Nearly 15 years ago, Marty Robinson appeared before a WTTW-TVcamera on his first pledge night reading from a script written by theengineer.
Since then, Robinson has become a star of improvisationalfund-raising for the station.
In fact, his broadcast career began with a pledge - of pizza.Back in the '50s, cruising Chicago as a cabbie at 3 a.m., he heard aWEDC-AM DJ ask if anyone knew an all-night pizza joint.
Robinson did, and delivered a pizza to the DJ in the studio. Hewas invited back to do a newscast the next night.
In addition to real fund-raisers, he also has appeared in aspoof of pledge drives. Wearing torn clothes, Robinson warnedviewers that the station would be torn down unless they sent money.Suddenly a beam fell into the set, and an actress told constructionworkers: "You've killed Marty Robinson!"
One of his most challenging unrehearsed on-air moments was lessdangerous. As a tuxedoed Robinson commented on a "Gala of Stars"(like the one aired last night), he was attacked by a fly. As phonesrang in the background, operators watched Robinson slowly cup hishand over the insect.
"Everything stopped for the fly," Robinson recalls. "But he methis maker that evening."
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