Captain Noah, who helmed beloved children's TV show, dies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The captain of a beloved Philadelphia children's TV show has died. W. Carter Merbreier helmed the show "Captain Noah and his Magical Ark" for 27 years. He died Tuesday at age 90. His former station, WPVI-TV, announced he had battled a brief illness and died at his home in Audubon, outside Philadelphia. The show aired from 1967 to 1994 and hosted newsmakers and celebrities including Elvis Presley and Charles Barkley. Station general manager Bernie Prazenica (prah-ZEN'-ih-ka) says it was syndicated to more than 20 television markets. He says the station has "lost a dear friend and TV legend." He says, "Captain Noah truly was magical." The show's set is now housed at Philadelphia's interactive children's museum, the Please Touch Museum. ___ This story has been corrected to show the program aired until 1994, not 1997.