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any of us worried it might never return after shuttering its previous location, but in October, the Museum of Broadcast Communications made a triumphant comeback in a new location, with an assortment of new exhibits.
The date wasn’ t chosen randomly. It was the 100th anniversary of Johnny Carson’ s birth, and Johnny Carson is the big star of the reopening. Jeff Sotzing, President of Carson Entertainment Group, was helpful in bringing this marquee exhibit to life. " I’ m thrilled that the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago is creating this exhibit to honor Johnny’ s legacy and celebrate his remarkable place in American history. As we mark what would have been his 100th birthday, it’ s a perfect time to reflect on the enduring impact he had on television, comedy, and the cultural conversation."
The exhibit at 440 W. Randolph in Chicago draws from rare artifacts in the Museum’ s collection, items on loan from the Johnny Carson Gallery at the Elkhorn Valley Museum in Norfolk, Nebraska, and exclusive video content from Carson Entertainment Group and Shout! Factory. It’ s the Holy Grail for any Johnny Carson fan. Johnny’ s original iconic curtain is on display, and you can take a picture of yourself walking through it, as if appearing on the show. You can do the same on the recreated set: the desk, chair, sofa, and backdrop from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. You’ ve probably seen a few of those pictures floating around social media. Also, twice a month, the museum hosts Late Night at the Museum from that stage, sponsored by NBC-5 and Shure. The first one featured author and podcaster Mark Malkoff, who authored a book about the late-night host called“ Love, Johnny.”
Turns out, Johnny is still a big draw.“ Johnny Carson was more than a host— he was a national institution whose humor and curiosity united Americans for three decades,” said David Plier, Chairman, President, and CEO of the Museum.“ This exhibit is a rare opportunity to celebrate a career that helped shape American culture.”
In addition to the exhibit celebrating Johnny’ s 100th birthday, there’ s a tribute to the entire format he helped make famous. Considering all the recent news involving current late-night hosts, there’ s never been a more appropriately timed exhibit. The Evolution of Late Night Television takes you on an interactive journey through one of television’ s most enduring formats, which began 75 years ago. The exhibit explores the contributions of fellow Tonight Show hosts( like Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Jay Leno, Conan O’ Brien, and Jimmy Fallon) plus other late-night legends like David Letterman, Arsenio Hall, Joan Rivers, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert. You can see part of Letterman’ s set, and the original“ Triumph the Insult Comedy Dog” from Conan O’ Brien’ s show.
And those are just two of the television exhibits. Other television features include a 65thanniversary tribute to Bozo the Clown, with the
By Rick Kaempfer
MBC’ S MEDIA POP-UP IS LIVE
Grand Prize Game on display.( Admit it— you always wanted to try. Now you can) You also won’ t want to miss the 60th anniversary exhibit about I Dream of Jeannie, or the tribute to Chicago’ s very own Svengoolie. Sven was kind enough to donate the original coffin from his set, along with a few other props.
And, of course, radio is not forgotten. Full disclosure, I curated the exhibit called“ 5 Decades of The Loop” which is based on my book The Loop Files, so I’ m not an unbiased observer here. It was a labor of love for me. The exhibit features rare Loop artifacts( albums, CDs, posters, books, merchandise, advertisements) and tells the story of the world’ s most outrageous radio station. Loop greats like Jonathon Brandmeier, Steve Dahl & Garry Meier, and Kevin Matthews are featured,
Museum of Broadcast Communications Pop-Up Exhibit
Photo by Rick Kaempfer
along with a video of them talking about those incredible days, and some of their classic commercials. The exhibit also highlights the most famous radio promotion in history, Disco Demolition, and shines a spotlight on some of the all-time great radio personalities who worked at the station over its five decades on the air. You may be surprised at a few of the names and photos. It’ s a must-see for Loop fans.
But that’ s not the only radio portion of the museum. A very cool display of old radios will send you back in time. Some classic items will take you back before you were born, like the original puppets of Edgar Bergen’ s show, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. The National Radio Hall of Fame is back as well. Radio legends like John Records Landecker, Larry Lujack, Dick Biondi, Paul Harvey, Wally Phillips, Studs Terkel, Orion Samuelson, Terri Hemmert, and more are once again featured as the Hall of Fame intended when it was founded. The museum is currently considered a pop-up and is only guaranteed to be open through the end of January at its current location. Be sure to check it out before it goes away. The museum is open Wednesday from 10am-6pm, Thursday from 12 pm-8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am-6pm, and Sunday from 12 pm-6pm. Tickets and information can be found at museum. tv.
The Museum of Broadcast Communications is located at 440 W. Randolph in Chicago, very near the Oglivie train station. You can’ t miss it when you get on Randolph. Look for that big smiling mug of Johnny Carson at the entrance of the building.
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