Anchorage Radio and Television Memories
What are your Anchorage Radio and Television memories? And what were your favorite local radio and TV personalities and your favorite shows?
The first radio station in Anchorage was KFQD, signing on May 17th in 1924. KENI radio first came on the air on May 2nd, 1948.
The first television station was KTVA which was started by Augie Hiebert. KTVA came on the air on December 11, 1953, and broadcast from 2:00pm to 11:30pm from the first floor of the McKinley building (now the McKinley Tower Apartments at 337 E. 4th Avenue in downtown Anchorage).
In 1955, Anchorage's second television station, KFIA began broadcasting. KFIA later became KENI-TV, now KTUU.
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Enjoy These Anchorage Radio and Television Memories
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KENI-TV
Brings Color TV
to Anchorage 
Remember when color TV first arrived in Anchorage?
The following is from an interview with Al Bramstedt Jr, conducted by Hilary Hilscher.
…
Anchorage's First
Live Network Television
Broadcast
On Sunday, July 20, 1969, at 6:56pm, Anchorage experienced a remarkable event, right along with the rest of the world.
It was the very first, satellite …
Ruben Gaines
and Chilkoot Charlie
How many people did he have in his radio studio?
When you listened to his radio program, you heard Ruben, a fellow named “Six-Toed Mordecai”, Mrs. …
Your Favorite
Anchorage Radio Personalities
Where Are They Now?
Who were your favorite Anchorage Radio personalities from the 1950s, 1960s and up through the 1970s?
Remember listening to your radio at home, …
Herb Shaindlin
An Anchorage
Broadcasting Legend
Herb Shaindlin handed my friend Bob Martin a small cardboard match from one of those flip up match packs you carry in your pocket. Then Herb told Bob …
KWKO Fm Stereo 102.1
Anchorages home of
"Night Flight"
My broadcast career started with Chet and Jo Gordon, owners of KBYR AM/FM in 1965.
Chet tried to sell the FM side. There were no buyers, so he shut …
Bill Kelley
KTVA News Anchor
Back in 1965, not long after the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, when I began working at KTVA channel 11 in Anchorage, one of the first on-camera staff that …
Koko's Karnival of Klowns
The Cotton Candy Picture
In the picture above, looking from the ground up to the top of the stairs is Karla Fetrow's (the author of this post) oldest …
1964 Alaskan Earthquake
at KTVA Channel 11
It was March 27, 1964.
I had just finished hosting “The Buckaroo Show” on KTVA from the first floor of the McKinley Building. And as the host, “Deputy …
President Nixon Meets
Emperor Hirohito
in Anchorage, Alaska
On September 26, 1971, Anchorage, Alaska television professionals showed the world an historic event. Scroll down to see the video.
President …
The Clumsy
Anchorage TV
Sports Anchor
The KTVA television director yelled “where's Bob?”
With just 10 seconds before he was to begin his live TV sportscast, Bob, our TV sports anchor, had …
Norma Goodman and
Theda Comstock
They were our friends, whether you knew them or not - Norma Goodman and Theda Comstock came into our homes Monday through Friday to tell us what was happening …
Theda Comstock
and the Emerald Ring
“It was a cold and snowy night” in Spenard, Alaska, 1969.
Along with her husband, Daryl Comstock (D.M. as he was known on KENI -TV), Theda was a …
Breakfast in Bedlam
It may have been the most creative and interesting way for Alaskan's to wake up in Anchorage television history.
“Breakfast in Bedlam”, with hosts …
Anchorage Television
was Two Weeks Old
Do you remember when television in Anchorage brought you Christmas and holiday shows two weeks later?
When I was a senior at East high school in …
Anchorage
Romper Room Memories
"Romper stomper, bomper, boo, tell me, tell me, tell me do. Magic Mirror, tell me today, did all my friends have fun at play?”
Those words were spoken …
The Mother Moose TV Show
In the 1970s, “Mother Moose” premiered on KTVA channel eleven and Anchorage Alaska TV screens were never the same.
The program later moved to …
Ron Moore
My Anchorage Radio Days
The following is an interview with the Anchorage Coke Show's very own, Ron Moore.
Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:
Ron, when and how did …
The Royal Coachman Theme
The Royal Coachman Theme was written while I was in the Army.
An accident placed me in the hospital and recovery area. So, I was watching TV in …
Norma Goodman
Said What?
Norma made a face on live TV and said -
Before I tell you what she said, let's start at the beginning.
Starting with a show called “Hostess House” …
Just Two Field Rats
out for a Burger Not rated yet
I met (actor) George Kennedy when he came to Anchorage in 1983.
He was on the Norma Goodman Show when I worked for KTVA.
We talked for about …
Miss Northern Lights
and Mother Moose Not rated yet
Remember this?
“It's Mother Moose, It's Mother Moose, there by the cabin in the spruce. Miss Northern Lights the eye delights into the cabin the gang …
Anchorage Radio DJ
Les Snow Not rated yet
The following is from an interview with Anchorage radio personality Les Snow, who's real name is Gene Miner.
Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary: …
Ruben Gaines and
Ed Stevens Not rated yet
These comments were written by my adopted uncle, Robert Knox.
He and his wife, Wilma, were journalists in Anchorage between 1951 and 1984. In …
Daryl and the Missing Link Not rated yet
It must have been in the fall of the early 70s, as I recall it was dark in the early evening hours.
My husband, Bob, and Daryl Comstock were partners …
Anchorage Radio Days
with Jerry Rose Not rated yet
The following is an interview with one-time Anchorage Alaska radio DJ, Jerry Rose (who's real name is Peter Bie).
Anchorage Alaska Memories – Mike …
The Anchorage Alaska
Rock Jocks Not rated yet
Back in the 1970s in Anchorage, Alaska, KAKM channel 7 was producing a local television magazine show called “Southcentral.” Besides local issues, we also …
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Growing Up in Anchorage
What are your Anchorage Radio and Television Memories?
You listened to the radio and watched local television stations.
You have fond memories of your favorite shows.
And your favorite radio and TV personalities.
Anchorage Radio and Television
Memories
Do you remember listening to “Mukluk Telegraph” on KENI radio?
Do you remember “The Coke Show” with Ron Moore, Ruben Gains on KHAR and Herb Shaindlin hosting horror movies on KHAR-TV, (now KYUR) and doing commentaries and “Desperate and Dateless”?
Or how about “Ko Ko the KENI Clown” and Kartoon Karnival, or Hi-Jinks with Frank Feeman on KENI-TV, or “The Buckaroos” or “Romper Room” on KTVA?
And of course “Mother Moose” with Larry and Carol Beck, first on KTVA, then KENI-TV.
Now You Can Enjoy
The “Mother Moose”
Theme Song Once Again
Click on the link below to hear the song
Anchorage Women's Shows
Remember Theda Comstock's “The Woman's Touch” on KENI-TV or “Hostess House”, later “The Norma Goodman Show” on KTVA?
Anchorage Show for Teens
There was even a live, local teen dance program on KTVA channel 11 called, “The Varsity Show”.
Anchorage Radio and Television
In Anchorage, there were two television stations.
Then KHAR-TV came along, followed by KAKM. But even with only two TV stations, it seemed like there was more to watch back then. Even in today's world with hundreds of channels.
There were local news personalities, talk show hosts, late night TV hosts and fun kids shows.
And Anchorage loved them all.
Do you remember KENI-TV channel 2 covering the Fur Rondy sled dog races in black and white, with mushers like George Attla, Doctor Roland Lombard and Herbie Topkok? And the Fur Rondy parade TV coverage?
Those were the days.
Mike went on to win an Emmy for his camera workMike of Anchorage Memories behind the camera at KTVA in the McKinley building studios (after the 64 earthquake)
A Note From Mike
“As I wrote this Anchorage Radio and Television Stories page, I experienced a flood of great memories.
You see, I began working in Anchorage television when I was just 18 years old. While I was in High School, I decided on a career in television and motion picture production. So, I auditioned to work on “The Varsity Show” teen dance program on KTVA channel 11.
For that reason, I was able to be a part of the Anchorage television and radio scene.
I got to know people like Augie Hiebert, the broadcast pioneer who built Alaska's first TV station, KTVA.
I also knew Al Bramstedt senior and Junior of KENI-TV, Herb Shaindlin, Dick Rand (KoKo the KENI Clown), Norma Goodman, Theda Comstock, Ron Moore, Marcus in the Morning, Jerry Rose (Peter Bie), Chuck Talsky and so many others.
Best of all, I met my future wife Mary in the studios of KTVA where she was a staff dancer on “The Varsity Show” while I was hosting the program.
And so, as I wrote this page, it came from my heart. And I hope these stories will bring back a flood of memories for you as well.”
Anchorage Memories VIP Club
“My sister sent me an Anchorage Memories VIP Club publication a few weeks ago.
And I want to thank you for the connection to my past. I grew up in Anchorage and left for college in 1967.
My last visit to Anchorage was for a West high school class reunion over 20 years ago.
So, thanks for putting all this together.”
Vivien
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Anchorage Radio and Television Pictures
Enjoy nostalgic memories with these Anchorage Radio and Television Pictures. A look at your favorite local radio and TV shows.
Mary and Mike of Anchorage MemoriesThis Anchorage Memories website
created by
Mike and Mary Dougherty
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