KCBS-TV (Slates)

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


1st Slate (1960-1968)

Visuals: A Stage Manager holds a large chalk clapperboard in black with a white-striped clapper and white labels "PROD: NAME.", "EPISODE"
, "SCENE", "TAKE", and "RECORDING DATE" (aligned to the center) aligned towards the left, with "INSERT" on the same line as the "TAKE" label. Thin white borders between each label stretch horizontally. The CBS eye logo with the H abbreviation can be seen on the lower right.

Variants:

  • The borders would sometimes connect with the sides and 'RECORDING DATE' would be aligned left, as seen on episodes 2 and 5 of The Judy Garland Show.
  • The 'SCENE' label would sometimes be plastered over with 'AIR DATE' written in marker.
  • From 1967 onward, the clapperboard is wider and the CBS eye would sometimes be absent.

Technique: Live-action.

Audio: The Stage Manager reads the slate, followed by a clap of the clapperboard. Sine pings set between 2,100 to 2,200 Hz or saw pings set between 1,500 to 2,000 Hz can be heard after the clapper is loaded.

Availability: Seen on networked CBS programs taped in Hollywood, such as the only videotaped episodes of The Twilight Zone, Allakazam, Password, The Judy Garland Show, The Red Skelton Hour, The Celebrity Game, and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

2nd Slate (1967-1990's)

Visuals: A Stage Manager holds a chalk clapperboard in black with a white-striped clapper and labels "PROD.", "TITLE"
, "AIR", "VTR", "PICKUP" and "TAKE", around the edges (with the latter two close to each other). The clapperboard is smaller than the 1st slate and the CBS eye logo with the H abbreviation can be seen on the lower right. The number of stripes on the clapper varies over the years, from having as few as 4 to as many as 7.

Variants:

  • Prototype variants exist where the clapperboard varies in size. On early season 17 episodes of The Red Skelton Hour and Hee-Haw, The clapperboard appears slightly wider and larger with the top, bottom and left sides extended outward. The borders also connect to each side and the CBS eye icon is absent. The clapper is also slightly larger. On early 1968 episodes of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, the top and left edges are extended outward and the clapperboard is larger.
  • On the demo tape for the CMX-600 and early 1972 episodes of The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, the CBS eye is absent.
  • From 1971 to 1982, The H abbreviation inside the CBS logo would be eliminated and include the abbreviation 'CBS' beside it.
  • From 1975 onward, The "TITLE" and "PROD." labels would be switched around. Later that year, the labels would also change to Helvetica font, and the CBS logo, now with the 'TELEVISION CITY' byline below it, would align with the "VTR" label. All taped programs transitioned to using the complete variant starting in September the same year.

Technique: Live-action.

Audio: The Stage Manager or Program Announcer reading the slate, sometimes none. In earlier years this is followed by a clap of the clapperboard.

Audio Variant: On The Red Skelton Hour, and the pilot episode of Talking Pictures, sine pings at 2,100 to 2,300 Hz can be heard after the clapper is loaded.

Availability: Seen on networked CBS programs taped in Hollywood, such as 1967-1970 episodes of The Red Skelton Hour, The Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff Special (which can be seen several times as part of behind-the-scenes footage), Talking Pictures, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The Carol Burnett Show, The Smother Brothers Comedy Hour, Hee-Haw, Insight, the demo tape for the CMX-600, the original CBS version of The Joker's Wild, The Price is Right, Hollywood's Talking, The David Steinberg Show, the 1973-1980 version of Match Game, Tattletales, Dinah!, the pilot episode of Double Cross, Joe and Sons, Elvis in Concert, and The Facts of Life.

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