Craig’s notes
I put on a tape marked Rambo and got Wheel of Fortune. Somebody recorded over First Blood, and what survived is a lot more interesting to me: a Thursday on WHIO in Dayton, with Entertainment Tonight, Dan Rather’s presidential update and the premiere of Survivor: Africa. The date attached to those broadcasts is October 11, 2001. The commercials have their own ideas about what people were thinking about then, from zero-percent car financing to a local diabetes screening.
Then it jumps back to Miami Vice on WLIO in Lima. Now we’re looking at 1986 political ads, including Joseph DaPore and Sherrod Brown, and the label is finally starting to make sense. The next stretch moves between WLIO and WFFT during The Man Who Knew Too Much, before Perry Mason: The Case of the Shooting Star takes us back to WLIO. I was happy when the older recording still had commercials. I wasn’t expecting the tape to give me Dayton in 2001 and Lima in 1986 for the price of one handwritten Rambo label.
On this tape
Jump to a program: Wheel of Fortune, Entertainment Tonight, Presidential Update, Survivor: Africa, Miami Vice, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Perry Mason: The Case of the Shooting Star.
Wheel of Fortune
Episode 3539, Safari Adventure Week. WHIO Dayton, October 11, 2001 block; recorded over First Blood.
Ads
- Watsons.
- Golden Grahams, student home from college.
- Kraft Parmesan Cheese on pizza.
- Tylenol Arthritis Pain, lakeside spot.
- Wilford Brimley on horseback; product unidentified.
- Dodge, zero-percent interest on 2002 models.
- KFC Honey BBQ Wings, peewee football scene.
- Check n Go, cash offer.
- Bugles, alien spot.
- Rayovac Maximum, CD players.
- Anbesol Gel.
- Merry Maids.
- Mylanta.
- OxiClean.
- Hardee’s French Dip.
- Hardee’s two-for-two offer.
Station and show promos / continuity
- Entertainment Tonight promo in the Wheel of Fortune break.
- Ohio Lottery drawing and Football Fever scratchers during Wheel of Fortune.
Entertainment Tonight
WHIO Dayton, October 11, 2001; September 11-related coverage.
Ads
- Secret Platinum, movers.
- Tylenol, “A Question of Good Health” medicine-cabinet spot.
- La-Z-Boy.
- Corky Romano trailer.
- Pantene Pro-V Hydrating Curls.
- Chrysler, zero-percent financing.
- VoiceStream Wireless, woman stranded in desert.
- DADA diabetes screening at Dayton Mall.
- Meineke with George Foreman.
- hhgregg.
- Cassano’s Pizza, medium for $9.99.
- Miami Valley Hospital.
- Wright-Patt Credit Union, patriotic theme.
- Chevy Trucks, zero-percent offer.
- Dannon Yogurt, construction lunch.
- Super Lotto Plus.
- McPhilly; identification uncertain.
Station and show promos / continuity
- Brian Orzel weather break during Entertainment Tonight.
- Hilton Hotels bumper during Entertainment Tonight; it isn’t clear whether this was a sponsor spot or station continuity.
Presidential Update
Dan Rather hosts the October 11, 2001 update.
Survivor: Africa
“Question of Trust,” season premiere in the October 11 WHIO block.
Ads
- Reebok, gym scene.
- Heist trailer.
- Mountain Dew Code Red, street basketball.
- Pentium 4, alien spot.
- Mutual of Omaha, stroke and nursing-home scenario.
- Thirteen Ghosts trailer.
Miami Vice
WLIO Lima, October 31, 1986 block; continued on the second viewing.
Ads
- Ernest and Julio Gallo wine.
- Joseph DaPore for third-district judge, political ad.
- Sherrod Brown for secretary of state, political ad.
- Tai-Pan trailer.
- Ford, “Quality Is Job 1.”
- McDonald’s golf / Lego Happy Meal.
- Sprite, comparison with 7Up.
- Michelob, featuring Genesis.
- L’eggs pantyhose, “Super Sheer, Light Support.”
Station and show promos / continuity
- L.A. Law promo in Miami Vice block.
- Jay Leno show promo mentioning David Letterman in the Miami Vice block.
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Film observed with WLIO Lima “Universal Picture Debut Network” identification and a WFFT Fort Wayne continuation; full airing date unclear.
Ads
- Miller Lite with Sgt. Bill Dower; name spelling uncertain.
- Pillsbury Microwave French Bread Pizza.
- Ford Escort.
- Direct cleaner/disinfectant; name spelling uncertain.
- Children’s Palace, toy-price spot.
Perry Mason: The Case of the Shooting Star
WLIO Lima block dated November 9, 1986.
Ads
- Mazda ad referring to Jim Rockford; actor unidentified.
- American Express, manufacturer’s warranty offer.
- McDonald’s Golden Time, older couple.
- Zales, jingle.
- Renault GTA with George C. Scott.
- Northwestern Business College, secretarial training.
Station and show promos / continuity
- NBC Sunday Night at the Movies bumper in Perry Mason block.
- Unnatural Causes promo in Perry Mason block.
On the label
- Handwritten: “Rambo, Miami Vice 86, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Perry Mason — Shooting Star.” The Rambo film was recorded over.
About this recording
Viewed May 13 and May 14, 2026; finished on the second viewing. The 2001 and 1986 dates apply to their named broadcast blocks, not the whole tape.
