The Infamous TSM Auto Cams At WNBC
On December 14, 2014
- TV History
Picture Parade 4…The Infamous TSM Auto Cams At WNBC
Connie Chung says the news casters named them “Larry, Moe and Curly”, but soon, everyone called them that. These rambunctious robots had a mind of their own and often ran afoul at the worst possible moments. These came soon after the last big NABET strike and were seen by many as a “rub it in your face” gesture by the new owners…GE. I had been looking for this since I posted the BBC robocam horror show a week or so ago. Does anyone have more pix of these? This is the only one I know of. Enjoy and share. -Bobby Ellerbee
They were a big hit in Chicago.
I worked just behind these ‘bots. I was told Engineering was still working on a way to get them to go back down the hall to the Maintenance Shop. Also, after any use they automatically shut off for 15 minutes.
we got them in DC at the same time with the same result….. I’ll look for pics…..
Wow
We had many a day like that
I was one of the first 4 people to operate them
Was a whole new world and yes often they went on their own
I don’t enjoy and share, and I don’t like robots !
Remember them well. Many bloopers with these cameras.
Connie Chung was doing the news one night when the camera started slowly moving and she kept moving to keep up with it.
The early robots that they used on the third floor were on tracks.
Certain former NBC executives are still trying to live down those early robos.
Back to the subject of the BBC robotic cameras, here’s an interesting article where a news reader is quoted as saying “They’re worried I’m going to touch the cameras. I’m not touching your precious robots!” http://www.nzherald.co.nz/media-publishing-industry/news/article.cfm?c_id=707&objectid=11370278&ref=rss
I know a certain talent who was on air and when the robos went crazy by running into homebase continuously, that talent said the robos are humping homebase.
And those dreadful TK47’s….