KJR’s Frank Thompson & Tim Burgess – Traffic Report Debacle

Here’s a classic faux pas rarely heard on the always-tight Channel 95. It’s the Tom Murphy program in October, 1969. Newsman Frank Thompson is trying his best to report a major traffic mess on the Mercer Island Floating Bridge. But in the audible background Tim Burgess is unaware Thompson’s on the air. Murphy’s clever wit brings a nearly speechless response from Thompson, something rarely heard in Frank’s five years with KJR. Burgess, of course, later became a Seattle City Council member. Thanks to Norm Gregory for this clip, which runs about one minute.

Ronald DeHart

Ron DeHart is a former newspaper and broadcast journalist and a retired Public Affairs Officer from both the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Navy/Naval Reserve. His historical accounts of Pacific Northwest broadcasting are published by QZVX. View more articles by Ron DeHart