Moon Landing

How a trip to the taping of a TV show became a front row seat to the first step

July 20, 1969

I know exactly where I was. I was standing in line with 3 friends at the ABC studios on Prospect in Hollywood waiting to be let in for the taping of several "Happening '69" episodes hosted by Paul Revere and Mark Lindsay. I had my transistor radio in hand, and we were listening to the landing. A young woman we'd met the month before came up and we welcomed her. I couldn't remember her name--I've always sucked at names--and when reminded it was the same as mine, I must say I was righteously embarrassed.

We all huddled in as the last few seconds of the landing ticked by, and when it finally happened, we all screamed. The girls around us had no idea what was happening and immediately demanded to know. We explained, and they kinda, sorta, maybe got into it.

After another half hour or so, they let us into the studio where the recording was to take place. I still had my little transistor radio in hand and continued to listen for the moment when Neil Armstrong would take that first step on the moon. They taped a couple of shows (they usually did 4--a month's worth--in a session), and then we sat for awhile as they set up for the next show. They left the studio monitors on and had them tuned into the moon landing. I turned my radio off.

We sat there enthralled for hours, and finally nearing 8 pm, Neil Armstrong took that step, that momentous step. I tear up even now thinking about it and how the production of a popular teen show was halted for hours because everyone behind the scenes wanted to see it happen. Rumor had it that it was Mark Lindsay himself who had them shut down production so we could all watch. Regardless, like billions out in the world, we were watching, and I'll forever be grateful for that.