WDBJ 7 news at 5 for 12/05/00

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Today on News 7, Health officials believe they know what made customers of a local restaurant sick. We'll have the details.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Also a grocery store chain wants you to check your refrigerator after packages of hamburger are recalled.
(------------)
[Weather-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

Fairly dry weather will continue... but temperatures will be dropping... I'll tell you how low they're gonna go coming up...

[Medical-Head]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#med heads]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Also today, we'll reveal some of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer's secrets,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
and on Health Check the American Medical Association wants the morning after pill sold over the counter.
(----------------)

[open]
[SUPER=#4063; Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Jean1;]
[SUPER=@Leo1;]
[SUPER=@Steve1;]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=14:51:36]
((AL GORE: THE EFFORT I HAVE UNDERWAY IS SIMPLY TO MAKE SURE ALL THE VOTES ARE COUNTED.))
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=votes are counted.]
(---------)
[vo-nat]
With that determination- Al Gore continues his fight for the Presidency.

(------------)[5-Presidency]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=election]

No, the Presidential Election isn't over yet- but lawyers for both camps are prepping for what could be their last court battle.
A hearing is scheduled for Thursday before the Florida Supreme Court- where Gore is appealing a lower court ruling.
Drew Levinson joins us from Tallahassee- with the latest.
[LIVE=Levinson NEWSPATH /FULL]
[SUPER=701-Drew Levinson/CBS News;]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee, FL;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[Super=703-Washington DC;]
[Super=701-Al Gore/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=701-Craig Waters/Fl. Supreme Ct. Spokesman;]
[SUPER=703-Austin, TX]
[SUPER=701-George W. Bush/(R) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee, FL;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you]

((
WHILE HIS LAWYERS PREPARE FOR A LAST DITCH APPEAL BEFORE FLORIDA'S SUPREME COURT.... VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THE ODDS MAY NOW BE AGAINST HIM. VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE "I DON'T FEEL ANYTHING OTHER THAN OPTIMISTIC AND THE TEAM DOWN IN TALLAHASSEE FEELS THAT WAY ALSO." ON THURSDAY MORNING.. FLORIDA'S HIGHEST COURT WILL HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS... EVEN THOUGH A COURT SPOKESMAN SAYS THE COURT HASN'T FORMALLY AGREED TO HEAR THE CASE. CRAIG WATERS/SPOKESMAN, FLORIDA SUPREME COURT: THEY HAVE SCHEDULED ORAL ARGUMENTS THAT DEAL SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE COURT SHOULD HEAR THE CASE AND THE ISSUES IN THE CASE AS WELL." THE FATE OF FLORIDA'S DISPUTED ELECTION LANDED IN STATE SUPREME COURT YESTERDAY WHEN A CIRCUIT COURT REJECTED GORE'S ATTEMPT TO REVERSE THE STATE'S CERTIFIED RESULTS. BUSH: I HAD A GOOD BRIEFING THIS MORNING. MEANWHILE, GOVERNOR GEORGE W. BUSH REMAINS IN TEXAS... WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS FIRST POST-ELECTION INTELLIGENCE REPORT TODAY. DURING AN INTERVIEW FOR THE THE CBS NEWS BROADCAST, 60 MINUTES 2...BUSH REFUSED TO LABEL GORE A SORE LOSER. GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH, R-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: WE BOTH PUT OUR HEART AND SOUL INTO THE CAMPAIGN AND HE GAVE HIS ALL AND I DARN SURE GAVE IT MY ALL.))

[5-Carlson-Pkg]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Election ]

While the vice president is hanging his hopes on the Florida Supreme Court, even members of his own party feel the end may be near.
Gretchen Carlson has more from Capitol Hill.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=703-Washington DC;]
[SUPER=701-Barbara Mikulski/(D) Maryland;]
[SUPER=701-Trent Lott/(R) Senate Maj. Leader;]
[SUPER=701-Dick Cheney/(R) V.P Candidate;]
[SUPER=701-Joe Lieberman/(D) V.P. Candidate;]
[SUPER=701-Gretchen Carlson/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS Washington]
(((NAT) gavel in senate convening SESSION And the chair will come to order
An unusual day on capitol hill still no president AND MEMBERS OF THE House and SENATE are back AT WORK. Theyre here for a special session to come to an agreement about the budget but theyre still facing off about Al Gore versus George W. Bush.
(Sot) Barbara Mikulski - (D) Maryland This election will not be a knock out were heading to a TKO were in the last round and Gore has 2 or 3 more punches hes entitled to throw.

(Sot) Sen. Trent Lott- (R) Senate Majority Leader
We are all very anxious for that final decision and determination to be made that brings President-elect, the Governor of Texas, George W. Bush into the transition period.
Democrats claim theyre still strongly behind Gore, even after a devastating blow in the courts on Monday. Republicans stress its looking more and more like a Bush victory. But Tuesday it was the Presidential running mates dispatched to the Hill to do the talking Dick Cheney stumping for Bush

(Sot) Dick Cheney - (R) Vice Presidential Candidate
Hopefully we will be able to get on in faijjj!jI/jjrly short order with the business of preparing for governing.
The Democrats admitting for the first time the battle will be over in days.

(Sot) Joe Lieberman - (D) Vice Presidential Candidate
If, as I hope and believe, we win in the Florida Supreme Court, there arent many other places to go. We wont need to go anywhere else.

(STAND-UP CLOSE) Gretchen Carlson Reporting

But what no one was talking about today was the word CONCEDE. Even though Dick Cheney asked Gore to give it up on Sunday, there was no message for him today and Al Gore once again asked the public to be patient through another appeal.
Gretchen Carlson, CBS News, Washington. ))

[5-Beef-recall]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=500-16 1:26:09]
[GRAPHIC=Kroger]

A beef recall in 15 states affects all Kroger stores in Virginia. The beef may be contaminated with E-coli.
(XXXXXXXX)
[PINNACLE PAGE]
Kroger is asking customers to check their freezers for Kroger brand ground beef in one, three, and five pound packages dated November 19th and 20th.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
22 illnesses have been linked to beef supplied by American Foods Group of Minnesota.

No E-coli has actually been found in Kroger meat- The recall is a precautionary measure.
218 thousand pounds of ground beef are being recalled.
Kroger will replace or refund customers money if they return the beef to the store.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

E-coli poisoning symptoms include diarrhea and stomach cramps.
Health experts say people generally become ill two to four days after eating tainted beef.

[5-Golden-Corral]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Several people did become ill after eating at Golden Corral near Crossroads mall in October.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October]

Now health officials say they think they know why-
Those who got sick all reported eating at the restaurant the evening of October 13th.
Lab tests performed on the food from that day -- indicated that a bacteria was responsible for the illness.
But officials still do not know its source.
The Health Department believes this is an isolated incident- since there have been no other reports of illness.
officials say Golden Corral has implemented several changes in food handling and sanitation.
(------------)
[(toss to R)]
(toss to Leo)
[Robin-Tease] [12/05/2000]
[SS=NONE]ROBIN IN WX-CENTER
[WXPRO/FULL] WEATHER MAP TOMORROW FORECAST FIVE DAY FORECAST

[SS=NONE]ROBIN TOSS BACK[tease#1]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#tease1]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some residents of Christiansburg want to stop a housing development. We'll tell you why after this break.
(-------------------)
[VO] Plus we'll see why employees of the city of Roanoke are shuttling to work.
(--------------------)
[Closed captioning]

[Commercial Break #1]

[5-C'burg-Development]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=500-15 1;08:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A plan to develop a rural plot of land in Christiansburg is not popular with some neighbors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

A developer wants to turn these 89 acres of farmland along Peppers Ferry Road into commercial and residential property.
Under his proposal, five acres along the road would house businesses.
Behind that 175 single family homes and 105 townhomes would go up.
Some neighbors worry the development will congest the busy two-lane road AND hurt property values.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 27:01 - :09]
[IN Q=I think]
((JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM/NEIGHBOR: I THINK THAT IT WILL DEVALUE MY PROPERTY GREATLY IF THEY PUT BUSINESSES ACROSS THE ROAD FROM IT BECAUSE IT'LL BE WORTHLESS AS RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY THEN.))
[SUPER=01-John Higginbotham/Neighbor;]
[RUNS=:09.]
[OUT Q=property then.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Developers say they'll finish the housing after Route 114 is rebuilt in 2002 to minimize impact on traffic and neighbors.
Town council is expected to take action on the issue tonight.
(------------)

[5-Shuttle-Bus]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=500-18 1:21:05]
[GRAPHIC=]
More than 300 Roanoke city employees have had their free parking stickers taken away.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The city manager's told them to park at the Civic Center and ride a shuttle bus downtown, leaving 313 monthly spaces open for new businesses and their employees.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:51:38]
[IN Q=Businesses were looking]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/CITY MANAGER: BUSINESSES WERE LOOKING TO LOCATE DOWNTOWN BUT WERE GETTING A SENSE THAT THIS WAS NOT A GOOD LOCATION BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE IN THEIR MINDS OF AVAILABLE PARKING.))
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/City Manager;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=available parking]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Burcham still parks for free because she says employees who leave the building several times a day can keep their stickers. These city employees don't mind the ride -- they say they can relax and meet other municipal workers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:27:07]
[IN Q=I really]
((I REALLY LIKE IT. I THINK IT TURNED OUT REALLY WELL. WE HAD A LONG WAY TO WALK TO GET TO THE BUILDING AND NOW WE HAVE FRONT DOOR PICKUP AND IT'S BEEN REALLY NICE.))
[SUPER=01-Diane Cleveland/Shuttle Rider;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=really nice]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The city can make 206-thousand-dollars by selling these spaces instead of giving them away. The program costs a little more than that, but a grant is paying for the first two years.
(------------)

[5-Foundation]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=500-19 1:15:58]
[GRAPHIC=]
A charitable foundation in the Alleghany Highlands is literally paving the way to a better community.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Clifton Forge; ]
The Clifton Forge Main Street organization recently received a 502- thousand dollar grant to improve the city's historic downtown district. The money was awarded by the Alleghany Foundation and will be used to fund 25- separate projects.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:71:41 00:01:16]
[IN Q=Those funds will ]
((CARMEN GALAND/CLIFTON FORGE MAIN ST. TREASURER: THOSE FUNDS WILL REPLACE SIDEWALKS THAT ARE NOT ADA ACCESSIBLE. THEY'LL PUT NEW CURBS, NEW GUTTERS, PAVERS, CROSS WALKS, NEW PAVING ACTUALLY ON THE ROADS.)) ((JIM SNYDER/ALLEGHANY FOUNDATION PRESIDENT: WE'VE GRANTED ALMOST ELEVEN MILLION DOLLARS AND THAT HAS A LOT OF EFFECT ESPECIALLY ON AGENCIES HERE TRYING TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Carmen Galand/Clifton Forge Main St. Treasurer; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Snyder/Alleghany Foundation President; ]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=the community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Covington;]
Jackson River Enterprises in Covington is another organization that is benefiting from the foundation. We'll hear from the organization and its workers tonight on NEWS 7 at six.
(------------)

[5-Space-Station]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Endevaour]

Two crew members from the Space Shuttle Endevaour have been floating outside the international space station today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NASA Video;]

They're finishing up installation of giant new solar wings- that provide power for the station.
Astronauts Joe Tanner and Carlos Noriega are making the electrical connections so that the power can be distributed to the rest of the station.
This is the second of three spacealks planned for this shuttle mission.
(------------)

[Tease#2]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jbi]
[TAPE=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Coming up next on the newscast, we'll visit the Festival of Trees in Downtown Roanoke.
[IN Q=The Girl Scouts; 5:48]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=is all about; 5:57]

[STOX]

[5-Festival-of-Trees]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jbi]
[TAPE#=500-20 1;08:49]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Many of us drive around neighborhoods to see the lights put up for the holiday season... but what we don't usually get to see is all the decorated Christmas trees.
There are a bunch of creatively and beautifully decorated trees at the Emporium in downtown Roanoke.
Jacey Birch dropped by to show us a few.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If you haven't; ]
[SUPER=@Jacey1; :00]
[SUPER=01-Diane Kelly/Mental Health Assoc.; :18]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :30]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=I'm Jacey Birch;]

[Stats] [12/05/2000] [CK/ESS]FIVE BACKGROUND [CK/WXPRO] [CK/VIEWERNET] [CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [CK/CHYRON/5 PAGES]REGIONAL FORECASTS [ESS/FULL]EXTENDED FORECAST [WALK OVER FOR 2 SHOT TOSS] [Forecasts]
[SUPER=#577]
[SUPER=X5000]
[SUPER=330-A Few/Clouds/17-21/Variable/Clouds/34-37]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=331-Partly Cloudy/And Cold/15-19/Thickening/Clouds/35-38]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=332-Variably/Cloudy/13-17/Increasing/Clouds/26-30]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=333-Partly Cloudy/West Wind 15mph/14-18/Clouds Move/In Late/27-31]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=334-A Few/Flurries Early/9-14/Mostly Cloudy/Still Cold/26-30]
[SUPER=X5003]

[SUPER=#555][tease#3]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#Tease 3]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Christmas favorite is returning to television tonight. Coming up after sports, we'll dig up some little known facts about Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer including what's really the name of the dentist elf.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
and on Health Check, we'll see what one store is doing to help its disabled and elderly shoppers.
(------------)

[REV NET ANNOUNCEMENT]
[Commercial Break ]

[5-Morning-After]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=500-2 1;38:22]
[GRAPHIC=Women's Health]

The nation's largest doctors' group says the morning after pill should be as easy to buy as aspirin.
(--------------)
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The American Medical Association says the pill is safe and effective.
If it is taken within three days of sexual intercourse, the pill can prevent ovulation. If ovulation has already occurred, the pill blocks implantation of a fertilized egg.
The A-M-A board voted to ask the Food and Drug Administration to let the pills be sold over the counter Some anti-abortion advocates consider the pill the same as an abortion. But the morning-after pill is not as widely opposed as R-U-4-86 abortion pills. The Food and Drug Administration approved those for prescription use only.
(--------------)

[5-Personal-Shopping]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=500-9 1:22:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A local department store makes shopping a little easier this holiday season for seniors and those with special needs.
Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They have a smaller bag]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;10]
[SUPER=01-Ruth Clodselper/Shopper;17]
[SUPER=01-Lorrie Huffman/Outlook Pointe;46]
[SUPER=01-Virginia Saunders/Shopper;1:15]
[SUPER=01-Lisa Swiney/Target;1:24]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=n7 Roanoke]
((
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:08:30]
[IN Q=They have a smaller bag]
((NAT SOT: THEY HAVE A SMALLER BAG RIGHT HERE FOR 88 CENTS))
[RUNS07]
[OUT Q=too many]

Having a personal shopping assisting -- to help pickout goodies -- was just one the perks seniors and those with special needs received during this annual event at the Target in Roanoke.
One customers says she's even got help with writing a check.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:09:50]
[IN Q=She filled it out for me]
((RUTH CLODSELPER:SHE FILLED IT OUT FOR ME. was that a big help. YEAH, CAUSE I WAS HAVING TROUBLE. I HAVE A CRIPPLED FINGER, THEY DON'T PICK UP THINGS VERY GOOD I COULD NEVER BE A SHOP LIFTER)) [RUNS18]
[OUT Q=a shop lifter]
(///// SOT /////)
[NAT SOT9:32:42]
[IN Q=It's wool and angora]
((NAT SOT: IT'S WOOL AND ANGORA))
[RUNS03]
[OUT Q=angora]

Lorrie Huffman brought seven seniors from the Outlook Pointe at Roanoke Assisted Living Center for the special shopping time which lasted from 8 to 10 a-m.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT9:30:20]
[IN Q=Havin the staff here]
((LORRIE HUFFMAN/OUTLOOK POINTE ASST. LIVING CENTER: HAVING THE STAFF THERE THAT CAN HELP THEM AROUND IN THEIR WHEELCHAIRS GIVES THEM THAT SPECIAL HELP BECAUSE WANDERING IN A BIG STORE IS DIFFICULT WHEN YOU'RE PHYSICALLY NOT QUITE UP TO GETTING AROUND AS QUICKLY AS THE REST OF US)) [RUNS16]
[OUT Q=rest of us]

And the seniors also received a 10 percent discount on all purchases.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT9:43:53]
[IN Q=I got this, this is dariling]
((VIRGINIA SAUNDERS/SHOPPER: I GOT THIS, THIS IS DARLING. who is it for? MY LITTLE GREAT GRAND BABY, SHE'S 17 MONTHS OLD)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q=month olds]

There was also a free breakfast -- and for those who bought gifts -- wrapping was free of charge.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT9:55:13]
[IN Q=Well, i think it's imporant]
((LISA SWINEY: WELL, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE THEM FEEL SPECIAL TO LET THEM KNOW WE'RE HERE AND WE CARE)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=we care]

Sweeney says this is Target's gift to the seniors -- to encourage them to get out and shop and enjoy the holiday season.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Roanoke.))

[S5-Gator]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-82 2137tc]
[GRAPHIC=ticker]

Good afternoon everyone, welcome to your Tuesday ticker.
[GRAPHIC=GATOR BOWL VT-CLEMSON]
It's taken a couple of days for the Hokies to get over the BCS blues, but the team appears to be coming around. And there's no doubt that the chance to play Clemson is always an intriguing prospect for Tech players and fans.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=You know....]
((MICHAEL VICK:))
[SUPER=01-Michael Vick/Va. Tech Quarterback; :00]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q:=...the most of it."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]
[SUPER=04-ACC; :00]
To put even more bite in the Gator is the fact that this game will showcase two of the most exciting players in the nation in Vick and his counterpart Woodrow Dantzler.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WITH ALL THE]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=...in Jacksonville."]
(-------------)

[S5-Coaches]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-76 1:57:20]
[GRAPHIC=Tech football]

Tech football coach Frank Beamer announced today that he has elevated two assistant coaches to new positions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Billy Hite, has been promoted from assistant head coach to associate head coach. He will take on some additional administrative and staff related tasks to go along with his duties as the Hokies running backs coach. Hite is completing his 23rd season at Tech.
Bryan Stinespring has been named assistant head coach. He is Tech's offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. He will deal with high school relations in addition to his current duties.
Safety and outside linebackers coach Jim Cavanaugh was considering the assistant head coaching job at Maryland but has decided to stay at Virginia Tech.
(------------)

[S5-Express]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-77]
[GRAPHIC=Express]

The Express plays this Friday on the road against Greensboro before returning home for two straight at the Round House Saturday and Sunday against Johnstown. Saturday, three Express players will appear at Sam's Club to help raise money for the Children's Miracle Network.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

An official Dave Gagnon game jersey from the 1999-2000 season will be raffling off Saturday. Gagnon will be at sam's from 11:30 until 12:30. Coming up at Six, Express head coach Perry Florio will talk about the team's recent two game road swing. See ya then everybody.
(------------)

[5-Web-Day]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#Webday]
[GRAPHIC=Webday]

Everybody's favorite reindeer is making his annual visit to the airwaves tonight.
(----------------)
[VO]
Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer has become one of television's best loved Christmas specials.
Even if you have watched it every year since it first premiered on December 6th, 1964, there are probably things you didn't know about the special.
You may not have known that the writer of the original song didn't want the show even made. Johnny Marks was afraid over exposure would kill the song.
Also Burl Ives wasn't originally slated to be part of the broadcast. All of his classic songs such as "Silver and Gold" and "Holly Jolly Christmas" were originally written for the character of Yukon Corneilus.
Probably the biggest point of confusion is the name of the little elf who wants to be a dentist. It's not Herbie..or Hervie...it's Hermie.
While the special seems pretty much the same year to year, there have actually been several changes made.
(--------------)
[Take Pinnacle Page] To learn more about those and other behind the scenes facts, visit our website of the day through a link to our page at WDBJ7-dot-com.
Of course you can watch Rudolph on television right here on your Hometown Station tonight at eight.[Close-ID] [5pm] SUPER=x4035; fax/copyright [SUPER=x4034;email/copyright]