Channel 3

Good morning, Central New York…

Saturday morning, the dawn breaks
The sun rises, so does the boy
The house is still asleep, lights out
Yet the TV promises endless joy

Late fall, the dawn of the eighties
Tune to Syracuse, Channel 3
Saturday Showboat opens first
One of three channels, but they’re all still free

The Zenith was finely tuned now
Broadcast noise resolves into scenes
Pictures flowing to the CRT
Painting dreams on a 19-inch screen

And now a word from our sponsors…

Quick, grab a bowl of Frosted Flakes
While sponsors sell plastic for play
Heap on a few spoons of sugar
He’ll need the energy for the day

Hasbro, Kenner, Milton Bradley
Fuel his young imagination
Ads so finely calibrated
Sponsor his birthday celebration

This was the golden age for toys
Movies and TV provide the source
The boy adds his own personal lore
Practicing well the ways of the Force

We now return to the program…

Break’s over, back to the Showboat
Suddenly it’s him in the scene
On the set with his Cub Scout troop
Almost eight years old, on the TV screen

First a game of musical chairs
Knocked out the very first round
Another chance, now the ring toss
One small victory he is crowned

Back in the cellar, Stanford Drive
Watching himself in black and white
Surreal moment now settles in
As the morning spills into the night

And this concludes our broadcast day…