About
"I don't think David Letterman and I ever had a conversation about what was on the air. But one day, he gave me the greatest compliment from him. He said 'You know, Hal, I think you're the oddest person I ever met.' And that was it."
In his four-hour interview, Hal Gurnee talks about his early years, and his first job in television, working at the DuMont Network with stars like Dennis James and Jackie Gleason. He describes starting as a director on Tonight Starring Jack Paar, detailing many aspects of the show, including favorite guests, announcer Hugh Downs, trips to Cuba and the Berlin Wall, and Paar’s infamous walk-out. He recounts directing a few other talk and variety shows, like The Jimmy Dean Show, The Garry Moore Show, and Jack Paar’s comeback attempt on ABC, Jack Paar Tonite. Gurnee discusses his long association with directing David Letterman’s talk shows, starting with The David Letterman Show in 1980, Late Night with David Letterman, and Late Show with David Letterman. He speaks of many aspects of Letterman’s shows including famous bits like Stupid Pet Tricks, memorable guests like Madonna and Andy Kaufman, and directing remotes out of the studio, one of which featured Johnny Carson in a cameo. He concludes by discussing what he enjoyed about directing television, and giving an overview of his career. Ron Simon conducted the interview on December 14, 2018 in New York, NY.
Highlights
Hal Gurnee on some of his favorite Tonight Starring Jack Paar guests, including Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, and James Cagney
Hal Gurnee on the popularity of Tonight Starring Jack Paar, and on Paar's feud with Walter Winchell
Hal Gurnee on the early qualities that made David Letterman a good host on The David Letterman Show, and on introducing him to Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on working with the Late Night with David Letterman writing staff, and on bits like the SkyCam and the ThrillCam
Hal Gurnee on classic Late Night with David Letterman bits including the velcro suit, and the Alka-Seltzer suit
Hal Gurnee on moving to CBS to direct Late Show with David Letterman from The Ed Sullivan Theater
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his earliest experiences of television; on his first television job, at the DuMont Television Network as a page
On some of the shows at DuMont during his time there; on early network sports broadcasts; on working on Jackie Gleason's Cavalcade of Stars
On how he came to work on Tonight Starring Jack Paar; on the production of Tonight Starring Jack Paar; on Jack Paar, and on the importance of the show
On becoming the director of Tonight Starring Jack Paar; on the Tonight Starring Jack Paar set, and on working with Paar and announcer Hugh Downs; on Paar dealing with NBC and the producers of the show
On his voice being heard on-air at times on Tonight Starring Jack Paar; on the popularity of Tonight Starring Jack Paar, and on Paar's feud with Walter Winchell; on Paar becoming bored with his show
On the Tonight Starring Jack Paar audience and orchestra; on Jack Paar doing live commercials during Tonight Starring Jack Paar; on NBC not saving the tapes of the show
On Tonight Starring Jack Paar announcer Hugh Downs; on Tonight Starring Jack Paar regulars Cliff Arquette as "Charlie Weaver," Alexander King, Dody Goodman, and Peggy Cass; on directing the show from the Berlin Wall a few months after the wall went up
Chapter 2
On the responsibilities of the crew working under the director on a show; on Jack Paar having John and Bobby Kennedy, and Richard Nixon on as guests on Tonight Starring Jack Paar at various times; on some of his favorite Tonight Starring Jack Paar guests, including Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, and James Cagney
On Jack Paar walking off the set of Tonight Starring Jack Paar during a broadcast, forcing Hugh Downs to take over; on NBC executive Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's role in getting Tonight Starring Jack Paar on the air; on the legacy of Tonight Starring Jack Paar
On directing Tonight after Jack Paar and before Johnny Carson, with a series of guest hosts, including Jerry Lewis; on directing the weekly The Jack Paar Program starting in 1962; on The Jack Paar Program showing footage of The Beatles from England a few weeks before they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show
On shooting the pilot for the American version of That Was the Week that Was; on the end of The Jack Paar Program
On directing The Jimmy Dean Show, featuring Jim Henson's "Rowlf the Dog" Muppet; on directing The Garry Moore Show; on Lily Tomlin on The Garry Moore Show, and on the show being taped at The Ed Sullivan Theater
On directing The David Frost Show; on Robert Mitchum appearing on The David Frost Show; on retiring and coming back for Jack Paar Tonite
Chapter 3
On moving to Ireland, and on directing some PBS music shows; on being coaxed out of retirement to direct The David Letterman Show; on what it was like returning to directing talk shows with The David Letterman Show, and on what made the show different
On David Letterman rehearsing and working out bits for The David Letterman Show; on the early qualities that made David Letterman a good host on The David Letterman Show, and on introducing him to Jack Paar; on The David Letterman Show producer Barry Sand
On his friendship with David Letterman during his years directing Late Night with David Letterman; on The David Letterman Show being cancelled after a short run, and on the show winning a daytime Emmy; on coming back with Letterman to direct Late Night with David Letterman in 1982
On the opening of the first episode of Late Night with David Letterman with Larry "Bud" Melman; on the differences between The David Letterman Show and Late Night with David Letterman; on Bill Murray being the first guest on Late Night with David Letterman
On how David Letterman compared to other talk show hosts he worked with, and on Letterman on air persona on Late Night with David Letterman; on working with the Late Night with David Letterman writing staff, and on bits like the SkyCam and the ThrillCam; on David Letterman doing remotes outside the studio on Late Night with David Letterman
On directing an episode of Late Night with David Letterman in an airplane; on how GE taking over NBC impacted Late Night with David Letterman; on doing on-air bits on Late Night with David Letterman, including "Hal Gurnee's Network Time Killers"
On Late Night with David Letterman announcer Bill Wendell, stage manager Biff Henderson, and writer/performer Chris Elliott; on classic Late Night with David Letterman bits including the velcro suit, and the akla seltzer suit; on classic Late Night with David Letterman bits like Stupid Pet Tricks and the Top Ten List
On classic Late Night with David Letterman bits like Small Town News, and destroying objects; on special episodes of Late Night with David Letterman like the Custom Made Show and the 360 Degrees Show; on David Letterman's interview style, and on favorite guests
On Andy Kaufman appearing on Late Night with David Letterman ; on the Sonny and Cher reunion show on Late Night with David Letterman ; on Darlene Love appearing on Late Night with David Letterman and on Larry "Bud" Melman dressed as Santa Claus
On Marv Albert and Donald Trump appearing on Late Night with David Letterman; on having Jack Paar as a guest on Late Night with David Letterman; on Johnny Carson appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
Chapter 4
On the opening sequences to Late Night with David Letterman; on working with Late Night with David Letterman musical director Paul Shaffer; on David Letterman's temper and on his not being chosen to host The Tonight Show
On moving to CBS to direct Late Show with David Letterman from The Ed Sullivan Theater; on making the transition from Late Night with David Letterman to Late Show with David Letterman; on taking on the role of supervising producer in addition to directing for Late Show with David Letterman
On directing the first episode of Late Show with David Letterman and on the running bits on the show; on Madonna's infamous appearance on Late Show with David Letterman and other memorable guests; on being honored with Emmy Awards for his work on Late Show with David Letterman
On retiring from Late Show with David Letterman; on directing The Chris Rock Show and The Man Show; on the final episode of Late Show with David Letterman
On David Letterman's legacy, and on where he fits in the pantheon of talk show hosts; on the Directors Guild of America; on what he likes about directing television
On his mentors, including Jack Paar and Garry Moore; on advice to aspiring television directors; on his then-current television watching habits
On career achievements and regrets; on how he would like to be remembered
Shows
Cavalcade of Stars
Hal Gurnee on working on Jackie Gleason's Cavalcade of Stars
Chris Rock Show, The
Hal Gurnee on directing The Chris Rock Show
David Frost Show, The
Hal Gurnee on directing The David Frost Show
Hal Gurnee on Robert Mitchum appearing on The David Frost Show
David Letterman Show, The
Hal Gurnee on being coaxed out of retirement to direct The David Letterman Show
Hal Gurnee on what it was like returning to directing talk shows with The David Letterman Show, and on what made the show different
Hal Gurnee on David Letterman rehearsing and working out bits for The David Letterman Show
Hal Gurnee on the early qualities that made David Letterman a good host on The David Letterman Show, and on introducing him to Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on The David Letterman Show producer Barry Sand
Hal Gurnee on The David Letterman Show being cancelled after a short run, and on the show winning a Daytime Emmy
Hal Gurnee on the differences between The David Letterman Show and Late Night with David Letterman
Garry Moore Show, The
Hal Gurnee on directing The Garry Moore Show
Hal Gurnee on being fired from The Garry Moore Show for punching Joe Cates
Hal Gurnee on Garry Moore and his former co-star Carol Burnett
Hal Gurnee on Lily Tomlin on The Garry Moore Show
Hal Gurnee on directing The Garry Moore Show from The Ed Sullivan Theater on CBS
Jack Paar Program, The (1962-65)
Hal Gurnee on directing the weekly The Jack Paar Program, starting in 1962
Hal Gurnee on The Jack Paar Program showing footage of The Beatles from England a few weeks before they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show
Hal Gurnee on the end of The Jack Paar Program
Jack Paar Tonite
Hal Gurnee on retiring and going to back to work for Jack Paar Tonite
Jimmy Dean Show, The
Hal Gurnee on directing The Jimmy Dean Show, featuring Jim Henson's "Rowlf the Dog" Muppet
Hal Gurnee on Jimmy Dean having an idea for The Jimmy Dean Show that was a forerunner to reality television
Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on his relationship with David Letterman during his years directing Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on coming back with Letterman to direct Late Night with David Letterman in 1982
Hal Gurnee on the opening of the first episode of Late Night with David Letterman with Larry "Bud" Melman
Hal Gurnee on the differences between The David Letterman Show and Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on Bill Murray being the first guest on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on how David Letterman compared to other talk show hosts Gurnee worked with, and on Letterman's on-air persona on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on working with the Late Night with David Letterman writing staff, and on bits like the SkyCam and the ThrillCam
Hal Gurnee on David Letterman doing remotes outside the studio on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on directing an episode of Late Night with David Letterman in an airplane
Hal Gurnee on how GE taking over NBC impacted Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on doing on-air bits on Late Night with David Letterman, including "Hal Gurnee's Network Time Killers"
Hal Gurnee on Late Night with David Letterman announcer Bill Wendell
Hal Gurnee on Late Night with David Letterman stage manager Biff Henderson
Hal Gurnee on Late Night with David Letterman writer/performer Chris Elliott
Hal Gurnee on classic Late Night with David Letterman bits including the velcro suit, and the Alka-Seltzer suit
Hal Gurnee on classic Late Night with David Letterman bits like "Stupid Pet Tricks" and the "Top Ten List"
Hal Gurnee on classic Late Night with David Letterman bits like "Small Town News," and destroying objects
Hal Gurnee on special episodes of Late Night with David Letterman, like the "Custom Made Show" and the "360 Degrees Show"
Hal Gurnee on David Letterman's interview style, and on favorite guests
Hal Gurnee on Andy Kaufman appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on the Sonny and Cher reunion show on
Hal Gurnee on Darlene Love appearing on Late Night with David Letterman, and on Larry "Bud" Melman dressed as Santa Claus
Hal Gurnee on Marv Albert and Donald Trump appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on having Jack Paar as a guest on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on Johnny Carson appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on the opening sequences to Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on working with Late Night with David Letterman musical director Paul Shaffer
Hal Gurnee on David Letterman's temper, and on his not being chosen to host The Tonight Show
Late Show with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on moving to CBS to direct Late Show with David Letterman from The Ed Sullivan Theater
Hal Gurnee on making the transition from Late Night with David Letterman to Late Show with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on taking on the role of supervising producer in addition to directing for Late Show with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on directing the first episode of Late Show with David Letterman, and on the running bits on the show
Hal Gurnee on Madonna's infamous appearance on Late Show with David Letterman and other memorable guests
Hal Gurnee on being honored with Emmy Awards for his work on Late Show with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on retiring from Late Show with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on the final episode of Late Show with David Letterman
Man Show, The
Hal Gurnee on directing Jimmy Kimmel's The Man Show
That Was the Week that Was
Hal Gurnee on shooting the pilot for the American version of That Was the Week that Was
Tonight
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight after Jack Paar and before Johnny Carson, with a series of guest hosts including Jerry Lewis
Hal Gurnee on various guest hosts of Tonight between Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, including Merv Griffin and Jack E. Leonard
Tonight Starring Jack Paar aka The Jack Paar Show
Hal Gurnee on how he came to work on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on the production of Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar, and on the importance of Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on becoming the director of Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on the Tonight Starring Jack Paar set, and on working with Paar and announcer Hugh Downs
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar dealing with NBC and the producers of Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on his voice being heard on-air on Tonight Starring Jack Paar while he was directing
Hal Gurnee on the popularity of Tonight Starring Jack Paar, and on Paar's feud with Walter Winchell
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar becoming bored with Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on the Tonight Starring Jack Paar audience and orchestra
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar doing live commercials during Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on there being very few taped episodes of Tonight Starring Jack Paar in existence
Hal Gurnee on Tonight Starring Jack Paar announcer Hugh Downs
Hal Gurnee on Cliff Arquette as "Charlie Weaver" on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on Alexander King on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on Dody Goodman and Peggy Cass on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight Starring Jack Paar from the Berlin Wall
Hal Gurnee on Tonight Starring Jack Paar going to Cuba
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar having John and Bobby Kennedy, and Richard Nixon on as guests on Tonight Starring Jack Paar at various times
Hal Gurnee on some of his favorite Tonight Starring Jack Paar guests, including Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, and James Cagney
Hal Gurnee on William F. Buckley Jr. appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on Woody Allen appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar walking off the set of Tonight Starring Jack Paar during a broadcast, forcing Hugh Downs to take over
Hal Gurnee on NBC executive Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's role in getting Tonight Starring Jack Paar on the air
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar's decision to leave Tonight Starring Jack Paar in 1962
Hal Gurnee on the legacy of Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Topics
Advice
Hal Gurnee on advice to aspiring television directors
Classic TV Series Episodes
Hal Gurnee on the opening of the first episode of Late Night with David Letterman with Larry "Bud" Melman
Hal Gurnee on directing the first episode of Late Show with David Letterman, and on the running bits on the show
Cold War
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight Starring Jack Paar from the Berlin Wall
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Hal Gurnee on his mentors, including Jack Paar and Garry Moore
Emmy Awards
Hal Gurnee on The David Letterman Show being cancelled after a short run, and on the show winning a Daytime Emmy
Hal Gurnee on being honored with Emmys for his work on Late Show with David Letterman
First Big Break
Hal Gurnee on his first television job, at the DuMont Television Network as a page
Historic Events and Social Change
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight Starring Jack Paar from the Berlin Wall
John F. Kennedy
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar having John and Bobby Kennedy, and Richard Nixon on as guests on Tonight Starring Jack Paar at various times
Memorable Moments on Television
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar walking off the set of Tonight Starring Jack Paar during a broadcast, forcing Hugh Downs to take over
Pivotal Career Moments
Hal Gurnee on his first television job, at the DuMont Television Network as a page
Hal Gurnee on becoming the director Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on his mentors, including Jack Paar and Garry Moore
Pop Culture
Hal Gurnee on The Jack Paar Program showing footage of The Beatles from England a few weeks before they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show
Hal Gurnee on the opening of the first episode of Late Night with David Letterman with Larry "Bud" Melman
Hal Gurnee on directing the first episode of Late Show with David Letterman, and on the running bits on the show
Richard M. Nixon
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar having John and Bobby Kennedy, and Richard Nixon on as guests on Tonight Starring Jack Paar at various times
Rock 'n' Roll on TV (1950s & '60s)
Hal Gurnee on The Jack Paar Program showing footage of The Beatles from England a few weeks before they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show
Television and the Presidency
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar having John and Bobby Kennedy, and Richard Nixon on as guests on Tonight Starring Jack Paar at various times
Television Industry
Hal Gurnee on advice to aspiring television directors
War
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight Starring Jack Paar from the Berlin Wall
Professions
Directors
Hal Gurnee on the responsibilities of the crew working under the director on a show
Hal Gurnee on what he likes about directing television
Hal Gurnee on advice to aspiring television directors
Genres
Comedy Series
Hal Gurnee on shooting the pilot for the American version of That Was the Week that Was
Late Night
Hal Gurnee on directing Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on directing Late Show with David Letterman
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Hal Gurnee on working on Jackie Gleason's Cavalcade of Stars
Hal Gurnee on directing The Jimmy Dean Show
Hal Gurnee on directing The Garry Moore Show
Sports
Hal Gurnee on early sports broadcasts on television
Talk Shows
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight Starring Jack Paar and The Jack Paar Program
Hal Gurnee on directing The David Frost Show
Hal Gurnee on directing The David Letterman Show
Hal Gurnee on directing Late Night with David Letterman
People
Woody Allen
Hal Gurnee on Woody Allen appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Cliff Arquette
Hal Gurnee on Cliff Arquette as "Charlie Weaver" on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
William F. Buckley, Jr.
Hal Gurnee on William F. Buckley Jr. appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Carol Burnett
Hal Gurnee on Garry Moore and his former co-star Carol Burnett
James Cagney
Hal Gurnee on James Cagney being one of his favorite Tonight Starring Jack Paar guests
Johnny Carson
Hal Gurnee on Johnny Carson appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
Peggy Cass
Hal Gurnee on Dody Goodman and Peggy Cass on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Joseph Cates
Hal Gurnee on being fired from The Garry Moore Show for punching Joseph Cates
Cher
Hal Gurnee on the Sonny and Cher reunion show on Late Night with David Letterman
Jimmy Dean
Hal Gurnee on directing The Jimmy Dean Show, featuring Jim Henson's "Rowlf the Dog" Muppet
Hugh Downs
Hal Gurnee on the Tonight Starring Jack Paar set, and on working with Paar and announcer Hugh Downs
Hal Gurnee on Tonight Starring Jack Paar announcer Hugh Downs
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar walking off the set of Tonight Starring Jack Paar during a broadcast, forcing Hugh Downs to take over
Chris Elliott
Hal Gurnee on Late Night with David Letterman writer/performer Chris Elliott
David Frost
Hal Gurnee on directing The David Frost Show
Judy Garland
Hal Gurnee on Judy Garland being one of his favorite Tonight Starring Jack Paar guests
Jackie Gleason
Hal Gurnee on working on Jackie Gleason's Cavalcade of Stars
Merv Griffin
Hal Gurnee on various guest hosts of Tonight between Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, including Merv Griffin and Jack E. Leonard
Jim Henson
Hal Gurnee on directing The Jimmy Dean Show, featuring Jim Henson's "Rowlf the Dog" Muppet
Dennis James
Hal Gurnee on Okay, Mother featuring Dennis James, and on assistant directing wrestling broadcasts
John F. Kennedy
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar having John and Bobby Kennedy, and Richard Nixon on as guests on Tonight Starring Jack Paar at various times
Robert F. Kennedy
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar having John and Bobby Kennedy, and Richard Nixon on as guests on Tonight Starring Jack Paar at various times
David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on being coaxed out of retirement to direct The David Letterman Show
Hal Gurnee on David Letterman rehearsing and working out bits for The David Letterman Show
Hal Gurnee on the early qualities that made David Letterman a good host on The David Letterman Show, and on introducing him to Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on his relationship with David Letterman during his years directing Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on how David Letterman compared to other talk show hosts he worked with, and on Letterman's on-air persona on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on David Letterman doing remotes outside the studio on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on David Letterman's interview style, and on favorite guests
Hal Gurnee on David Letterman's legacy, and on where he fits in the pantheon of talk show hosts
Hal Gurnee on David Letterman's temper, and on his not being chosen to host The Tonight Show
Jerry Lewis
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight after Jack Paar and before Johnny Carson, with a series of guest hosts including Jerry Lewis
Madonna
Hal Gurnee on Madonna's infamous appearance on Late Show with David Letterman and other memorable guests
Robert Mitchum
Hal Gurnee on Robert Mitchum appearing on The David Frost Show
Garry Moore
Hal Gurnee on directing The Garry Moore Show
Hal Gurnee on his mentors, including Jack Paar and Garry Moore
Bill Murray
Hal Gurnee on Bill Murray being the first guest on Late Night with David Letterman
Richard M. Nixon
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar having John and Bobby Kennedy, and Richard Nixon on as guests on Tonight Starring Jack Paar at various times
Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on how he came to work on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on the production of Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar dealing with NBC and the producers of Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on the popularity of Tonight Starring Jack Paar, and on Paar's feud with Walter Winchell
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight Starring Jack Paar from the Berlin Wall
Hal Gurnee on Jack Paar becoming bored with Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on retiring and going back to work for Jack Paar Tonite
Hal Gurnee on the early qualities that made David Letterman a good host on The David Letterman Show, and on introducing him to Jack Paar
Hal Gurnee on having Jack Paar as a guest on Late Night with David Letterman
Hal Gurnee on mentors, including Jack Paar and Garry Moore
Chris Rock
Hal Gurnee on directing The Chris Rock Show
Mickey Rooney
Hal Gurnee on Mickey Rooney being drunk when he was a guest on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Paul Shaffer
Hal Gurnee on working with Late Night with David Letterman musical director Paul Shaffer
Ed Sullivan
Hal Gurnee on The Jack Paar Program showing footage of The Beatles from England a few weeks before they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show
Lily Tomlin
Hal Gurnee on Lily Tomlin on The Garry Moore Show
Donald J. Trump
Hal Gurnee on Donald Trump appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver
Hal Gurnee on NBC executive Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's role in getting Tonight Starring Jack Paar on the air
Walter Winchell
Hal Gurnee on the popularity of Tonight Starring Jack Paar, and on Paar's feud with Walter Winchell