RTV 3007 • Intro to Television

THE KENNEDY YEARS

KENNEDY-NIXON DEBATE, 1960

• September 26, 1960

• First televised presidential debate

• Showed the power of image on television

• TV watchers thought that Kennedy won

• Radio listeners thought that Nixon won

• Clip from debate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazmVHAO0os

KENNEDY-NIXON DEBATE, 1960

• “Nixon appeared emaciated, unhealthy, and awkward. He had just arrived at the studio after a strenuous campaign in which he made appearances in all 50 states…” He had lost 5 pounds and his shirt collar was loose. He refused to have theatrical makeup applied to his face, but later applied Lazy Shave, a product designed to hide five o’clock shadow. It melted during the debate. Nixon's gray suit seemed to blend in with the background, especially on the era's black and white television screens.”

• On the other hand, Kennedy appeared handsome, tanned and confident. He took time to rest before the debates and his suit contrasted well against the background. Kennedy became a regularly recurring face on television.

CAMELOT AND DOCUMENTARY

• Kennedy was a natural for TV. He made a documentary, Primary, about his run for president

• His willingness to go on television helped inspire TV news organizations to produce more and better documentaries:

• The Real West showed real life during America’s westward expansion, in contrast to Bonanza

• End of the Trail showed the lives of native Americans

• Sit-In showed African-American resistance to segregation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT9gILdTaWo

• Biography of a Bookie Joint helped launch Investigative reporting http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2851654n

THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS• January 1, 1959 – Fidel Castro assumes power in Cuba.• January 3, 1961 - the US severs diplomatic ties with Cuba.• April 17, 1961 – Bay of Pigs invasion• August 10, 1962 – Photos show Soviets may have missiles in Cuba• October 14-17 1962 – Photos prove that the Soviets have installed

nuclear warheads in Cuba• October 21, 1962 – Photos show that Soviet fighter jets armed with

nuclear missiles are assembling in Cuba• On October 22 - President Kennedy addresses the country. The US will

blockade Cuba.

THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

• Kennedy Speech – October 22, 1962, 7pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W50RNAbmy3M

• DEFCON2

• Pt 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwz7YAQj-r0

• Pt. 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGA-iW0KsAg

• Pt. 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTFSv_2GHoA

• Pt.5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Ou0yeBhAY

MARCH TOWARD CIVIL RIGHTS ON TV• In the early 1960s, Americans saw racial injustice and the demand for

civil rights play out in the news and on television• May 1963 – TV captures excessive use of Police force on marchers in

Birmingham, ALhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joc3CRL6x4E

• June 1963 - Governor George Wallace tries to stop 2 black students from enrolling at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa0rQtXeMGU

• August 28, 1963 - March on Washingtonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wDU-oYQN04

THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY• November 23, 1963 • Walter Cronkite announces the death of John F. Kennedy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K8Q3cqGs7I• Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as president 99 minutes later• Funeral of JFK was televised. Clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuJjaOKITn4

FALLOUT FROM THE QUIZ SHOW SCANDALS