"Today" (1952) TV series 1952-????

User Rating:

4.5/10   

Creator:

Sylvester L. Weaver Jr.
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 38 | unknown

Release Date:

14 January 1952 (USA)

Genre:

News | Talk-Show

Plot:

Offering the latest in News, Sports, and Entertainment, "This is Today, on NBC"

Plot Keywords:

Morning Show | Non Fiction

Awards:

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 15 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Oct. 11	7:00 AM	NBC
Sun. Oct. 12	9:00 AM	NBC

Cast

Natalie Morales

...

Substitute News Anchor / ... (371 episodes, 2003-2008)

(more)

Series Directed by
Joe Michaels		(2 episodes, 2006)

Series Writing credits
Robert Cunniff		(29 episodes, 1963-1968)
Sylvester L. Weaver Jr.		(3 episodes, 2006-2008)

Series Produced by
Federico S. Quadrani	....	producer / supervising producer (707 episodes, 1990-2008)
Jim Bell	....	executive producer (451 episodes, 2005-2007)
Javier Morgado	....	supervising producer (187 episodes, 2006-2007)
Brian Balthazar	....	supervising producer (172 episodes, 2007-2008)
Tony D. Burton	....	producer (19 episodes, 2000-2001)
Tom Capra	....	executive producer (5 episodes, 1990-1991)
Peter Johansen	....	producer (4 episodes, 1997-2006)
Lloyd Thaxton	....	segment producer (3 episodes, 1985-2008)
Jonathan Wald	....	executive producer (3 episodes, 2000-2008)
Scott Goldstein	....	supervising producer (2 episodes, 1982-2008)
Amy Rosenblum	....	producer / senior producer (2 episodes, 2006-2007)
Anthony Galloway	....	producer (2 episodes, 2007)

Series Original Music by
Ray Ellis		(unknown episodes, 1975-1985)
John Williams		(unknown episodes, 1985)
Peter Tinari		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Gerardo Rueda		(1 episode, 2006)
Mike Vetterick		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Dennis Degan		(316 episodes, 2003-2006)
Molly Paul		(12 episodes, 1952-2007)
Justin Cece		(9 episodes, 2004-2007)
Jason Watkins		(5 episodes, 2007)
Derek McCants		(unknown episodes, 1985-1986)
Jason Sands		(unknown episodes, 1990-1992)
Greg Katz		(unknown episodes, 1992)
David Klandrud		(unknown episodes, 2004)
Paul Venus		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Akira Yoshimura		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Edward Helbig		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
John Quaglia	....	key hair stylist (16 episodes, 1987-1991)
Stacy L. Hodgson	....	makeup artist: Mr. Stallone (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Mark Clark	....	unit manager (2 episodes, 1979)
Howard G. Malley	....	unit manager (unknown episodes, 1972-1976)
John R. Holmes	....	production manager (unknown episodes, 1987-1991)
Keith Barbaria	....	unit manager (unknown episodes, 1997-2000)
Karly Backer	....	unit manager (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Gotti	....	production manager (unknown episodes)
Evan Klupt	....	senior production manager (unknown episodes)
David Naggiar	....	unit manager (unknown episodes)
Erin Reynolds	....	unit manager (unknown episodes)
Alyson Walder	....	unit manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Erica Levens	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
James Clement Cook	....	set dresser (1 episode, 1990)
Kristin Costa	....	associate art director (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Cindra Sasso	....	sound mixer (14 episodes, 1995-2007)
Charles Moore	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes, 1981-2003)
Rob Whitehurst	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes, 1992)
Donna Bertaccini	....	location sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Alex Cimaglia	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Michael Keenan	....	location sound mixer (unknown episodes)
David Levens	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Andrew Tills	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Charles Tomaras	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
John Evanko	....	stunt coordinator (1 episode, 2005)
Traci Wilks	....	stunt rigger (1 episode, 2005)
Rich Hopkins	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Michael Franks	....	lighting director (1 episode, 1984)
Dieter Depypere	....	camera operator (1 episode, 2008)
Tommy Hogan	....	camera operator (1 episode, 2008)
Bill Zarchy	....	director of photography: Gloria Steinem/Alice Walker interview (unknown episodes, 1986)
Josh Botana	....	tape operator (unknown episodes)
Daniel E. Hagan	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Dave Rutherford	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Mike Vetterick	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Joel Beckerman	....	music producer (169 episodes, 2006)
Billy Goldenberg	....	musical cues (unknown episodes)
Charles Moore	....	composer: theme music (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Christine Lisa Racinez	....	research assistant (8 episodes, 2001-2002)
Marque DeWinter	....	utility (7 episodes, 2002)
Gene London	....	puppeteer (unknown episodes, 1953-1954)
Clinton H. Wallace	....	production intern (unknown episodes, 1993-1994)
J. Ryan	....	production assistant (unknown episodes, 1996-1997)
Jack James	....	transmission operator: UK (unknown episodes, 2000)
Keith Barbaria	....	technical manager (unknown episodes)
Allison Davis	....	publicist (unknown episodes)
Brian Michael Finn	....	video tape operations (unknown episodes)
Kori Hughes	....	publicist (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• NBC News

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Other Companies

• NBC Studios, New York  taping location

Also Known As:

NBC News Today (USA) (promotional title)
The Rise and Shine Revue (USA) (working title)
The Today Show (USA)

Runtime:

USA:120 min (1952-2000) (including commercials) | USA:180 min (2000-) (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1952-1965) | Color (1965-)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (1952-1986) | Stereo (1986-)

Certification:

Australia:G

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

NBC News

Trivia:

When the show started in 1952, it was seen only in the Eastern and Central time zones, broadcasting three hours a morning but seen for only two hours in each time zone. Later, it aired live for five hours a morning, but it was seen for only two hours in each time zone. Since 1958, the show is tape-delayed for the different time zones. For many years it was a two-hour program from seven to nine ET, until NBC expanded it to three hours (7-10 A.M. Eastern Time/Pacific Time; 6-9 A.M. Central Time/Mountain Time) on October 2, 2000.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Nanny: Fair Weather Fran (#5.8)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

The Mission

Today, Yesterday: Dave & the Chimp

I have fond childhood memories of the Dave Garroway "Today" show from the early to mid-50's. I watched it every morning as I was preparing for school. I enjoyed seeing all those people in New York City standing in the street looking in the window as they were being shot live by the "Today" cameras. Members of the crowd held up signs with such homilies as hello, Mom, or Bruce, or folks back home, or whoever was watching their first appearance on national TV. Whenever the camera panned them, they would do crazy things such as distorting their faces, jumping up and down, screeching, winking an eye, and incessantly waving as if they had just landed on the moon.

The early "Today" show centered on the eccentric personality of Dave Garroway, who became almost a cult figure to some of his viewers. His signature trademark was to hold his right hand up at the end of the program and softly proclaim, "Peace." This tall, bespectacled host was certainly different than others of his ilk. He tended to be moody yet conversational while drinking a cup of coffee. Dave's nemesis was the so-called co-host J. Fred Muggs, a spoiled and pampered chimp. Obvious to viewers was the enmity Dave felt toward the chimp. Also obvious: the feeling was mutual. Dave and the chimp pretended that it was all in fun. One reason for this pretense was the popularity of the chimp over Dave. Dave let the chimp make a monkey of him because it kept the ratings up.

Almost as popular as Dave and the chimp were the other members of the "Today" morning team. Jack Lescoulie gave the sports, served as reporter, and participated in the hijinks with J. Fred and Dave from time to time. He was a colorful character with a gift of gab who did his job well. He would sit in for Dave when needed. The news anchor, Frank Blair, was the most laid back of the "Today" staff. He was droll in his humor but Like Jack Lescoulie often participated in the fun and games. As I recall he also gave the weather.

Dave was gifted in several ways. His intellect enabled him to communicate his ideas and feelings with ease yet in a way that seemed informal and genuine. He conducted many of the best interviews of early television. He had an innate sense of what world work and what wouldn't work on early morning television when choosing guests and topics. Because of his tortured personal life, the gifts he possessed sadly began to wane till he was dropped by NBC and drifted into oblivion.