The Museum of Broadcast Communications has made a triumphant return to the West Loop in Chicago, offering visitors a nostalgic journey through the golden ages of television and radio. The museum now features classic collections alongside modern interactive displays.
Among the highlights of the museum’s reopening are exhibits dedicated to late-night television, with a special focus on Johnny Carson, the iconic host of “The Tonight Show” for three decades. ABC7’s Hosea Sanders provided an inside look at these captivating displays.
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The museum’s origins trace back to the 1980s, designed to preserve and celebrate the rich history of broadcast media, allowing the public to explore, learn, and be entertained by the evolution of TV and radio.
After a year of revitalization efforts, the museum has reopened under the leadership of Chairman and President Dave Plier. Sanders had the opportunity to converse with Plier while seated at a replica of Johnny Carson’s famed desk.
“Johnny Carson once captivated audiences of 20 to 30 million nightly,” Plier remarked. “We have preserved original set pieces, including the Bozo drum, the grand prize game setup, and the drum filled with children’s postcards for contests.”
Visitors can also enjoy an interactive experience on the “I Dream of Jeannie” set, creatively inspired by a Jim Beam collectible decanter, adding a touch of whimsy to the museum’s offerings.
“A prop artist walked into a liquor store, saw the bottle, painted it, and it became the iconic bottle we know today,” Plier said. “For the last five decades, The Loop was on the air. Jonathan Brandmeier, Kevin Matthews, Steve and Garry – You can’t talk about The Loop without Disco Demolition at Comiskey Park – more people were ticked off that the game was canceled.”
When asked what his dream is for the museum, Plier said, “You get to smile you get to laugh you get to reengage with some of the things that you grew up with or something you’ve never seen before. In a world full of chaos these days, and the news, you’re getting 24-seven, whether it’s on television on your phone, on your iPad, this gives you a minute to pull the curtain down and just really relax and enjoy a fun experience.”
