Radio AM to FM

Radio AM to FM: December 22, 2000

Holiday Drama

KNX (1070 AM) kicks off a special holiday weekend of Drama Hours this evening at 10:30 when it presents an episode of The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show originally broadcast December 25, 1949. In this episode, my favorite comedian Jack Benny stars as Santa Claus.

The festivities continue tomorrow at 9 pm on a Jack Benny Program from December 24, 1935. In this episode, Jack hosts a Christmas open house for his friends. At 10 pm, an episode of Richard Diamond, Private Detective starring Dick Powell from December 24, 1949 is being run. Episode title: A Christmas Carol. Finally, at 10:30, an episode of Vic and Sade called Christmas Cards is being played. Interestingly, this program originally ran not in December, but instead on August 6, 1942.

Sunday brings a special presentation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, starring Lionel Barrymore as Ebenezer Scrooge. This program from 1934 preempts regular Drama Hour programming.

The specials conclude on Monday with an airing of the Lux Radio Theater Christmas Show from December 25, 1939.

By the way, if you miss these or any other KNX Drama Hour broadcasts, you can hear them via the internet the next day following the on-air broadcast at your convenience. Just dial up www.knx1070.com.

Swingin' Time

Chuck Cecil still doesn't have a full-power Los Angeles-area radio station for his syndicated Swingin' Years program. But once again the internet comes through with a fine quality webcast via WPEN(AM) in Philadelphia, Saturdays at 6:05 Pacific time.

Actually, fans of big band music and standards will want to bookmark the WPEN website even if they can already hear Swingin' Years on local affiliate KCSN (88.5 FM) from Northridge. This is quite a good MOR/Standards station. Go to www.wpen.com and let me know what you think. You'll need Windows Media Player (version 7 recommended for both Windows and Macintosh) to hear the live broadcasts.

Short Takes

Stephanie Miller, formerly heard on KABC (790 AM) and KFI (640 AM) is moving to New York to host Pure Oxygen on cable's Oxygen Network ... John London may be o-u-t at Mega 92.3. Rumors are flying about his whereabouts and the fact that the morning show no longer mentions his name ...Miami's WMGE held an Al Gore weekend last weekend: all the biggest #2 songs ... Salem Communications, owner if KIEV (870 AM), KKLA (99.5 FM), KFSH (95.9 FM) and KXMX (1190 AM) has applied for the KRLA call-letters. Will they be placed on a current or soon-to-be-acquired property? ...

San Diego North County Times' Randy Dotinga uses the phrase golden oldies for what the industry calls adult standards. I like it. I think I'll start using it too ... KLA (UCLA student station) alumni Geoff Nathanson gets into the steering wheel by becoming the voice of the L. A. Xtreme XFL football team. I actually knew him before he became a star by working with him and the great KLA sports and jazz voice Andrew Holt at KLA. Holt, by the way is currently in Oregon even though he deserves to work sports in Los Angeles. He'd blow away most of the so-called "talent" that currently fills the sports airwaves.

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