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Why TV ?
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| Cub Scout 1968 |
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In December 1968, I was 7 years old, and given the opportunity to be one of the children on Sacramento's KOVR-TV Channel 13 "Cap'n Delta" morning cartoon show. At the time, KOVR was the local ABC affiliate. It aired Monday to Friday from 7 to 9 a.m. This was long before "Good Morning America".
Anyway, I was one of the 6 kids on that particular show. I was the only boy. Yep, me and 5 girls! The host was a gentleman named Charles (Charlie) Duncan... (At least in this phase of the show). There were 2 others who "played the role", but for my story, I am using the Cap'n Delta who I was on TV with!
The show taped probably 1/2 hour. We did not see the cartoons. They were edited in later to make it a 2 hour show. I remember I was the "Pepsi Pal", winning 2 cases of Pepsi-Cola. One for me, and one for my "best friend" and neighbor Kevin Carlson.
He has gone on to GREAT things himself. Heck, he is FAMOUS!.... Visit his web site HERE.
He is a famous "puppeteer" in Hollywood now. I have not seen Kevin in years... but I am still proud of all his success!
Back to the story though... I remember sitting in that Arden Way studio, under the hot lights and the brightly colored sets, the big TV cameras and taking it all in. It fascinated me. So much so, it sort of gave me a passion to want to go into the TV biz. Mr. Duncan showed me all around the studio after the taping... and the dye was cast.
So, at Mariemont Elementary School, I was always the go-to guy for getting the TV monitor for the classroom or film projector. The teachers always had me play the role of "projectionist". What a geek huh? I sure didn't hang out with the gals at recess! At Arden Junior High, we had a TV Production class, furthering the skills. It all culminated with the Radio and TV production classes at Rio Americano High School. Through Rio, I got into the Television Regional Occupations Class (meeting at Sacramento High School) in the 1978-79 school year. To make this long story shorter... through the R.O.P. program, I got an internship in February 1979 at KCRA-TV. The "paying career" started there in July 1979!
Now, over 30 years later... I just ended a stellar career at KCRA. Thank you Cap'n Delta (Charlie Duncan) for getting me hooked on the TV industry. Lucky for me, he and I are now members of the Sacramento Valley Broadcasting Legends. I see him every other month. Yes, I keep thanking him.
Ron Middlekauff
ron@middlekauff.tv
(916) 212-5829
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| Cap'n Delta --- Charles "Charlie" Duncan circa 1968 |
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| Cap'n Delta set circa 1968 (I am NOT in photo) |
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| Charles "Charlie" Duncan as Cap'n Delta & Ron Middlekauff together again in 2001 |
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Black & White Photos Courtesy:
The Charles Duncan Collection at the Sacramento History Center Archives
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