In the summer of 1981, my parents somehow got me on the show WOW, which aired on WDCA Channel 20. WOW was a children’s show starring Captain 20 (Dick Dyszel). The kids entered the set on a sliding board then participated in fun activities as cameras filmed us.
My cousin, Deanna, was also on the show with me (in the photo above, that’s us sitting below Captain 20).
Several weeks later, the show aired on television. I didn’t completely understand the concept of taping show at the time so I was briefly befuddled as to how I was both sitting on my grandparents’ sofa and also on the television.
Live on the set.
There’s Deanna on TV!
My episode airs!
So you’re telling me I’m both here AND on the TV?
Look at that television. This is 1981 and it still looks ancient.
Here’s the video.
I contacted Dyszel, who was thrilled to see the top photo. He said it was one of the few still shots he has seen from that era.