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High Time
High Time is well-remembered as Portland's first music-dance show for teenagers. Similar to Dick Clark's Bandstand, which was produced locally in Philadelphia, High Time premiered in Portland on the same day as ABC's American Bandstand, although the show had actually started a week earlier. Ed Gilbert was the original host of the show, but John Lewis was substituting as host by September, and he, in turn, was replaced in October 1957 by Gene Brendler, who remained with the show through the rest of its three-year run.
It was my genuine pleasure to be a part
of KPTV's 50th Anniversary Program and discussing my participation in
High Time and my long association with KPTV's beloved Gene Brendler.
In addition to dancing on High Time each
day, I served as High Time's "President of the Advisory
Board", and also had the opportunity to accompany Gene Brendler to
different cities throughout the state to promote the program, along with
other High Time "regulars."
I was also selected, along with fellow
High Timer Nick Mondrut, to represent KPTV & High Time on Dick
Clark's American Bandstand in Philadelphia in conjunction with Gene
Brendler's guest hosting while Dick Clark was on vacation. I
must confess that it was a genuine thrill to appear on American
Bandstand and to represent High Time and KPTV!
Those were the days of "live"
television! I remember that one of my most embarrassing
moments was when Mr. Brendler asked me (before the show began) if I
would help him do a commercial for a product called the "Fabulous
Living Ant Farm." Of course, I said "yes!"
Before the program began, I called my home and told my mother to
"watch the show today," so she could see me do a commercial.
Well, when the time came for the "Fabulous Living Ant Farm"
spot to begin, Mr. Brendler handed me a large glass tank (on camera)
and, just as he started to talk about how much
"fun" it would be for children to own one, it slipped out of
my hands and crashed on the floor...with what appeared to be thousands
of "live" ants running in all directions. Later, I heard
that the whole studio had to be cleared out and fumigated! There
was also the time (on "live" television, when I gave myself
two black eyes, again demonstrating for Mr. Brendler, a product called
"The Whamo-Wing-Ding," and the time I tripped up the steps of
a Greyhound Bus (during a live commercial during Tarantula Ghoul's
program) just as the commentator was assuring KPTV's late-night
audience, "...and, it's such a comfort to take the bus!"
I have so many fond memories of KPTV's crew, along with Gene Brendler & Gordon White...and, in moments of reflection, I think of my High Time friends: especially Nick Mondrut, Linda Yazzolino, Tanja Savuno, Sandra Wright (my first girlfriend), and the countless others who's names I've long forgotten, but whose faces will forever remain fresh, unchanged, and always familiar in my mind.
Thanks to all of you for giving me such
wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
James Tumblin 
This page last updated on August 25, 2025 |
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