Jack Benny was walking down the hall toward Studio A. Alone. There was no entourage, agents, make up, hacks or hangers on. Benny didn't look like a star, just another businessman from Waukegan, Illinois. Jack was an hour early for KUP'S CORNER. It was the lunch hour, the studio was dark and no one else was around. I introduced myself as director of Kup's show and asked if I could get him a cup of coffee or anything else. Mr. Benny said, "Just show me how to get to the can, I have to take a leak." That was my introduction to big time television in Chicago.

As a director of programs and commercials at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, I came to Chicago and WMAQ-TV in December of 1964. Chicago advertising agency producer Chuck Sanford introduced me to Harry Trigg, program director. To gain admittance to what I thought was "the network," I agreed to start as an associate director with duties rotating between directing and stage-managing. Trigg assured me that I would get the next upgrade to full director. Lloyd Yoder was general manager, Bob Lemon station manager and Bill Corley served as news director.

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