Pat Shingleton tv show in Baton Rouge Lousiana called WePlay Baton Rouge and Hot Line After Dark

Local Programming Ahead of its Time

Premiering January 22, 1988, Hotline After Dark was a live call-in talk show. Produced in conjunction with WBRZ TV, Pat Shingleton Productions produced the hour long show which was packed with interesting, unusual and at times ridiculous subject matter. Each week the show looked at interesting occupations in the Baton Rouge area. Other topics were parapsychology, comedy corner, sports talk.

Hotline After Dark Sign and Pat Shingleton, host

Pat Shingleton at Hotline After Dark desk

One of the segments - Hotseat - was designed to give the viewer the opportunity to respond to somebody that may have done something illegal, controversial, maybe even informative or bazaar. Hotseat guest for the premiere show was former LSU athletic director Bob Brodhead.

The show was unique and exciting for the Baton Rouge area and well ahead of its time.

WePlay Baton Rouge set with cars and host, Pat Shingleton

<Clap><Clap><Clap><Clap> <Clap><Clap> <Clap><Clap><Clap><Clap> <Clap>WEPLAY!! <Clap><Clap><Clap><Clap> <Clap><Clap><Clap><Clap> WEPLAY! Looking back, it hardly seems possible that a game show originated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. But it did. Originally shot in the studios of WBRZ, it moved to Bon Marche Mall when it went to weekdays.

Souvenir WePlay Baton Rouge "brick"

Memories of the first game show are still fresh in the minds of Pat and Mabyn Shingleton. "I remember the buzzer stuck and I had to sit on it to quiet it while the game was taping," admitted Mabyn. Originating from the studios of Channel 2 on Highland Road, WePlay Baton Rouge was not only the first gameshow in Baton Rouge it was, to-date, the only one. Prospective contestants flocked to the studios to be interviewed for possible inclusion. Three game shows would be taped on a Saturday.

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