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Around 1960, a local childrens program was started at Channel 5, called Happy Raine. A couple years later I was able to get these photos of her during a radio remote. At that time, I was a year away from my own Radio Revolution. For 16 years, Rainey gave her best. But eventually the powers to be decided to mess with the formula. Although - according to Rainey - Channel 5 had no pension plan, no profit sharing plan, and a minimum major medical plan, she could always rely on the wisedom and kind attention of John Rivers Senior, the Owner. It wasn't until he started to delegate his authority, that Rainey's work schedule started to become unbearable. Knowing that it would become even worse, she could only voice her concerns in a letter to the powers to be. But sometimes, an explanantion like that, can be like trying to explain to a bear on how to use a toilet. So on July 16, 1976, her resignation became effective. Since this created a programming vacuum, Channel 5 talked with me about doing a different show. After a few meetings, some brain-storming, and suggestions, - "Super Guy" was born.

During the last 2 weeks of July 1976, a lot had to be done. What was Super Guy going to look like and where was he going to do his thing? Graphics back then consisted mainly of pen & paper, so our Art Director, Bill Sanders came up with a terrific logo. The first taping was scheduled for August 3rd and we needed a set. So the rest of the crew worked their butt off on July 31st and Aug 1st that weekend, and the "Super Lab" was built.

Eventually my contribution became "T.C.". A couple of stacked boxes, madeup to look like a "Talking Computor". To give him a voice, I gagged my voice up a bit, added some echo, and recorded all his lines onto tape. I put a remote PLAY button on the bottom of the stool that I sat on and whenever TC needed to talk, I just pushed a button. When he finished, I talked. In that way we could talk back-n-forth. The kids loved it. Especially since TC came out on top most of the time. Plus I found that eye contact with the kid's, helped put them all at ease.

Leah Chase, the Producer, did a fantastic job getting Super Guy into the TV Guide and putting together the Super Guy Club, complete with a Membership Card and a "secret" code that was used in the show. She had a terrific idea about using Lobster Bibs for tiny little capes that the kids would wear on their backs. Put a stick-on Super Guy label on them and you've got instant wardrobe. The age group was about 6 to 8, and at that age, kids have a tendency to say whats on their mind. (thank goodness for video tape and editing)! But talking with the kids and playing cartoons, wasn't exactly what I thought a kids show should be. I wanted to be able to take some kids out and do some filming on various locations. So our first location was on a US Naval Vessel - the USS Standley.

The Navy couldn't have been more helpful. We were able to film all over the ship. After editing the film, I basically recorded my voice with explanations to what was going on. After the show, a few kids had their own questions and that's exactly what I was aiming for. It's a wonderful feeling when you're able to reach a young mind and stimulate it's desire to learn. After the Navy visit, I wanted to show other interesting places that kids would probably love to see. So we started with a very "sweet" idea, and placed Super Guy in a donut bakery shop showing him with all kinds of interesting baking equipment. The Charleston Airport visit gave the kids an idea of what was needed to safely deal with air travel and passenger service. Although I was about 6 foot, after a visit with the Citadel Basketball Players, I came away feeling somewhat "short". And what would a visit be without checking out a Fire Station at the St. Andrews Fire Department, giving the kids a first hand look at Fire Safety Equipment.

After a few shows, I created another character called "Cuz", who was really me. I loved doing this split screen production stuff. It was about 2 A.M., and everyone else had gone home. I worked all of the equipment by myself. I basically set the camera up and recorded Super Guy talking to "NO ONE". Of course I had to put the right amount of pauses between our lines - which I placed on cards right in front of me. After Super Guy did his stuff, I rewound the tape and mixed the same camera with the tape using a split screen. Now Super Guy's on the right and the live camera is showing "Cuz" on the left side, and he's now reading the cards that are being covered with Super Guy's video.

While talking with the kids, I found that most of them either had a dog or cat. So one of the most natural places next to film was at the Charleston SPCA. And with a little help from Dr. Dolittle, we tried to "Talk With The Animals". Of course this gave the SPCA a chance to widen it's contributions appeal, plus help display it's message to a "growing" audience.

My favorite filming was at the Charleston Weather Bureau because Charlie Hall wanted to come on the show and moderate what we would be seeing. At that time, Charlie and Stacie were doing an afternoon talk show. So right after their show, I changed into my Super Guy outfit while the set was being lite. After a few moments everyone was ready, the tape rolled, and Super Guy introduced his "Special Guest". As always, Charlie was ready to handle anything that was thrown at him.

The kids really seem to like the Special Effects stuff we did. As they would say, "I like the magic stuff". So we added three more goodies to our Live Production tapes. I tried to stimulate the Arts by having Super Guy paint himself by using the same effect that most weather people use with their weather maps. I even had the "painting" come alive once in a while. Although I don't really have any guitar or banjo talents, I do know how to "fake it". So "Cuz" and Super Guy did a duo in "Dualing Banjo's". And finally, a few photos out of a National Geographics Magazine, showing some underwater scenes, prompted me to swim around while Ringo Starr sang in a "Octopus's Garden" This was the only Studio Production that was done with the aid of our regular crew. I never really had a chance to thank all those creative people that had a hand into building 42 great Super Guy Shows and helping my Channel 5 employment to be so wonderfully enjoyable. I hope that you've enjoyed reading about my WCSC Radio/TV adventures because I wouldn't have missed them for the world.

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