Premiere of the hour long Action News 5 newscast at 6pm

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People:
Adele Arakawa, Ann Devlin, Bill Schmidt, Bob DeBardelaben, Bob Holliday, Charlie Gaddy, Denece Boyer, Fred Taylor, Greg Fishel, Joel Lawhon, Mike Modrick, Pam Parris, Tim Smith, Tom Suiter

Program Type:
Newscasts

Type:
Video

WRAL-TV launched the hour long version of Action News 5 at 6:00PM on June 14, 1982. You will also see vintage commercials that aired during the newscast. WRAL News had been preparing for this moment for a couple of years. The preps ranged from a ramp-up of resources ranging from reporters, photographers, producers, to moving to newsroom/set. You will notice that Charlie Gaddy does not have a co-anchor at this point. Bobbie Battista, former co-anchor joined CNN in Atlanta in December, 1981. Adele Arakawa would join Charlie on March 14, 1983.
The news department manager was Steve Grissom. The newscast was produced by Connie Lane and directed by Pam Parris -Allen.
If you look closely at the end of the newscast, you can see a crowd of people at the back of the newsroom (left of the Action News 5 logo) standing in the shadows; they are huddled around a television set watching the premiere.
*NOTE* You will notice several quick video break-ups during “The Money Desk” segment with reporter Tim Smith.

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“The Pumpkins Strike Back” vignettes

“The Pumpkins Strike Back” is a delightful, cheesy series of four vignettes that aired on WRAL-TV during the late night Halloween movie on October 31, 1981. During the commercial breaks, “The Pumpkins Strike Back” would air prior to the commercials, then back to the movie.

Rowell Gorman, “The Man of a Thousand Voices”, wrote the script and provided different voices to the pumpkin characters, as well as appearing in the production. Other “actors” were staff members at WRAL, many who had never acted before – and that will be apparent! The vignettes were produced by the WRAL production staff.

The parody is loosely based on several blockbuster movies including STAR WARS, PSYCHO and PATTON. But “The Pumpkins Strike Back” is in a league of its own. Enjoy!

NOTE: Single channel audio. Originally produced on 3/4 inch videotape.
Action News 5 promo Image promo 1982

This news image promo from 1982 blends behind-the-scenes video of the newsroom with video of community activity to illustrate the connection between WRAL News and the people it serves.

In the video you will see a variety news anchors and reportors as well as behind-the-scenes production staff and news photographers.
WRAL Control Room 1982

WRAL-TV control room staff prepares for live television just before Action News 5 at 6pm newscast begins. L-R: Producer Connie Lane, Audio operator Tammy Martin, Director Pam Parris and Production Assistant Celia Hartnett.
Inauguration of NC Governor Jim Martin

“Passing the Torch” The Inauguration of North Carolina Governor Jim Martin on January 5, 1985. WRAL-TV produced the live coverage of the inauguration for the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters and was carried by television stations across the state. WRAL-TV Station Manager Neil Kuvin served as Executive Producer. Directed and produced by WRAL-TV director/producer Pam Parris Allen. WRAL-TV News Anchor Bill Leslie served as primary anchor. Other on-air reporters were provided by stations in North Carolina. Technical set-up provided by WRAL-TV.
Pam Parris Allen

Pam was the first female Director-Producer at WRAL-TV. This photo is from 1981 in the news control room. Pam operated the Grass Valley switcher seen behind her.

Premiere of the hour long Action News 5 newscast at 6pm

More Highlights for Pam Parris

“The Pumpkins Strike Back” vignettes

Action News 5 promo Image promo 1982

WRAL Control Room 1982

Inauguration of NC Governor Jim Martin

Pam Parris Allen

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