nice to know I’m “alive”… Claudia

The first time I picked up a hand-held camera (PCP-90, of course) was in a Fred production—“Boston Common”, I think—at Carson Beach, looking down at two fish positioned to be “talking” to each other. Good times! (Hi, Claudia)

When I stumbled in to WGBH (and yes there was a 'W', long may it wave) sometime shortly after the Industrial Revolution, Nat Johnson and Wil Morton WERE WGBH audio. Well, in television anyway....radio was and remained a parallel universe...

He was the champion of the "king of organs," and so happy when things went right. He and Orson Welles were dear friends, and Nat was a soul mate. He is in my heart and had a major impact in...

Oh Chas you are so right. Sadly I keep learning this lesson over and over. I remember Nat applying his encyclopedic knowledge of music as we produced Classic Theater, his finding just the right piece for each cue. And he...

Lots of great memories working alongside Nat when I was a radio producer. He was intensely focused on audio quality and innovation at GBH. It was a better place because of him.

It is sad to remember a chance meeting with Nat and his dogs in Rockport as I walked to an event, each of us vowing to stay in touch and catch up. It behooves us all to stay in touch...

John Kerr sent a note about the "family" logo, with photos, which you will find here: https://www.wgbhalumni.org/2007/01/01/in-the-beginning-the-wgbh-logo-1956/

Yes, those numbered stickers were used on employees' cars prior to the introduction of the drop-shadow "2" stickers. The latter sticker had been implemented before I joined 'GBH in September '84.

Calling on the collective memory and wisdom of the amazing WGBH Alumni ... the GBH Archives recently received a question about an old program produced and shot in the WGBH Studios at Western Ave. The following information is what we...

We received an inquiry today about a sticker that looks like it contains the 1956 WGBH family logo, with an ID number at the bottom. I've posted an image with the sticker here: https://www.wgbhalumni.org/2007/01/01/in-the-beginning-the-wgbh-logo-1956/ Any ideas about whether this is,...

Looking at the picture of Bill Pierce, I believe I owned a tape recorder like the one on the right in the Picture. It was a Revere, top-of-the line in the 1950s. I bought a used one for $50 when...

My father contributed to WGBH from the fifties until he passed in 1977. He received a decal, maybe 2.5" square, of this symbol. Wish I'd removed and saved it when he traded the car.

Great story, Steve.

My father died in 1972 at 32 years old and this was on his headstone. I asked around and my wife found this online. Mystery solved. Thank you.

Ditto. If I had never worked with you, I never would have ended up as the GBH president. Thanks Fred.

Jill - In my Brookline home in the 1950s, there was only one channel number you needed to know and that was 2. Sure there were channels 4, 5, and 7 but they were almost never on in our house....

Fred...I was touched by your "good-bye" but not a good-bye. It was really a "Corraggio". Thank you.

Fred - WGBH gave you a creative window. You gave Public Broadcasting WGBH. If not you and all of those other creative geniuses, WGBH would have been just another PBS station. Of the many memories you and I could share...

We employees loved Club 44, a chance to gather with friends at the end of a week and have a free glass of beer or wine. Also there were celebrities, live music, and did I mention free drinks. Outstanding energy...

Dear Fred - It was so wonderful to see the span of your work in your video, and so hard to hear you say goodbye. Early in my career, I recall being at WGBY with Ron Nicodemus and trying to...

Austin, congratulations. I share your feelings about distribution, much as I love my friends. My graphic memoir, published late last year, sits quietly on Kindle at https://www.amazon.com/Fugitive-Boyhood-under-Hollywood-Blacklist-ebook/dp/B0D6CSWLX5/ With fond regards, Tony Kahn

A tribute to Erica Wilson is here: https://www.wgbhalumni.org/2011/12/14/erica-wilson-83-embroidery-revivalist/

A tribute to Dr. George Tuttle is here: https://www.wgbhalumni.org/2002/02/27/george-p-tuttle-producer/

I have just finished a book about my experience in the summer of 1959 on the S. Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is called The Haunting Nahanni, and it explores the deaths of prospectors and trappers...

Fred, as my mentor you already know how grateful I am to have worked for you and with you. Bob

I was impressed as a kid by the "nightclub" format and variety of CLUB 44, and remember thinking the WGBH 2 version THE CLUB seemed a bit blander and "safer"...but still worth a look. I'm still fond of the band...

And for bringing us world class ranconteur and White Sox fan, Jean Shepherd! Not to mention your enthusiasm, joy, and moose energy. Always an inspiration. And thanks for all that you've shared through the archive.

Many years spent working with Fred. First at 84 Mass Ave. before the fire, and later with his CTA on so many projects. Many highs and a few lows. But, as Jean Shepherd would say, "Little did he know at...

From "Where to Get Off in Boston" -- my first job at GBH and where I met my husband Tony Kahn -- to the HBO Wall Street Crash and Cocoanut Grove Fire docudramas, to coming up with $100 to make...

Fred, I will never forget the Vietnam View-In which ran from 8 p.m. 'til 11:30. At one point, David Ives stuck his head in the control room and growled, “Is this program going to ever end?” All best, Austin.

Thanks, Fred. I also am honored to have been able to work on your incredible projects, starting with Mothers Little Network. You are one of my television producer heroes!

Thank you, Fred! You were the first GBH producer who I got to know, my creative, zany office neighbor at 475 Western! ;)

Fred You have been a remarkable, unparalleled spirit for all of us. You were always so generous with me, and thoughtful with your energy and wisdom! Sending you a big embrace! Jon Abbott

You did amazing things Fred, I'm honored to have worked with you on Soundings, Ollie Hopnoodles, French In Action and maybe more.

Awww, Fred. You forgot The French Chef!! Ruth Lockwood, Producer, David Atwood, among others, Director! And me, Claudia Allyn, PA! What a trip that was!

I am reminded that there were multiple news programs that started at 10 p.m. weeknights on WGBH: • The 1961 program described by Dan Beach in these comments • The News at 10 from 1966-67 chronicled by Austin Hoyt in...

Several points were not covered in Austin Hoyt’s excellent story about the Ten O’clock News. There were brilliant writers and producers at a time when — in the late '60s and through the '70s — the city was in turmoil....

Hi Rick, You may recall that I too was on the studio crew when you were (1967-70), although I didn't leave The Foundation until 1980. I am writing to point out that you failed to include in your profile what...

Going back further, Ed Salners and I were joint anchors of a 10 p.m. WGBH-TV news broadcast in the fall of 1961, one of the first in Boston. It was at the 84 Massachusetts Avenue studio, just before the October...

Thanks, Austen. Great stuff. A couple notes about Jane Doerfer. Jane was the writer of "The Victory Garden Cookbook," working closely with Marian, who informed the book (recipes, information about the vegetables, testing of the recipes) and was therefore the...

I was working at 'GBH at that time. I remember an inordinate amount of fuss over Jane Doerfer’s hair! She was made to wear a wig, which she (unwittingly?) wore upside down.

Hi, Richard. Bill O'Reilly here. You may not remember me, but I booked you on your first national commercial via Talent Circle in NYC in the late 1970s. Thank you for taking me to The Russian Tea Room to celebrate...

Dear Mr. Barzyk, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Celinet Stumphauzer, and I had the pleasure of appearing in your television film "A Matter of Principal (1990) starring Loretta Swit (may she rest in peace), where...

I was part of an experiment in Oxford UK in the 60s to teach children French using Madame Slack's film from the age of seven. She even visited our junior school on one occasion, taking us through a rendition of...

We at the GBH Archives are sad at Tony's passing but glad his work has meant so much to so many!

I am quite sure that Tony is the very first person I ever met from WGBH. But unlike most of you, I met him when I was a 6-7 year old lad. Tony was "must-see-TV" at my suburban Boston elementary...

My first film experience as a PA at WGBH in 1965 was working on 5 different "What's New" segments with Tony and Fred as Producer. I learned so much in a hurry, working at the different historic locales. How lucky...

Tony was a phenomenon (I intend that word literally) of the folk music era. He maintained, over many years, a specialty in that landscape — a niche all his own his own, so to speak. He fashioned an artistic oeuvre...

As a GBH intern (1960 BU Scholar) I have fond memories of working with Tony. I suppose I felt a special connection since both of our sunames started with “SAL.” Sal is the Latin word for salt, and Tony was...

The filmmaker, David Hoffmann, has clips of them at least on his YouTube channel.

We have posted an obituary for Tony Saletan at https://www.wgbhalumni.org/2025/09/04/tony-saletan-94-musician-and-producer

It’s with profound sadness that I learned today — August 26, 2025 — that Tony passed away this morning. Surely, the world is a poorer place without him. I hope GBH will do something to memorialize this wonderful man, musician,...

I'm trying to locate the "Folk Music USA" episode featuring Phil Ochs and the Geisser Family aired on Feb 2,1964 .

I was a Notheastern coop student working at the old channel 5 (WHDH-TV) in the 70's when John was a reporter and anchor there. Great guy to work with and great sense of humor. John and Ron Della Chiesa were...

John and I worked together at the PRC for 7 seasons. He said it was a great challenge for a kid raised in Queens who went to college in Jersey City. Good guy,great friend from a distinguished family. RIP

I'm so sad to hear of Alice's passing. She was a dedicated colleague and a key member of the music team for many years. My condolences to Chris and all the family.

Alice fought for the staff. She was always willing to help those who needed it. I will miss her.

I'm saddened to learn of Alice's passing and send deepest condolences to Chris and to all the extended family. Alice was smart, funny and oh, so good hearted! Missed by many, many fine folk. Rest in peace, Alice.

Very sad. Alice was a talented, kind co-worker. May her memory be a blessing.

Mr. Goell was my absolute favorite instructor at MC. He played a pivotal role in my photography career which expanded into film. I just emailed him that I was visiting the National Portrait Gallery for the exhibition on George Hurrell....

Check with your nearest academic library -- community college, college, or university. It available via streaming, but the service is usually part of a bundle that academic libraries subscribe to.

Hi Harriet Chris's email: Joe Vitagliano

Can anyone help me find Christine Dall? I believe she lives In Lexington but I can’t reach her.

Can anyone help me find Raquel Ortiz?

George, I had no idea you preceded me at GBH. I joined in 1973 as an N.U. coop student and worked with the same folks you mentioned in your profile. I left in 1988 to join the Monitor where we...

I did volunteer work at all 3 WGBH stations, starting as a kid opening donation envelopes in fund-raising for my aunt Helen Fox. The 1st station was across the street from MIT that burned in a terrible fire, all the...

GEORGE BAUER!!! You were a great editor, a good educator, and are a good person.

Dear Susan, After 68 years, the real crisis is upon us. More deadly than the 1961 fire. The wrinkled persimmon in the White House, his Nazi henchman, and his ludicrous cabinet, are dangerous, daunting, and depressing. I came to GBH...

Dear Frank Dolan was one of the first actors I gathered around me way back in 1962. He was always featured when possible in my dramas. He was in Phantom of the Open Hearth, ran the local movie house, Between...

I am overwhelmed seeing portions of the pieces which meant so much to me when viewing them 50, 55, 60 years ago. They were so moving and so entertaining I retained so many memories of them over the years but...

I worked for Hartford Gunn as one of his Planning Associates on the Long Term Planning Project. He is among a very few who got me. It was the best job I have ever held. I learned a lot from...

As a child model, aged ten, I worked with Mr. Dolan for a Boston Gas TV commercial, recorded on May 3, 1966. The next month I asked my mother to write to him to inquire about acting lessons. Unfortunately, there...

Wow the good old days! Those names brought back a lot of memories for me. Fred enjoyed working with you on Parlons Francais. And the Crossroads with Frank Brady and John Henning and others.

Hi, Merry.... great story.. good times.... yes HM3 was a special man. He lived to be 101 and in his last he wrote some marvelous poems. They were published so you could find them. Here is to the good old...

Merry, I wanted to let you know that Henry died two years ago, in March 2023, after failing for several years. I'm not on LinkedIn etc but the landline is listed in Belmont, MA. Best, Sue

Oh man, what a show!!! My favorites were Nancy and Leon. He'd always made me laugh when he falls to the floor! LOL GREAT MEMORIES ❤️

GBH today is not the WGBH of yesterday - except for recognizing the mission and opportunities. Yes, the opportunity to marry fresh creativity with present and emerging technologies is an exciting opportunity to deliver value to all who have access....

Copeland series Weill and Bertolt Brecht backward opera with Sarah Caldwell...lucky you. Hope your kids are out there doing good things - we need them !!! tons of music of the 20s

I was a student at Boston University School of Law in the Fall of 1977. A young female neighbor whose name now escapes me asked if I wanted to make $10 for a four hour commitment one evening a week....

What has happened to the re-broadcast of Ray Smith’s Jazz Decades? It is greatly missed! How may it be heard again?

I was a commentator on the Evening Compass in the early '70's, then spent a few years as one of the corps of independent (read, freelance) reporters when Bob Ferrante led the Ten O'clock News, and capped off my years...

Another sweet memory, from when Brian O'Donovan's "A Celtic Sojourn" immediately followed Morning Pro Musica, on the weekend: When the Irish band DeDannan came out with its album "A Song for Ireland", which included an arrangement for Irish instruments of...

Jim, We have several episodes in the WGBH Archives, though have not, yet, digitized them. There are about 3 episodes also in the Library of Congress holdings. I am going to direct you to two websites where you can use...

Honored. Just spent a wonderful time with our Zoompapa, Christopher Sarson, the creator and Executive Producer of the first few seasons. Thanks again for your comment.

Thank you Dr. Joe! You and the other Zoomers hold a special place in the hearts of our generation.

No one ever contacted me about the possible survival of some of those old educational TV or instructional TV shows WGBH aired in the 1960s and '70s. But I am still here, if anyone at 'GBH sees this and knows...

I benefited from Madam Slack’s instruction via televised elementary school classes. I travelled to Paris 25 years later, and managed to get myself around.

My dear Bill.... How I will miss your smile and laugh as you told me of the latest adventure of a shoot. I tried to get you to do an archive interview but you said you might offend too many...

Bill was kindly, a calming presence. God bless the Fairweather family.

Thank you all for your thoughts and kind words remembering my father. It's a sad time for me and my family! He will be missed deeply.

Bill was a mentor to me. To this day I still use the skills he taught me. When we worked on Pops together, I would watch him in awe.

One BU/WGBH crew member was Manandro Tanjucto and is never listed here. He was on BU/GBH crew for one year, 1961-62 and known as Tanny. We enjoyed working on the crew together, because we were from foreign countries, he from...

I'm deeply saddened to hear of Bill's passing. I had the fortunate pleasure of working with him on many remotes and local productions. Bill had a great sense of humor and working with him made it very enjoyable. Bill was...

I am saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He was a mentor of mine and a good friend. When I think of my years at 'GBH they always include time spent with Bill.

I echo all that Jane said about Bill; he was a person who had many skills and used them wisely to help others. I will always admire his strength and conviction. May he rest in power.

What a wonderful remembrance.

I had just a short tenure at WGBH (1968-1971) before leaving the station to work for PBS (for the next thirty-odd years). I had an even shorter tenure in my very first WGBH job as Manager of Scheduling and Facilities,...

I am sad to hear of the passing of Bill. I enjoyed working with him and, in addition to being a skilled engineer, he was a calm person to work with. I once had a talk with him about the...

I think my mother, Nancy Maguire Hoffman, is in picture 171 in a light blue jacket in the second row of tables about a third of the way across from the right.

I remember Bill as a talented engineer with a great sense of humor. He was one of an amazing group of engineers and studio crew that worked endless hours creating so much original programming that served to etch WGBH's name...

When David was assigned to your show, in any capacity, you'd have the best experienced engineer offering fantastic leadership for the team. As EIC, he approached any technical nightmare with calm - finding a solution. Rest in peace David.

Dave was a wonderful Boss and a fine and very competent Engineer. Blessed with a great sense of humor and a relaxed attitude in the face of stress, he was a joy for work for and with. Rest in Peace,...

Thank you John. I certainly do remember that. In fact, I interviewed them the 2 times they came to GBH. First time was when they were 16&17 yrs olds - funny, silly, irreverent. The green room was a blast. When...

I have fond memories of Helen Fox from when she and her friend Ann and were my family's neighbours in southern Spain in 1974/5. When we arrived from England to begin building a house, she came to welcome us on...

John Gustafson I remember when Lo interviewed Il Volo, the young male singers from Italy, when they were at WGBH January, 2012. She was so exuberant and happy to meet these singers. I was wondering if she remembers this...

I am so sad to just hear of Jack Summerfield's passing. Professor Summerfield was a gem of a man, so funny and smart, and left a profound impact on me. I, too, never knew he had history with WGBH. I...

I loved Zoom. My favorite was Tommy. He always seemed high spirited and upbeat. I looked forward to every Tuesday when it came on in our market. I was about 14 years old and I had a job teaching drill...

I will never forget, attending a taping of The Club, probably in 1980, with my mother who was visiting me at the time. Dr. Lester Grinspoon from Harvard was a guest. He was an early advocate for the criminalization of...

Fred, Your tribute to Russ was amazing. It brought back so many memories for me, as you mentioned all the staff that I delivered mail to when I was a boy in charge of the mailroom, before and after the...

Fred, The writers union owes you a complimentary "Card." As I read your piece, I relived that wonderful time at GBH. We "never went to work!" We were proud of what we and our colleagues achieved. That unique creativity extended...

Oh wow, I didn't know how cheap their budget was! My very first job in TV was at Crockett's Victory Garden. I was an intern (free), still in college, and one of my jobs was to get clean Burpee Seed...

I am sad to learn that Jon passed away last August. I had the first digital class for a certificate from him in the Spring of 2007. He did a wonderful job teaching photography.

Fond memories of the early days of Crockett's Victory Garden and with a budget set at $500 per show, the man made magic. Thank you Russ for the memories and the miracles. Take a bow - you deserve all the...

Amy is so right! Thank you, Fred.

Lovely, Fred. Russ was a pillar of ‘GBH production for 50 years. His output was prodigious, and boy did he sense the public appetite for “How-to.” One of several visionaries (Barzyk at the top of the list, too, of course)...

Thank you, Fred, for this walk down memory lane! I am still processing the loss of Russ Morash. He was my mentor, and my career (such as it was) is largely thanks to his patience and careful nurturing. Go rest...

Fred, As always, your input is a treasure. Stay well. Amy

We have lost a pillar of creativity at GBH. Russ was unique and special. He had vision, the ability to make it happen, and a creative vision that the public liked. He developed TV stars: Julia Child, Bob Villa, Anne...

I started at the 10 O'clock News in 1977. By that time, Russ was already an in-house legend. Two years later, I worked up the courage to ask him to look at a few of my pieces and give me...

RIP, Russ Morash My piece in tribute to Russ, from 8/12/16: HOW-TO (BUILD A LEGEND) Today I chatted with THIS guy on the phone. Who is he? Well, if you tune in to any "How-To" show on PBS or any...

Russell, we all mourn your passing. Thinking of your leadership, your mentoring, and tips working with talent – we learned how to do it. Since 1962, BU crew members followed mobile unit excursion with Russ to MIT, Cambridge Electric for...

I never worked on a show with Russ, but remember a lot of great hallway conversations. I remember that he hated the edit room (so did I) which was terribly inefficient. So to minimize time in the edit room, he...

In my 11 years at WGBH, mostly as a producer, I only worked once with Russ. I was producing a special and he directed. No question, he was a force. His work at WGBH was admirable and important and my...

As an audio engineer, I had the privilege of working on the first season of This Old House, figuring out how to mic a demolition scene – or was it jack-hammering? Sawing maybe? — while watching Russ's creative vision unfold...

Though I’m not sure I recognized it then, Russ was one of my very first mentors — direct, decisive, demanding and driven. Yet, at the same time, taught me when good was good enough. I’m truly grateful for having worked...

I last saw Russ at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery when Roberto Mighty was screening his film about that treasured place. Russ was in the audience and he radiated warmth and extended a beautiful greeting to me, which I'll treasure.

It is with great sadness that I write these words. I wish I could have shaken his hand and looked him into eye - one more time. Russ was an alpha dog and played that role to the hilt. He...

Russ was a pro and a good friend. I will miss him. Michael

I feel privileged to have worked for Russ for many years, and to have learned and experienced so much during that time. He had a way of instantly distilling a story to its essence, clear as a bell. Grateful for...

The video is also on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QfcMIYoyy0

Russ was always both pragmatic and warm to be around. I owe a lot to him and always was deeply respectful of his skills and finesse. My terrific time at GBH happened because Russ interviewed me and then ended by...

I am very sorry to read of his passing. He was delightful, funny and kind! (I worked on the French Chef among other shows)

Thank you, Lance. That was fixed moments after the automated email went out. It's nice to know there are eagle eyes out there!

Hello Brooks, I enjoyed reading your story about you and Gretchen. I am very happy that I learned of and bought one of your KAP kits in 2003, which I still use to this day with an Olympus PM2 micro...

Jon was one of my professors in the early 2000s at Montgomery College. A class that started as an (expensive) elective, turned into a passion. I took 2 more classes with him after that. One I audited just because I...

The life of Wil and Jack (me) emerged in 1966 when Gunn invited me to join the WGBH team to get WGBX up and running. How could one not endorse the Don Halllock piece above. Well done. But just a...

For Wil.... I recall some of the very first days Wil set foot in studio A at 84 Mass. I was a cameraman then, and Wil was a lowly volunteer, moving sets, holding cue cards and sweeping floors. But soon...

The magic of Wil Morton’s audio mixing talent deserves its legendary status. But I want to add the following remembrance to the pile: Wil was an hospitable and friendly person and also had a ready appreciation of humor; in particular...

Wil was always requested for the various music "live" shows, especially the weekly - JAZZ LIVE from Studio A. Unrehearsed for sound and camera brought out the best. Wil could achieve a mix — an excellent mix — in mins...

Wil always always worked to make every show he worked on sound wonderful. He succeeded!

Thank you so much for sharing this, Chris. I remember the day vividly and it is a beautiful recording of the pianist Wil loved most! Hoping Ron checks in to read, listen, and share!

Speaking of Wil's love, laughter, kindness, generosity and over-the-top audio chops, here is a recording that Wil made at my house of the hardest swinger among the jazz piano giants, Dave McKenna, sometime in the 80s. All for the fun...

Wil was an amazing audio engineer with a keen ear for music and how it should be reproduced. One of my fondest memories is working with Wil as a producer for NPR's Jazz Alive. We recorded Milt Jackson at the...

I was a BU Scholar 59-60 with lots of video background but little audio. Where I came from, it seemed everything was done from a Mole Richardson boom and a 77D. I mean everything. Wil was a real wake up...

Willie Morton was my best friend while I was a BU scholar and production team member at WGBH in 1962. He would often invite my wife and I to visit him at his lake home for the weekend. This was...

Fond memories of the mid-70's working with Wil. A wonderful guy. Rest in peace.

A kind, supportive, and creative person. Dedicated to making it work and making it all sound clearly and beautifully and, at the same time, being patient with the mistakes of others (me, in particular). He is deeply missed.

My dear sweet Wil. I remember the early days (1960) when Wil was beginning to run the audio for some of my shows. He was intent on making the sound as good as possible. He worried the station execs were...

Caroline, You have several ways to look for tapes from your time at WGBH. There is the GBH Archives public website, Open Vault: https://openvault.wgbh.org/ The nation wide American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB): https://americanarchive.org/ Both sites are open to the...

Caroline

Hello, I was wondering if you could advise me as to how to find my radio show tapes from my time at WGBH/FM in the 5 years I was a producer. (1963 -1968) best wishes, Caroline Isber

Mark Stevens was a fine fellow and a gentleman.

Barbara, I have Jane's mobile. You may text me at (617) 320-3526.

Emergency, Harlan, please call me asap. Barbara 2032338815.

I reported on local news with Sarah Ann Shaw in the 1970's and 80's when I worked for GBH Journal on Radio, and the 10 O'Clock News on TV. I was new and young (and white) and she was incredibly...

Bob was one of a kind; he contributed a lot to the productions he worked on for GBH over the years before he joined the Boston Ballet as their Master Electrician. He was always a strong, positive force and a...

My aunt Elinor Johnson passed away this month at the age of 101. She was an incredible woman. Her resume referred to some ties with wgbh. In 1958 she authored the Teachers Guide for a TV science series on WGBH...

That's me lurking between the shoulders of Frank Laine and the fabulous hair of Susan Brennan. Best group shot since the cover of Sgt Pepper. Steve Colby

Thanks for the response, and confirming the soundness of my memory - After my post, though, I remembered that Michael decidedly preferred Michael, so perhaps memory has, indeed, taken a bit of a hit. And I assume those cards containing...

Lovely Ben. Congratulations.

Hello Charles, Yes, Michael had his outside office door covered in 3x5 cards with possible names for what became NOVA, with ideas gathered from all of us and all of WGBH, so it is very likely your submission was on...

I was working on the studio crew as a mere lad in the summer of 1973 and seem to remember that Mike Ambrosino sent out a memo to staff describing the show and inviting us to submit ideas for its...

Thank you, Bill.

Ben Shedd with excellent cinematographer Boyd Estus, deserved accolades for THE FLIGHT OF THE GOSSAMER CONDOR. Ben is still at it. Congrats to Ben and Boyd

I'm an alumnus and can't get past the filters to post anything more? I am trying to contact NOVA with a story suggestion

Yes, that's me, thanks! And the "Unknown" next to me is Charlie Weeks, audio engineer extraordinaire based in Los Angeles (probably a contractor at the time).

As above, it's great to hear of your well deserved, successful career. We would love to see those iconic WGBH shows again. What are the chances, how could this happen?

I'm so sorry to hear of Tony's passing. Just for the record, he couldn't have received a B.A. in American History and Literature because Harvard doesn't award any B.A. degrees; they confer the A.B. degree. Of course this is nit-picking...

Wait... So news a GBH radio has 125 employees? It's not just Robert J. Lurtsema ripping copy off the AP teletype in the hallway and editing it down for broadcast? I guess I have some catching up to do ;)...

Does the LICBC still exist?

Tip of the hat to Fred's suggestions! Get out of that palace of an office building and take a look around, take risks. We live in a region rich in argumentative, creative, fascinating people, let's hear from them and watch...

Comment from Fred Barzyk: After reading the article about the turmoil at GBH FM, I felt that the alumni could help the situation. We cannot get into the relationship between management and staff, but we can suggest programs that move...

What a fantastic overview. I had the privilege of spending 3+ years in WGBH's Maintenance Shop seated next to Gordon whose patience and kindness to me has been even more appreciated as time has passed. Harvey, Karl, Allan, Benny, and...

Thanks for this conversation. It is very nice to hear about the early days of WGBH and the insight you guys have. It was a pleasure to have been able to work with you.

Love zoom. I miss those times

My 23andMe DNA kit has led me down this path…As it turns out, I am the biological daughter of Jordan Whitelaw, he is my birth father. I never got to meet him and only discovered that I am his biological...

Mike, Good memory! GBH aired a BBC radio production of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in 1976. Here is a line from the wikipedia entry on Norman Shelley (aka Dr. Watson): Other roles for Children's Hour included Dr. Watson (opposite...

Well, just to confuse things ... the GBH Archives has A Wrinkle in Time listed as having been read on Reading Aloud and done for Spider's Web. The 1/4 inch tapes digitized were done for Spider's Web. Leah

Paula Apsell, now of NOVA fame, was the radio producer for The Spider's Web back then. She would know which program produced it.

Of course! EVERY teenage boy was in love with Nancy and Tracey!!!

Hi, Mary! I’d forgotten about “The Spider’s Web” … I recall one of the series on WGBH-FM presenting an adaptation of “A Wrinkle In Time,” not certain if it was on that series or on “Reading Aloud.”

Hi, Leah! Back in the mid/late 1970s (… or possibly early 1980s), I seem to recall either ‘Reading Aloud’ or another time slot adjacent WGBH-FM series presenting a multi-part adaptation of ‘A Wrinkle In Time’ which has haunted me for...

I'm Tony's wife. Tony is 92 and has Alzheimer's disease and is now in memory care. Even if he doesn't understand, a card or letter would mean so much to me and our daughter and his older children. If you...

I'm Tony's wife. Tony is 92 and has Alzheimer's disease and is now in memory care. Even if he doesn't understand, a card would mean so much to him and our daughter and his older children. If you reach out...

Madame Slack brings back some wonderful childhood memories. Collectively, we used to sit in the school auditorium to watch her and to learn French. It was a phenomenal educational effort undertaken in the small city of Muskogee, OK at Houston...

sir fred, ye speak with great words and even greater emotional sauce. surely the king has heard you and waits patiently for your entry into the heavenly version of studio a. me thinks it is clear that when such as...

Thanks Fred. Wonderful story and tribute.

A PROCLAMATION And so it came to pass, that in the year 1957, 12 peasants arrived in the old grand town of Boston. These common people had been chosen from the population at large as recipients of a grand prize...

I’d love to thank him too for my memorable experience at ISOMATA folk song week in California in the 60s. I still play his albums.

How can we get in touch with Mr. Saletan? I wanted to send a card thanking him for his music which I now play for my grandchildren. :)

One more memory bubbling up - Rolando Lastres, crew member for a while, a former film worker in Cuba (Old Man and the Sea), Rolando, shifting from Jefe, called everyone "Boss." With one exception - Bob Moscone was "SuperBoss."

OMG(arden hose). Yes, and until now hadn't realized it. Thanks indeed (literally) Bob Moscone, and for the reminder, Dan.

I still coil the garden hose the way Bob insisted that camera cables had to be stored. Alex's vision of his shooting his cuffs, goes along with the ever-present comb. He could do everything, and made sure that those of...

I agree. While I applaud telling the stories of being a minority in America, adjusting a story to attribute successes creating inaccurate histories undermines those who did actually succeed.

David Liroff hired me for my first real writing job out of grad school when he was program director at WOUB on the condition I buy a TV. I did. It was 1976. He was a wonderful boss with a...

Practical, immaculate (I'll never forget his shooting his cuffs as he settled into a talk), and, yes, for the newbies, a little scary. And utterly calm and confident. Just what the frenzy and tight quarters at the MOS required!

Jon was one of my oldest and closest friends and will be missed. He excelled at so many things: drawing, sculpture, tap, photography (of course), magic, teaching, and being a friend. I still have the wonderful pen & ink he...

I so remember the index cards that Bob Moscone kept in his shirt pocket to keep us WGBH/BU Scholars organized and our crew assignments clear — his “office”. When our work went well, he’d give us his big smile and...

Before the fire I was hired to work in the mailroom at 88 Mass. Ave. My bosses were Judy Baloou(?) and Jack Hurley. They asked me if I wanted to stay in my position. From that day on I was...

lol, this would be the perfect place to insert the recording of Julia demonstrating how to edit 3" video tape with a cleaver, chewing gum, and a rolling pin!

Spot on, Michael Ann Arbor - location of the NET (National Educational Television distribution Center - part of WNET, Channel 13 in New York) pre-PBS. The center was the largest videotape duplication center in the world. Many producers came to...

Like some of you, I was a WGBH/BU Scholar before the fire… Like many, I drove back to the station first thing the morning after and volunteered cleaning and transporting some of the 2” video tapes that Bob Moscone had...

Not sure but I think so--station lore for many years was that they were destroyed in the fire (some wits said that Julia herself burned them because they were so bad--a bad joke, they're great!) However, the first 6 or...

When I arrived at GBH and took the tour for new employees. I knew it was destined to work at the station as the fire was on the day of my birth.

I remember the station broadcasting from the basement of the Museum of Science after the fire.

I remember the station broadcasting from the basement at the Museum of Science. Heavy cables on the floor and those big cameras.

For a look at what David Ives and Jack Hurley said about Hartford, put in this link to see them reflect back in 1999. Here is the link. It goes on for 16 minutes with appearances by Greg Harney, Frank...

No, the same last name, I think, but a very different person. I remember Connie well, he used to live down the street from me. Don wasn't with the station very long. Not sure if he was an NEU coop...

Was Connie White the name?

My first job was with Jack Caldwell at WGBY. I went on to Connecticut Public television, and as executive producer Aida was my intern. I knew she would go far.

There was a Black member of the remote crew, Don White?, ca. 1963-4 but I don't remember his last name for sure. What I do remember was the international make-up of the bus folk - who at the time did...

Could you define your understanding of woke ideology ? Perhaps you meant something else.

I joined the studio crew in 1966. Connie White was the Stage Manager at the time, and for many years thereafter. I learned many things from him, and was proud to (eventually!) rise to stage manager and, later, to Director....

I'm sad for you. This character, and a lot of the show, is completely made up and/or just exaggerated from real life to tell deeper stories. I am thrilled watching this great actor. I guess enjoying good story telling is...

I had the great privilege of traveling with her and working on many of those shows listed in Aida's profile. It is nice to see the recognition that she so truly deserves. Always a pleasure to work with her. She...

To the best of my knowledge, there were no black production personnel at WGBH, at least in the early to mid 60’s. The character Alice, although portrayed by a very talented performer, is just another attempt to re-write history to...

I considered Aida to be a dear friend back in the late 70s-early 80s when I was an audio engineer at GBH (before leaving to attend grad school at MIT). I say a warm 'hello' in case she sees this!...

My Mom and I went to see Dr. Joe in "the King And I" at The North Shore Music Theater. The part I won't forget was how he brought the house down with his amazing presence when he entered the...

She was always straightforward and told you what needed to be done (on Ballroom dancing show) A great boss and mentor

Brian O'Donovan was a bright light and he did that both in life and in accepting death, may we all have the same grace and strength to face our own mortality and be ok with it. Love you Brian, you...

Thank you for this uplifting profile of Brian O’Donovan and his circle; it’s a study in grace.

I remember I worked at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, Mass, and met Joe when he was appearing in “The King and I” - I thought for sure you’d wind up on Broadway, lol. Just thought I’d look...

Here is a second installment from Fred Barzyk When I first arrived at WGBH in 1958, Symphony was part of the programming. Dave Davis, station manager, was the director. Dave was a musician and had played trumpet professionally. He would...

Even after leaving GBH for PBS, Hartford was frequently at his house in Chatham on the Cape, and a loyal listener of GBH-FM and the BBC World Service. This led to visits and conversations while I was radio manager and...

And he was lucky to have you, Michael.

Hartford Gunn was clever and far seeing. He was always looking years ahead while the rest of us worked day to day. The first task he gave me when I joined WGBH in 1956 was to design a TV station’s...

Fred Barzyk. Legal has restricted any viewing of District 1 on Open Vault. The only info on Open Vault can be found at https://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_C6B96B99BE654730A443001CDCE6E32A We hope that the dance will be available in the future.

Amazing story! Glad both of you survived that crazy ride.

I remember Rudy as a wonderful and happy guy. I first saw Rudy on of all places NBC's Today Show. Somehow, the shows producer had heard of a solo dance Rudy had performed at a theater in NYC. They actually...

Correction! It wasn’t a log cabin—it was a simple wood-planked house for the time…

This was so great to see... so many important personal histories here that created WGBH's unparalleled legacy

One for the history book!

Thank you, Fred, for re-issuing this extraordinary diary of the early years! They get more informative and entertaining every time I read it!

Wonderful to hear so quickly from you, Harriet. No, « George’s House » was a picture-perfect log cabin in Center Sandwich, New Hampshire where David Atwood and I worked with choreographer Dan Wagoner to create a piece in 1975. Check David’s website...

I didn’t know Rudy Perez, but remember Twyla Tharp’s puzzled impatience with cameras that were down for hours when she shot in studio with Fred. Before Nancy arrived, her late husband Rick Hauser and I scouted the old armory in...

Thanks for that wonderful slide through those early days. In September 1956, four new folks joined the Foundation: Dave Davis, Bill Cavness, Lillian Akel and me. I was told I was the 35th staff member of WGBH-TV. Michael Ambrosino, 1956-1976...

I see a book of 'GBH stories in the future. Gordon Mehlman had a fabulous look at Engineering with so many staff mentioned; Cosel, Atwood and Norton followed up with some wonderful reminiscences; and Fred chimed in on early live...

What a great conversation! I devoured it as well as Fred's following comments. Listening to Dave, Bill and Chas, I felt more that I was listening than reading. Dave talked about the Duck Incident. It reminded me that in the...

It was so delightful to see my father, Mark Stevens, mentioned. My mom still tells a few stories of his time at GBH, though I wish I could have heard the stories from him.

Fred here. Let me take you back to good old 1959. We did a lot of music shows - mainly because the Boston universities and colleges were part of the LICBC [Lowell Institute Cooperative Broadcasting Council]. That meant they gave...

As an old-timer, but just a short-timer at WGBH (then and forever!) from 1968-1972, I was amazed at how many memories you brought back of so many names I might otherwise have forgotten, like (especially) the transmitter guys, Alden Doughty...

Gordy, What a great fabulous recap. I have learned a lot talking, working with, watching and listening to you. All productions were lucky to have you and many times you solved problems to keep the cameras rolling. You are the...

As one of those non technically saavy Ten O'Clock news reporters, I always enjoyed and respected working with the crews. This is a monumental parade of information about the evolution of broadcasting during exciting times. Great history.

What a wonderful look at 'GBH thru your time there, Gordon. So many wonderful names to recall, contributors to the powerhouse that our little station has become. I think that when I first started there in 1960, there were no...

A great documentation of the technology and technologists I have worked with for a long time - Thanks!

Gordy, I loved recalling all that history! Some minor errors, but on the whole a delightful, fulfilling recounting of "our" history! Thanks so much for dragging me out of my lethargy and back into the 60's-70's when we were all...

Thanks for this fabulous recap. So many familiar names and memories of my years at ‘GBH ('73-'78) and then PBS ('78-'83). Such creativity, innovation, dedication, and camaraderie. Enduring friendships, too.

Gordy, you are a treasure chest of information! Thank you!

Gordy, A great comprehensive history of an innovative team of engineers and so many names of wonderfully talented people that made GBH what it is. Thank you.

Thank you Gordie. This is amazing. Slightly disappointed that you left out our memorable Miami millennial moment with Blondie, whose dancers weren't wearing much. I was allowed to take one WGBH person on that trip and what fool wouldn't take...

Thanks for this trip down memory lane! From writing captions for World News Tonight to working on The Ten O'Clock News with all the greats, the '70s might be my favorite professional decade. Were it not for being stuck at...

Gordon, you are born historian and we are so lucky to have you. This is an amazing effort and really important, especially when the historian sits down to write the history of America's most important TV station. One note: Hartford...

I loved seeing the names of all those great engineers and designers (and PA Julie Pines!). But the best was how we pulled off “live captioning” of “The Captioned ABC Evening News” - with only a 4.5 hour delay! Open...

Gordy, Thanks for your comprehensive and knowledgeable history of the early years of WGBH. Your value as a historian, engineer and team player are very much appreciated.

Wow, thanks, Gordon for your fabulous post. Your memory of the details is encyclopedic. I really enjoyed reading about and remembering all the folks who made WGBH tick way back when.

I have been a longtime fan of Brian O'Donovan and a longtime friend. I promoted his CD's and performances while I was an MOR employee for 12 years and when I came back to GBH 10 years later I was...

Deeply saddened by the death of this remarkable, gifted man. I used to see him every Saturday as my morning shift ended and his afternoon shift began. I admired Brian’s expansive knowledge, professionalism, and winning on-air manner and liked him...

This is coming in only a year and a half after Rick’s death. But I happened to be checking out the site and wanted to thank you, Anne, for that beautiful reminiscence of Rick which captures him to a “T.”...

I worked at 'GBH in the Traffic Dept from 1976 to 1980. When I married my wife Bobbi also in 1980 (no connection between the two events), both Jon and Chris came to our small wedding (40 people) at our...

Wonderful remembrance!!!! So glad to hear hosts of TV shows were actually friends, friends who enjoyed each other and shared their life with the WGBH crews. Truly a great time in the history of WGBH.

Jon was my Editorial Photography teacher at the New England School of Photography in Boston the year I graduated in 1989. He gladly shared his talent and professionalism with good cheer, and I hope it stuck. I assisted him freelance...

One of the reasons I stewarded this website for 15 years was to encourage constructive conversations such as these. Thank you! Here is one person's perspective. I straddle two eras of media. I worked in analog video production in the...

Hi Fred. I see your comments earlier in this thread. However, it appears you may have sent one via email to Christine who posted it for you; look for her name to find it. Submitting through the comment box is...

Author Sherry Turkle, Producer Terri Randall Ray Kurzweil, Elon Musk Alan Dershowitz…

I was so happy to read your post talking about Gus Solomons Junior, and the pioneering dance work he did with “City Motion Space Game.” Besides Peter Downey he was paired with two of the other most creative, innovative talents...

I sent in another comment last week. I wonder when it will show up. I have had a lot of people respond to earlier comments on GBH...some for and some against. Thanks for all your work. Fred

Fred asks, "What has happened to that creative spirit?” Like the rest of you, I certainly feel that so much GBH work these past years has little to excite the parts of my brain and soul that respond to creativity....

I think the idea of looking back to move forward is an important one. If it does happen, you an count me in.

Fred, our forever creative leader, You are SPOT ON that GBH needs to learn the history of why it became a premier leader in BROADCASTING! Gather as many "old timers" as you can find, put therm in a room with...

right on, Fred.

Fred you nailed it. Come out of retirement and help turn the creativity spigot back on that poured out decades worth of game changing programing.

https://marksteeleproductions.com/

She had a large circle of friends. I have a lot of her records.

Small is beautiful? Size probably plays a role, but also personality. Hartford was a spirited risk taker with a vision and he had a team of similarly inclined. A few years after I left, I ran into a still GBH'er...

A CALL FOR THE ALUMNI TO RESPOND TO THE NEED FOR CREATIVITY AT GBH. We have a new leader at GBH. She has no idea of what took place back in the early days. If enough of us send in...

Great Idea Fred!

To Fred et al How about a GBH alumni monthly/weekly/daily production. Step up to the plate and aim for the fence. Fred, you are up!

Amen, Fred and others. The commercial tilt of this massive organization cannot overwhelm my deep affection for early 'GBH with its 30 or so employees. I am proud to have been a tiny part of its early years. But I...

Thanks, Fred. Mine too. I suppose we can chalk the changes up to something like, when a small hungry place grows big and rich. But does it have to happen, or keep on once it does? How fun it would...

Russ, I would love to learn more about your aesthetic and practical memories of this really special ‘sort of stereo’ tv broadcast. I think it deserves many more remembrances of something that was really a spectacular broadcast event. Thanks for...

TK11s were the b&w workhorse. Tk45 we’re transistor color cameras

City Motion Space Game, was somewhat more than a dual channel production. The piece comprised two 60 (?) minute reels of Gus Solomons dancing in various locations around Boston. It aired like this: Reel A was broadcast on WGBH Channel...

Amen.

WOW! Never knew my ex-husband of almost 20 years, Peter Downey, was a director! AND of "City-Motion-Space-Game!! I'll be sure to tell our daughters! Thanks, Fred!!

Right on, Fred. And the Ten O’Clock News would’ve covered it all!

A tribute to Gus Solomons Jr. and a cry for change. In 1961, Greg Harney offered me a directing job at WGBH. I agreed only if he would let me direct a drama. After a brief pause, he said “yes”...

Talk of stumbling! I use a walker and live in an independent living community for those over 55. You can do the math!

Chas, I remember you!!!! How are you???

I remember working with professor Ogletree when he was the host/moderator of Fred Friendly’s series “Ethics in America” which was done as an outside production in Studio A at 125 Western Avenue in 1989 (?). The show — as I...

Susie, WOW! Just "tripped" over your contact. Would love to connect email is: and cell phone is: 313 623 6053

Hello to readers of this website. Please don't hesitate to contact me. Email/site is below.

Hi Bill. Glad to hear from you after all these years. Will be 85 this month, and just can't believe it. WGBH was one of those most favorite times, but regret how many have left us since then. Pierce, LaBounty,...

Thanks Russ, I totally agree with everything you have said above da

Hi. Bill You might not remember me but I delivered you your mail and ran errands for you. I was in the mailroom on Main St. and later worked with Fred on remotes at WHDH after the fire. I'm glad...

I’d like to add more context to the Newport story, and so, offer the additions below which, to me, are key to the story.. David Atwood’s recollection is correct: the camera I was running tipped over. My recollection #1: The...

Glad to hear that! Lynn and I will be in Lenox for a few weeks in August and I hope we can share a meal. Michael Ambrosino

I remember the Tony Bennett and Count Basie concert at Berkeley College in Boston. Bill? We worked on it together. I booked them. Count Basie died soon after that. You were great Bill.

Thanks, Lance! I removed that reference.

YES, WE WERE!!!!!

My first job at GBH in 65 was reading score for Bill in the bus, live at Symphony Hall on Friday afternoons. I was terrified, but we did it, week after week. Bill was a great teacher and friend during...

I think the caption on the second photo of Bennett (1992, holding mic with both hands) is incorrect. According to the BSO website, John Williams became conductor of the Pops in 1980.

Cool. Reading the book also. Very interesting times.

Whew!!! Threw me for a bit there. Don't remember the early TB Pops show or the Jazz show, but I do remember being backstage at Pops 92 chatting with Mr. Bennett about painting. As in, what to do if you...

OK - but who is this Frederick Barzyk?? And where's Fred?

My comment is about Bill Cosel, I was not involved with Pops during my two and a half years at WGBH.  But Fred Barzyk mentioned the sense of family and creativity, so I would like to say something about the role Bill played in all that.   ...

Oh no! I’ve edited the post a bit. I hope that will dispel any misunderstandings!

I've had some calls... This is not my obit, it's Tony Bennett's obit with my memories of him. I'M VERY MUCH ALIVE. Enjoying remembering what fun I had in the world of television. XOXOX Bill Cosel

Yea!!! Bill!!!! You and so many others made WGBH the best TV station in the country. It will take some historian to make sense of the energy, creativity, and sense of family that was WGBH. Write more if you can....

Thanks for sharing your memories and bringing back the flavor of excitement of the early years - for me - at GBH. More about Jazz and Mixed Bag and our colleague Lee Tanner.

Loved hearing your recollections Bill! Weren’t we lucky to be at GBH then? L.lecain@gmail

What a time! JAZZ, (as I remember that aired on Wednesdays 7:30pm) was a joy. I was on the crew hanging lights etc. (Thanks Chas) until they found out I could run camera pretty well then I got assigned to...

Bill, What a lovely sharing! Many thanks!. John

Great refections Bill. Would love to hear more from you.

Gail! Congratulations on a wonderful career and now a much deserved break. Lots of joy coming your way. Best wishes! Nora

Congratulations, Gail! Enjoy this next phase of your life! Here’s to many great adventures! Paula

Congrats Gail. The Foundation benefited from your thoughtfulness, steady hand, and focused mind for many decades. I loved working with you--Dan and I send our best wishes to you.

Gail, onto a new world. WGBH (sorry for the use of the old title) is better because of you. Maybe Archives can get to do an interview with you ... one for the history books. Fred

Hey Dick, Master Control Granby Street while we sent you stuff from Stearns Hall, Museum of Science. You taught us all about being on time and communicating clearly. Bill Pierce in the booth next to you.

Congrats Gail and best wishes for the next part of your journey.

Raising a glass to you, Gail! Bravo on your 'GBH career, and onward to wonderful new adventures. And the best part: No more alarm clock!

As floor manager for Louis Lyons. would be afraid when he ran out of news before time was up. He would do things like open the desk drawer and say,"Well there's no news in here!

Gail, congratulations on your retirement. A whole new chapter in your life awaits you.

Gail, Welcome to the WGBH Alumni Association! You'll always be part of the spectacularly wonderful WGBH family, and you helped make it so. Best wishes, Henry

Wow, 40+ years! What a commitment to GBH and public media. The station was fortunate to benefit from your many skills Gail. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement or as a recent colleague said their “rewirement”!

Gail!! Congratulations! Jobs well done. I know you will be missed. I know you were appreciated. Hope you love retirement! It’s SO FUN!

Congratulations to you, Gail! All those years, so many changes, and you in the middle of all of it. It was a fabulous run. You were a wonderful colleague and friend. Lots of good things ahead for you, I guarantee...

Congratulations, Gail! Best wishes for your next chapter, whatever it may be!

Gail -- here's wishing you all the best in your retirement. I have many great memories of working with you back in the day of LOCFAX and other fun stuff. You were a great partner to have.

Thanks, Marcia, for the memories and names. And Tony for the Morning Stories. It was a beautiful place and time and will always be so in us. The scene dock and a darkened Studio A were especially magical places, full...

Deborah Solomon expressed the same sentiment on air. At Park Plaza hotel. It was late in a very ambitious day and the mobile unit control room had been juggling , quite well, for a while…

Wonderful to hear this again, Marcia. Tony Kahn’s Morning Stories was the first podcast to run on public radio, and the first on iTunes, too. It was a pioneering series with hundreds of stories from people all around the world....

Wonderful memories, wonderfully told. Passing the scene dock regularly did evoke a tangible sense of creative energy constantly in motion. And, the occasional surprise of meeting national and international entertainment icons in the building such as James Earl Jones, Rex...

Wonderful piece - I miss those days

That was a wonderful piece Marcia. My career started at 125 working for Greg Harney as well as for Reebop. My mother Bernice Olenick had an amazing career in that building including winning an International Monitor award an a regional...

Wow. That was great to listen to. Thanks to whoever resuscitated it.

How touching, dear Marcia, how real....this is the first time I've heard this, and thank you for your truth and honesty...yes, it brings tears to my eyes even after all these years!

I just discovered this and listened and was overwhelmed by its beautiful clarity. Every name mentioned brought back many many memories. Wow!

Best of luck - Can't deny - 'It was a beautiful run....'

I was a counselor at Wildwood in 1954 which is where I met Mary-Lela and led to my working on "Discovery" for two years while I was in college. What year were you there?

I was a camper at mass Audubon camp wildwood in the 1950s. I have never forgotten Mary Lela Grimes saying “utilize your time” in her southern accent

Peggy - I recall you from my time at PBS when you were in Barry Chase's group and, I expect, working w/ Bob and Fast Eddie. I eventually made it to WGBH, where I worked for 22 years; now retired...

Thanks, Jack. I knew Bob before I was with the WGBH organization. He was a mentor to many of us, creating a journalistic tradition in public media. What a true professional!

What a wonderful testament to Ferrante: his excellent career, high standards, sense of humor and mentoring skills. Ed Baumeister did a great job on the presentation. I loved my years as a reporter on the Ten O'clock News and learned...

My first job at GBH was as a News Assistant for The Ten O'clock News during my senior year at BU. I read Ferrante's memos every day, as he provided feedback on the previous night's newscast. His consistent focus was...

There is a full hour archive interview with Bob. If his wife gives permission, could archive put on open vault for others to see?

What a blast from the past….thanks Jack for sending a link that resurrects so many good memories of Ferrante and WGBH. Very touching piece from Baumeister….

Great video tribute Ed. Loved seeing so many of the faces and clips from the past. And especially nice to see and hear the comments from his family and the many who shared their admiration and gratitude for the man...

Sharing moments of time with Bob FERRANTE was a treasured gift. Thank you, Ed Baumeister for your contribution to this FERRANTE tribute.

Loved the guy. He aggrandized little known back-up musicians. Lets hope there are tapes. He's the only thing between us an the disaperance of all that beloved and historical music.

And so happily and inspirationally political - remembering a musical celebration of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Watertown a few years (or maybe more than a few) ago.

What a pleasure to work closely with Tony -my first WGBH assignment as a producer-director of SING CHILDREN SING. The proof - after making the shows we went to classrooms to see how the progam worked.. A true test for...

Tony and Irene Saletan played major roles in my memorable experience at Idyllwild School of the Arts — I loved them then and still do now about 55 years later. I spent a week in the mountains one summer with...

Tony Saletan performed at my elementary school in Quincy, Mass., around 1961. He was a sensation. The entire school turned out to watch him and we all were thrilled. I would like to thank him for giving us such an...

Michael's high standards have been my guide since the moment I met him (though I could never match his dry wit$. I'll be there June 3 to celebrate his memory.

In 1980, Paul told me, "I'll never work in the game show industry." Well, needless to say, I did do warm-up on several game shows, so I proved him wrong. I also recently was a Booking and Tradeout Producer on...

I was a student at Cambridge School of Radio and TV Broadcasting and Mr Rohrman asked for,volunteers to go help with the cleanup. I spent several months both at the new and old studio,helping out.

Fred, Many thanks for your kind comments. I have been pondering remarks I want to make. Before I do that, I would like to speak to Jon Abbott. I can't seem to find an email or phone address. Might you...

I am so sorry that WGBY has released staff due to money problems. I remember someone saying that Downton Abbey saved PBS when it hit the air. Maybe we need another winner like that one. I hope this is not...

I was pleased to see the editorial mention "Our Home Town." Mark Erstling, Beth Curley, and I made the local mission our top priority during our years working together. WGBY was and is heavily overlapped by other public TV services....

Josie, Amherst? We're in Easthampton. It was a necessary financial decision to make cuts. GBY will continue to broadcast PTV programming and radio will continue to offer two services.

Karen, NEPM will continue to broadcast PTV programming. Connecting Point will no longer be producing new shows and the radio operation continues to offer two services.

I am so sad to hear this news. I spent many happy hours doing teleconferences at GBY. The folks that worked there were professional, dedicated to their work and passionate about their community. A sorry day for public television. Change...

So great to hear these memories, and, Chaz, especially your Inimitable take on things. As a recent resident out here in the West, I'm extra sorry to hear the news. I understand the reasons, though at my house we're still...

https://www.masslive.com/opinion/2023/03/a-sad-retreat-for-a-public-tv-pioneer-in-western-mass-editorial.html Is the link. We just retired to Amherst. Makes me really sad. Can they reconsider?

Living in Tyringham, Berkshire County, way out west, .WGBY is my life line. Remembering when Hartford Gunn dispatched Jack Caldwell to start WGBY.... big move and in very capable hands. Many of us took turns helping out one way or...

Fully agree with you Chas. Real news about local events is essential in these days of vanishing newspapers and other local news sources.

I was the vp/general manager of WGBY from 1992 to 1995. When I moved to GBH, I maintained some oversight of WGBY while also managing GBH's TV stations. I have fond memories of my time there and the valuable role...

As a native of Springfield, WGBY was my introduction to public television. It saddens me to see this.

OK, Thanks. Didn't see any GBH reference in the post, so was just checking.

BTW could not read the full article

This is a great loss for the unserved half of our commonwealth; a local station that has always tried harder… I was lucky to be involved when they were in the old Springfield Armory and helped them populate their empty...

Thank you! I also worked at WGBH when Mark worked there. He was a good storyteller as we traded ones about our grandfathers so I imagine the event will be good.

Hi Greg, Mark Duffield and I worked at WGBH at the same time. He was in underwriting. He just wanted to let his WGBH colleagues know about this event tomorrow night. ~ Christine Lear

Trying to find the GBH connection in this mariner’s story. Or was it spam that made it through the filter?

I appreciate this. He was beloved, witty, and talented. Thanks for this story

One afternoon Steve Colby, Jordan Whitelaw, and I were in the WGBH control room at Symphony Hall with Bill. I don't recall what prompted him but Bill told exactly that story. He told it with great color including hearing Jordan's...

Bill was loved, wasn't he? And as a premier classical music announcer he didn't have to choose between a put-on elegant, ornamental style - and being himself, since he was vocal elegance incarnate. He also was practical. When he asked...

There’s a story, probably apocryphal, that Bill, AUI? (announcing under the influence?) introduced the Tanglewood Festival Chorus as the “Fanglewood Testicle Chorus”.

One evening, when Bill Cavness, Tom Dunn, and I were sitting in Studio 4 extemporizing limericks, Bill Pierce walked in. I said to him, “I can’t think of a rhyme for ‘Cavness’.” Without missing a beat, Bill P wryly suggested,...

Thanks for all the wonderful memories, Everybody.

One of my biggest thrills in working in Radio was at the 35th birthday celebrated by WGBH Radio at symphony hall. And since William Pierce was to be celebrated on stage, I got to do the symphony hall booth announcing...

I can believe it. The two Bills were a remarkable part of WGBH history, and your time at WBCN-FM and WGBH-FM was well spent.

I worked at WGBH FM & TV as a producer, announcer, and audio engineer for over 12 years. One wintery day, while in radio, I got an urgent call from Bill Busiek, my supervisor, from the radio booth in Symphony...

Very sorry to hear. I only just learned of Steve's passing today after writing to him, not hearing back and deciding to look him up on the internet. I worked closely with him as a historical consultant on the Mystery...

I was a reporter for the Ten O'Clock News from its inception in 1976 till summer of 1978, when i moved to New Orleans to get management experience running the small public tv station in New Orleans. The city and...

That's so true Dan! I loved working on Jean Shephard projects. How are you? I'm still here in Miami/Coconut Grove. My twin Carol will be coming down for a visit on Feb 14. Orlando isn't the closest to Miami, but...

Hi Fred, Doug Brod here. Hoping this note finds you well. I’m the former editor-in-chief of SPIN magazine, currently an editor at the Toronto Star, and the author of the book They Just Seem a Little Weird: How KISS, Cheap...

Sal Raciti was a major help in many of the earlier NOVA productions.

Don, Your spirit and talents are in such esteem by your fellow Alums that you can have a free ride.

Perfectly said, Michael. As Jean Shepherd once wrote: "Little did he know it at the time, but this was to be the highpoint of his life." A slight overstatement but pretty close.

I remain SO EXCITED to learn GBH Archives plans to digitize "How Can I Tell You"! I ache to rewatch episode 5, "Toomph," after all these years. It affected me deeply. Please please. OK, so I recognize you mentioned only...

Hi Tony I have your albums from the 60s and remain a fan. You brought so much joy to the teenage me at ISOMATA folk music gatherings. Keep singing! Tina

We are on Vamo, a neighborhood in south Sarasota. Where are you?

Welcome Christine. Great news for all of us. The best is yet to come!

Hi Michael, Your comments are spot on...as usual. I met an alum yesterday, of all places over lunch in Savoy. He writes and prints the Savoy Crow newsletter, and after finally getting together, the first words from him were abnout...

Spot on, Michael. Would like to connect with you. We are both in FL.

Apologetic addendum: My attempted welcome to Christine illustrates just how far and quickly one can slip out of one’s own loop. Addressing the message to Christin’a’ is only the first of my transgressives. Christine is Christin’e’. (Christin’a’ is my daughter’s...

Thank you Jay for really building up the site that keeps us all together. We owe you big time! Thank you in advance and welcome Christine. I was the 35th staff member hired in 1956. I have seen WGBH grow...

TALLY HO CHRISTINE! Absolutely thrilled for you and for the Alumni. You're one of the Mother Ship's treasures. And we're so fortunate. When's tea?

Don, you have our never-ending gratitude for working with Fred and Dan on the first iteration of the website. All of your work from that era is embedded in the website to this day: https://www.wgbhalumni.org/collection/hallock/

Thanks again Don for your creation of the web. Before Jay took over we had the brilliant work of Dan Beach who kept the site alive until we had Jay on. board. Again, welcome Christine

Don, Your writing skills, (along with all the other skills you have delivered over so many years) brings joy to my life. Seems like we live in a world where the written word, properly selected and packaged professionally is seldom...

Hi Christina, Back in 2000, I concocted - as an adjunct to the first WGBH Alumni reunion - the alumni web site. It was then, I think it fair to say, fairly serviceable in terms of content, though when it...

Three cheers, Christine!

Will do. I still remember fondly our early days at the Springfield station. You were so welcoming for all our crazy idea. Bless you. Fred

We're counting on you, Fred. The early GBH "historians" are becoming fewer in number. It really is important for those who emerge as members and leaders of GBH to know its roots....and to keep track of just what is the...

Thank you Christine for coming forth on such an important mission. Jay thank you for all those years you kept us together, it is very much appreciated.

Thank you and welcome. I will try and send you alumni material as I hear from my compatriots from the 60's and 70'.

Great news! And thanks!!!

Wonderful news, Christine! And thank you, Jay, for keeping us updated and connected, especially for reunions. We appreciate all of your efforts!

Congrats Christine and thank you for hiring me many years ago into the Audience Services group!

Welcome Christine looking forward to meeting you

Welcome, Christine. What Jay has done here is truly a treasure for the history of GBH. So glad you are taking the reins.

Thank you to Christine for stepping up, and so many thanks to Jay for the years of keeping us connected!

Hurray, Christine!!! Thanks for taking the baton from Jay- and thanks to Jay for his good work. The site is in good hands.

Couldn't have found a better person.

Wahoo!

Thank you, Christine for picking up the baton. .....and the best goes on.

Welcome, Christine! Thanks for taking the baton hand-off. And thanks also to Jay for his many years of keeping us all connected.

Welcome Christine. So kind of you to take on this role. And many thanks to Jay for your years of keeping us all in touch.

Is she related to Rita Moreno?

I had the privilege of working with and for Vicky Devlin in my roles at PBS and at WGBH, respectively. She worked tirelessly on behalf of WGBH, and knew how to motivate, collaborate, support, and get the best from her...

I'm very saddened to hear of Vicky's passing. She was an important role model to me at the very start of my career; she led with a balance of authority, grace, and humor that I have sought to emulate ever...

Vicky brought great insight, imagination & skills to her work @ WGBH. She was a mentor to many on her team. She taught me so much. I was blessed to be her friend for over 30 years & will miss...

I'm so sorry to hear this. I worked closely with Vicky for more than a decade. I first met her when she headed national corporate sponsorship at GBH and I was leading a related function at PBS. She then came...

I agree. I might not have appreciated WGBH as much as I should have back then but it's more than obvious now.

I am saddened to hear about Victoria's passing. The few years I knew her she was always kind and happy. Peaceful rest Victoria.

What a wonderful story. So glad you were house sitting that day. These are the moments that make the history of WGBH so special.

Realizing what a special place WGBH was to work in the late 80’s and 90’s.

Michael, The GBH Archives has digitized that piece. You may contact them about seeing it. The email address is Often underlying rights issues make it hard for us to clear the right to stream material. Feel free to explore...

I loved reading your article. My mother Bernice "Bunny" Olenick was very active in 'GBH around the same time, in the Sports & Specials unit at 475 Western Ave with Greg Harney. She too was involved in such amazing artistic...

Hi Joseph, I am Sammy Driscoll, current Sr. Archivist at the GBH Archives. Over 1,100 Spider's Web programs have recently been sent to our digitization vendor. Once these programs have been digitized, we will be able to offer limited remote...

Dear Ms. Dowling - I would like to locate a short piece you directed with David Hahn, "In A Rehearsal Room". I saw it as an undergraduate a few decades back, and it remains a vivid memory of a transformative...

I missed out on a great longer lasting friendship as I only knew her for a brief but rewarding time through my daughter who loved her like a sister. I did get to experience her vivacious personality and enjoyed every...

Karen was truly a ray of sunshine. In the late 80s and early 90s, many edit rooms were housed in "110" which was a flimsy bunker comprised of what seemed like a few trailers shoved together at the edge of...

Marrie and I had offices next to one another for many years at FRONTLINE. She and I shared many laughs and a few arguments. She could be feisty. But often right as I recall. Trying to trigger more memories, I...

Gut punch. She was the best. I'll miss her terribly.

A terrible surprise. Karen lit up every space she entered. She was courageous, original, funny, kind, always generous with her time and talent. Her pride in her husband was palpable; her delight in her children was infectious. We hadn’t seen...

I wish to share with you all my first experiences with Brian. I was a grad student at BU, working 3 days a week at WGBH. It was over a drugstore in an old roller-skating rink. I was on a...

What Jeannie said. This is heartbreaking.

Such a huge loss! Karen and I worked together on a GBH series on afterschool and I loved working with her. Not only was she an extraordinarily creative and brilliant editor, she was also kind, funny, and a bit crazy...

Extraordinary person in ways too numerous to count. This breaks my heart.

Being a part of the team shooting Brian O’Doherity’s “Invitation to Art” was one of the highlights of my time as a WGBH BU Scholar in 1960-61. Roaming the darkened exhibit halls of the museum during breaks between rehearsal and...

Karen was a joy to work with. And a hoot. As her bio attests, she was widely loved. By her colleagues too.

I am devastated to hear this news. No one in this world who could make me laugh as hard as Karen could. A Karen's eye view of the world was a joy to be near. Wherever she's gone I want...

So sorry to hear. I worked with Karen on a couple of projects back in the day. I loved her enthusiasm and sense of humor. She was a talented editor and a joy to work with. My condolences to her...

Hi folks. Joe Shrand here, Joe from ZOOM and the Spiders Web. Somebody has contacted me looking for Wind in the Willows tapes. How do we get those? It would be really fun to be able to resurrect Frances Shrand...

Being in Brian O'Doherty's energetic, elegant, and articulate presence elevated one's appreciation of art, inquiry, and the potential of what was then educational broadcasting. He was an inspiring on-air host and interpreter of the MFA's collections. Working as a young...

One of my first assignments when I started working at GBH in 1975 for Chris Pullman was to find a garage to store the 2-Mobile. I remember saying to Chris - “what exactly is a 2-Mobile?”. He said come with...

Henry Becton, my Deerfield Academy classmate and longtime director of WGBH, was excited to learn that Deb and I were special friends. He told me that she was the best, which I affirm.

It was right up there with Oscar Mayer wiener mobile in its ability to make people smile, but I always did wonder about its aerodynamics. Even without a cross wind, the gas mileage and acceleration must have been pretty bad....

Thanks for this, John. I remember video — or was it still film back then? — of the 2-Mobile crossing the Bourne Bridge from the Cape to the mainland and Jeanne Brodeur's voice from inside, rising in intensity from concern...

Ah, yes. The Two Mobile was driven from the Cape to the station as a fund-raising/publicity gimmick. Chris Pullman, Design Manager, had a hand in it, as did the indomitable Sylvia Davis, and many others. It was fun and stunning...

We're sad that Eric is gone. Please WGBH, please make his older programs available for us again. His voice was comforting soothing and reassuring, especially during COVID when many of us had little hope. Eric was there with his calming...

I wish there were more online about the two-mobile and you experience driving it (and everyone else who did!)

Bill Cavness' Reading Aloud was often part of my (then undiagnosed ADHD) multitasking in Hartford, 1978-80, while working at home in the morning writing a daily column for The Hartford Courant and beginning part-time studies for a master's at Wesleyan....

I produced many of the programs in the series, "How Can I Tell You" Because the programs were seriously underfunded, we had to find innovative ways to produce the programs. Among my favorites were "Toomph", dome entirely with still photographs...

I loved Zoom. My favorite Zoomer was Mora. It was such an influence on me. Even my brother, who was sixteen years old, watched it with me.