Bill Tush
Encyclopedia
Biography
Bill Tush's career began as a radio DJ in 1965 in Latrobe, PA as a morning host for the Mid Morning Polka Party. His radio career landed him in Atlanta, GA in 19741974 in television
The year 1974 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1974.For the American TV schedule, see: 1974-75 American network television schedule.-Events:...
, where he would eventually join Ted Turner
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
at his struggling local television station, WTCG Channel 17. As WTCG changed to SuperStation
Superstation
Superstation in United States television can have several meanings. In its most precise meaning, a superstation is defined by the Federal Communications Commission as "A television broadcast station, other than a network station, licensed by the FCC that is secondarily transmitted by a satellite...
WTBS, Bill became a jack of many trades at the station doing everything from commercial spokesman, movie host and reading the news at 3am, about which Turner jokingly commented, "we have a 100% share at this time". Bill would often read the news with his co-anchor Rex, a German Shepherd in shirt and tie.
Bill was given his own show in 1980 by Ted Turner
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
simply called Tush
Tush (TV series)
Tush was an American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Bill Tush and directed by R. T. Williams. The show premiered on WTCG in the United States. A number of the stars including Jan Hooks, Terry Turner, Bonnie Turner went on to work for Saturday Night Live....
. The cast included such newcomers as SNL
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
s Jan Hooks
Jan Hooks
Janet V. "Jan" Hooks is an American actress and comedienne best known for her work on NBC's Saturday Night Live , on which she appeared from 1986 to 1991...
and Bonnie and Terry Turner
Bonnie and Terry Turner
Bonnie and Terry Turner are a husband-and-wife writing team, best known for creating the sitcoms 3rd Rock from the Sun and That '70s Show , for NBC and FOX respectively, as well as That '80s Show for FOX in 2002, and Normal, Ohio starring John Goodman in 2000.From 1986 until 1992, the team were...
(SNL writers and co-creators of "3rd Rock from the Sun" and "That 70's Show") and was a one hour comedy skit show which aired at 12:05 AM Eastern time on Friday and Saturday nights. The show ceased production one year later but reruns aired thru May 28, 1983. The following week its old timeslot was filled by a six hour music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
program called Night Tracks
Night Tracks
Night Tracks was an American television series which ran from 1983 to 1992 on SuperStation WTBS on late night weekends...
. Later that year he appeared in a Night Tracks sales presentation video playing a investigative reporter. Bill took off to Hollywood to host a new entertainment show, People Now, on the new CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
channel. Bill was made senior entertainment correspondent for CNN in 1993 and relocated to NYC to host Showbiz Today.
Bill retired from Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
to pursue other interests including writing and producing in 2003. Bill returned to Atlanta, GA.
Bill made a rare public appearance September 12, 2009 at the Variety Playhouse
Variety Playhouse
Variety Playhouse is a music venue in the Little Five Points neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is located on Euclid Avenue and features a variety of music acts including rock, country, folk, bluegrass, jazz, blues and world music as well as other live shows.-Details:The building...
to introduce Darryl Rhoades
Darryl Rhoades
Darryl Rhoades is an American musician and comedian.-Biography:Rhoades' musical career dates back the formation of the Hahavishnu Orchestra in 1975. The Orchestra was a 12-piece musical comedy troup traveling nationally until 1978...
& The Hahavishnu Orchestra Celebration.