Prank played on fill-in TV news anchor (WCOV-TV, Montgomery)

[swknuckles]

I worked at another station in the market around this time--possibly slightly later. We could have never pulled this off because we didn't even HAVE a newscast. Near the end of the video, someone mentioned that this will live forever. Well, thanks to the internet and YouTube, it will for all of us to enjoy. Jerry, you were a great sport then and now! Thanks for the Montgomery television memory. Steve Knuckles, Production Department WKAB-TV 1984-1986.

[ddmaura1]

whatever, my dad (in this video) has a sense of humor and does think this is funny!! We've laughed at it for years!

[309893]

Has he forgiven you yet? Have you ever worn an earpiece?

[babyshuttle]

It`d be nice if there had been some gun shots in the end.. the fella reporters screaming as he walked past the camera.. lmao :)

[moodphase5]

Shame, he was so nice... He didn't swear or get angry or anything...

[rebafan19]

but at least KECY-TV in El Centro, CA/Yuma, AZ ditched their CBS affiliate to become Fox

[rebafan19]

KECY in El Centro, CA/Yuma, AZ had a newscast one time as a CBS affiliate just like WCOV, now both stations are Fox affiliates

[XB70Valk]

`COV was an independent for a short while until FOX hit the air. In mid-`85, they were bought out by Woods Communications, who promptly ditched the News division. They let their CBS affiliate license run out at the end of `85, then rode things out as an independent "Movie Channel" until FOX came on for a few nights a week with just a handful of shows. They didn't carry America's Most Wanted - among FOX's first shows - until after it was already well into its first season.

[Grouchomx]

This guy handled it like a real pro! I hope he ended up going far in the biz and not in some podunk market like Montgomery...

[XB70Valk]

Actually, he was an attorney by day, so he didn't have to rely on the chump-change wages of mid-market TV. He may still practice law today if not retired.

[cliftonjamesclifton]

As a Montgomery native who visited WCOV many times (even played Pee Wee football in front of the station) this is great. I was off in college when this went down, but it does bring back memories...

[bluesman1955]

I was the Director for this prank... everything you see is in real time, no editing. The really funny stuff is what I'm telling him in his earpiece and his reactions during the brief blackouts... Jerry did not see the humor in this for years and even now is somewhat less than thrilled when the joke is mentioned. But you have to agree that he was a complete pro throughout the prank. Rick Pennington, Director WCOV TV in the 70's and early 80's

[edsgoldens1]

Great prank!

[barneyb3]

This prank happened before I arrived on the scene. I had heard about it but until now had never seen it.

I had an equally horrific night doing sports that was for real. Luckily, no tape evidence exists.

It is so weird to see that horrible looking set some 28 years later. It brings back a lot of strange memories.

Barney Bonfield

WCOV Alum August 11, 1982 to December 2, 1985

[shaunfossett]

I love it!