Jay Thomas on WKTU-FM, NYC (0:07:00)

by Jim Hawkins
These are recordings of Jay Thomas when he worked for WKTU 92.3 FM in NYC, around 1980 in the time slot which is now occupied by Howard Stern. I remember listening to him every morning on my way to work, playing rock and doing funny routines with characters. I remember when he had just gotten the offer to become a part of the Mork & Mindy show. He went on and on about how excited he was about it and really plugged it. That was the end of his WKTU days and I miss him and his humor on the radio. He later played Murphy Brown’s boyfriend and then was on “Love and War” with Susan Dey.

These recordings are of him doing his “Stupid News” routine and a few routines with a character called “The Amazing Needlebomb”. I never did know who played the “Needlebomb” character, but it sounds like Chris Elliot to me.

Welcome to the new ReelRadio!

This site is now operated by the North Carolina Broadcast History Museum. 

We want to thank the board of ReelRadio, Inc. for their stewardship since the passing of the founder Richard Irwin in 2018.  It has not been easy and they have maintained the exhibits for future generations to enjoy.

I met Richard Irwin, aka Uncle Ricky, when we were freshmen at East Carolina University.  We both had worked at local stations in our hometowns.  No one was more passionate about radio, especially Top 40 radio, than my friend Richard. 

Our goals with this site are to preserve the exhibits and make them available free of charge for people to enjoy.  Over time, we hope to add some airchecks to the site.  This will not happen immediately.  Time and resources will determine the future of new exhibits. 

Many thanks to the web folks at the Beasley Media Group for countless hours of work.  Again thanks to the board members of ReelRadio, Inc. for their faith in us. 

Richard Irwin’s hope was that his site would live on long after his passing. He said, “I hope REELRADIO will survive as my contribution to the ‘radio business’. The business is allowed to forget me, but the business should never forget the great era of radio that we celebrate here”.

We remember Richard and we thank him. If you enjoy this new site, we would appreciate a contribution. We hope you enjoy the new ReelRadio!

Board of NCBHP
North Carolina Broadcast History Project