TFTP On This Day: "CBS Evening News" from CBS (Apr. 24, 1980)

Posted to YouTube by user 'NewsActive3'
Length - 29:28

It Was 38 Years Ago Today: This broadcast of the "CBS Evening News", from 38 years ago today on Thursday, April 24, 1980, was near the end of Walter Cronkite's nearly two-decade run as anchor. (At the end of the broadcast, Cronkite announces he'll be on vacation the following week, with his future replacement Dan Rather filling in.) The newscast is dominated by two stories: Rep. John Anderson's announcement from that day that he would run as an independent in the 1980 presidential campaign, after having failed to secure the Republican nomination; and ongoing developments in the Iran hostage crisis, which had begun the previous fall and would last until early-1981, thus dominating the news throughout 1980.

The Iran hostage crisis garnered several separate stories, including about new sanctions against Iran, about possible plans for military action in response to the crisis, about attempts by the parents of one of the hostages to negotiate with the Iranian government, and about reports from Iranian officials on their perspective on the crisis. Other significant stories in the broadcast include a summary of an address given by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and a report on Congressional investigation into the regulatory authority of federal agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission.

Original commercial breaks are included in this recording from Las Vegas CBS affiliate KLAS. Ads appear for Nevada National Bank, Lincoln Continental autos, Remington Micro Shave electric razor, Bulova watches, Uniroyal tires, Visa travelers checks, Sanka coffee (with spokesman Robert Young), Bayer aspirin, Safeco Insurance (with spokespanther the Pink Panther), General Tire, and Five Alive orange juice. Two IDs for KLAS also appear at the very beginning and very end of the broadcast.

TFTP Will Return After These Messages: Commercial Block from CBS (Jan. 14, 1966)

Posted to YouTube by user 'Pannoni 9'
Length - 6:02

Every Wednesday, TFTP takes a break from regular programming to bring you a selection of classic commercials. We will return after these messages...

The commercials in this block (taken from a 1966 episode of the CBS game show "Password") largely fall under two of the major categories of ads: cleaning products and baking products. In the baking products division, there are three different Pillsbury commercials (for butter pecan coffee cake mix, for chilled refrigerated pies, and for flour) and a commercial for D-Zerta gelatin. In the cleaning products division are commercials for the now-obscure laundry detergent additive La France (which seems like it was so-named just so it could have the slogan "Vive La France"), Aerowax floor wax, and Wizard deodorizer.

A couple of other commercials not fitting into the baking or cleaning categories are great examples of types of products that were just becoming common in the mid-1960s. A commercial for Sanka coffee demonstrates what a novelty decaffeinated coffee was at the time--the commercial is one from the well-known series of commercials where pleased restaurant patrons were unknowingly served the caffeine-free Sanka. In addition, a Right Guard deodorant commercial emphasizes the benefits of deodorant in an aerosol can, then a new phenomenon (no messy cream or stick! the whole family can use the same deodorant!).