Say “radio” to today’s youngsters and they think of that thing in the dashboard of their parents’ car.
Older folks remember radio as it was, a wide world of imagination packed into our heads. Fred Hobbs and his cohorts at the Radio Historical Association of Colorado haven’t forgotten. At the RHAC, episodes of “The Lone Ranger,” “Lum and Abner” and “Jack Benny” and dozens of others live on.
A one-time Denver television reporter and anchor, Hobbs hosts a monthly show on yesterdayusa.com, a hotbed of old radio days. “There’s a bunch of ‘crazy guys’ who collect old-time radio shows,” said Hobbs, using ‘crazy’ in the kindest way, including devotees like Denver author John Dunning, who has one of the world’s largest collections.
Hobbs’ shows generally consist of interviews and re-airing of old shows, mainly with a Denver connection. He recently did a 1950 episode of “The Big Story,” pegged to a Colorado murder. The next show, at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, features an interview with writer Stewart Wright and an episode of “Fibber McGee and Molly.”
‘Studio C’ on its way
KBCO 97.3-FM releases its “Studio C Volume 18,” a perennial hot seller, on Dec. 2 at area stores of Ultimate Electronics. Among the artists on this year’s edition are Shawn Colvin, Luka Bloom, Keb’ Mo’ and a dozen others, all of whom recorded their tracks in the station’s studio.
The “Studio C” CD is a benefit for the Boulder County Aids Project.
Weekend highlights
Today
Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Julie Andrews star in “Shrek 2,” the further animated adventures of the big green guy (7 p.m., KMGH-Channel 7).
Saturday
“Dancing With the Stars” can’t hold a tap candle to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1935 musical “Top Hat” (6 p.m., Turner Classic Movies).
Sunday
The Academy Award-winning “Brokeback Mountain,” with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, makes its television debut (5:30 p.m., HBO).
Around the dial
Former Sen. Gary Hart talks about why the newly powerful Democrats need to get a detailed agenda on “The Aaron Harber Show” (9 tonight, KBDI-Channel 12) … News anchor Jim Lehrer coming to town Dec. 8 to help Rocky Mountain PBS celebrate its 50th anniversary. He’ll speak at a Pinnacle Club luncheon. Reservations, rmpbs.org/events. … Gary Allan headlines the KYGO Christmas Crusade Concert at the Fillmore Auditorium on Sunday … Quotable: “Nobody seems to know yet how television is going to affect the radio, movies, love, housekeeping or the church, but it has definitely revived vaudeville.” Edgar Bergen
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-954-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
