Suncoast Digest (partially found Christine Chubbuck episodes of WXLT talk show; 1973-1974): Difference between revisions

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(The Christine Chubbuck tape has been over-documented by this point, it is a shame that Chubbuck is known only for that rather than for her reporting career. Therefore, it's time that we document the talk show she hosted, and hopefully a more positive side of her. Based on accounts from her colleagues and family, Chubbuck was intelligent, boasted a strong work ethic, and benefitted her community. Credit to Lost Media Wiki Forum user tapesignal for that lovely colourised photo of Chubbuck!)
 
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'''''Suncoast Digest''''' was a WXLT-TV (Channel 40) morning talk show. It was originally broadcast from 1973 to 1974, and featured Christine Chubbuck reporting on and discussing community affairs within Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida.
'''''Suncoast Digest''''' was a WXLT-TV (Channel 40) morning talk show. It was originally broadcast from 1973 to 1974 and featured Christine Chubbuck reporting on and discussing community affairs within Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida.


==Background==
==Background==
''Suncoast Digest'' was conceptualised to report on and discuss activities featuring people situated within Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida.<ref name="pelican">''Siesta Key Pelican'' reporting on WXLT-TV establishing ''Suncoast Digest'' with Chubbuck as host. Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref><ref name="washington">[https://web.archive.org/web/20041226184750/http://www.manship2.lsu.edu/perkins/Handouts/chubbucknew.pdf 4th August 1974 issue of ''Washington Post'' detailing the life of Chubbuck and her time hosting ''Suncoast Digest.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref><ref name="matter">[https://whenwordsmatter.typepad.com/before_their_time/2021/02/valerie-rubin-wasnt-believing-what-she-was-hearing-did-the-woman-on-her-tv-screen-really-say-something-about-blood-a.html ''When Words Matter'' detailing the story of Chubbuck, including her career hosting ''Suncoast Digest'' and her conflicts with management.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref> WXLT decided that Christine Chubbuck was the ideal reporter for this new talk show, with the young reporter having been hired in the summer of 1973.<ref name="matter"/><ref name="pelican"/> Having graduated Boston University in 1965 with a broadcasting and film degree, Chubbuck has previous experience within the television industry, including being an assistant producer for WQED-TV, and a traffic reporter for WTOG.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="matter"/> According to colleague Craig Sager, Chubbuck's intelligence, wit, and writing skills contributed towards her hiring.<ref name="neuro">[https://neuroblending.wordpress.com/2019/07/14/christine-chubbuck-assumptions-on-spectrum-and-a-cautionary-tale-of-unattended-mental-health-care/ ''Neuroblending'' detailing Sager's comments surrounding Chubbuck's hiring, and her clashes with management over their new direction.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref> In an interview with the ''Siesta Key Pelican'', production manager Gordon Acker stated that ''Suncoast Digest'' would be dedicated towards the stories surrounding local people and activities, as well as featuring "lost segments of the community", including alcoholics and drug users.<ref name="pelican"/>
''Suncoast Digest'' was conceptualised to report on and discuss activities featuring people situated within Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida.<ref name="pelican">''Siesta Key Pelican'' reporting on WXLT-TV establishing ''Suncoast Digest'' with Chubbuck as host. Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref><ref name="washington">[https://web.archive.org/web/20041226184750/http://www.manship2.lsu.edu/perkins/Handouts/chubbucknew.pdf 4th August 1974 issue of ''Washington Post'' detailing the life of Chubbuck and her time hosting ''Suncoast Digest.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref><ref name="matter">[https://whenwordsmatter.typepad.com/before_their_time/2021/02/valerie-rubin-wasnt-believing-what-she-was-hearing-did-the-woman-on-her-tv-screen-really-say-something-about-blood-a.html ''When Words Matter'' detailing the story of Chubbuck, including her career hosting ''Suncoast Digest'' and her conflicts with management.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref> WXLT decided that Christine Chubbuck was the ideal reporter for this new talk show, with the young reporter having been hired in the summer of 1973.<ref name="matter"/><ref name="pelican"/> Having graduated from Boston University in 1965 with a broadcasting and film degree, Chubbuck has previous experience within the television industry, including being an assistant producer for WQED-TV, and a traffic reporter for WTOG.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="matter"/> According to colleague Craig Sager, Chubbuck's intelligence, wit, and writing skills contributed towards her hiring.<ref name="neuro">[https://neuroblending.wordpress.com/2019/07/14/christine-chubbuck-assumptions-on-spectrum-and-a-cautionary-tale-of-unattended-mental-health-care/ ''Neuroblending'' detailing Sager's comments surrounding Chubbuck's hiring, and her clashes with management over their new direction.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref> In an interview with the ''Siesta Key Pelican'', production manager Gordon Acker stated that ''Suncoast Digest'' would be dedicated towards the stories surrounding local people and activities, as well as featuring "lost segments of the community", including alcoholics and drug users.<ref name="pelican"/>


Chubbuck committed herself as host of ''Suncoast Digest'', and saw this as an opportunity to advance her broadcasting career.<ref name="culture">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/killing_for_culture/MI5XDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT385&printsec=frontcover ''Killing for Culture'' detailing Chubbuck's ambitions and the show's premise.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref><ref name="matter"/><ref name="washington"/> Ensuring the show lived up to its community affairs premise, Chubbuck frequently featured and interviewed politicians, police deputies, and other local personalities.<ref name="people">[https://people.com/crime/brother-of-christine-chubbuck-says-no-one-will-ever-find-tape-of-horrific-day/ ''People'' detailing Chubbuck's work on ''Suncoast Digest'', her interview with deputy regarding suicide, and her family's attempts to support her career.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref><ref name="culture"/><ref name="matter"/><ref name="washington"/><ref name="neuro"/> She also aimed for the show to delve deeper than the typical stories showcased in morning talk shows, and instead provide serious discussions on topical societal and environmental concerns.<ref name="matter"/><ref name="people"/> As originally promised by Acker, ''Suncoast Digest'' did not shy away from discussing darker subject matters.<ref name="pelican"/><ref name="matter"/><ref name="people"/> In one episode, Chubbuck interviewed a deputy sheriff regarding suicide.<ref name="people"/> The show would air at around 9am for thirty minutes from Monday to Friday, with Chubbuck earning around $100 a week.<ref name="matter"/><ref name="washington"/>
Chubbuck committed herself as host of ''Suncoast Digest'', and saw this as an opportunity to advance her broadcasting career.<ref name="culture">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/killing_for_culture/MI5XDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT385&printsec=frontcover ''Killing for Culture'' detailing Chubbuck's ambitions and the show's premise.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref><ref name="matter"/><ref name="washington"/> Ensuring the show lived up to its community affairs premise, Chubbuck frequently featured and interviewed politicians, police deputies, and other local personalities.<ref name="people">[https://people.com/crime/brother-of-christine-chubbuck-says-no-one-will-ever-find-tape-of-horrific-day/ ''People'' detailing Chubbuck's work on ''Suncoast Digest'', her interview with a deputy regarding suicide, and her family's attempts to support her career.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref><ref name="culture"/><ref name="matter"/><ref name="washington"/><ref name="neuro"/> She also aimed for the show to delve deeper than the typical stories showcased in morning talk shows, and instead provide serious discussions on topical societal and environmental concerns.<ref name="matter"/><ref name="people"/> As originally promised by Acker, ''Suncoast Digest'' did not shy away from discussing darker subject matters.<ref name="pelican"/><ref name="matter"/><ref name="people"/> In one episode, Chubbuck interviewed a deputy sheriff regarding suicide.<ref name="people"/> The show would air at around 9 AM for thirty minutes from Monday to Friday, with Chubbuck earning around $100 a week.<ref name="matter"/><ref name="washington"/>


Chubbuck reportedly loved hosting the show, with her family and co-workers praising her work ethic and talent as a reporter.<ref name="matter"/><ref name="washington"/><ref name="people"/> She was also noted for her ambitions to positively benefit her local community.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="people"/><ref name="matter"/> For example, her extensive backing of forest conservation programs led to her being nominated for a Forestry and Conservation Recognition Award.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nD0gAAAAIBAJ&pg=4643%2C1741234 20th July 1974 issue of ''Sarasota Herald-Tribune'' reporting on Chubbuck being nominated for a Forestry and Conservation Recognition Award.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref> She had also produced puppets, which she sometimes showcased on her show, but would also use to entertain mentally handicapped children within a local hospital.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="matter"/> Her family were supportive of her role.<ref name="people"/><ref name="matter"/> For instance, her mother, Peg, had purchased various $2,000 designer dresses for her, which ensured Christine positively stood out and gained confidence during broadcasts, especially when considering wearing such dresses was uncommon for local television reporters back in the 1970s.<ref name="people"/><ref name="matter"/> But despite Chubbuck's best efforts, ''Suncoast Digest'' struggled to attract viewers.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="matter"/> Whereas some WXLT shows could obtain up to 10,000 viewers, ''Suncoast Digest'' often failed to even reach 500, with its maximum viewership being about 1,000.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="matter"/>  
Chubbuck reportedly loved hosting the show, with her family and co-workers praising her work ethic and talent as a reporter.<ref name="matter"/><ref name="washington"/><ref name="people"/> She was also noted for her ambitions to positively benefit her local community.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="people"/><ref name="matter"/> For example, her extensive backing of forest conservation programs led to her being nominated for a Forestry and Conservation Recognition Award.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nD0gAAAAIBAJ&pg=4643%2C1741234 20th July 1974 issue of ''Sarasota Herald-Tribune'' reporting on Chubbuck being nominated for a Forestry and Conservation Recognition Award.] Retrieved 17th Nov '22</ref> She had also produced puppets, which she sometimes showcased on her show, but would also use to entertain mentally handicapped children within a local hospital.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="matter"/> Her family were supportive of her role.<ref name="people"/><ref name="matter"/> For instance, her mother, Peg, had purchased various $2,000 designer dresses for her, which ensured Christine positively stood out and gained confidence during broadcasts, especially when considering wearing such dresses was uncommon for local television reporters back in the 1970s.<ref name="people"/><ref name="matter"/> But despite Chubbuck's best efforts, ''Suncoast Digest'' struggled to attract viewers.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="matter"/> Whereas some WXLT shows could obtain up to 10,000 viewers, ''Suncoast Digest'' often failed to even reach 500, with its maximum viewership being about 1,000.<ref name="washington"/><ref name="matter"/>  

Revision as of 02:42, 19 November 2022

Suncoastdigest1.png

Colourised photo of Chubbuck smiling and posing with a WXLT camera.

Status: Partially Found

Suncoast Digest was a WXLT-TV (Channel 40) morning talk show. It was originally broadcast from 1973 to 1974 and featured Christine Chubbuck reporting on and discussing community affairs within Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida.

Background

Suncoast Digest was conceptualised to report on and discuss activities featuring people situated within Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida.[1][2][3] WXLT decided that Christine Chubbuck was the ideal reporter for this new talk show, with the young reporter having been hired in the summer of 1973.[3][1] Having graduated from Boston University in 1965 with a broadcasting and film degree, Chubbuck has previous experience within the television industry, including being an assistant producer for WQED-TV, and a traffic reporter for WTOG.[2][3] According to colleague Craig Sager, Chubbuck's intelligence, wit, and writing skills contributed towards her hiring.[4] In an interview with the Siesta Key Pelican, production manager Gordon Acker stated that Suncoast Digest would be dedicated towards the stories surrounding local people and activities, as well as featuring "lost segments of the community", including alcoholics and drug users.[1]

Chubbuck committed herself as host of Suncoast Digest, and saw this as an opportunity to advance her broadcasting career.[5][3][2] Ensuring the show lived up to its community affairs premise, Chubbuck frequently featured and interviewed politicians, police deputies, and other local personalities.[6][5][3][2][4] She also aimed for the show to delve deeper than the typical stories showcased in morning talk shows, and instead provide serious discussions on topical societal and environmental concerns.[3][6] As originally promised by Acker, Suncoast Digest did not shy away from discussing darker subject matters.[1][3][6] In one episode, Chubbuck interviewed a deputy sheriff regarding suicide.[6] The show would air at around 9 AM for thirty minutes from Monday to Friday, with Chubbuck earning around $100 a week.[3][2]

Chubbuck reportedly loved hosting the show, with her family and co-workers praising her work ethic and talent as a reporter.[3][2][6] She was also noted for her ambitions to positively benefit her local community.[2][6][3] For example, her extensive backing of forest conservation programs led to her being nominated for a Forestry and Conservation Recognition Award.[7] She had also produced puppets, which she sometimes showcased on her show, but would also use to entertain mentally handicapped children within a local hospital.[2][3] Her family were supportive of her role.[6][3] For instance, her mother, Peg, had purchased various $2,000 designer dresses for her, which ensured Christine positively stood out and gained confidence during broadcasts, especially when considering wearing such dresses was uncommon for local television reporters back in the 1970s.[6][3] But despite Chubbuck's best efforts, Suncoast Digest struggled to attract viewers.[2][3] Whereas some WXLT shows could obtain up to 10,000 viewers, Suncoast Digest often failed to even reach 500, with its maximum viewership being about 1,000.[2][3]

This led to WXLT higher-ups to demand the show be revamped and focus on providing sensationalist news reports.[3][2][4] Chubbuck was strongly against this, firmly believing this would cause the station to be ridiculed.[8] This led to frequent conflicts with management, who insisted on executing the "if it bleeds, it leads" philosophy that they hoped would increase ratings within the growing media market.[2][3][4] Other changes, such as allowing some of her colleagues to conduct interviews on the show, and adding plastic flowers to the set to boost its appearance, also greatly angered Chubbuck.[3][2][4] Nevertheless, she carried on with hosting duties, expanding towards occasionally providing news reports during the weekends.[2][3] Chubbuck's final broadcast on 15th July 1974 ended in tragic circumstances.[9][2][3] Nevertheless, Suncoast Digest continued for at least another three years, with two other reporters having taken over her role during that time period.[9]

Availability

Ultimately, limited footage of Chubbuck's Suncoast Digest episodes has resurfaced. A few seconds of her during an interview can be found online, having also been broadcast as part of the 40th anniversary of WXLT (now WWSB). The snippet was originally showcased in the film Kate Plays Christine, being part of a 21-minute tape which is in the possession of weatherman Steve Newman.[10] Newman decided not to fully release the tape, being concerned that people only cared about Chubbuck over the events in the final episode.[10] Rebecca Hall, who portrayed Chubbuck in the 2016 biographical film Christine, claimed she had viewed 15 minutes of interview footage featuring Chubbuck in preparation for the role.[8] This, alongside most other footage of Suncoast Digest, remains publicly inaccessible.

Gallery

Videos

Footage of Chubbuck on Suncoast Digest.

Footage provided as part of WWSB's 40th anniversary (4:59-5:24).

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Siesta Key Pelican reporting on WXLT-TV establishing Suncoast Digest with Chubbuck as host. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 4th August 1974 issue of Washington Post detailing the life of Chubbuck and her time hosting Suncoast Digest. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 When Words Matter detailing the story of Chubbuck, including her career hosting Suncoast Digest and her conflicts with management. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Neuroblending detailing Sager's comments surrounding Chubbuck's hiring, and her clashes with management over their new direction. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Killing for Culture detailing Chubbuck's ambitions and the show's premise. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 People detailing Chubbuck's work on Suncoast Digest, her interview with a deputy regarding suicide, and her family's attempts to support her career. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
  7. ↑ 20th July 1974 issue of Sarasota Herald-Tribune reporting on Chubbuck being nominated for a Forestry and Conservation Recognition Award. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chicago Reader detailing Hall portraying Christine Chubbuck in Christine, with Hall stating she viewed 15 minutes of interview footage featuring Chubbuck. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Show Won't Go On detailing Chubbuck's tragic final episode, and noting the show continued three years afterwards with two new reporters. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lost Media Forums discussing the footage held by Steve Newman. Retrieved 17th Nov '22
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