Life, 1927-09-22 · page 33 of 40
Life — September 22, 1927 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical sketch mocks early radio regulation and corporate power struggles. A committee investigates station WTWV's operations, exposing how broadcasters manipulate "listener requests" for promotional purposes. Senator Grizner catches the announcer reading a request he supposedly never received—revealing the show plants fake requests to seem responsive to the public. The humor escalates when another senator asks why his homemade radio picks up multiple stations simultaneously. The broadcaster suggests simply **shutting down competing stations**—a darkly comic solution highlighting the industry's monopolistic impulses and contempt for genuine public service. The final joke about "Senator Kitch" (unclear reference) triggers uncontrollable laughter, suggesting another absurdity in the proceedings. The page also contains a radio advertisement claiming the "Freshman EQUAPHASE" model eliminates technical troubles through simple plug-in convenience—ironically juxtaposed against the sketch's critique of industry dishonesty and self-interest.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Freedom of the Air (Continued from page 25) will read it to the witness and the Committee. (Reads.) “Dear WTWV Crooning Collegians: Will you please favor us during your next Appearance during American Nut ind Bolt Company Hour by singing ‘Valenci and ‘Harrigan.’ They happen to be favorites of mine and I would like to hear them sung. Re- spectfully, Senator Owen Grizner and family.” Vissey: I know of no such request having been received. Grizxen: Oh, you don't! Well it happens that it was received, be- cause your announcer during Ameri- can Nut and Bolt Company Hour the next Tuesday night said, “We've got a lot of requests to-night, folks. One is from Mrs. Whitney, of Chambers- burg, who wants ‘Black Bottom,’ one is from Little Bessy Calthrop, eight years old, of One Hundred and Fourteen Dale Avenue, the Bronx, who wants ‘Ina Little Spanish Town, and one is from Senator Owen Grizner, of Washington, D.C., ‘Valencia’ and ‘Harri- gan.” The boys haven't got the music for those with them at this time, they will sing them later. In the meantime they will sing for their next number, ‘Hello, Bluebird.’ I am sorry. who wants Ssey: Senator Hanninat: I have to be at another meeting pretty soon and I wonder if I could ask Mr. Vissey some questions. Curriine: Senator Hannibal. Hanninat: It seems to me that Mr. Vissey might be able to tell me why it is that I sometimes start the radio and get two or three sta tions at the same time so that it’s all kind of blurred and you can’t tell what the dickens you're getting. Vissey: What kind of a set have you? . Hanniwat: Our hired man made it. It’s a kind of a special set. I keep moving the dials around and it doesn't do any good.” If we made some of the other stations stop broad- casting and let you run just yours, would that be satisfactory? Vissev: Yes, sir. I can give a list of the stations that ought te allowed. (Mrs. Fortrer has been laughing quietly but now becomes a little hys terical. She tries to stop laughing.) Mrs. Fortrre: I'm sorry I am laughing. Curriine: May I ask what's the matter with the lady? Mrs. Fortree: I can't get over Senator Kitch. (The others all laugh, too. The meeting proceeds.) Curtain, » Always Ready ~ Always Right | Freshman EQUAPHASE acids ey water trouble i excuses . te . batteries = makeshifts The New AC Tubes and scientifically developed circuit allow you to merely plug in your light socket and listen The cabinet, panelled entirely of genuine mahogany, contains a large cone speaker mounted on a Baflie Board, which is placed in a remarkably resonant tone chamber, rende ally fine tone quality and “true-to-life , Model G-7, One Hundred and Eighty-five Dollars—complete, ready to operate A Freshman development—licensed under patents; RCA— General Electric Co..—W inghe Electric & Mfg. Co. and American Tel. & ‘T CHAS. FRESHMAN CO. Inc., Freshman Bldg., New York comicbooks.com