WKKL focuses on the Inclusion of Retrospective Golden Radio Dramas
by Alexandria Zine
Since WKKL’s recuperation during its brief moratorium from connectivity difficulties, many productions have been created to inspire and entertain all listeners. The broadcasting of main media productions has posited its stability in the virtual, expansive auditorium of the Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) members. Aside from many exciting podcasts and other features, radio dramas from Hollywood’s belle epoque era have been resurrected to embellish the imagination of listeners once again.
Following the replacement of obsolete software for contemporary editions, “the new WKKL is still in a semi-nascent state of development,” said Tyler Daniels, a professor of Media and Communications at 4Cs and the broadcaster of Golden Age Radio, “but we’re nevertheless very encouraged by all the positive feedback we’ve already received from students, alumni, faculty, administrators, and other loyal listeners.” He is enthusiastic toward WKKL’s elevation to meet the standards of present media outlets. “We’ve recently brought on a very bright and talented student intern who is going to help us refine and augment our social media presence,” said Daniels. “Like a phoenix from the ashes, WKKL has been resurrected and is gloriously taking flight!”
Image: “WKKL alternates its form and content for greater entertainment, especially with Golden Radio Dramas.” – Professor Tyler Daniels
Lisa Zinsius, a professor of Media and Communications virtually this semester, feels identical sentiments to those of Daniels, which also extends to Patrick Stone [the Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing] and Cathleen McCarron [the Dean of Arts & Communication]. “Students are learning from celebrity alumni who are volunteering their voices and skills mentoring WKKL students. It’s an exciting time for WKKL with upgrades, multimedia
programming, and the build of a strong audience for our students.” Stephanie Viva, an alumni member whose work has received an air of accolades, highlights the creativity of a 4Cs student live every Thursday morning through WKKL and Lemonadio [a simulcast].
To access all broadcasts, Zinsius advises one to visit a particular link that many are attached to through variable times according to the schedules of certain programs. “WKKL’s broadcasts are easily accessible at capecod.edu/wkkl, on the tune in app, over Live365, and Radio Garden. And of course, over 90.7 WKKL. The station relaunched on Groundhog Day, and there have already been over 40,000 connections made to the stream.” Daniels has mirrored Zinsius’ enthusiasm regarding the collective power of WKKL and its concomitants. “I’m receiving emails from students who are interested in putting together podcasts, promos, PSAs, and the like. Our mission is to provide fresh, relevant content to our listeners on the Cape and beyond so that WKKL can be the hub of activity and innovation that it once was!”
When it comes to vintage radio productions, one might recall “The Maltese Falcon” (the 1943 Radio Broadcast) or the original broadcast of Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” starring Marlon Brando and Karl Malden, but other performances are set to have their voices heard as of now. “Right now,” said Daniels, “I’m scouring the Public Domain for episodes of classic radio shows that were at their height of popularity during the industry’s Golden Age (mid-1930s through early 1950s). I like to think that I am giving them new life. My show’s current weekly lineup consists of four episodes of classic “Dragnet,” starring the late Jack Webb, with bits of research and trivia that went on behind the scenes. After that, I plan to move on to major players in other radio genres: Horror (“Alfred Hitchcock Presents”), Sci-Fi (“Twilight Zone” and “Dimension X”), and Action/Adventure (“Green Hornet” and “Lone Ranger”). I am also going to broadcast special radio events that every American family from the
1930s and 1940s with a radio set would have tuned in to listen to (including the original “War of the Worlds” special narrated by Orson Welles every Halloween night!)”
The insurgence of this program recounts Daniels’ experience as a professor of Survey of Mass communication (COM 105) and the proposal of “Olde Time radio” three years prior to this development. His students had been asked to study the radio industry by streaming an indelible radio performance from Hollywood’s Golden peak, which would count as an assignment. “Not only did they enjoy the shows,” said Daniels, “but we would also discuss them at length during subsequent classes. I don’t know if they enjoyed the shows because they were drawn to a unique writing and directing style from almost seventy-five years ago or purely for the sake of nostalgia, but either way I thought to myself… there’s a niche audience here.” The extant program airs weekly during Sunday evenings between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on WKKL (90.7), which requires an adjustment of one’s frequency. One can access it, along with any other programs of interest, by visiting WKKL’s website [to stream and check the schedule] and social media accounts.
Again, the excitement for all that is here and set to transpire echoes between students and faculty members. “Morale at WKKL is consistently high,” said Daniels, “and growing exponentially! Now that we have clear and achievable goals in mind, as well as the combined knowledge and talents to reach those goals, we begin every project and leave every meeting feeling encouraged and inspired by the bold new direction we’re taking this station in!”
Categories: People, Around Campus, Professors