Museum of Broadcast Communications

06/19/2026

Today we commemorate Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom and a time to reflect on the importance of education, community, and access to information.

On Juneteenth, we honor the role media has played in sharing stories, preserving history, and amplifying voices that have shaped American culture. We also recognize the importance of preserving these stories so that future generations can learn from and better understand our shared past.

We honor the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans throughout our nation's history.

06/18/2026

Congratulations, Obama Presidential Center, on opening another world-class cultural destination in Chicago. Your new center is a tremendous addition to the city's rich landscape of history, education, and civic engagement.

As visitors come from around the country to experience this exciting new landmark, we invite them to continue their cultural journey at the Museum of Broadcast Communications and explore our acclaimed ‘Evolution of Late Night exhibit’.

Guests can see The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's travel desk used at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, and soon, his iconic Late Show desk from New York City. They can also step onto television history with Johnny Carson's Tonight Show set, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon's set, and artifacts from David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, and many more legendary late-night hosts.

To celebrate Chicago's newest cultural gem, we're offering Obama Presidential Center visitors 50% off admission with promo code: 44.

We look forward to welcoming your guests and sharing another chapter of America's storytelling history. Visit MUSEUM.TV!

06/17/2026

“Stupid Pet Tricks” was created in 1980 by Merrill Markoe, head writer of The David Letterman Show, as a way to fill airtime on Letterman’s short-lived NBC daytime program. The segment proved so popular that it moved with Letterman to Late Night in 1982, where it became one of the most beloved and influential recurring features in late-night television.

Inspired by the simple amusement of pets doing odd and unexpected things, what began as a low-budget filler segment grew into a national phenomenon. Pet owners from across the country brought dogs, cats, birds, and other animals to perform quirky, hilarious, and often baffling tricks for audiences.

The segment remained a staple throughout Letterman’s NBC and CBS years, helping define his offbeat comedic style and leaving a lasting mark on popular culture.

Watch the very first Stupid Pet Tricks segment here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YBcrbz_em_A

Visit the museum’s Evolution of Late Night TV exhibit, open TODAY through Sunday. For tickets and more, visit MUSEUM.TV!

06/17/2026

Tom Dreesen, actor, comedian, and longtime friend and generous supporter of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, passed away today at the age of 86. He first gained national attention as half of the groundbreaking comedy duo ‘Tim and Tom,’ one of the first in*******al comedy teams in the United States.

Dreesen went on to become a favorite of Johnny Carson, making more than 60 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. His career spanned decades and included roles in film and television, appearances on countless variety and talk shows, and performances in major venues across the country. He was also widely known as the longtime opening act for Frank Sinatra, touring with the legendary entertainer for nearly 14 years and developing a close personal friendship with him.

Throughout his life, Dreesen remained proud of his South Suburban roots and was a generous supporter and friend of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. His warmth, humor, and dedication to the entertainment industry touched generations of performers and fans. He will be deeply missed, and we extend our condolences to his family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know him.

06/17/2026

Buy 1 ticket & get the 2nd FREE — a $24 value! TODAY, Wednesday June 17th ONLY. Use promo code: RAIN.

Step into television history and explore:
- The Evolution of Late Night TV
- Johnny Carson: The Centennial
- Five Decades of The Loop: Where Chicago Rocked
- Bozo’s Circus at 65
…and more!

Don’t let the weather keep you home. This one-day offer ends today! For tickets, visit MUSEUM.TV now!

VISIT THE BROADCAST MUSEUM TODAY!Explore iconic exhibits:The Evolution of Late Night TVJohnny Carson The CentennialJeannie’s 65th AnniversaryBozo’s Circus at…

06/16/2026

On this day, June 16, 1979, Chicago television history was made when Son of Svengoolie debuted on WFLD-TV Channel 32, introducing Rich Koz to audiences in a role that would become one of the most beloved and enduring characters in local television history.

The origins of Svengoolie date back to September 18, 1970, when Jerry G. Bishop launched Screaming Yellow Theater on WFLD. The show's title was inspired by the popular snack Screaming Yellow Zonkers, and its unique blend of classic horror films, comedy, and audience interaction quickly developed a loyal following. Among its biggest fans was a young Rich Koz, who regularly submitted comedy sketches to the program and eventually joined the show as a writer.

When Screaming Yellow Theater ended in 1973 following a change in station ownership, few could have predicted that the character would return. But after Field Communications reacquired WFLD in 1978, Bishop and Koz began discussions about bringing Svengoolie back to television. The result was Son of Svengoolie, which premiered on June 16, 1979, with Koz assuming the title role. The program quickly became a Chicago favorite and was syndicated to other Field-owned stations in Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and San Francisco.

For nearly five decades, Rich Koz has entertained generations of viewers with classic horror and science fiction films, classic jokes, parody songs, unforgettable characters, and plenty of rubber chickens. On December 31, 1994 Neal Sabin, executive vice president of locally based Weigel Broadcasting, brought the show to independent station WCIU. Since April 2011, Svengoolie has delighted audiences nationwide on MeTV, transforming a beloved Chicago television institution into a national treasure and celebrating 15 years of coast-to-coast success.

Between 1979 and 1986, Son of Svengoolie won three Chicago Emmys at station WFLD. For its 25th anniversary in 2004, Rich Koz was presented with the Silver Circle Award by the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for "outstanding contributions to Chicago television." Svengoolie is also a consistent winner of the "Best Horror Host" award from the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.

Behind the camera are Jim Roche, Executive Producer of 'Svengoolie' and Director Chris Faulkner.

Today, visitors to the Museum of Broadcast Communications can experience the legacy of Svengoolie firsthand. Explore the final resting place of Sven’s original on-air coffin and set used from the 1970s through 2013, Doug Graves' original organ, Zallman T. Tombstone, rare artifacts, and, of course, plenty of rubber chickens.

For tickets and more, visit MUSEUM.TV!

06/15/2026

On this day, June 15, 1984, Thicke of the Night aired its final episode.
Long before he became Dr. Jason Seaver on Growing Pains, Alan Thicke was one of television's most ambitious late-night hosts.

Premiering in September 1983, Thicke of the Night was produced by veteran television impresario Fred Silverman and syndicated nationally, airing on stations across the country, including WFLD Channel 32 in Chicago.

Broadcast from Los Angeles, the show featured a mix of celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, musical performances, and Thicke's signature humor. Guests during its run included Robin Williams, Don Rickles, Chevy Chase, Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Joan Rivers, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, and many of the biggest stars of television, music, and comedy.

The series entered a late-night landscape dominated by Johnny Carson's Tonight Show and NBC's rising star David Letterman. That year, CBS also became the first network to finish No. 1 in daytime, primetime, evening news, and late night during the 1983–84 season with the 2 hour+ block of The CBS Late Movie. Despite strong promotion and a loyal following, Thicke of the Night concluded after one season, airing its final episode on June 15, 1984.

Explore our Evolution of Late Night Television exhibit, open Wednesdays through Sundays at 440 W. Randolph Street in Chicago. For tickets and more, visit MUSEUM.TV!

06/13/2026

Happy Birthday to Frazier Thomas!

Over his long career in radio and television, Frazier Thomas became one of the most well known and beloved names in Chicago children's television. With a professional background in radio Thomas made his debut in children's television on Cincinnati's WKRC-TV. It was here Thomas’ iconic puppet character, Garfield Goose, also made its first ever appearance in 1949 on the station’s program ‘Meet the Little People’. Following his success in Cincinnati Thomas moved to Chicago after being hired by WBKB in 1951 where he hosted ‘Petticoat Party’ an afternoon show originally named ‘The Frazier Thomas Show’. After becoming well known in the Chicago area Thomas moved to WGN-TV in 1955. It was here that Thomas started perhaps his best known program ‘Garfield Goose and Friends’. The show included a cast of puppets alongside Garfield Goose, and while largely centered on entertainment, Thomas made a point to include educational elements to the show. The show was met with massive acclaim as Thomas quickly became one of the most popular programs on WGN-TV.

While running ‘Garfield Goose and Friends’ Thomas would also begin hosting the WGN-TV program ‘Family Classics’ in 1962. The program originally ran in the Friday prime time slot and consisted of Thomas hosting classic family friendly films in a warm library setting. The show was met with great ratings leading to an expanded library of films and the show moving to Sunday afternoons. During this time Thomas took over for the retiring “ringmaster” of ‘Bozo’s Circus’ Ned Locke in 1976. As part of this shift Thomas’ collection of Garfield Goose puppets became consistent characters on ‘Bozo’s Circus’. Dedicated to his craft, Thomas worked as ringmaster of ‘Bozo’s Circus’ and host of ‘Family Classics’ until his passing in 1985. Thomas is fondly remembered as a legendary entertainer and a leading figure in children's entertainment.

View Frazier Thomas' outfit, Garfield Goose, and more at the Museum of Broadcast Communications
Tickets and info :
WWW.MUSEUM.TV

06/12/2026

The Studio 6B Stage at the Museum of Broadcast Communications is named in honor of NBC's legendary Studio 6B at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Sponsored by NBC 5 Chicago and Shure, the Museum's Studio 6B Stage pays tribute to one of the most influential spaces in broadcasting history.

Constructed in 1941 as a radio studio, the original Studio 6B later became home to some of television's biggest stars, including Milton Berle, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, and Jimmy Fallon.
Over more than eight decades, the New York studio evolved from a premier radio facility into one of television's most recognizable stages, hosting everything from Texaco Star Theater to The Tonight Show and Late Night.

Visit the museum’s Evolution of Late Night TV Exhibit today! For tickets, visit MUSEUM.TV!

06/11/2026

David Letterman’s “Top Ten List” debuted in the summer of 1985, on NBC’s ‘Late Night with David Letterman’. Created by head writer Steve O’Donnell and the writing staff, the segment began as a parody of the quirky, subjective lists popularized by magazines of the era.

The very first list, “Top Ten Words That Almost Rhyme With ‘Peas’”, established the absurdist tone that would become its trademark. Presented in reverse order from #10 to #1, complete with drumrolls, music, and graphics, the bit quickly became one of late-night television’s most recognizable formats.

When Letterman moved from NBC to CBS in 1993, NBC initially claimed ownership of the segment. A temporary compromise renamed it the “Late Show Top Ten,” though the familiar “Top Ten List” title soon returned.

Across nearly four decades on both networks, the Top Ten List evolved from a niche comedy gag into a major pop culture institution, often featuring celebrity guest readers and endlessly shareable punchlines that helped define the rhythm of modern late-night TV.

Visit and see the artifacts from both NBC’s Late Night and CBS The Late Show with David Letterman at the museum’s Evolution of Late Night TV exhibit. For tickets and more, visit MUSEUM.TV!