Dr. Juke was a prototype
Show Selector concept created by
Creative Engineering in 1983 that tested the use of showtapes on LaserDisc, and a touchscreen video interface.
The concept would implement two major changes to a
Rock-afire Explosion stage; It would provide a video touchscreen device in front of the stage as an upgraded Show Selector, and it would replace the
CEI 4-Track Reel showtape format and tape deck with a LaserDisc player.
Development
Only one LaserDisc was produced for the format (the
Dr. Juke Test Tape, as made by
Pioneer). Presumably, software for Dr. Juke was created, as the animated segments allude to some understanding of how they would be animated beforehand. It is unclear if any prototype units were fully assembled, or if they remained as barebones concepts.
An odd tape labeled
Dr Juke Show Tape 2
would be found, potentially containing the same tracks as
Show Select Tape 2
and is on the same reel format.
Cancellation
Prototyping did not go any further than the first tape, and no
Dr. Juke units were produced for
Showbiz Pizza Place; Additionally, CEI did not use the
CEI LaserDisc format for any future content. CEI alludes to
Showbiz Pizza Place Inc. and its changing culture leading up to the merger with
Pizza Time Theatre being the culprit for the cancellation of the idea.
