Bill Tush, SUPERSTATION WTBS late night anchor, humorist: Mr. Media Radio Interview

Summary: Bill Tush began his broadcasting career in 1965 at a radio station in Latrobe, PA, the home of Rolling Rock beer. When he wasn’t hanging out at the brewery, Bill hosted the morning DJ program and the “Mid Morning Polka Party.” In 1974, his radio career landed him in Atlanta, GA and shortly thereafter he joined young entrepreneur Ted Turner at his struggling television station, then called WTCG Channel 17. There, Bill became everything from newsman to commercial spokesman, and even introduced the station’s movies. But he first became nationally known as the wacky guy who read the news in the middle of the night, sometimes with a German Shepard at his side, on SuperStation WTBS. In 1980, he led a cast of zany actors (including Jan Hooks, later of “Designing Women”), in a one hour comedy show called “Tush.” The show ceased production in 1981 and soon after, Bill took off to Hollywood to host a new celebrity talk show on CNN, called “People Now.” In 1993, he was appointed senior entertainment correspondent for CNN’s entertainment unit, and relocated to NYC where he hosted Showbiz Today and Showbiz This Week. In January 2002, after 28 years, Tush left Turner Broadcasting System to pursue other interests including writing and producing.