About
"When you are doing a project and you have a crew out there, it could be 30, or it could be 100. Remember they're there to make you look good, sound good, and make you score. Treat them with respect, do your homework, show up on time, and don't play the diva game. Because, if you don't care about them, they're going to care less about you."
In his over four-hour interview, Don Mischer (1940-2025) talks about his early interest in television production, his schooling, and how he planned to be an academic but got into production during the aftermath of President Kennedy's assassination. He discusses receiving a grant from the Ford Foundation, working for the USIA, and landing a spot on the landmark show The Great American Dream Machine. He shares his experiences from ABC's Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell, Motown 25, Kennedy Center Honors and Barbara Walters specials, and describes working with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Robin Williams and Ellen DeGeneres. Mischer also details the production of several awards shows he's helmed, including the Tony Awards and the Emmy Awards, and recalls his work on several Olympic broadcasts and Super Bowl halftime shows. Beth Cochran conducted the interview on November 7, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Don Mischer on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Michael Jackson
Don Mischer on producing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with Muhammad Ali carrying the torch
Don Mischer on producing the finale of The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Don Mischer on what makes a good Emmy host
Don Mischer on his favorite Olympic moments
Don Mischer on the last night of the 2004 DNC
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on radio shows he loved as a child and his first time seeing television; on his entry into television during JFK assassination coverage
On starting in public television with a grant from The Ford Foundation; On working for the USIA; on transitioning from political to event television
On variety shows and specials with which he was involved; on working with Howard Cosell and starting in televised specials; on forming Don Mischer productions
On producing specials honoring Motown; on The Kennedy Center Honors
Chapter 2
On Kennedy Center Honors, Barbara Walters' Specials, The Goldie Hawn Special, Goldie & Liza, Donahue and Kids, and Robin Williams' HBO Special
On how the emergence of cable in the 1980s affected the industry; on television specials with Bob Hope and Mikhail Baryshnikov; On working with Dolly Parton; on the Tony Awards and The Presidential Inaugural Gala
On getting talent for specials; on on producing The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson; on Normal Life
Chapter 3
On Super Bowl 27 - halftime with Michael Jackson; On Super Bowl halftime shows with Prince, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
On NFL approval on Super Bowl performances; on the 2002 Winter Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics; on production of the Olympics
On producing the Special Olympics in Shanghai
Chapter 4
On producing the Emmy Awards; on the 2001 Emmy broadcast; on things that have gone wrong on Emmy broadcasts
On how the Emmys have changed over the years; on the People's Choice Awards; on the Michael Moore Show and the 2004 DNC
On working with Barbra Streisand; on a special with Cher paying tribute to the late Sonny Bono
On handling the passing of people with whom he's worked; on The Wayne Brady Show and producing Miss America Pageant; on Movies Rock, and Fashions Rock
Chapter 5
On the technological advances that enhance production; on producing and advice to aspiring producers, directors and performers
On how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Barbara Walters Specials
Don Mischer on producing Barbara Walters Specials
Democratic National Convention
Don Mischer on his involvement with the 2004 Democratic National Convention
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Don Mischer on producing the Emmy Awards
Don Mischer on Ellen DeGeneres hosting the 1994 Emmy Awards
Don Mischer on the difficult decision to cancel the Emmys after 9/11
Don Mischer on things that have gone wrong with the Emmy Awards and why it's a difficult show
Great American Dream Machine, The
Don Mischer on directing The Great American Dream Machine
Don Mischer on Nixon canceling The Great American Dream Machine
In Living Color
Don Mischer on how In Living Color stole Super Bowl viewers
Kennedy Center Honors
Don Mischer on producing The Kennedy Center Honors
Don Mischer on producing/directing Kennedy Center Honors
Michael Moore Show, The
Don Mischer on his involvement with The Michael Moore Show
Miss America Pageant
Don Mischer on producing Miss America Pageant in 2007
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Don Mischer on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever Special that made his production company well known - where Michael Jackson first does the moonwalk
Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson, The
Don Mischer on producing The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Normal Life
Don Mischer on directing the series Normal Life
Olympics
Don Mischer on producing the 2002 Winter Olympics and how 9/11 affected the games
Don Mischer on producing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics
Don Mischer on producing the Special Olympics in Shanghai
People's Choice Awards
Don Mischer on how the People's Choice Awards compare to the Emmy Awards
Don Mischer on John Ritter hosting the 1994 People's Choice Awards
Saturday Night Live
Don Mischer on getting 2 job offers: one for Saturday Night Live, one for a new show with Howard Cosell and Roone Arledge
Super Bowl
Don Mischer on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Michael Jackson, and how he was asked to produce it
Don Mischer on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Prince
Don Mischer on Super Bowl 49 - how Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" led him back to the halftime and pre-show
Don Mischer on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring The Rolling Stones
Don Mischer on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Paul McCartney
Don Mischer on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; on wanting to top previous broadcasts
Tony Awards
Don Mischer on producing the Tony Awards with Angela Lansbury as host
Wayne Brady Show, The
Don Mischer on The Wayne Brady Show
Wonderful World of Disney, The aka Magical World of Disney, The
Don Mischer on loving Wonderful World of Disney as a youngster
Topics
9/11
Don Mischer on producing the 2002 Winter Olympics and how 9/11 affected the games
Don Mischer on the difficult decision to cancel the Emmys after 9/11
Barack Obama
Don Mischer on Senator Barack Obama's speech at the 2004 DNC
Emmy Awards
Don Mischer on winning his first Emmy for directing Donahue and Kids
Don Mischer on producing the Emmy Awards
Historic Events and Social Change
Don Mischer on JFK's assassination and starting in television
JFK Assassination and Funeral
Don Mischer on JFK's assassination and starting in television
Jimmy Carter
Don Mischer on President Carter attending Kennedy Center Honors
Memorable Moments on Television
Don Mischer on Super Bowl 49 - how Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" led him back to the halftime show
Don Mischer on producing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with Muhammad Ali carrying the torch
Technological Innovation
Don Mischer on how the emergence of cable in the 1980s affected the industry
Don Mischer on the technological advances that enhance production
Professions
Directors
Don Mischer on directing The Great American Dream Machine
Don Mischer on directing/producing a music/variety special
Producers
Don Mischer on producing specials and building rapport with stars
Don Mischer on directing/producing a music/variety special
Don Mischer on the technological advances that enhance production
Don Mischer on the secret of his success as a producer and advice to aspiring producers
Genres
Awards Shows
Don Mischer on producing the Tony Awards with Angela Lansbury as host
Don Mischer on producing the Emmy Awards
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Don Mischer on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever Special that made his production company well known - where Michael Jackson first does the moonwalk
Don Mischer on working with Dolly Parton
Don Mischer on producing Barbara Walters Specials
Sports
Don Mischer on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Michael Jackson, and how he was asked to produce it
Don Mischer on Super Bowl 49 - how Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" led him back to the halftime show
Don Mischer on producing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics
People
Muhammad Ali
Don Mischer on producing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with Muhammad Ali carrying the torch
Roone Arledge
Don Mischer on getting 2 job offers: one for Saturday Night Live, one for a new show with Howard Cosell and Roone Arledge
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Don Mischer on working with Mikhail Baryshnikov
Sonny Bono
Don Mischer on producing Sonny & Me: Cher Remembers
Wayne Brady
Don Mischer on The Wayne Brady Show
Cher
Don Mischer on producing Sonny & Me: Cher Remembers
Perry Como
Don Mischer on working with Bob Hope and Gene Kelly
Howard Cosell
Don Mischer on getting 2 job offers: one for Saturday Night Live, one for a new show with Howard Cosell and Roone Arledge
Pierre Cossette
Don Mischer on wanting to meet idols Pierre Cossette, Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion
Ellen DeGeneres
Don Mischer on Ellen DeGeneres hosting the 1994 Emmy Awards and preparing to host the 2001 broadcast
Walt Disney
Don Mischer on loving Wonderful World of Disney and Walt Disney as a youngster
Phil Donahue
Don Mischer on directing Donahue and Kids
Dick Ebersol
Don Mischer on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Michael Jackson, and how he was asked to produce it
Goldie Hawn
Don Mischer on directing The Goldie Hawn Special
Dwight Hemion
Don Mischer on wanting to meet idols Pierre Cossette, Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion
Don Mischer on working with Barbra Streisand on her Timeless concert at the MGM Grand and getting the job through Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion
Jim Henson
Don Mischer on producing The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Bob Hope
Don Mischer on working with Bob Hope and Gene Kelly
Michael Jackson
Don Mischer on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever Special that made his production company well known - where Michael Jackson first does the moonwalk
Don Mischer on the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Michael Jackson, and how he was asked to produce it
Janet Jackson
Don Mischer on Super Bowl 49 - how Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" led him back to the halftime show
Lyndon B. Johnson
Don Mischer on JFK's assassination and starting in television
John F. Kennedy
Don Mischer on JFK's assassination and starting in television
Angela Lansbury
Don Mischer on producing the Tony Awards with Angela Lansbury as host
Lorne Michaels
Don Mischer on getting 2 job offers: one for Saturday Night Live, one for a new show with Howard Cosell and Roone Arledge
Liza Minnelli
Don Mischer on directing Goldie and Liza Together
Michael Moore
Don Mischer on his involvement with the Michael Moore Show
Richard M. Nixon
Don Mischer on Nixon cancelling The Great American Dream Machine
Barack Obama
Don Mischer on Senator Barack Obama's speech at the 2004 DNC
Dolly Parton
Don Mischer on working with Dolly Parton
Richard Pryor
Don Mischer on Barbara Walters interviewing Richard Pryor
Harry Reasoner
Don Mischer on Harry Reasoner not accepting Barbara Walters
John Ritter
Don Mischer on John Ritter hosting the 1994 People's Choice Awards
George Schlatter
Don Mischer on George Schlatter bringing him to LA and into mainstream TV specials
Don Mischer on directing The Goldie Hawn Special
Don Mischer on mentors George Schlatter and Nick Vanoff
Garry Shandling
Don Mischer on Garrry Shandling hosting the 2000 and 2004 Emmy Awards
O. J. Simpson
Don Mischer on his involvement with the Michael Moore Show and guest O.J. Simpson
Gary Smith
Don Mischer on wanting to meet idols Pierre Cossette, Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion
Don Mischer on the difficult decision to cancel the Emmys after 9/11; on Gary Smith helping with the production
Don Mischer on working with Barbra Streisand on her Timeless concert at the MGM Grand and getting the job through Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion
George Stevens
Don Mischer on working with producers Nick Vanoff and George Stevens on Kennedy Center Honors
Barbra Streisand
Don Mischer on working with Barbra Streisand on her Timeless concert at the MGM Grand
Grant Tinker
Don Mischer on offers from Grant Tinker
Nick Vanoff
Don Mischer on working with producers Nick Vanoff and George Stevens on Kennedy Center Honors
Don Mischer on mentors George Schlatter and Nick Vanoff
Barbara Walters
Don Mischer on producing Barbara Walters Specials
Robin Williams
Don Mischer on working with Robin Williams for an HBO Special