Ricki & Copper
Encyclopedia
Ricki & Copper was a popular local children's program that ran weekday mornings on WTAE-TV
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, and was one of two locally-produced children's shows that aired on WTAE, the other being Paul Shannon
's Adventure Time, which aired in the afternoon. The show was originally an off-shoot of another local program, The Comedy Show which ran from 1958 to 1959.
and "Copper", a half whippet, half golden retriever with reddish hair dog, who in real life was owned by Wertz. The live program featured children in the audience and like most children shows back in the day featured fun, games, safety tips and cartoons. She would also reward her audience with Hostess CupCakes after chanting "Ala-ka-zaam, Ka-zaam, Ka-zoom!" during every show.
Other characters on the program included a puppet called Mr. Boom-Man (who of course, was attached to a boom microphone), which was created by Wertz's husband, Tom Borden. The reason behind Mr. Boom-Man was to help Wertz keep the mostly 4 to 8 year olds on camera and not on Copper, who viewers believed was the actual star of the show.
But by 1969, Wertz decided to no longer do "Ricki & Copper" due to her decision to become a full-time mother after her daughter was born (prematurately). Wertz however continued to host another WTAE program, Junior High Quiz, until it ended its run in 1982.
WTAE-TV
WTAE-TV is the ABC affiliated television station for Western Pennsylvania that is licensed to Pittsburgh, broadcasting on UHF channel 51 and identifying via PSIP as channel 4 . It also serves as an ABC affiliate for the Wheeling/Steubenville and Clarksburg/Weston, West Virginia market areas...
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, and was one of two locally-produced children's shows that aired on WTAE, the other being Paul Shannon
Paul Shannon
Paul V. Shannon was a veteran Pittsburgh radio announcer in the days before commercial television...
's Adventure Time, which aired in the afternoon. The show was originally an off-shoot of another local program, The Comedy Show which ran from 1958 to 1959.
Background
The series was hosted by Ricki WertzRicki Wertz
Ricki Wertz is a television personality from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is an alumna of La Roche College. In 1958 she hosted a popular children's morning program, Comedy Time. In 1959 that show was renamed Ricki & Copper when Ricki's dog, Copper, joined the cast. The show continued to be...
and "Copper", a half whippet, half golden retriever with reddish hair dog, who in real life was owned by Wertz. The live program featured children in the audience and like most children shows back in the day featured fun, games, safety tips and cartoons. She would also reward her audience with Hostess CupCakes after chanting "Ala-ka-zaam, Ka-zaam, Ka-zoom!" during every show.
Other characters on the program included a puppet called Mr. Boom-Man (who of course, was attached to a boom microphone), which was created by Wertz's husband, Tom Borden. The reason behind Mr. Boom-Man was to help Wertz keep the mostly 4 to 8 year olds on camera and not on Copper, who viewers believed was the actual star of the show.
Final years
However, tragedy would strike the show in 1967, when a stroke resulted in Copper becoming paralyzed and would be put to sleep that same year. Another dog, (full-blooded golden retriever with reddish hair) Copper Penny, would become the new "Copper."But by 1969, Wertz decided to no longer do "Ricki & Copper" due to her decision to become a full-time mother after her daughter was born (prematurately). Wertz however continued to host another WTAE program, Junior High Quiz, until it ended its run in 1982.