what position do you think a visually impaired staffer would occupy in the senior staff of the white house?
Blue Skies in Camelot (Continued): An Alternate 80s and Beyond
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As we're talking about the West Wing how closely do you think this TL version will follow OTL version? The same or slightly different? Will it be more serialised or have story arcs? Love to hear everyone's opinions
Chapter 132 (Part III) - Guest Post
Chapter 132 (Part III): Video Killed the Radio Star: Philippine Television in the 1970s
Author's Note: The following was submitted by @Uniquely Genius. Thank you to him for this guest update!
Above: ABS-CBN's top-rated shows like the hit sitcom John en Marsha (John and Marsha), starring Dolphy and Nida Blanca; Pepe Pimentel as host of the game show Kuwarta o Kahon (Money or Box); and the late night talk show Two for the Road with Elvira Manahan as host.
"Mula Aparri hanggang JoloAuthor's Note: The following was submitted by @Uniquely Genius. Thank you to him for this guest update!
Above: ABS-CBN's top-rated shows like the hit sitcom John en Marsha (John and Marsha), starring Dolphy and Nida Blanca; Pepe Pimentel as host of the game show Kuwarta o Kahon (Money or Box); and the late night talk show Two for the Road with Elvira Manahan as host.
Saan ka man ay halina kayo
Isang libo't isang tuwa
Buong bansa, Eat... Bulaga!"
("From Aparri to Jolo
Wherever you are, come on here
A one thousand and one joys
The whole country, Eat... Bulaga!") - Theme Song of Eat... Bulaga! (Eat... Surprise!)
"A-B-S-C-B-N, The Philippines' Largest Network!" - ABS-CBN's Iconic Slogan and Jingle from 1966-1980
"Kaya ikaw, John, magsumikap ka!" ("Therefore, John, you must work hard!") - Doña Delilah (played by Dely Atay-Atayan), saying her iconic catchphrase and insult to John Puruntong (played by Dolphy) on John en Marsha (John and Marsha)
"Kuwarta o Kahon?" ("Money or Box?") - Pepe Pimentel's iconic line to every contestant on Kuwarta o Kahon (Money or Box)
While both the American and British Television were on to big changes in the 1970s, Philippine Television has been doing that since the beginning of the 1960s. Continuing "The Golden Age" from the previous decade while enjoying its exercise of press freedom after the Second World War and the height of The Cold War, this decade also brought a more unique blend of nostalgia and innovation that continues to influence the industry to this day. With color broadcasting having already been introduced the previous decade, the medium gave groundbreaking shows, a cultural shift that embraced diversity, and new ideas that would later be memorable in history, the 1970s continues to expand great change and growth for Philippine Television. In the final addendum to Chapter 132, we'll take a closer look at the incredible television landscape of the 1970s, exploring the most iconic shows, significant moments, and the lasting impact of this era on the medium.
ABS-CBN (The First and Oldest TV Network in the Country since its Official Broadcast on October 23, 1953) has been making shows to reach every Filipinos around the country to enjoy while being the first in TV Ratings. After ABS (known as Alto Broadcasting System, owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino) and CBN (known as Chronicle Broadcasting Network, owned by brothers Don Eugenio Lopez, Sr. and Fernando Lopez) were merged on February 1, 1967, it was later named as the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. The newly-merged network of two, now headed by Eugenio Lopez, Jr. would paved the way for his leadership and to many firsts that set a template for other networks to follow in history.
With their news division (now known as ABS-CBN News) on the rise to rival ABC 5 News since the previous decade, the network continues to be the leader and first in the ratings during the 70's. With Harry Gasser as the anchor of the Evening Tagalog Newscast Balita Ngayon (News Tonight) and Henry Halasan as the anchor of the Late Night English Newscast The World Tonight on ABS-CBN Channel 2. While Orly Mercado is the anchor of another Evening Tagalog Newscast Apat na Sulok ng Daigdig (Four Corners of the Earth) and Maria Montelibano as the first female anchor of another Late Night English Newscast Newsbreak on ABS-CBN Channel 4. All four of them became "The Faces of ABS-CBN News" thanks to their newscasts' high ratings, earned the trust of the public, and their professionalism in journalism that earned them awards in television. It was during this decade when one of the Philippine Election Coverages Halalan '73, extends their broadcasts from 36 Hours-Straight to 48 Hours-Straight. Making another first in history that the network continues to this day. It was also in 1973 that they created the first morning show, Magandang Umaga, Pilipinas! (Good Morning, Philippines!). Hosted by Orly Mercado, Frank Evangelista, and Maria Montelibano (later joined by Ariel Ureta and Tina Revilla), it's timeslot was aired between 5-8 AM; which makes their audiences get up early to watch some news and becoming one of the longest-running morning show in television. They also created one of the firsts public affairs talk show Impact. Hosted by one of the most prolific journalists of his generation, Max Soliven; the show aired between 1968-2005, he brought the news in both political and social issues of the day, politicians from both sides of the party used this show as their common ground whether it was debate or a discussion, even audiences learns the ins and outs that they became politically and socially-aware, and set the template for other networks to follow. It was memorable when he interviewed President Salonga on his decision to welcome and he'll passed laws on progressive and liberal views on Abortion, Birth Control Pills, Divorce, and LGBT+ Rights, he said "It's about time that we welcome this views if we want to improve the lives of Filipinos, if we want to open with the world, and if we want to make bold steps towards a better future." There was the first and longest-running public service talk show Damayan (Compassion) in 1969 by actress and member of Philippine Red Cross Rosa Rosal. The show would feature mostly doctors and other personalities to discuss advancements in health and public service. She would also hosted telethons to provide financial aid to those who are in need such as disaster victims, those with no medical assistance, and others. Finally there was the first and longest-running educational show Knowledge Power in 1973 by Ernie Baron. Based from his radio show Gintong Kaalaman (Golden Knowledge), he would give audiences some general information about anything, some trivia facts, and health tips. The show doesn't just explore into the bizarre and the extraordinary, but pursues light yet thought-provoking, significant and highly-instructive items, and features some survival tips from the viewers. Baron would also be one of the first and official weather presenter in the news division, and later was nicknamed "The Walking Encyclopedia of the Philippines". The network were pioneers in color broadcasting in 1966, created the radio news team (now known as DZAQ Radyo Patrol 630) in 1967, linked the country via microwave satellite by fulfilling Lopez's dream now known as "Bridges on the Air" in 1969, and later created the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group in 1973. The network becomes the leader when it comes to covering breaking news and special coverages like the Philippine Election Debates and Coverages, US Presidential Elections and Inaugurals, Typhoon Coverages, Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran as Winners of Miss Universe, Papal Visit of Pope Paul VI in the Philippines, Assassination and Funeral of President Romney, Kennedy and Nixon's Visit to China, and Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Its entertainment division (now known as ABS-CBN Entertainment) meanwhile, continued to be one of the best and established in television. With the 20th Anniversary of ABS-CBN in 1973, they created a television special for being the birthplace of television and also in the television ratings. They even invited both founders of both ABS and CBN to thank the men and women who are infront or behind the camera for achieving this feat if it wasn't for them. It was during their anniversary special that their color broadcasting went full-blown to their network since then. They also started doing Christmas and Countdown to New Years' Eve Special that became a staple to this day. Singing contest shows like Tawag ng Tanghalan (Call of the Stage) continues to be the one of the top-rated shows ever since 1953, and hosted first by Jaime de la Rosa, Patsy, and Pugo (later hosted by Pepe Pimentel and Diomedes Maturan in 1978); musical variety shows like Superstar from 1967-1987 with singer/actress Nora Aunor (who would later got her nickname in the industry); and An Evening with Pilita from 1964-1984 with another singer/actress Pilita Corrales were now one of the memorable shows during this decade. Games shows like Kuwarta o Kahon (Money or Box) from 1962-2002 by Pepe Pimentel was still one of the highest-rated shows and longest-running game shows. There were also comedy shows like Buhay Artista (Artist's Life) from 1964-1984 with the famous comedic duo Dolphy and Panchito that later turned the show into a film series; sketch comedy gag show like Super Laff-In from 1969-1979 with comedians Nova Villa, Babalu, Bayani Casimiro, Mitch Valdez, Ramon Zamora, and June Keithley were still a hit in the new decade; sitcoms gave birth during this decade with the longest-running show John en Marsha (John and Marsha) from 1972-1992 starring Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Rolly Quizon, Matet, Maricel Soriano, Dely Atay-Atayan, and Matutina. Written and directed by Ading Fernando, the show would also turned into a successful film series. Another one was Iskul Bukol with comedic trio Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (known simply as TVJ) from 1977-1987, which would became a hit with the audiences. Elvira Manahan also have a successful and top-rated late-night talk show Two for the Road, which she interviews with famous people from the entertainment industry, socialite elites, and politicians. Youth variety shows were introduced in the network with The Sensations from 1971-1979, starring Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz. They create another noontime variety show in 1972 with Twelve o' Clock High with Ariel Ureta and Tina Revilla. The show would be an instant hit with the audiences throughout the decade, but was later ended in 1979 to make way for the longest-running noontime show in TV Eat... Bulaga! (Eat... Surprise!) that also starts TVJ. The show would become a major part of Philippine Pop Culture because of the new appeal to the masses whenever it begins at noon. The network's oldest FM Radio in the country, DZMM-FM 101.9 kHz (later renamed to DWMM 101.9 or My Music 101.9 FM since 1975) continues to air music both local and international music hits that continues to earned new listeners to this day. Their one of the first FM Radios to aired Original Pinoy Music (OPM), few months before ABS-CBN's 20th Anniversary in 1973.
As the country's only Catholic faith in the continent, they began airing also in 1973 of Sunday Morning Masses (later named as The Healing Eucharist) from their studios for some Filipinos who can't attend weekly masses. The show would officiate the mass with Fr. James Reuter, an American Jesuit Catholic Priest who've been living the country since 1938 and a Theology Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University. Reuter has also created a family-oriented soap opera show The Family Theater (predecessor to a magazine-talk show Family Rosary Crusade in 1985) since 1953. He also started doing Holy Week Specials in the network to have viewers reflect during Lenten Season, another first in history.
Lastly, there was sports division (now known as ABS-CBN Sports) headed by Joe Cantada (as announcer during PBA and NBA Games) and Ronnie Nathanielsz (as announcer during Boxing Matches) in 1975. The network would also hold television rights of different local and international sport organizations like NBA, PBA, NFL, MLB, FIBA, UAAP, NCCA, Boxing Matches, Golf Tournaments, Tennis Matches, World Cup, and both Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Channel 4 would often broadcast their sports games and specials, only with Channel 2 when they'll air NBA Finals, PBA Finals, and Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympics.
The network dominates the industry with 80-90% Households in the country who are watching on ABS-CBN throughout the 70's, they were also planning to introduced cable television, music and film production, outreach foundation, and reaching the network to the world by the new decade. The Lopez Family also owns newspaper The Manila Chronicle who moved to a new office in 1971 that continues its increasing readership views by the end of the decade as well, and electric distributor The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), making them of the most powerful and influential families in the country. With the death of their family patriarch Don Eugenio Lopez, Sr. in 1975, his son Manolo would take over as CEO and continues to improve their electric services to the Filipinos. He even continues his partnership with the government for The Manila Tram System, because many Filipinos benefitted again to this transportation, there were people who used it for nostalgia who were alive when this was everywhere in Manila, and others who wants to live in the period.
While ABS-CBN 2 & 4 continues to dominate the industry, ABC 5 (known as Associated Broadcasting Corporation) was also having success in its own right as well. Having been started with the first television newscast in Tagalog since 1962, Pangunahing Balita (The Main News) that has been anchored by Paul Lacanilao; and the first television evening news also in 1962, The Big News with Jose Mari Velez. With Roces also operating its television, radio, and his newspaper The Manila Times, the network were also doing well first in the ratings during the 60's, it wasn't until ABS-CBN took their spot in the ratings by 1973.
They also create drama series like Balintataw (Pupil) in 1970 and Salamisim (Reminiscence) in 1971; fantasy and horror show Malikmata (Illusion) in 1972; musical variety shows like Dance-O-Rama since 1963, For Men Only in 1968, Carmen on Camera in 1968 by actress Carmen Soriano, and Ituloy ang Saya! (Continue To Have Fun!) in 1971; and comedy show Bahay-Bahayan (Playhouse) in 1972 were some of their hits during this decade. Roces would also use reporters on his news division from his aforementioned newspaper that was revolutionary and ahead of its time.
Above: The new logo of RBS 7, later renamed to GMA Radio-Television Arts from 1974-1992 (left); Gilberto Duavit, Felipe Gozon, and Menardo Jimenez, the new owners and leaders of the network (right).
RBS 7 (known as Republic Broadcasting System) went on a change of leadership during this decade. Its founder and owner at that time, Robert La Rue Stewart (known as "Uncle Bob") wants to changed the network's strategy due to ABS-CBN's rise in the ratings. He sold the ownership to his legal adviser, Felipe Gozon. Gozon invites his brother-in-law Menardo Jimenez to also help him to handle the station, along with Gilberto Duavit, Gozon's fellow friend to their law firm and a former official from Malacañang (Office of the Philippine President). When they led the station in 1974 to rebrand as GMA Radio-Television Arts, their first priority was its news division (later named GMA News). With the conclusion of their evening newscast The News with Uncle Bob on the same year, it was later replaced by News on Seven with female anchor Tina Monzon-Palma. Its timeslot was moved to late night to create another evening newscast in Tagalog as GMA Balita (GMA News), hosted by another female anchor Helen Vela who later moved from ABS-CBN after they chose her to be their lead anchor of the show. It was a first time in history to have 2 women who are leading the newscast at the time, who would also received several television awards during their time. They also have weather forecaster to rival Ernie Baron of ABS-CBN and it was Amado Pineda. A meteorologist from PAGASA (known formally as Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), he became part of the news division since then. While hardly trained as a television presenter, Pineda became popular, being also a famous weather forecaster during the decade until his retirement in 2004; for catchphrases like, "Yan ang pinakahuling ulat mula sa PAGASA" ("That's the latest report from PAGASA") at the end of his forecasts and "Kaya mga bata, may pasok bukas" ("And so children, there are classes tomorrow") for weather reports of weaker-than-expected tropical storms and/or typhoons. GMA's AM Radio since 1950, DZBB continues to the airwaves even the network's management has been changed - under its new branding "Dobol B", which would later be rebranded to simply DZBB 594 kHz; it became a music-personality radio station and it also covered major news stories throughout the decade. In November of 1978, DZBB moved to the present frequency of 594 kHz, in response to the adoption of the 9 kHz spacing on AM Radio Stations in the Philippines under the Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975.
They also created entertainment shows like the network's first Sunday noontime variety show GMA Supershow also in 1974 by German Moreno, who also moved from ABS-CBN after he was picked from the network. Moreno would also create and host on the same year of another daily noontime variety show to rival Twelve o' Clock High (and later by Eat... Bulaga!) from ABS-CBN, and it was That's Entertainment!. After watching the American film of the same name from 1953, Moreno decided to name it as well. When it was premiered in 1974, the show featured sixteen teenagers (divided into 4 from Monday to Thursday and gathered all together on Friday). The show later joined the network's Saturday Afternoon line up. The show first aired from the GMA Building in EDSA, Quezon City and eventually moved to Broadway Centrum in 1987 to accommodate a wider studio audience. The cast members were separated into five groups; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. During the Saturday Broadcast, all five groups performed together. Moreno would later earned his nickname "Master Showman", for discovering young artist and became their manager to improve their skills in acting, singing, and dancing. They remained former shows from RBS like Uncle Bob's Lucky 7 Club with the network's founder Robert Stewart as host, the first live children show in the country since 1961, until his retirement in 2001. Aired during Saturday Mornings, the show made Stewart every child's favorite uncle, it also featured two sidekick puppets - Spanky the Elephant and Pancho the Worm. Stewart is remembered by his endearing viewers for his catchphrase "hot-diggity-dog" and non-lexical vocables like "bum-bum-barum" or "pum-pa-rum-pum". He also created and hosted another musical variety show in 1978, Uncle Bob and Friends. A one-hour show featured pianist, composer, and conductor Federico Elizalde on the piano, playing a variety of music from classical to jazz. After Elizalde's death in 1979, he was replaced by another pianist Joselito Pascual that lasted until 1998. The Rafael Yabut Show was another talk show that remained from 1961-2001 with broadcaster, commentator, and journalist from DZRH, Rafael Yabut. He would interview with some of of the most important people whether it was politics, business, socialite, or entertainment, it was one of top-rated shows during the decade. They also did drama anthologies like Katha (Fiction) in 1975, Kahapon Lamang (Just Yesterday) in 1976, and True Confessions ng mga Bituin (True Confessions of the Stars) in 1979. Lastly, there were comedy shows like Talagang Ganyan (It's Really Like That) in 1974, Baltic & Co. in 1974, Pamilya Bato-Balani (Magic Stone Family) in 1974, and Prinsipe Abante (Prince Advance) in 1977. It's FM Radio Station since 1955, DZXX-AM 890 kHz made history as the first pop music station in the country using the AM format, playing both local and international pop music of that era. It was renamed in 1975 as DWXX-FM 890 kHz or Double X 890 FM.
The other networks that were started from the previous decade also blossomed during this decade like RPN 9 (known as Radio Philippines Network) by the Benedicto Family since 1960. Their network would also provided newscast like Newswatch in 1973.
The revival of PBS 10 by the Philippine Government in 1971, after President Kennedy convinced President Macapagal and his administration during his week-visit in the country and addressed to a Joint Session of Both Houses in 1967, to revive the network to also provide every news conferences in whether it was in Malacañang, Congress, or Supreme Court. They also start doing live coverage sessions of both houses of Congress, cabinet meetings in Malacañang, and even important and exclusive court sessions in the Supreme Court. Lastly, they provide educational, travel, and historical shows that caught their new audiences, brought rise from the ratings, earned several awards, and one of the first in television history.
MBC 11 by the Elizalde Family in 1961 who also owned DZRH (The First Philippine Radio since 1939), Tanduay Distillery Inc., and YCO Paints and Floor Wax. They brought the idea on making their radio booths and studios to appear on television while they're on the air on the radio as well, that also earned awards and ratings, and another first in history. The network would always endorsed aired the products they owned like Tanduay (The Famous Rum Beer in the Country) and YCO Paints and Floor Wax (Another Leading Paints and Floor Waxes in the Country) during commercial breaks.
Lastly, there's IBC 13 by the Soriano Family in 1959 who also owned San Miguel Corporation (The First Beer Brewery in the Country since 1890), Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), Magnolia Ice Cream, Royal Tru-Orange Softdrink, and the bottling distribution of the Coca-Cola Company during the American Period in the Philippines. The network too also mostly aired San Miguel Products, including their famous and classic San Miguel Pale Pilsen; Magnolia's Ice Cream and their famous Flavor of the Month Specials; Royal Tru-Orange (One of the First Produced Softdrinks of San Miguel in the Country); and Coca-Cola Softdrinks (Especially during Summer and Christmas Seasons) during commercial breaks.
During this decade, ABS-CBN Channel 2 & 4, ABC Channel 5, and GMA Channel 7 became known as "The Three Big Networks of the Philippines". They changed the face of television now that Filipinos around the country are watching it in full color, while also enjoying and protected by press freedom of which was one of the few freest in the world, and later earned some of the shows and networks itself both local and international awards for their excellence and being an example of what television should be. With the new decade on the horizon, they're about to bring the television around the world.
Contributor's Note: It took me a week to find all of this information form the Internet and create a new timeline now that Marcos, Sr. didn't become President in 1965 IOTL and didn't declared Martial Law to closed down newspapers, televisions, radios, and Congress by a military takeover in 1972 IOTL. I've got every detail on the now-dominant networks of ABS-CBN, ABC, and GMA during the 70's ITTL.
I think it will be slightly different with the cast and the president though I still see John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, and Allison Janney in there but everybody else is different and the cast is more diverse
I like this idea as well. If possible, I'd like to see Dule Hill remain in the cast. He doesn't have to play a Charlie-esque character here. But I really enjoy him as an actor.
Thank you! For this chapter, all credit goes to @Uniquely Genius. This was his baby through and through.
I also want to give a brief glimpse into the future...
Here is the current list of updates coming up next:
1. More events in 1980 from around the world.
2. War in the Middle East!
3. "Once in a Lifetime" - The 1980 Presidential Election
4. "You Make My Dreams" - The 1980 Downballots
5. Life in the Soviet Union, circa 1980
6. Comics in the 70s - A retrospective
Here is the current list of updates coming up next:
1. More events in 1980 from around the world.
2. War in the Middle East!
3. "Once in a Lifetime" - The 1980 Presidential Election
4. "You Make My Dreams" - The 1980 Downballots
5. Life in the Soviet Union, circa 1980
6. Comics in the 70s - A retrospective
Yeah I was just thinking that I would also like to see Dule Hill remain as Charlie Young though his character arc may be a little differentI like this idea as well. If possible, I'd like to see Dule Hill remain in the cast. He doesn't have to play a Charlie-esque character here. But I really enjoy him as an actor.
Thank you! For this chapter, all credit goes to @Uniquely Genius. This was his baby through and through.
I thought that this will be an impossible task to handle on creating a chapter for our Philippine Television in the 70's ITTL. It started out with one of my intuition to suggest here to make it a three-part television special. I decided to type on everything and anything about this information that I'm about to send it to Mr. President. I waste my time to not sleep in the evening, even my afternoon naps that I've sacrificed, and few hours in the morning just to complete it. I did this on All Saints Day, and finished it more than a week later like I said here. I've never gone this far in my life if it wasn't for you Mr. President, and I think my younger self would be both amazed and proud of my work that I've done. Another impressive chapter that I've done geniuses!Thank You! For this chapter, all credit goes to @Uniquely Genius. This was his baby through and through.
Well geniuses, looks like about to know on what's happening and going on from around the world as we arrived in the 80's ITTL. Middle East ITTL was about to go on a bloody war with each other. Kennedy-Bentsen 1980: Leadership for the Decade. Democrats were all in for a new decade to lead the world on ending The Cold War. Soviet Union was continuing their success now with Premier Gorbachev and his Triumvarate. Comics in the 70's ITTL were about to get better with DC leading thanks to the movie of Superman Trilogy with Christopher Reeve as Superman/Clark Kent/Kal-El, Carrie Fisher as Lois Lane, and the direction of Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis; and the television series of Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter as titular hero/Diana Prince. Marvel with Stan Lee would continue their success as well with The Incredible Hulk on TV with Lou Ferrigno as the titular hero and Bill Bixby as Bruce Banner. It wouldn't be in the new millennium when they'll change the way we watched superhero movies forever with X-Men, Spiderman, Fantastic Four, and The Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Mik Gorby is still only a member of the Politburo and the hardliners are still in charge. There's even a possibility that they could entrench their position to delay Gorby's acension to the top job.
Correct. As of Jan. 1st, 1980, Suslov, Ustinov, and Gromyko are running the show. They're grooming conservative Grigory Romanov as their eventual, "next generational" successor, making him Gorbachev's chief rival to be First Secretary in the future.
*Snigger* I know that it is just a coincidence, but Comrade Grigory's surname is bound to attract some attention given its similarity to the name of a certain half Russian half German family.
Another excellent guest update, even if Filipino TV is something I know next to nothing about.
Charlie Young was my favourite character in West Wing. His paternal father son relationship with Bartlet was great as was his relationship with the President's daughter. I can't remember her name on the show but the actress is the lead in Handmaid's Tale
Can't wait to read about the Life in Soviet Union and the comics in the 70s! Hell yeah.
War in the Middle East? 😬😳😮
Elizabeth Moss. Depending on how old the President ITTL's West Wing is he probably won't have a child old enough to date Charlie