norma goodman.
After Norma Goodman retired her weekday show, some friends recall fond memories working with this Alaska pioneer.
"When Norma Goodman premiered on Anchorage television Dwight Eisenhower was not halfway through his first term as our president. KTVA, Alaska's first television station, had not yet celebrated its first anniversary and Norma Goodman was barely in her mid-20s. Now thousands of television programs later an era has ended. The Norma Goodman Show has been canceled. Some have responded with anger that KTVA management canceled Norma's program. Rather, I suggest we celebrate the 47 years that Norma and KTVA brought this level of service to our community.
"I can assure you that KTVA was never financially rewarded for providing Anchorage with the live 30minute program each weekday and Norma never got rich as the program's talent. We were better served because of an incredible commitment made by Norma and KTVA out of love of our community. Thank you Norma Goodman and thank you KTVA for all those years of service to our community through the Norma Goodman Show."
Al Bramstedt, General Manager, XTUU TV-2, Anchorage
"It was November, 1970. I had just started at Channel 11. It was 20 below and holding. Three days earlier I was living in Hollywood, Calif. eagerly looking forward to moving to Alaska. Norma made Alaska's climate a little less overwhelming!
"She came to Channel 11 as a young bride to host our daily talk show featuring local people of interest and live commercials, some of which became the basis of hilarious stories. Nonprofits were soon included in the program. Each had a story to tell and a cause to work on and Norma helped every one of them. All the while she raised four children and some of her grandchildren.
"Norma is beloved by hundreds of people who have been informed and guided by her without consideration for her time. She is too modest to acknowledge all the help she has been to the people of Anchorage, but I, for one, will never forget."
Julie Guy, KTVA TV-11 Anchorage President and General Manager (Ret)
"'Alaska's First Lady of Television' is title that has always been valid for Norma Goodman, but with a multitude of interpretations. She created the first woman's public service TV show in Alaska on the first TV station to go on the air, KTVA TV-11 on December 11, 1953.
