Midday, the longest running MPR news program, began as an extension of a daily half hour noon newscast called “Midday Report.” In September 1971 it expanded into various longer iterations, running weekdays, as well as encompassing some weekend programming. During this period, it was described as: “A program of news and information, a calendar of the day’s cultural events and the environmental report.” In January 1972 the name changed to Midday, and a month later it was described as: “A program of news, consumer and environmental information, discussion of public issues, and reports by the MPR and NPR news staffs."
Separate MPR public affairs programming were featured, such as Spectrum, Sportfolio, MPR Special, Insight, Weekend, Forum, and MPR’s Mainstreet Radio, among others. Local programming was also featured, including Westminster Town Hall Forum, Carlson Lecture Series, Minnesota Meeting, Minnesota Press Club, and Mondale Policy Forum. National outside programming included Options, Horizons, Communique, National Press Club, Chappaqua Lecture, Ford Hall Forum, Commonwealth Club, among others; and interview shows from the likes of Studs Terkel, William F. Buckley and Nancy Fushan.
As the years progressed, the “Interview” and “Call-in” would become a regular format for Midday. Beginning in the mid-1970’s until 1992, Midday was hosted by Bob Potter, after which, Gary Eichten became the permanent host. Many guest hosts also participated over the years. During the Eichten era, Midday became a daily two-hour program staple, running from 11AM-1PM. Midday ended its run in January 2012, when long-time host Eichten retired.
May 8, 1978 - Mini-Conference on art held at the University of Minnesota with guests Philip Guston, artist; Marcia Tucker, curator and director of the New Museum of New York; and Harold Rosenberg, art critic for the New Yorker. Conference was titled “The Big Question: Art/Not Art?” Philip Guston is considered one of the pioneers of post-World War II American painting. He worked on a number of projects for the WPA, has exhibited internationally, and has taught at Boston, Brandeis, and Columbia Universities. His works have been represented in collections at the Guggenheim, Whitney, Metropolitan and Modern Museums of Art in New York, as well as the Tate Gallery of London. Marcia Tucker, curator and director of the New Museum in New York. She has assembled exhibits for artists including Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell and Al Held. Many of the New Museum shows have been the focus of controversy both in content and style of the art displayed. For example, Tucker's exhibit called "Bad Painting" included canvases depicting subject matter not generally seen in more traditional galleries. Noted critic and social philosopher Harold Rosenberg, has been resident art critic for the New Yorker magazine since 1967. The 72-year-old Rosenberg has authored a number of books on art criticism, including "The Tradition of the New".
May 8, 1978 - Harold Rosenberg, art critic for the New Yorker and social philosopher, speaking at the “The Big Question: Art/Not Art?” mini-conference, sponsored by the University of Minnesota Studio Arts Department. Rosenberg authored several books on art criticism including "The Tradition of the New". Since 1967, Rosenberg has been resident art critic for the New Yorker magazine.
May 13, 1978 - Highlights of consumer activist Ralph Nader speaking at St. John's University. Nader addresses technology, limited perspective, corporate tax loopholes, and power of executives.
May 16, 1978 - MPR's arts reporter Nancy Fushan and Jazz Image host Leigh Kamman prepared this sound portrait of the Twin Cities jazz scene as it existed from the late 1920s to the 1950s, collecting stories on the musicians who played it and the people who listened to it.
May 17, 1978 - MPR's arts reporter Nancy Fushan and Jazz Image host Leigh Kamman prepared this sound portrait of the the post-1950s and contemporary jazz scene in the Twin Cities, collecting stories from musicians, educators, and club owners on an era of both creativity and strife.
May 20, 1978 - On this regional public affairs program, excerpts from a recent public hearing on the agency report, held in Minneapolis. It begins with a brief summary of the report by John Milhone, director of Minnesota Energy Agency.
May 22, 1978 - This is Playwrights' Lab/New Drama, an hour special that will feature short dramatic pieces by area playwrights. Arts reporter, Nancy Fushan talks with playwrights in residence Mark Frost and Jon Olive, who discuss their works.
May 23, 1978 - Ring Lardner, Hollywood playwright speaking about blacklisting in the 1940s through the 1960s for being a member of the U.S. Communist Party at the University of North Dakota Writers Conference.
May 27, 1978 - Dr. Robert Coles, noted child psychiatrist and instructor at Harvard, speaking at a conference on parenting held in Bloomington. In speech, Coles reflects on his time with Robert Kennedy.
May 30, 1978 - Eudora Welty, noted Southern novelist, talks about her unique style of writing, her early career as a photographer, and reads portions of her favorite short story. Program also presents an address by Welty at University of North Dakota Writers Conference.