Thursday, August 22, 2019

When News Was News: ABC Scope (1964)

Beginning in November of 1964, ABC would block out a half hour a week for a news-magazine series that was, in effect, a forerunner to CBS' far more successful 60 Minutes, which, oh by the way, is still on the air.

ABC Scope ran just for four seasons (1964-8), when it could've lasted long enough to facilitate a transition to the current 20/20.

The program was hosted, or, actually, anchored, by the usual suspects, including Howard K. Smith and John Scali. However, science editor Jules Bergman, whom most folks associate with ABC's coverage of NASA flights, is the guest host for this particular installment on the Vietnam War. We get just the first couple of minutes, followed by a Ernie Anderson-narrated promo for The F. B. I.:



Today, if you mention M-16, you usually think of firecrackers more than repeating rifles.

Rating: A.

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