Burbank May Strut Its Studios on TV

In the tradition of Morgan Fairchild, Don Johnson and Mark Harmon comes the next big television superstar ready to burst into national fame--Burbank.

Although it is little more than a notion at this point, Burbank is being considered as the subject of a two-hour network TV special focusing on the city’s 75th anniversary this year.

“I guess they would show all the movie studios we have here, and how most of the movies are made here, not Hollywood,” said Mayor Mary Kelsey. Burbank is home to Warner Bros. studios, Columbia Pictures and Walt Disney Productions.

The special would also include a compilation of barbs directed at “beautiful downtown Burbank” by “The Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson and the “Laugh-In” team of Dan Rowan and Dick Martin.

Producer Dick Clark of “American Bandstand” fame began wooing city officials last month for permission to do the special. Under terms of the agreement, approved Tuesday by the Burbank City Council, the city would receive $30,000 for a two-hour special or $15,000 for a one-hour special, plus 10% of the net profits.