WWW.REELRADIO.COM
WNBC Time Machine On August 22, 1988, Michael DeMonti
started recording
WNBC Time Machine programs.

Using a stereo AM tuner and a HI-FI VHS recorder, Michael recorded for six hours overnight, all night long, Midnight 'til 6AM, for ten days.


Graphic courtesy
Anita Bonita
On May 18, 2003, REELRADIO started putting them onlne.

Michael writes, "The sound quality is very good for AM but for some reason, it doesn't sound like stereo. These tapes were made in the weeks prior to the end of WNBC."

Two hours of talk programming were not included, but thanks to Michael for his contribution of 58 hours of WNBC overnight from August, 1988! These high-quality recordings of Big Apple Faux-40 from the late '80's are great listening.

This is an extraordinary gift to the REELRADIO REPOSITORY and this page will be updated often. There will be some new early-hour airchecks of Don Imus, as well.

We agree with Michael that these are not AM Stereo recordings, but they are 10Khz (wideband) AM monaural recordings, and yes, the sound quality is very good!


[Descriptions by Uncle Ricky unless otherwise indicated]

G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine, 8-23-1988, 12M-1AM (59:37)

. . . This is the only time you'll ever hear two Bobby Sherman songs in the same half-hour . . .

The Record Pig question is Who discovered Bobby Sherman. The Playback is 1968 (Rascals, People Gotta Be Free) and enjoy the wacky old-time weather jingle at 41:32!

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine, 8-23-1988, 1-2AM (59:39)

. . . just ahead of much more mucus and The Dave Clark Five . . .

Almost a Beatles Twin-Spin, Flashback Playdate is 1966.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine, 8-23-1988, 2-3AM (59:39)

. . . Take your love life somewhere else, don't do it on my time . . .

Flashback Playdate 1963, Record Pig Question: What was really the first Monkees chart record? Jay explains the difference between mono records and stereo CDs.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine, 8-23-1988, 3-4AM (59:44)

. . . Drop whatever you're doing, or whoever you're doing . . .

Lots of Monkees and lots of wrong answers to the Record Pig question of the previous hour. Flashback Playdate is 1970.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine, 8-23-1988, 4-5AM (59:37)

. . . What is Radio City going to be called when we're gone? . . .

Randy the Producer gets a lesson on interrupting jingles, the Flashback Playdate is 1967.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, Don Imus, WNBC NY 8-23-1988, 5-6AM (01:03:02)

. . . from Worship World's new adult films division, 'Touch This' . . .

Jay opens and closes Part Six of The Time Machine for August 23, 1988. The Playdate Flashback is from 1965. Charles McCord is featured with news.

The sixth hour of these overnight WNBC archives contains an extra treat from Don Imus. Every quarter-hour counts! No slackin' off for the I-Man between 5:30 and 6:00 AM. Bits include "George Harrison" and Billy Sol Hargis with The Last Temptation of Hargis. (Don Imus first appears at 35:45.)

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-24-1988, 12M-1AM (59:32)

. . . is that a disco song? That's disco? Stop it. . . .

Jay seems somewhat grumpy (bitter?) for the second show of this week, and he's also a bit rude to The Hues Corporation. The Playdate is 1970. The Record Pig Jingle is out in the open and the RP Question is: Who was the backup band at the Garden Party?

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-24-1988, 1AM-2AM (59:38)

. . . I want to kill this jingle . . .

To The Letter, Big Jay (35) follows the format, which thankfully included "personality segments". (Liner cards not included.) Yes, he knows the Time Machine is a short-timer. He says he's "a little tired." The Playdate is 1967, and a request for Tiny Tim produces an amusing response. After The Amboy Dukes, before Lee Dorsey, (about 56:15) he reveals he's having trouble sleeping because he hears the WNBC jingles in his head.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-24-1988, 2AM-3AM (59:39)

. . . That's when I sleep. They could bring back Soupy and Joey, and I still wouldn't wake up . . .

Jay Sorensen continues to have fun in the last days of The Time Machine. In Hour 3 (2-3AM) on Tuesday, August 24, 1988: Playdate is 1965; "There's nothing more important than Sports", Donovan needed professional help, and a new Record Pig question: "Where could you find a sign that was lean, clean and bluesy?"

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-24-1988, 3AM-4AM (59:37)

. . . Does that offend the guy who wants to hear "Angel Baby," or not? . . .

I must admit to enjoying Jay's pointedly cynical performance in this hour. He recommends that those listeners who want to hear "doo-wop" check out the "guys down the street." He knows he'll be pounding the pavement soon but will NOT play Seasons In The Sun! This hour is a lot of fun and includes a few surprises mixed in with (unfortunately) overplayed standards. The Playdate is 1962 and the Record Pig question from the previous hour is NOT yet answered! And personally, I would much rather have heard Lenny Welch!

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-24-1988, 4AM-5AM (59:40)

. . . Oldie fans usually have pot bellies and a beer in their hand . . .

Listen to the Tommy James and Badfinger records for special treatment by Big Jay Sorensen in the 4AM hour of The Time Machine on WNBC, from August 24, 1988. The Record Pig question from the 2AM hour remains unanswered, and the Playdate is 1966.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, Don Imus, WNBC NY 8-24-1988, 5AM-6AM (1:07:57)

. . . Mitch Green claims that Don King owes him some money. Can you believe that? . . .

Unable to get to an answer, Big Jay abandons the 2AM Record Pig question, leaving us to wonder if we'll ever know the answer. Don Imus (begins at 42:13) welcomes Cecil, "the most prominent independent black producer in the free world". Mike Tyson, who broke his hand in an early-morning altercation at Dapper Dan's, provides plenty of material for the I-Man and his newspal Charles McCord before the tape turns off a few minutes after 6AM.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen WNBC Time Machine 8-25-1988, 12M-1AM (59:32)

. . . Ouch! . . .

It's Thursday, August 25, 1988, and it's raining in midtown New York as Big Jay Sorenson begins another Time Machine on WNBC. Lightning-induced static is evident throughout this recording, and it seems as though Jay is listening off-air as he comments at least once on the electrical noise and even exclaims "Ouch!" at one point. The Record Pig question from the previous day is repeated (but not answered in this hour) and the 1962 Playdate feature introduces a great oldie by Claudine Clark.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen WNBC Time Machine 8-25-1988, 1AM-2AM (59:42)

. . . There's a history behind that chime - if you knew what they had to do to get that chime . . .

The atmospherically-produced static (and some digital noise) continues with Big Jay Sorenson, his WNB-CD player, and hour two of The Time Machine for Thursday, August 25, 1988. Jay finally gets an answer to the Record Pig question that started the day before. The playdate is 1968 and Jay features a Supremes Double-Play. And (naughty!) he stops Dusty Springfield to hit the post.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen WNBC Time Machine 8-25-1988, 2AM-3AM (59:41)

. . . ixnay on the eezerwhay . . .

Big Jay Sorensen continues with the third hour of The Time Machine for Thursday, August 25, 1988. The Playdate is 1966 and Jay introduces a new Record Pig question: "What was called the official souvenir of The Beatles first visit to America?". And did you ever notice that Friend And Lover were singing "Reach Out IN The Darkness", but the record label read "Reach Out OF The Darkness? There's nothing easier you can do than layin' around, doin' nothin' - and enjoying another great hour of The WNBC Time Machine.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen WNBC Time Machine 8-25-1988, 3AM-4AM (59:40)

. . . that's where Emmis is located - that's their headquarters - the people that are taking us over and firing me . . .

There's lots of YELLING on the phone in the fourth hour of the WNBC Time Machine for August 25, 1988. Big Jay Sorensen tells listeners not to call for requests - "they're already on tape." The Record Pig Question continues ("What was called the official souvenir of The Beatles first visit to America?") and remains unanswered, and Jay features a few Seldom Heard not-so-hits (Jefferson!) The Playdate is 1963, but the real Cliff Hanger of this hour is Good Lovin'. How will it end?! You'll have to tune in for our next installment!

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen WNBC Time Machine 8-25-1988, 4AM-5AM (59:44)

. . . What's Mookie Wilson's Batting Average? . . .

Jay opens the hour by completing Good Lovin' from the previous hour - what a great idea, *expect* listeners to continue listening from hour to hour... The Record Pig question, What Was the official souvenir for the Beatles first visit to America, remains unanswered and this hour includes sparsely used Summertime and Sing The Song jingles. The Playdate is 1970, and we can't help but wonder if Mungo Jerry 's Have A Drink, Have A Drive lyrics should be played on radio today.

Jay offers a thoughtful tribute to the historic WABC sign-off when he plays Imagine.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (14.5KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, Don Imus, WNBC NY 8-25-1988, 5AM-6AM (1:09:23)

. . . some of the biggest wackos I've ever heard . . .

The Record Pig question, "What was the official souvenir of The Beatles' First Visit to America" is finally answered and the Playdate is 1967. This exhibit features the last 30 minutes of Jay Sorensen on The Time Machine, and the first 39 minutes of Imus In The Morning for Thursday, August 25, 1988. We're treated to a rare "Sixty Six Rings Your Chimes" jingle, news from Charles McCord and a funny, funny Imus bit called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (starring Elmer Fudd as Dan Quayle, starts at 51:00.)

And yes, Imus is right: That Gary U.S. Bonds record sounds like it was recorded with one mike in a garage — possibly the worst sounding #1 oldie of all time.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 44Kbps (16KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-26-1988, 12M-1AM (59:32)

. . . Do I have to play the goofy Animals jingle . . .

Here's the first hour of Jay Sorensen on the WNBC Time Machine from Friday, August 26, 1988. A last minute equipment substitution encouraged a higher-fidelity processing and encoding procedure, so this one sounds extra sweet. The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown is not only hot, it's crisp!

The Playdate is 1963 and that's an excuse to be treated to a Four Seasons Twin Spin. And there's a new Record Pig question: What were most of the world's great artists on?

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 44Kbps (16KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-26-1988, 1AM-2AM (59:39)

. . . certainly a lot of black-light-listening to that song . . .

The Record Pig question from the first hour, (What were most of the world's great artists on?) remains unanswered in the second hour of Jay Sorensen's WNBC Time Machine from August 26, 1988. The PlayDate is 1970, and the payoff is the loooong version of one of those songs that was SO COOL to play on AM radio back in the day.

Not to be overlooked are the NBC newscasts on these recordings. The 1988 elections were heating up and it's helpful to remember that petty political crapola has been presented as "news" for generations in American media. And the caller who talks about the "Bulletin Board" charts and "Kasen Kasen" has been seen entering comments on REELRADIO since 1996...

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 44Kbps (16KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-26-1988, 2AM-3AM (59:40)

. . . I'll show you mine, if you'll tell me about yours . . .

The Record Pig question from the first hour, (What were most of the world's great artists on?) continues to be unanswered in the THIRD hour of Jay Sorensen's WNBC Time Machine from August 26, 1988. The Playdate is 1967, and except for the potential overdose of Beatles and Apple, there's a great variety here that is becoming increasingly difficult to hear on the "public" airwaves.

Producer Randy is heard commenting on Jay's appearance and Full Moon Phone Callers. Who was this "Randy" dude? Is he still around? Will he see this exhibit description and enter a COMMENT, below?

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 44Kbps (16KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-26-1988, 3AM-4AM (59:39)

. . . The Dead of Night only lasts for 15 minutes in New York City . . .

The Papa PlayDate is 1965, and the correct answer to the Record Pig question, "What were most of the world's great artists on?" eludes every caller, even the part-time DJ.

Do you know anybody on Zenith records? Do all Ricky Nelson fans have a problem with donuts? Lots of older oldies in this one, and when that Grass Roots dude does the bit after the jingle into the Grass Roots record, I'm reminded how much I enjoyed the "show" in radio.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 44Kbps (16KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-26-1988, 4AM-5AM (59:37)

. . . Once we get past like a half-hour of wrong answers, it gets goofy . . .

Are you hoping for an answer to the Record Pig question, "What were most of the world's great artists on?"? Your hope will continue to inspire us all.

In this hour, we learn that 78's were not LPs. Jay also says the name of Radio City Music Hall should be changed since NBC is leaving, perhaps to "Radio-Less City Music Hall". (He does sound a little bitter about it.) Wish I could share Jay's enthusiasm for Hey Jude, one of those topping my "most-burnt" list.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 44Kbps (16KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, Don Imus, WNBC NY, 8-26-1988, 5AM-6AM (1:06:39)

. . . I could listen to you for hours. I don't, but I could . . .

The Playdate is 1962 in the featured half-hour of Jay Sorensen and The Time Machine from WNBC.

Don Imus and newsman Charles McCord are featured in the second half of this exhibit from Friday, August 26, 1988. Imus presents a bit with Bud Spurlough, who discusses his efforts to provide an affordable fast-food family restaurant.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 44Kbps (16KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-27-1988, 12M-1AM (59:51)

. . . It makes me feel like I'm underground . . .

The inimitable Irving R. Levine is credited twice in the opening NBC newscast, but otherwise, The Sultan of Swine is back with the Record Pig question: "What were most of the world's great artists on"? And even though Jay doesn't take any new guesses, he does review all the wrong answers.

The Playdate is from 1965, and we also get a Western Union and Four Seasons twin spin. The Time Machine is off to a great start for Saturday, August 27, 1988 with Big Jay Sorensen.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (12KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-27-1988, 1AM-2AM (59:41)

. . . Don't curse at me! . . .

The Playdate is 1962, and there is some great music in this hour, just about the most enjoyable we've heard.

First, there's The Esquires. Who hasn't wanted to sing the "Get on up" background on this R&B classic? And then, there's Jay Sorensen's extended version of Rock 'n' Roll Heaven! If you've never heard this, you'll be surprised how many memories it ignites. It's exceptional and very powerful. (starts at 15:10)

The Record Pig question, "What were most of the world's great artists on" continues unanswered, but the joy in this hour is the music.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (11KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-27-1988, 2AM-3AM (59:39)

. . . I'm just a grumpy old DJ - what can I tell you? . . .

Wow. Dick Bartley and The Rock 'n' Roll Oldies Show gets a promo right after the network news, complete with the network logo.

The Playdate is 1968, and there a few not-so-common oldies treats in this hour, too.

Two Record Pig segments, but the question "What were most of the world's great artists on" continues unanswered. (Big Jay's listeners didn't have the advantage of the REELRADIO spoiler comment 18 years later...) Who wants to bet they guess it in the next (3AM-4AM) hour? I haven't listened, I dunno.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (11KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-27-1988, 3AM-4AM (59:40)

. . . Do they still make Cocoa Marsh? ... Remember, with that little squeeze pump? . . .

Finally! The Record Pig question "What were most of the world's great artists on" is answered! But, not before His Bigness Jay Sorenson asks Randy and Justin for a rapid-fire recount of the previous guesses.

And there's a NEW Record Pig question in this hour: A famous seventies band evolved from the nucleus of a band that two brothers formed. Name the brothers, and what was so sweet?

And then, there's Freddie And The Dreamers.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (11KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-27-1988, 4AM-5AM (59:39)

. . . We're going to have a mass compact disc, album, cassette burning of the Dirty Dancing soundtrack because of that song . . .

No correct answer to the NEW Record Pig question in this hour: A famous seventies band evolved from the nucleus of a band that two brothers formed. Name the brothers, and what was so sweet? — but the opening triple-play of R&B oldies is SUPER sweet. Remember when they "sampled" Bach for popular songs?

The Playdate is 1963, and of all the truly great oldies of that year, the answer, my friend, is Blowin' In The Wind.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 44Kbps (11KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-27-1988, 5AM-6AM (59:48)

. . . Well, I guess I'll see you in September, I'm serious about this . . .

Time draws short for WNBC and The Time Machine, but Big Jay Sorensen makes it clear that this won't be his last show.

The Playdate is 1970. There is a correct answer to the Record Pig question introduced in the 3AM hour, and a Twin Spin featuring the same song by different artists.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 44Kbps (11KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-30-1988, 12M-1AM (59:34)

. . . Will you people please stop calling up and saying, 'So, I hear you're gonna be leaving soon' . . .

Big Jay Sorensen is back (after his weekend off) with another edition of the WNBC Time Machine.

It's Tuesday morning, August 30, 1988; The Playdate is 1968, and Jay has a new Record Pig Question: "Who were the sweethearts of the Blues?", and, one of those "sittin' in the back yard on a hammock records"...

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (10KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-30-1988, 1AM-2AM (59:44)

. . . What's on the Satellite? . . .

About 12 minutes in, Big Jay Sorensen comes close to having too much fun, despite Goofy DJ Ed From Pittsburgh, another faceless voice across the nation (in 1988). The whole station is dropping? Oh dear...

And which DJ owned the 1964 top-ten hit by Bobby Freeman? And good heaven, Jay tunes into the former WNBC satellite channel and gets only beeps (around 42:00).

This aircheck also has two of my most hated Top40 hits back to back, just the way we played them, over and over. What do The Shondells have in common with The Beatles? No self-respecting oldies format should EVER play those songs again... We've heard them.

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-30-1988, 2AM-3AM (59:43)

. . . I'm now all alone. I'm the only person in the RCA building right now . . .

The Chicago song might as well be renamed "Does Anyone Know What Pot Is Open? for this hour of the WNBC Time Machine, as Big Jay Sorensen is forced to run the entire WNBC studio complex by himself. Oh, it's just a little closed-circuit network chatter, my guess.

The Playdate is 1969, and we must note the bold selection of the #1 R&B entry for the week by Aretha Franklin for one those of those great tracks we just don't hear often enough. And here come The Reflections! Oooh, I'm likin' this...

And the new Record Pig Question: What's wrong with the cover of the American Version of 'Help' (the soundtrack). Ouch. Who cares? Heh. But, according to Joel Whitburn, this hour also contains the FIRST song to score 8 million performances with BMI. Yikes, you mean, none of that Beatles stuff got played 8 million times, first?

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-30-1988, 3AM-4AM (59:28)

. . . It's the little things in life that matter . . .

Jay Sorensen really is all alone in the radio station, and he actually helps the Record Pig winner because he can't handle the phones by himself! Jay refuses to play the Alan Colmes promo, and upon discovering a listener is illegally re-broadcasting his show on CB radio, he remarks that "if everyone did that, we'd have a lot of listeners."

The Playdate is 1965, and the music selection in this hour is mostly pleasant. Even the obligatory Beatles cut isn't a burn-out.

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-30-1988, 4AM-5AM (59:43)

. . . Mostly sunny on Wednesjay, right now, Famous 56 degrees . . .

Big Jay Sorensen isn't up for another Record Pig question as he continues his solo show on Tuesday, August 30, 1988. But we are treated to a few rarely-heard jingles and some fresh oldies, including a Beatles twin-spin, only half of which is tiresome.

The PlayDate is 1971, and Carole King claims the #1 position.

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DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, THE 5-6AM HOUR FROM AUGUST 30, 1988 IS UNAVAILABLE.

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-31-1988, 12M-1AM (59:33)

. . . It's not like we're gonna not be here tomorrow or something - are we gonna be here tomorrow? . . .

"It's not gonna be tomorrow, trust me" is Big Jay Sorensen's response to rumors that WNBC is one day away from extinction in this first hour of The Time Machine from the last day of August, 1988. Check out his Stooges-like snoring during the Fantasty Strings spot! There's a sweet-smelling subway song from the Hotline of Hits, The Youngbloods are featured for the Playdate of 1969, and a new Record Pig question regards streaking.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (10KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-31-1988, 1AM-2AM (59:40)

. . . How will he know if they're really them? . . .

Big Jay Sorensen is a Record Pig with a plan as he confers with producer Randy and holds out for quality callers. It's the second hour of Jay's WNBC Time Machine program for Wednesjay, August 31, 1988.

He cuts off a promo for Alan Colmes, suggesting that Colmes' guests might be imposters posing as genuine fake guests. The Playdate is 1965, and Bob Dylan claims the honors.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (10KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-31-1988, 2AM-3AM (59:43)

. . . 99x! And you ripped me off for a thousand dollar bill . . .

Big Jay Sorensen suggests that his callers may have taken a picture of the full moon the week before, and pasted it on their windows. This is the third hour of The WNBC Time Machine for August 31, 1988, and Jay seems a bit distracted throughout, especially after his 99X flashback.

The Playdate is 1971, and for the first time, we hear how a production element of the show can do double-duty as an artist intro. There are two opportunities to answer the Record Pig question, but no winner.

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-31-1988, 3AM-4AM (59:42)

. . . I don't want to be a Record Pig anymore . . .

Yay! Big Jay Sorensen has a Record Pig winner, and breaks out a few not-so-frequent WNBC jingles AND oldies in this, another wonderful hour of The Time Machine from August 31, 1988.

Producer Randy suggests that Big Jay might be concerned about Imus assimilation. The Playdate is 1966 and an appropriate song is selected. The ex-producer calls and wants something really obscure, and we get it. Nice!

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 8-31-1988, 4AM-5AM (59:40)

. . . This ain't no Disco! . . .

Big Jay Sorensen first chooses falsetto over disco, and then has fun for the next thirty minutes not playing The Hues Corporation. The Chime Person hits the beezer, the Playdate is 1961, and we get a couple of early 60's surprises in this hour.

Concerned about the "normalcy" of callers, producer Randy is asked to verify callers as "normal" before the Sultan Of Swine has a new Record Pig question.

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine, Don Imus 8-31-1988, 5AM-6AM (01:00:01)

. . . Imus In The Morning gets cranky if I hang out too late - and you wouldn't want him to be cranky in the morning, would you? . . .

Big Jay Sorensen gives 100% for 50% of this hour of The Time Machine. The Record Pig question remains unanswered, but Johnny Mathis gets some undercover action. The PLAYDATE is 1967, and let's have another piece of apple pie, because there's no official DVD release for the movie inspired by that 1967 hit (as of August, 2008.)

Charles McCord is feeling good this morning, having enjoyed his field trip to the Official Opening of the Imus In The Morning U.S. Open box. It's an exciting time in America, as Exxon sings "Turn The Key", Officer Scott reports, and Imus calls David Letterman a jerk, while noting that Mr. Letterman is on the Board of Directors of Emmis, which is purchasing WNBC (and about to change it to WFAN any day.)

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 9-01-1988, 12M-1AM (59:32)

. . . she doesn't want to talk . . .

It's Thursjay September 1 as REELRADIO begins our last day of airchecks in Mike Demonti's Time Machine Collection. The Playdate is 1971. Wouldn't it have been nice to hear "So Far Away" instead?

Big Jay Sorensen says his wife is joining him in the studio, but she doesn't seem eager to speak up. He repeats the Record Pig question from the previous day — Who pulled their weight highest — and gets a winner!

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 9-01-1988, 1AM-2AM (59:43)

. . . why does everything on this program revolve around DJs? . . .

18 reportable music performances, and some not-too-burnt oldies for the second hour of The WNBC Time Machine on Thursjay September 1.

Also, a great phone bit with a part-time DJ's girlfriend in New Jersey. No, no, the DJ, I think, was part-time. I don't know if the girlfriend was part-time.

The Playdate is 1966. Big Jay plays an LP cut. I was confused and simultaneously entertained.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (10KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 9-01-1988, 2AM-3AM (59:41)

. . . Don't ever ask for that one again. It's depressing and icky . . .

Big Jay picked some really nice oldies for the 2AM hour of The WNBC Time Machine on Thursjay September 1. Actually, there's only one complete stinker, and Jay agrees. But he still played it.

The Playdate is 1961. Jay needs phones. He promised a new Record Pig question but he doesn't get it to before the news.

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PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 9-01-1988, 3AM-4AM (59:40)

. . . Alan Colmes broke my telephone . . .

Big Jay opens this hour with a rare vocal version of a well-known instrumental! The oldies selection is above average, and Jay confirms that WNBC will not change format to sports today, despite what the newspaper said months ago. Of course, the belief that it was all over on September 1, 1988 is why we have these recordings in the first place. Even though the format didn't change on September 1, 1988, the recordings stop in a couple hours.

There's a new Record Pig question: Who was the girl on a motorcycle?, five guesses but no winner. The Playdate is 1967.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (10KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, WNBC Time Machine 9-01-1988, 4AM-5AM (59:33)

. . . I like it when she gets excited like that . . .

Some tasty jingles and oldies are included in this hour, but first - THERE ARE DIGITAL SKIPS. This is the way the contribution was delivered, but we've been at this since 2003! Give us a break. Anyway, the skips are worst at the beginning but get better before Vinnie requests one of Uncle Ricky's favorites. When the skipping subsides, the sound is sweet.

Big Jay is mostly interested in getting an answer to his Record Pig question, "Who was a girl on the motorcycle? The Playdate is 1963, and a cut from the Number One ALBUM is featured, along with icky sports stuff. The weather will be clear on Laborjay, but Jay is confusing his bykes.

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G2 5.0 compatible TOP STREAM 32Kbps (10KHz)
PLAY Jay Sorensen, Don Imus, WNBC NY 9-01-1988, 5AM-6AM (01:08:43)

. . . Next time you call, call for the other one, Pretty Balleriner, as you said . . .

Big Jay Sorensen never gets an answer to his Record Pig question, "Who was a girl on the motorcycle?", and although he says it will be continued, this is the last recording contributed. Originally, WNBC was supposed to abandon their music format on September 1, but it actually happened a few weeks later. The Playdate is 1968, but Don Imus has the biggest musical surprise in the second half of the hour.

The reverb goes off at :30 past, and Imus is on with lots of politically incorrect humor. The news is all about solidarity in Poland and The Urban Agenda in New York, where the I-Man abandons all credibility and confirms his support for Presidential candidate Jesse Jackson. Doug O'Brien is subbing for Charles McCord, and Roz Frank joins the group for traffic reports and idle chit-chat.

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The WNBC Time Machine Collection first appeared on May 18, 2003!

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