WYXIE Wonderland: An Unauthorized 50-Year Diary of WXYZ Detroit

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Synopsis
WYXIE WONDERLAND, by Dick Osgood, is a good time and more than that. Here is possibly the first comprehensive exploration into the inner workings of a broadcasting enterprise. It is as broad as it is deep, revealing the secrets of top management as completely as--perhaps even more fully than--it does the vagaries of performing talent. It is not a purely local story. Fifty years of national radio and television history--1925-1975--are reflected in the fundamental and accidental specifics of a single station--WXYZ, Detroit-AM, FM and TV. This is the diary of that station, unauthorized and independently written. WYXIE WONDERLAND was much more than the birthplace of The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet and Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. It was the starting point of SOUPY SALES and MIKE WALLACE, of DOUGLAS EDWARDS and JOHN HODIAK, of GEORGE SEATON, MARTHA SCOTT and DANNY THOMAS. Here are the hilarious fluffs, minor on-the-air disasters and a phantom broadcast. This extraordinary book traces the beginnings of five networks; it follows the rise and decline of radio network programming. It sees the radio actor replaced by--the disc jockey. There are record hops with FABIAN, CHUCK BERRY and STEVIE WONDER. WYXIE WONDERLAND explains how the scandal of radio payola grew out of the discovery of rigged TV quiz programs. It tells of a sound created in Texas that revolutionized radio, and how the Top 40 format emerged from a bar in Omaha. The confusion of early television is in it as well as of early radio, and the nefarious underground beginnings of FM. Alcoholism is discovered to be something of an occupational disease. The infighting among stations and executives for ratings, accounts and position gets tough. Personalities clash. There are victories and surprising defeats.
Copyright:
1981

Book Details

Book Quality:
Excellent
Book Size:
502 Pages
ISBN-13:
9780879721862
Publisher:
University of Wisconsin Press
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Bowling Green University Popular Press
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
Entertainment, Nonfiction, Art and Architecture, Technology
Submitted By:
Jim Baugh
Proofread By:
book lover
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

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