A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

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Entry from March 29, 2005
“Let’s go to the videotape!”
Warner Wolf did the evening sports for several newscasts for many years. His catchphrase was "Let's go to the videotape!" to cue the sports highlights.

20 January 2005, New York Post, "5 Questions for Warner Wolf," pg. 62:
Q: When you came up with "Let's go to the videotape," what was the story behind it?

A: When they first put me on television it was about 1969. There wasn't too much videotape then. We mostly shot our own games with film. Through the late-night syndication, it was a Warriors-Bucks game. Kareem Abdul Jabbar was going against Nate Thurmond. I said, "The Warriors led 98-90 in the fourth quarter and look at this defense that Thurmond puts on Jabbar." No tape came up. So I said, "You have to look at this exchange between the two of them, between Nate Thurmond and Kareem." No tape. Finally, Isaid to the director in the booth, his name was Ernie Bauer, "Ernie, let's go to the videotape." And the tape rolled. After the show, Ernie came out and said, "Warner, that's great. I'm doing 25 things in there. When you said, "Let's go to the videotape," I immediately punched it up. So do it again tomorrow night."

20 November 1978, New York Times, pg. C2:
He is quickly becoming identified with his regular nightly cry: "Let's go to the videotape!" That means it's time for game highlights, during which he frequently finds fault with officials, coaches, players and owners.

10 June 1980, New York Times, "Warner Wolf Allowed to Shift to CBS," pg. C19:
Mr. Wolf carved out an identity on the shows by combining a breakneck-speed delivery and unabashed exuberance with an instinct for cliched but catchy phrases, including, "Let's go to the videotape," "Gimme a break" and "Swish," which was used to celebrate deft shots in basketball.
Posted by Barry Popik
Sports/Games • Tuesday, March 29, 2005 • Permalink


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