MEET JERRY KARSH: Producer, Writer, Director and Program Host for Channel Six, KRMA-TV 1956
By Laura K. Sampson | Founder, Station’s Archived Memories (SAM) | July 18, 2021
Hundreds of fascinating and multi-talented people have been on the staff of Rocky Mountain Public Media since 1956. Meet Jerry Karsh (photo 1964), a prolific producer, writer, director and program host who created a tremendous variety of programs for KRMA-TV that enriched and entertained Denver’s community of educational television viewers in the 1950s and 1960s.
Karsh began his career in television as a custodian at Channel 9 in 1954 and quickly moved up the line to become a director within 2 years. In 1956, Karsh accepted an offer to work at Channel Six during its inaugural broadcast year. At that time, Channel Six was broadcasting from Denver’s Emily Griffith Opportunity School at 1261 Glenarm Place. Karsh was attending the University of Denver earning a degree in mass media. At Channel Six, he started as a cameraman working on “live” programs. He felt confident that at KRMA there was a promise of quick advancement due to his experience and writing talents. He was correct.
In 1958, Karsh left Denver for several years to move to Hollywood to try his hand at writing, producing and directing. Starting as a clerk in the production offices at Columbia Studios he worked his way up as the Assistant Production Manager. While in Hollywood, Karsh wrote for well-known TV programs such as Father Knows Best and The Donna Reed Show. Karsh also served as the dialogue director for the Oscar-winning movie, West Side Story.
Karsh returned to Denver in 1964 to earn his Master’s degree in business and was re-hired as a writer/producer/director for Channel Six. Jerry was delighted with the changes at KRMA that had occurred during his absence. KRMA had begun using videotape and programs were being broadcast in color.
The Channel Six special program that Jerry was the most proud of producing and directing was IMMORTAL IMAGE, which aired on KRMA-TV on April 14, 1965. The one-hour program commemorated the 100th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. A fascinating depiction of Lincoln’s life, the program included verse by Walt Whitman along with a score by Normand Lockwood that was performed by the University of Denver Choir under the direction of Roger Dexter Fee.
When interviewed by Station’s Archived Memories (SAM) in 2004, Karsh stated, “The show that I remember, which probably I was more proud of than any show that I did because I wrote it and directed it and produced it . . . it was a very complicated show. What I did was find every known image of Abraham Lincoln, and there were several hundred of them, and on an hour show, we did a montage of Lincoln’s life based on all of these images. I had written the script, had an English teacher from DU actually read the narration, because you never saw him on camera, and had the music department write an original score.”
1960s KRMA-TV local productions by Jerry Karsh
1964: We the People – Karsh wrote and produced this series that was concerned with cause, application and effects of man’s laws in relationship to the individual and his society. In 1965, this program evolved into the local production, Trial.
1964: Showcase – Karsh hosted this series devoted to local professional talent in vocal and instrumental music, modern and classic dance and the legitimate theater.
1964:Denver-Takayama – This program was about Denver’s 4-year sister city of Takayama, Japan; it was produced in cooperation with The People to People Corporation of Denver and heard via audiotape on Voice of America stations throughout the world.
1965: Krebiozen: Friend or Fraud - Produced by Karsh, this program informed viewers about the nature of the drug and why it was the subject of a federal dispute.
1965: On Cue - An entertaining program directed by Karsh that featured actors, dignitaries, and newsworthy personalities.
1965: Trial – The series was produced by Karsh using courtroom situations to examine local, national and international issues.
1964: Magical House - A production by Karsh, the program was for youngsters ages 4-10 years that aimed to entertain and contribute to the intellectual growth of children.
1965: Bridge Finesse - Produced by Jerry Karsh to teach viewers to play the card game of bridge. KRMA even offered a printed $1 viewer guide of hands used during the series.
1966: Dialogues in Limbo – This weekly program was presented in an open-ended format featuring a variety of famous and obscure experts ranging from architects to zoologists offering their professional opinions and comments on numerous topics. It was hosted by Dr. Charles Milligan, professor at the Iliff School of Theology. (Limbo photo, Dr. Milligan is seated on the far right)
1965: Priority – A monthly public affairs series that examined pressing problems confronting the city of Denver. The program featured individuals and agencies working on specific problems. Programs examined such areas as divorce, illegitimacy, discrimination, juvenile delinquency and mental illness.
Research and photographs contained in this article were provided by Station’s Archived Memories (SAM). SAM maintains an archive of the history of Rocky Mountain Public Media providing original and digital documents, photographs, local productions, oral histories, memorabilia and more. SAM volunteers digitally archive the station’s history. To volunteer in the archives, email SAM@rmpbs.org.
