Well Known Network Exec Fred Silverman Dies

Fred Silverman, perhaps the most famous network "suit" of all time died last week at 82.  Silverman was  regularly featured in TV Guide at a time, when the medium was dominated by the big 3, CBS, ABC, and NBC.  

Silverman started with CBS being credited with making it a success.   He then moved on to ABC, again helping to make that network number one in the ratings. He then could not resist the challenge to go to NBC, which at the time, was the struggling network,  his tenure there was not as successful, however, he may have "planted the seeds" that allowed that network to later have a roaring comeback. 

TV writer Lee Goldberg knew Silverman and write this tribute, click here.

Ken Levine Interviews Iconic Sports Announcer

In his weekly podcast, Hollywood And Levine, Ken Levine interviews arguably his most famous guest yet, NBC sports announcer Al Michaels.  

Levine, primarily known as a TV comedy writer, also has announced baseball for a variety of Major League teams including the Seattle Mariners.

Michaels talks about working the 1989 World Series in San Francisco, where a devastating earthquake struck before the game matching Bay Area teams, the Giants and The Oakland A's.   He also speaks of his switching networks from ABC to NBC. 

The interview with Michaels was done in two parts, with part 2 coming out late next week.  You can hear the Levine-Michaels interview by clicking here. 

Matt Lauer Fired As Today Show Host

Viewers, and for that matter, colleagues, were shocked to learn that long time Today Show Host Matt Lauer has been fired amid sexual harassment allegations.   No doubt, more will come out on this story.  Lauer had hosted the NBC morning news magazine show since 1997.

More On Joe Garagiola

Joe Garagiola played major league baseball from 1946-1954, but was more famous for his broadcasting career.  This is similar to figures like Frank Gifford and Pat Summerall.
Garagiola was a Major League catcher for 4 major league teams, best known would be the St. Louis Cardinals. 
He was a panelist on the Today Show. He was also an occasional substitute host on the Tonight Show.
 He would later become the lead announcer on the NBC game of the week.  He had a 30 year association with NBC.   He was also a TV pitchman for Chrysler-Plymouth in the 80s.  
An establishment figure, Garagiola appeared in court to defend MLB's reserve clause, a stance he later deemed "a terrible mistake."
He later headed a crusade against the use of smokeless tobacco by Major League players.
His son, Joe Garagiola, Jr.  was an executive for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Don Pardo--The Voice

When workers had their Monday morning water cooler discussions about SNL, chances are, they didn't talk about Don Pardo.  You may not have heard of Don Pardo, but you probably heard him.  He was the voice of Saturday Night Live for nearly 40 years.  Because of Pardo, you knew the players, knew the guest host, and the music act.  Don Pardo had a 70 year career at NBC, being the studio announcer for The Price Is Right, Jackpot, and Jeopardy.
Don Pardo died this week at 96. 

Seahawks-49ers Game Delayed

A huge match up between the Seahawks and 49ers is in storm delay.  The game between these bitter NFC West rivals, will hopefully resume soon.  Big lightning bolts can be seen here in Maple Valley.

Football Broadcaster John Madden Retires

Veteran Football commentator and sports personality John Madden announced his retirement today. He started as a linebacker coach for the Oakland Raiders in 1967, the season that the Raiders went to their first Super Bowl. In 1969. he became a head coach for the team. He guided the Raiders to their first Super Bowl win, then retired in 1979. He joined CBS that year. Madden has worked for all 4 majorTV networks at one time or another. He not only belongs in the Sports broadcasting Hall Of Fame, they should name the Hall after him!

In this day of High Technology, it's hard to believe that not so long ago, networks used to brag simply about a television program being broadcast in color. Any TV watcher in their 40s or 50s should remember this.

George Carlin In Prime Time

I found it, which is no surprise. Everyone that has happened since the age of video is filed somewhere on "YouTube" This is the clip of George Carlin on the Flip Wilson show. Flip Wilson was a commedian who's show on Thursday nights on NBC featured the best in entertainment.