08/14/03

Remember "Kukla, Fran and Ollie" or the "Don't squeeze the Charmin" guy? Enjoy these pre-MTV memories at this free museum.

by Contributor

The Scene
A treasure trove of memorabilia fills the first floor, offering a glimpse at the beginnings of the small screen. It's a nostalgic trip for folks who remember getting their first TV. The museum is also a repository of more than 70,000 radio and television programs and commercials.

The Exhibits
Inside the Radio Hall of Fame, visitors can hear snippets of golden oldies like "The Lone Ranger" and "Amos 'n' Andy." An old-fashioned parlor, complete with rotary phone, chair doilies and Franklin D. Roosevelt's portrait re-creates the setting of Americans listening to their favorite radio serials. Theme music from sitcoms like "I Love Lucy" and "Bewitched" lures baby boomers into the Television Gallery, where visitors can view program clips and take trivia quizzes. Local heroes Garfield Goose and Dirty Dragon now reside in the museum, and in the Kraft Television Center, you can don a news anchor jacket, act as a reporter and have your performances taped for an additional fee.

08/28/02

SOUVENIR VIDEO STARRING YOU!

by kbird

For $20 you (or several people) can star as an anchorperson in a news show which is videotaped in a professional studio and you get to keep the tape! My husband, myself and our nephew (11) just did this and it was tremendous fun! We had lapel mikes, read from teleprompters and got to wear official blue blazers provided by "wardrobe". The studio staff is friendly and terrific! It's fun to make the video and even more fun to take it home and enjoy some more. Contact the museum gift shop for arrangements. $20 covers all participants.

• Pros: free museum admission, small and managable, best souvenir!