In TV’s early days, some stations broadcast only a few hours, ending as early as 7 p.m. No prime time then.

Even in more recent memory, most commercial UHF stations shut down for the night, usually after the 10 p.m. news, “The Tonight Show” or its equivalent. Only after the advent of cable and other competition did stations begin offering programs in later hours, to the relief of viewers who worked unusual shifts.

Tulsa TV stations had personalized closings. Channel 6 ended its day with a broadcast of “High Flight,” accompanied by video of military jets. Channel 8 paid tribute to Oklahoma heritage with Bacone art professor Dick West, clad in a headdress and other traditional Indian regalia, performing the Lord’s Prayer in Indian sign language.

Until other stations joined the broadcasting market, KOTV aired programs from each of the networks. They tested shows with viewers and purchased the most popular ones. Channel 6 and Channel 2 added the capacity to broadcast color in the mid-1950s, while locally produced color shows came a little later. Most people didn’t have color TV sets at home then, anyway.

During its early years, KOTV devoted a third of its programming to locally-produced shows. Stations aired locally-filmed shows for kids, for women, of adult interest, as well as news programming.

One of the first local shows was Lewis Meyer’s Bookshelf. The bespectacled, tie-wearing bookstore owner told viewers about bestsellers and his favorite books for decades, until health forced his retirement. Many people remember the slogan he closed every show with: “The more books you read, the taller you grow.”

Some of the early television people who moved on to success include Jim Hartz, who later became a newscaster on NBC, and Anita Bryant, well-known for her beauty queen status and anti-gay stand, and as a religious performer.

Among the native Tulsa actors who attained success in television and film were Gailard Sartain and Gary Busey. Both appeared on “Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi’s Uncanny Film Festival.” Between clips from “B” movies, Sartain (as Mazeppa), Busey (playing Teddy Jack Eddy) and their buddies performed campish and outlandish skits, to the delight of their audience.

Sartain moved from local TV to the syndicated country corn show “Hee Haw,” while Busey received an Academy Award nomination for his role as pop idol Buddy Holly in “The Buddy Holly Story.”

While not all Tulsa stars moved to national status, other longtime Tulsa TV figures became almost cult figures regionally. TV weathermen especially seem to be a long-lasting crew.

Don Woods, of KTUL, is retired, but still draws his cartoon companion, Gusty, during special appearances. Lee Woodward was accompanied by his feline friend, King Lionel, as he gave the Channel 2 weathercast. And Jim Giles, though lacking a similar helper, is celebrating his 25th year on KOTV.

“As far as Tulsa TV goes, the thing that was really good was Don Woods drawing Gusty, and King Lionel,” said David Moore, executive director of Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce. “Everybody wanted a Gusty. I don’t know how many times I wrote wanting a Gusty, but I never got one.”

TV proved not just a source of viewing pleasure for Darrell Lingbeck of Tahlequah. It also became a career. He began repairing televisions, and his son later joined him in the business. He bought his first set in 1954.

“That goes back to the era of black and white,” he said. “You hardly had color then.”

Some of the early sets had circular screens, or screens rounded at the edges, as opposed to today’s square ones. Many served as massive pieces of furniture, often with radios and stereo systems incorporated. Lingbeck used to have to visit clients’ homes to repair large sets. But just like a medical doctor, this TV doctor no longer makes house calls.