TODAY AT 40 (TV)
Summary
This special celebrates the 40th anniversary of "Today," an early morning program featuring interviews, special features, and news. The program begins with "Today" anchors Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel giving a brief history of the show. Then, a "Today" clip is shown from the morning it all began, exactly 40 years earlier on January 14, 1952. Further clips show the "people" that have made "Today" the success it is, including: first host Dave Garroway and his "right-hand man" Jack Lescoulie; the show's two mascot chimps J. Fred Muggs and Kokomo; "Today Girls" such as Estelle Parsons, Lee Meriwether, and Florence Henderson; news reader Frank Blair; writer turned co-host Barbara Walters; commentator Joe Garagiola; film critic Gene Shalit; co-host Jane Pauley; weatherman Willard Scott; and news reader-turned co-host Deborah Norville. Next, Couric looks at the technical difficulties the show faced back in its salad days as well as the visionary idea -- created by Pat Weaver -- to have morning television. Next, Gumbel speaks with Walters, the show's first female co-host, who touches on such topics as: being Garroway's last hire as a writer; how the format of the show hasn't changed much over the years; how the role of women has changed on "Today"; and the time she dressed up as a Playboy Bunny for a story.
Then, Couric looks at the significant news events that have occurred since "Today" went on the air. Couric speaks with former co-host Tom Brokaw, who touches on such topics as: the most significant stories he covered for "Today"; watching the show as a youth; what he likes best about the format of the show; participating in the "lighter side" of "Today" segments; and growing up while working for the show. Next, a highlight reel shows some of the entertainers who have performed on "Today" over the years, including: Duke Ellington; James Brown; Dizzy Gillespie; Aaron Neville; and Dean Martin. Next, Gladys Knight, a veteran "Today" show performer, sings "Wheel of Fortune." Then, Couric speaks with Pauley, who touches on such topics as: how much she changed during her stint at "Today"; her first day on the air as a twenty-five-year-old anchor; best and worst moments; and the travel aspect of working for "Today."
Next, Gumbel sits with former hosts John Chancellor and Hugh Downs, who touch on such topics as: how Chancellor hated working for "Today"; how Downs loved the work; Chancellor refusing to read on-air commercials; whether the early hours got to Downs; and falling asleep on the air. Then, Couric and Gumbel sit down with Shalit, Garagiola, news reader Faith Daniels, and Scott. Next, a highlight clip shows some memorable Shalit moments, including his interviews with Robin Williams, Peter Sellers, Mel Brooks, Kermit the Frog, and Carol Channing. Then, Scott discusses -- and explains the reasons behind -- the segment for which he's best remembered: dressing up as Carmen Miranda for a weather forecast. Also, Garagiola discusses all the "weird" things he did while on the show, some of which involved his fear of heights. Finally, Couric and Gumbel present a "thank you" to "Today" fans before the on-air alumni gather to raise a glass of champagne. The program includes a "News 4 New York" update. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: January 14, 1992 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:52
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:56071
- GENRE: Specials
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Katie Couric); She Made It Collection (Jane Pauley)
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Super Bowl Record Book"
- TV - Commercials - Campbell's Cup instant soup
- TV - Commercials - Chloraseptic sore throat spray
- TV - Commercials - Dristan Cold and Flu medicine
- TV - Commercials - Ex-Lax laxative pills
- TV - Commercials - Fab Ultra laundry detergeant
- TV - Commercials - Kellogg's Nutri-Grain cereal
- TV - Commercials - Lincoln automobiles
- TV - Commercials - New Jersey Bell yellow pages
- TV - Commercials - New York Lottery
- TV - Commercials - Post Honey Bunches of Oats cereal
- TV - Commercials - Robitussin cough medicine
- TV - Commercials - Static Guard static cling spray
- TV - Commercials - Tide bleach alternative
- TV - Commercials - Wheaties Honey Gold cereal
- TV - Promos - "Drugwars: The Cocaine Cartel"
- TV - Promos - "Late Night with David Letterman"
- TV - Promos - "Night Court"
- TV - Promos - "Now it Can Be Told"
- TV - Promos - "Seinfeld"
- TV - Promos - "This is Garth Brooks"
- TV - Promos - "Today"
- TV - Promos - "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson"
- TV - Promos - "Unsolved Mysteries"
- TV - Promos - News 4 New York
CREDITS
- Steve Friedman … Executive Producer
- Jim Ackerman … Producer
- Audrey Kolina … Associate Producer
- Emily Eldridge … Associate Producer
- Jodi Ross … Associate Producer
- Richard Buxenbaum … Segment Producer
- Victoria Hamburg … Segment Producer
- Pat Herold … Segment Producer
- Guy Ludwig … Segment Producer
- Andre Poulin … Segment Producer
- Elliott Sparkman … Segment Producer
- Roland Woerner … Segment Producer
- Bucky Gunts … Director
- Michael Kessler … Music by
- John Williams … Theme Music by
- Katie Couric … Host
- Bryant Gumbel … Host
- Fred Facey … Announcer
- Gladys Knight … Performer
- Tom Brokaw … Guest
- John Chancellor … Guest
- Faith Daniels … Guest
- Hugh Downs … Guest
- Joe Garagiola … Guest
- Jane Pauley … Guest
- Willard Scott … Guest
- Gene Shalit … Guest
- Barbara Walters … Guest
- Frank Blair
- Mel Brooks
- James Brown
- Carol Channing
- Duke Ellington
- Dave Garroway
- Dizzy Gillispie
- Florence Henderson
- Kermit the Frog
- Kokomo
- Jack Lescoulie
- Dean Martin
- Lee Meriwether
- Carmen Miranda
- J. Fred Muggs
- Aaron Neville
- Deborah Norville
- Estelle Parsons
- Peter Sellers
- Pat Weaver
- Robin Williams