History of Philadelphia television program set in Rehoboth Beach July 14
Local author and photographer Bill Shull will speak at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 14, on the subject See More About It- The History of Philly TV at the Rehoboth Beach Museum's summer lecture series.
In addition to describing how Philadelphia radio personality Dick Clark turned a local teenage dance show, Bandstand, into the national icon American Bandstand, Shull will also present a slide show of stars who had creative roots in the Philadelphia TV scene of the '50s and '60s and went on to nationally prominent careers. These include Ed McMahon, Ernie Kovacs, David Brenner, Kelly Ripa, Tom Snyder and Brian Williams, among others.
He says, "Philadelphia was a creative hotbed from the earliest days of television programming." The famous "voice of God" of classic NFL Film Highlights, John Facenda, was first a pioneering TV newsman in Philadelphia who helped spur the development of the local TV news programming formats. In addition to Facenda's contributions to new formats for local news, Philadelphia was the site of the original fast-paced Action News format.
Shull is the author of the book "Philadelphia Television," which chronicles with 200 vintage images the growth of television from its earliest days in Philadelphia. The book is part of Arcadia Publishing's popular Images of America series. A longtime Philadelphia TV news producer, Shull is currently a freelance producer, television consultant and owner of BillShullPhotography.com. He lives in Lewes.
The Rehoboth Beach Museum is at 511 Rehoboth Ave., next to the Chamber Visitors Center. Reservations for the presentation are required since space is limited. A $5 donation is suggested. To save a seat, call 302-227-7310.
