Aug 05, 2025 KUTV EXTRA: Too Much? Just Enough.
Intro graphics for the weekly TV-Magazine KUTV EXTRA
Written by Camri Kohler, Digital Initiatives Librarian, J. Willard Marriott Library
Are you tired of the viewing options on Netflix and Prime? Wanting to view vintage Utah programming? KUTV EXTRA may be the show for you! And there are nearly 50 episodes (1977-1983) free to watch in the Marriott Digital Library.
During the 1970’s, local public broadcasting stations adopted an alternative newscast format—the newsmagazine. This style of show consisted of high-interest pieces that held no relation to each other. No show explored the diverse range of topics—from local to global, monumental to silly—quite like Salt Lake City’s own KUTV EXTRA.
The Host: Lucky Severson
Photo Credit: Salt Lake Tribune
KUTV EXTRA aired from 1977 to 1984. Host Lucky Severson was as eccentric and hard-hitting as the show itself. Born in Virgin, Utah (the small town made a big impact on Severson, as indicated in his book, Lucky from Virgin: An Unlikely Story) Severson originally dropped out of college and lost a string of jobs before trying his hand at journalism, and many found Severson to be a natural in the field. “People like Lucky, almost immediately. He’s a real charmer,” said Trent Harris, a fellow journalist, independent filmmaker, and KUTV EXTRA interviewee. “He can walk in to most any situation and before you know it, people are at ease and then they’re ready to talk. I think that’s really his secret.”
Critics felt differently about Severson’s journalistic style. “…Severson proved that he is indeed Lucky in at least one respect . . . having a job.” (San Juan Record, October 1974).
After working with KCPX for a number of years, Severson landed a job with KUTV, and soon became the host of KUTV EXTRA. Through his role on the show, his personality truly shone. Severson was unafraid of broadcasting his opinions, no matter how irreverent or unfavorable.
While working as a journalist for KUTV, Severson went back to school, earning his bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Utah, before receiving a master’s in law from Yale University. Lucky Severson is an Emmy-award winning journalist and producer with over 30 years of broadcasting experience. He’s been a frequent contributor for NBC, MSNBC, and is currently a correspondent for “Religion & Ethics Newsweekly” from PBS. He lives with his wife in Arlington, Virginia.
The Show
The program attracted a new generation of filmmakers. These creatives took advantage of new possibilities in production, pre-recorded programming, and genre to create their own unique mesh of critical exposés, short subject documentaries, experimental video, and in-depth interviews.
Many segments work as a cultural mirror, reflecting the times and Utah’s place in them. The show aired when Disco fever was at its peak, the threat of radiation surrounding nuclear test sites was denied by government officials, and there were a number of “Men Only” bars in the state, including Bar X, a popular spot in downtown Salt Lake City today.
However, no other character quite encapsulated Utah and its capitol like Mike Cassidy. Cassidy was a University of Utah Arts student. After graduation, he was a Salt Lake Tribune staff photographer before shifting his focus to filmmaking. His film, “(Attack of) The Giant Brine Shrimp,” was shown on many arts and film festivals, including the Great Basin Film Festival. The film was a finalist in the 1975 Student Film Awards by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science.
KUTV EXTRA Episode 30: Brine Shrimp Clip 1977-1978
KUTV EXTRA featured pop culture icons of the era—such as The Ramones and Joan Jett, (Episode 28: “Punk Rock”)—as well as political standouts like Ronald Reagan and Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. He introduced a number of anti-discriminatory bills and spoke out on state and national issues of interest to members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, and racial minorities. Milk received almost daily death threats during his political career and recorded several versions of his will “… to be read in the event of my assassination.” On one of his tapes he states, “If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.”
Harvey Milk was assassinated on November 27th, 1978. KUTV EXTRA interviewed Milk just months before his death.
KUTV EXTRA Episode 63: “Harvey Milk” 1978
KUTV EXTRA aired during a tumultuous time in Utah. While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Utah Antidiscrimination Act of 1965 addressed issues of racism and discrimination, the influence of the Latter Day Saints Church created unique challenges in the state. The church officially opposed the Equal Rights Amendment, a contributing factor in state’s refusal to ratify the amendment, highlighting ongoing gender inequality. The church also opposed interracial marriage and denied the priesthood to Black men at that time. KUTV EXTRA did not shy away from such tensions, but instead gave a platform to underrepresented voices.
In their second episode, EXTRA interviews Rosemary “Mama” Redmon Cosby. Cosby was a preacher, founder of the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church, and a powerful figure in Salt Lake City’s Black community. She began the church in a basement apartment, and by the time of the episode’s broadcast, her following had grown to over 400 people.
And in episode 36, EXTRA begins with an expose on the Utah Boy Scouts program. In 1974, two Black scouts were unable to become patrol leaders after LDS church authorities had linked the position of senior patrol leader to the church priesthood, which was denied to its Black members. This resulted in a lawsuit filed by the NAACP which was dismissed the same year because the church agreed to open all positions to all boys. KUTV EXTRA follows up with Utah scouts, troop leaders, and Black community members in 1978, asking if enough has changed.
Episode 36: “Black Boy Scouts”
On June 9th, 1978, months after the episode aired, the LDS priesthood was extended to Black men.
Though KUTV EXTRA only aired for seven years, it left a lasting impression on Utah television, telling stories that sparked curiosity and educated the community. As we look back on this program, it’s clear that its legacy lives on in the memories of those who tuned in, a legacy for being plucky, direct, and absolutely extra.
Special thanks to Danielle Rausch, Multimedia Archivist, Jake Russell, Digital Operations AV Coordinator, Camri Kohler, Digital Initiatives Librarian, and Jessica Breiman, Digital Archives Librarian, for making KUTV Extra digital collection possible.
Citations:
Archives West Finding Aid. Mike Cassidy independent film collection – Archives West. (n.d.). https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv222457
Deseret News. (2024, January 30). C. Larry Roberts, Utah moviemaker, dies at 43. https://www.deseret.com/1988/7/28/18773413/c-larry-roberts-utah-moviemaker-dies-at-43/
Eyre, Aubrey. “A Lifetime of Being Lucky: New Memoir Details the Life and Career of Veteran TV Reporter from Utah.” Deseret News, 30 May 2018, www.deseret.com/2018/5/30/20645798/a-lifetime-of-being-lucky-new-memoir-details-the-life-and-career-of-veteran-tv-reporter-from-utah/
The Official HARVEY MILK Biography. Harvey Milk Foundation. https://milkfoundation.org/about/harvey-milk-biography
Salt Lake Tribune: 1997-12-12: Page 63. Utah Digital Newspapers. (n.d.-a). https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=30695650&q=lucky%2Bseverson&sort=rel
San Juan record: 1974-10-24: Page 2. Utah Digital Newspapers. (n.d.). https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=24687198&q=lucky%2Bseverson&sort=rel
“Structuring the News: The Magazine Format in Public Media | American Archive of Public Broadcasting.” Americanarchive.org, americanarchive.org/exhibits/newsmagazines.
Severson, Lucky. Lucky from Virgin: An Unlikely Story. 30 May 2018.
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