HER FAVORITE SHOW

Back in the day when the ten to twelve hours of TV programming on three or four channels were all in black and white, there were a few quiz/audience participation/celebrity panel shows squeezed twixt the westerns and the wrestling.

And some of these shows are still with us today. Oh, there’s been an evolution in the way of format and sets, a change in emcees and show personalities, and in prizes.

The late 50’s were big on money give- aways, 64,000 Question, Twenty One. These two shows took over the viewing habits of the country. President Eisenhower told his aides he was not to be disturbed when Twenty One was on the air.

And then the bottom fell out. We found out the 64,000 Question and Twenty One were rigged. Congress went so far as to pass a law making it a crime to rig a TV quiz show. Sad, because even some of the honest shows were even taken off the air.

But they crept back on. Albeit with much, much smaller prizes. And eventually the prizes crept back also.

Today you might win a great vacation or a car or even a million dollars. Back in the day of the same shows, the prizes were more along the line of Melmac dinnerware setting for four, or maybe a Frigidaire refrigerator, or maybe a pocket- full of silver dollars. And just like today, those pioneer programs had their devoted followers.

Bert and Lou were as close a couple as one could imagine. When they were referred to it was as BertNLou or LouNBert. When Bert supervised the work in the large plant nursery, he was able to come home each night to Lou and the kids. And he did just that. No stopping off for a cold one on the way home. No poker night with the boys. No joining an organization even if Lou could join it also.

Bert was transferred to sales about the time their nest emptied. These sales were a great deal of new varieties, say of hardy roses, flowers and vines that were winter proof, new development in old tree, items that could be obtained from the nursery Bert worked for.

His territory included the large number of nurseries in and around where he lived and outstate also. It included yearly visits to some large Canadian cities and also the large cities in Alaska. Bert was the champion salesman for the nursery. And Lou began to go with him more and more. The customers liked the idea of BertNLou. While Bert talked business with the husband, Lou talked family with the wife.

One of their favorite trips was to the yearly Nursery Convention in Chicago, promoted by the same convention company in the same downtown hotel and with the same friends and customers of BertNLou. Old home week.

‘BertNLou,’ yelled Rusty, the convention manager from behind the sign- in counter. ‘Now we can officially kick-off the convention. BertNLou have arrived’. The people milling about in the room waved and shouted hellos to BertNLou.

‘Here’s the convention pamphlet , with the nursery events, the events for the spouses, the fun events,’ Rusty said with a voice that suggested he had given this spiel before, many times. ‘Keynote dinner and speakers tonight for us. Tomorrow a lot of symposiums and a bus tour of Chicago highlights Lou and the others. And of course the favorite even, Beer and Brats…’

‘Any new brats this year? How about new beers?’ Bert asked, smiling at the thought of the event.

As Rusty began to expound on the new additions, Lou spoke up, ’There’s a taping of this TV show just down the street…’

‘Yeah, yeah,’ Rusty said, with a wave of his hand, ‘We got tickets, lots of tickets. Actually it is a taping of two episodes. Just for the one ticket. Too bad it is on Beer and…’

It’s my favorite show,’ Lou said. Rusty stopped talking. Bert looked at his wife. ‘They give away a lot of great prizes like dinnerware and sometimes even a Frigidaire. Boy, could we use a new icebox…’

Both Bert and Rusty were looking at Lou. Rusty knew Lou would be going to go to the taping and Bert would be going with her. BertNLou! He slid two tickets to the couple as he commented on how a lot of beer and brats would be waiting when they got back

Lou slid back her bus tour ticket. ‘I got a lot to do tomorrow. All within walking distance. It’s my favorite show.’ She left the keynote even as soon s the dinner and speaking was over.

‘I’m tired, ‘she explained, ‘and tomorrow I got a lot to do to get ready to go see my favorite TV show.’

She was waiting anxiously when Bert got into the hotel room. ‘See,’ she explained, ‘Contestants have to wear costumes. The better the costumes the better chance of getting called. She pointed to the bed where nurse’s dress and hospital scrubs were laid out.

‘No,’ she explained as Bert grabbed the scrubs, ‘That’s my costume. You’re wearing the dress.’

It seemed to take Bert forever to shower, and put on the dress. Lou spent time putting on the lipstick, mascara and rouge. Trying not to be rude, they were further delayed by the crowd waiting to enter Beer and Brat’s hall. A glance at her watch showed they would be not make it to the studio before the taping started began, even thought it was just a walk of three blocks.

The usher explained that the red Do Not Enter light was on and they would have to wait a bit before he could seat them. ‘Great seats,’ he said, ‘First row center.’

The house lights were dim but LouNBert could see the audience as they were escorted down the aisle. None of the audience were clad in funny costumes, just ordinary clothes. And the audience stared as LouNBert were ushered down the balcony aisle and seated in the prime seats to watch the taping of the show below.

Lou squirmed and whispered to Bert, ‘I goofed, honey. I should have read the pamphlet better.This isn’t my favorite show. My favorite show is ‘Let’s Make A Deal’. This is ‘Wheel of Fortune’. It’s good, but you don’t wear silly costumes and the contestants are chosen before the show. We will never have a chance to win a prize. Sorry.’

Bert took her hand. ‘Deal. Wheel. It’s easy to get them mixed up.’

She smiled and suggested they leave after the first show is taped. Bert smiled and squeezed her hand.

BertNLou made good time walking back to the hotel, even if the foot traffic was thick and smiled at two’s costume.

Bert-n-Lou were spotted as soon as they got into the lobby. ‘Come on you two,’ one of the men shouted, ‘There’s still some brats left. And the beer keg is endless.’

‘A long day for me,’ Lou muttered and slide her hand from Bert’s grasp.

‘Lots of fun! Lots of fun!’ she heard Bert’s voice boom out as he headed for the Grand Ballroom. ‘And you know,’ he continued, ‘That’s my bride’s favorite TV show.’

She smiled as she headed to the elevator. Married over 40 years and he still referred to her as his bride.

And as she stood waiting for the slowest elevator in Chicago, she made a wish…’I hope he doesn’t get too much mustard on his dress.’

And thus wraps

this post.

The story is true

Only the names have been altered