TODAY {40TH ANNIVERSARY} (TV)
Summary
One in this early morning series that includes interviews, special features, and news. Hosted by Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric, this special program celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the series with clips from past shows and interviews with former hosts and others. Highlights include the following: a clip from the first telecast in 1952, hosted by Dave Garroway; a montage of clips featuring familiar faces from "Today"; a news update with anchor Faith Daniels and a report from Jim Miklaszewski; Willard Scott and the hosts remarking on the anniversary party; and a look at the local and national weather, with special mention of viewers' birthdays and anniversaries. Couric then remarks on how the chaos of the first broadcast set the stage for the next forty years; the chimpanzee named J. Fred Muggs who gave the show a huge boost in the ratings; and how the show adapted to a changing society in the 1960s and 1970s. Next, former hosts Barbara Walters and Hugh Downs recall the trepidation about putting them together on the air, memorable moments from their years the show, and how different the show is now; and former host Jane Pauley joins them to discuss turbulent moments that were reported on the show. During a news update, Daniels is joined by the first news anchor, Jim Fleming, who talks about differences in news reporting then and now, the reason he only lasted a year, and Garroway's importance to the show's success. Other highlights include: clips of Scott's adventures around the world; a conversation among Couric, Walters, Pauley, and Deborah Norville about the reason it took so long for women to become co-hosts and how they handled any sexism while on the show; a segment on "fluff" stories, which have become a trademark of the show, with clips of Mike Leonard's numerous "fluff" stories; movie and music critic Gene Shalit's demonstration of the "Today" board game; Scott and Bill Cosby with an update on local and national weather; and a chat with Gumbel and former hosts John Chancellor, Jim Hartz, and Tom Brokaw about why the show has always had to struggle to maintain a hard news reputation. Then, Shalit takes a look at musicians who have graced the stage over forty years, followed by a news update with Daniels and a recap of the news from the first broadcast. Scott and Cosby provide a final weather update, and then Couric chats with the former "Today Girls," Helen OÕConnell, Betsy Palmer, Lee Ann Meriwether, and Florence Henderson about their thoughts on their roles on the show, its impact on their social lives, and their impressions of Garroway. Following a performance by the Modern Jazz Quartet, which is also celebrating its fortieth year, the program concludes with the hosts and guests honoring Garroway with a familiar sign-off. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: January 14, 1992 7:00 AM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:53:35
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:56276
- GENRE: News; Magazine
- SUBJECT HEADING: Jazz; She Made It Collection (Jane Pauley); She Made It Collection (Barbara Walters); Television - Production and direction
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1952-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Fried Green Tomatoes" (telecast of a feature film)
- TV - Commercials - 100% Colombian Coffee
- TV - Commercials - Carnation instant breakfast shakes
- TV - Commercials - Coffemate non-dairy creamer
- TV - Commercials - Cream of Wheat hot cereal
- TV - Commercials - Discover credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Elizabeth Arden makeup
- TV - Commercials - Florida orange juice
- TV - Commercials - Folgers coffee
- TV - Commercials - Grape-Nuts cereal
- TV - Commercials - Hallmark greetings cards
- TV - Commercials - Johnson's baby shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Lens Crafters eyewear stores
- TV - Commercials - MCI phone services
- TV - Commercials - Maalox Plus antacid
- TV - Commercials - Mitsubishi Monterro automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Philadelphia Light cream cheese
- TV - Commercials - Radisson hotels
- TV - Commercials - Red Lobster restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Roman Meal bread
- TV - Commercials - Sure antiperspirant/deodorant
- TV - Commercials - Ultra Slim Fast diet foods
- TV - Promos - "The Family Channel"
- TV - Promos - "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson"
- TV - Promos - "Today at 40"
- TV - Promos - "Unsolved Mysteries"
CREDITS
- Modern Jazz Quartet, The … Music Group
- Bryant Gumbel … Host
- Katie Couric … Host
- Joe Garagiola … Host
- Willard Scott … Host
- Faith Daniels … Reporter
- Jin Miklaszewski … Reporter
- Barbara Walters … Guest
- Hugh Downs … Guest
- Jane Pauley … Guest
- Jim Fleming … Guest
- Deborah Norville … Guest
- Gene Shalit … Guest
- Bill Cosby … Guest
- John Chancellor … Guest
- Jim Hartz … Guest
- Tom Brokaw … Guest
- Helen OÕConnell … Guest
- Betsy Palmer … Guest
- Lee Ann Meriwether … Guest
- Florence Henderson … Guest
- Dave Garroway
- Mike Leonard
- J. Fred Muggs