WMCA Good Guy, Jim Harriott

Robin Mitchell on the topic: JIM HARRIOTT
Was just checking out your TV-Radio Talent section. JIM HARRIOT the Seattle TV anchor was part of the legendary WMCA Good Guy DJ lineup in New York. thought you might want to know. Theres even a picture of the crew on the internet. [Thanks, Robin!!]

Jim Harriott, born William James Harriott, began his broadcasting career in Florida, and New York. He was one of the WMCA Good Guy. [Thanks to Robin Mitchell for the tip!] Went on to do news at WNBC. Prior to arriving in Seattle, he worked as a national and international reporter for ABC News and Voice of America. Harriott joined KOMO TV 4 and later KING 5 News [in 1971]. Harriott left KING Newservice on May 23, 1975. In December of that year, he joined new public television station KCPQ 13, Tacoma, as director of public affairs programming. By July 12, 1976, Harriott was back in Seattle, this time at KIRO 7 News. On September 6 1977, Harriott became Executive News Director at KOMO 4. He celebrated a 25 year broadcasting career in January 1978.He spent 13 years in Seattle as a local newscaster. In the late 1980s he left Seattle for station WJLA in Washington D.C., where he became the evening news anchor. Following a successful career in television he served as the radio host of “Prime Time Focus,” a nationally syndicated program sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). He joined the program in 1993, serving as national host until his death in 2007 from stroke-related complications. Harriott played a Seattle TV anchorman in the 1983 film War Games.

WMCA: The Good Guys Era (Late 1950s–1970) During the peak of Top 40 radio’s golden age, WMCA stood out as one of New York City’s most dynamic and beloved stations from the late 1950s until 1970. As an independent, family-owned outlet with no network ties, it overcame internal hesitation—particularly from manager R. Peter Straus, who favored talk radio—to embrace a high-energy pop music format that captivated teenage baby boomers.

Harry Harrison — WMCA Good Guy, a remote broadcast from Broadway, next to a fall-out shelter at the height of the Cold War. (26:10)

The transformation began in 1958 when General Manager Steve Labunski, influenced by Top 40 innovator Todd Storz, hired Ruth Meyer as program director despite resistance to a woman in that position. Meyer shaped a unified “team radio” style, tightening the playlist of hit songs and building cohesion among the on-air personalities. By late 1960 the format solidified, and in 1963 WMCA launched its famous “Good Guys” brand—promoted more enthusiastically than anywhere else—turning the disc jockeys into local celebrities.The lineup included Joe O’Brien in mornings, Harry Harrison midday, Jack Spector afternoons, Dan Daniel in drive time, B. Mitchel Reed evenings, and others like Ed Baer and Johnny Dark. They shared a clean-cut look, performed together at events, recorded group songs (including the station theme), and released an album. Their constant public appearances, remotes, and lively jingles created infectious excitement.

WMCA gained an edge by playing new records first—securing advance copies of Beatles hits and others—and issuing a weekly survey countdown. Though limited by a 5,000-watt signal (versus rival WABC’s 50,000 watts), it dominated New York City, Brooklyn, and Harlem with broader music variety and cross-generational appeal: teen nighttime shows kept dials tuned for family-friendly mornings and middays.

Success peaked mid-decade, but by the late 1960s FM growth, WABC’s music focus, staff changes, and sales pressures eroded its standing. After brief experiments and the Good Guys’ temporary revival, the Straus family’s vision prevailed: on September 21, 1970, WMCA switched to talk format “Dial-Log Radio,” ending a memorable decade of smiley-faced sweatshirts, team spirit, and Top 40 magic.