A Rare And Detailed Look At NBC’s Brooklyn Studios…Part 2 of 2
A Rare And Detailed Look At NBC’s Brooklyn Studios…Part 2 of 2
Today, we will take a look inside what was once the world’s biggest color television studios…that’s biggest in size and reputation.
Starting with the floor plan and sizes, Studio I was 163′ by 70′ with 24′ from the floor to the light grid. The floor area is 11,200 square feet and had an audience capacity of 420 in fold away bleachers.
Studio II, built from the ground up by NBC, was the smaller of the two, but had much more head room. It had 9,700 square feet of floor space and from floor to lighting grid was 39′. It was 131′ by 75′ and held an audience of 582 in fold away bleachers.
The famous swimming pool built for ‘The Ester Williams Aqua Spectacular’ which aired live November 29, 1956 is still there, under the floor of Studio I. Amazingly, there is a full basement under both studios and back in the day, was jam packed with scenery, props and equipment. I think the swimming pool was on the back wall, at the top of the Studio I floor plan. Studio II was used as the “dry” set with all the dance numbers and Studio I was the “wet” set.
I’ve included an October 1956 Broadcasting Magazine article that talks about the three color studios opening soon, which include Brooklyn II, The Ziegfeld Theater and Burbank’s Studio 4. Remember from yesterday’s post, Brooklyn I debuted September 12, 1954. I have put notes on all the attached photo to let you know what you are seeing, so please click on each individually. Thanks to Dennis Degan for saving these treasures from the now defunct JC Studios site. Enjoy and SHARE! -Bobby Ellerbee
This was where the Cosby Show was Taped in the earlier Seasons
I worked there with Bill Vacarro and many others. It would be a shame if these studios went unused !!
I spent nearly ten years working there on Another World. Boy, I miss that place, and the great cast and crew.
I’m a native NYer and never knew the Peacock had facilities like this. Are they still in use as studios, Bobby?
This is Studio II…the red truck is on Ave M and 14th is the cross street. There was a lobby entrance on both sides of the Studio II building. You can see the 14th street entrance just above the truck cab.
This is the 14 street side entrance. There was another at the corner of M and 14th.