Sterling Quinlan

In his nearly three-hour interview, Sterling “Red” Quinlan (1916-2007) discusses how he began his career in 1947 at WBKB in Chicago -- where he eventually worked his way up to station manager. He describes the rise of the Chicago School of Television, known for programs like Kukla, Fran & Ollie, Studs' Place, and Garroway at Large. He recounts working with many of Chicago television's talents, including Burr Tillstrom, Studs Terkel, and Dave Garroway. Quinlan recalls his status as the most important independent station manager in the country in the 1940s and '50s, and speaks of working with Leonard Goldenson, Elton Rule, Edward Noble, and many other television executives. He talks of leaving WBKB in 1965, of consulting for WTTW (Chicago’s public television station), and of working with DG Systems in Chicago. He also discusses the many books he's written, including The Merger, Jugger, The Hundred Million Dollar Lunch, and Inside ABC. Roy Leonard conducted the interview on July 20, 1999 in Chicago, IL.