WQED's Rick Sebak Readies Third Kennywood Documentary

PITTSBURGH – Rick Sebak is again returning to Kennywood circa 1988 for his latest documentary focusing on the storied West Mifflin amusement park. "Don't Stand Up," premieres May 2 at 8 p.m. on WQED-TV.

The documentary debuts a mere three months after Sebak's last Kennywood special, "That Kennywood Summer." Like the upcoming one, it uses archival footage that Sebak and his crew shot 31 years ago for "Kennywood Memories."

“I now like to think it’s the third part of a trilogy,” Sebak said in a statement. “We just shot so much material for “Kennywood Memories” back in 1988, and so much of it is fun to watch, that we decided we had at least another half-hour of really good stuff to share.”

The program features historian Charles J. Jacques Jr. on the Racer and the Auto Ride, along with familiar characters like Beth Snodgrass at the Wave Swinger, and maintenance men Bryan Bartley and Geno Chamboredon at the old shuttle-loop coaster called the Laser Loop.

“We also have some new interviews, including some good stories from ride operator Paul Kuszaj at the train,” Sebak said. “We included just one soundbite from Paul in ‘That Kennywood Summer,’ and his family contacted me with the sad news that he had passed away seven years ago. But they loved seeing him alive and healthy, and I told them we have more stories from him, and we have included them in this new program.”

Here's a preview of the new program: