Let’s face it. Of all the local television stations in the Capital District, none has a longer and more detailed history than WRGB. As a General Electric television station, it tested its broadcast capabilities as early as the 1920’s. It had scripted dramas and sporting matches as early as 1939. And it also created several locally-broadcast shows, many of which are still part of local pop culture.
For Chris White, WRGB’s history is something he enjoys exploring.
White is the Senior Interactive Content Producer for WRGB’s website, and he has started up a page called “Retro 6” – where photographs and videotapes and memories of Channel 6’s long broadcast history are available for viewing once again.
So far, White has uncovered documentaries on such classic Channel 6 programs as Teenage Barn –
He’s also found another documentary, this one about the children’s show Breadtime Tales (more commonly known as the Freddie Freihofer Show) –
He’s even found rare footage from Howard Tupper introducing TV Tournament Time, as well as the footage of Tim Welch’s legendary blooper (he pulled a postcard out of a truck filled with 20,000 postcards, read the winner’s name, then tossed the card back in the truck as he went to do the weather – but the card got buried in the pile of potential postcard winners, and it took a week to find the winner’s name and contact information).
White’s Retro 6 project hopes to uncover much more of the Capital Region’s broadcast history, and he could use your help.
Did you ever get on the Freddie Freihofer show, and do you still have your squiggle drawing? Get in touch with Chris White.
Did you appear on the Teenage Barn or Student Spectrum or any of Channel 6’s old homemade shows – and by chance, still have your appearance stored away on an old VHS tape? Get in touch with Chris White.
Did you defeat ten different bowlers to win a check from TV Tournament Time? Get in touch with Chris White.
As a local history aficionado, this stuff is fascinating. It’s a chance to see our local history and culture like never before.
To contact Chris White, send him an e-mail at cwhite@wrgb.com. All materials will be carefully preserved and returned.
Chuck The Writer 
Those people act like they invented television.
LikeLike
I only vaguely remember Teenage Barn, but I was interested to learn recently that Steve Katz (later to work with Al Kooper and Danny Kalb in Blues Project and Blood, Sweat and Tears) appeared on the show in the late fifties.
http://www.bloodsweatandtears.com/SteveKatz.html
LikeLike
Wow, Chuck…how did you manage to get through that post without mentioning that you were on Answers Please?
LikeLike
Chuck replies to D357:
It was easy, Dan… I waited until you mentioned it for me! Thanks, buddy! 🙂
LikeLike
This is very timely since I just heard today that GAry Stevens just died. I don;t know which station he was on but in the 50’s he was the band leader for a combo that appeared nightly on a local TV station. I think his show was called the “After Six Seven”.
LikeLike
I remember my dad visible upset when “Louise the weather lady” retired. Does anyone remember Louise the weather lady? What her last name was? When she was on tv? Also Commander Ralph and Mister Monkey? (may not be on channel 6 – could have been 10 or 13)
LikeLike
Chuck:
I was on teenaged barn a number of times.
One was a Xmas show from Albany Medical Center where I sang to a girl in a iron lung…
Sure wish I could get copies of some of these shows
John
LikeLike
Wow! I was on the Freddie Freihofer show. I still have my photo. What an excellent memory!
LikeLike
I was there in May of 1953. Brought my “Freddy photo” to work recently to see if anyone could pick me out (no one could) of the the group. My memory is that I did not get a Squiggle and I was extremely disgruntled.
LikeLike
Hi, Did you ever get any video’s? My father-in-law was on the Freddy Freihofer show for his birthday from I think 54-57. Just trying to hunt down something for him.
I found another email address porterstockton@roadrunner.com. He worked for WRGB back in the day.
THanks,
Heather
LikeLike
This is for John (comment #6).
That would have been Louise Woodruff. Her married name was Louise Woodruff Heinmiller.
LikeLike
I was notified of some recent comments on here and wanted to let you know I no longer work for CBS 6, so if you were looking for any old footage or shows, you can now contact news@wrgb.com and your e-mail will be sent to the right people. Enjoy!
LikeLike
OH boy,was I lucky to discover this site. I used to watch Feddy all the time. My three cousins were the daughters of my Uncle Bill Smith (who was the last one to drive the old Frieihoffer truck which was horse drawn) and were on the show all the time. Thanks for the memories.
LikeLike
Looking for any video footage of the bennett twins performing on the Teenage Barn between the years of 1954 and 1957.
LikeLike