Television news programs

WDIV Transcripts

drice — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:59:56 -0500

WDIV began as WWDT in March of 1947. It was the first television station in Michigan and the sixth in the United States. The call letters were changed to WWJ-TV in May of 1947. Less than a month later, the station’s first newscast was televised. By June of 1947, WWJ-TV began with daily programming of just six and half hours a day, Tuesday through Sunday. Tiger baseball, Lion Football, Red Wing Hockey, college football, and the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade were some of the events of local interest that were broadcast on WWJ-TV that first year. In March of 1948, WWJ-TV joined the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). A new studio was added onto the radio building on Lafayette Boulevard in Detroit in 1952. In May of 1978, Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc. took over, changing the station’s call letters to the current WDIV.

The WDIV Transcripts contain the scripts of news broadcasts from NBC’s Detroit affiliate, WDIV-Channel 4. They consist of the actual drafts from the morning, noon, evening, and 11:00 PM newscasts, on the dates covered and document local, national, and international news events from the 1970s. Sporting events, weather, and human-interest stories are covered, as well.

Joe Weaver Papers

pneirink — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 11:12:57 -0400

Joe Weaver was an award-winning broadcast journalist for WJBK-TV2 Detroit (later Fox 2 Detroit). Weaver became an anchor for WJBK-TV2 in 1963, where he covered social, political, and economic issues in Detroit and developed a reputation for his understanding of the automotive industry’s relationship with labor unions. The Joe Weaver Papers document Weaver’s three decades of news coverage at WJBK-TV2 and consist of his research notes, sources, broadcast scripts and production-related documents, and viewer correspondence. Subjects of particular interest include the automotive industry and the UAW, and issues related to race, education, housing, crime, and transit in Detroit. Viewer correspondence illustrates a range of attitudes and opinions from Detroit-area residents on the issues covered on WJBK-TV2 and on Weaver's treatment of the issues.

Everett R. Phelps Papers

cwesterman — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 15:36:04 -0500

The papers of Everett R. Phelps were placed in the University Archives by Professor Vaden W. Miles in 1968, with an additional donation following in 1981. These papers reflect his work for the Howard A. Donnelly Award Committee and his commitment to the use of television to make the physical sciences understandable and enjoyable to average viewers.

Everett R. Phelps received his A.B. from Clark University and his A.M. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. In 1922 Phelps became an instructor in the Detroit Junior College, predecessor to the Wayne University Liberal Arts College. In 1944 he advanced to the role of professor of Physics and Astronomy. He continued in this role until his death in December of 1961, serving as acting chairman of the department from 1947-1955. During his time at Wayne State University Dr. Phelps was actively involved in the committee of the Howard A. Donnelly Award, a financial award for members of the graduating class who were deemed to have been exceptional both in scholarship and in student activities.

Phelps was perhaps best known in Detroit for his television appearance as the Master of Ceremonies for the “Magic of Science” programs on WXYZ-TV and the Wayne State University Science programs on WJBK-TV. In addition, he appeared in a number of commercials as “Mr. Weather” for WXYZ in 1950, and as the weatherman on WJBK-TV from 1951 to 1958.

In addition to his prominent role in television, Professor Phelps was the author of several books and articles, a member of numerous professional organizations, and served as the honorary president of the Windsor Center of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. He was also locally prominent due to his numerous lectures to Detroit area community groups, averaging about 30 lectures each year on topics such as the solar system and the presentation of science on television.