Hugh Downs

Anchor / Host

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Hugh Downs (1921-2020) discusses his 50-plus years in television. He talks of his career in radio and transitioning to television in the Chicago market. He recalls announcing for the popular children's show Kukla, Fran & Ollie. He speaks of moving to New York to be the announcer for The Home Show, and talks of working as the announcer and sometimes guest on Sid Caesar's Caesar's Hour. Downs tells of announcing and guest hosting for The Jack Paar Show (aka The Tonight Show) and details Paar's infamous walk out on the program in February 1960. He talks of hosting one of the longest-running game shows, NBC's Concentration, and fondly recalls his days as host of Today. He shares stories from some of his most memorable interviews, including those with Bobby Fischer, Martin Luther King, Jr., and King Hassan of Morocco. Downs also speaks about his work on the news show 20/20. Bill Tynan conducted the interview on October 22, 1997 in New York, NY.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I thought TV was a gimmick like 3-D movies and it would just go away. I had no idea that the tail would eventually wag the dog, and treat me much kinder than radio did."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Hugh Downs on being offered the role of host of Today

00:49

Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's famous walk out on The Tonight Show on February 11, 1960

08:43

Hugh Downs on announcing for Kukla, Fran & Ollie

05:44

Hugh Downs on the origin of 20/20 (contd.) and Roone Arledge's improvements to the show (including asking Downs to anchor the program)

04:30

Hugh Downs on his longevity in television

00:48

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early years and influences; on his start in radio and having stage fright behind the microphone

On moving from Lima to Detroit radio; on getting drafted into the Army during World War II; on moving to Chicago and working for NBC network radio; on his role as a staff announcer (often for soap operas)

On transitioning from radio to television in Chicago; on experimental television

Chapter 2

On working in Chicago radio and television; on announcing for the soap opera Hawkins Falls

On announcing for Kukla, Fran & Ollie; on Burr Tillstrom and interviewing a young Jim Henson; on live radio and television mishaps

On moving to New York and concentrating on television; on Chicago's role in broadcasting innovation; on NBC President Pat Weaver

Chapter 3

On hosting NBC's The Home Show in New York; on on-camera announcing for Caesar's Hour

On his involvement with scientific programming; on hosting Today and Concentration

On his role on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar

Chapter 4

On working with Jack Paar on The Tonight Show; on Paar's strengths and weaknesses

On Jack Paar's famous walk out on The Tonight Show on February 11, 1960; on Paar's comeback and memorable guests on the program

Chapter 5

On politicians appearing on The Tonight Show; on racial tensions and booking diverse guests on The Tonight Show; on The Hollywood Blacklist

On hosting the popular game show Concentration; on security on the show during the Quiz Show Scandals

On hosting Today; on differences between live and taped television programs and how they impact moral obligations; on the influence of advertisers

Chapter 6

On his preparations for hosting Today; on memorable interviews on the show and leaving the program in 1971

On "The Today Girl" on Today and bringing Barbara Walters on-screen; on Barbara Walters' talent and his working relationship with her; on his attempts at retirement

On returning to broadcasting, this time at PBS; on the disastrous start of 20/20

Chapter 7

On the origin of 20/20 (contd.); on the types of stories he enjoys; on working with Geraldo Rivera on the program

On his 1985 Guinness Book of World Record for all time most hours of television; on his longevity in television and thoughts on people with whom he's worked over the years

On what he considers the best of television; on the future of the medium

Shows

20/20

Hugh Downs on the disastrous start of 20/20

01:37

Hugh Downs on the origin of 20/20 (contd.) and Roone Arledge's improvements to the show (including asking Downs to anchor the program)

04:30

Hugh Downs on differences between 20/20 and 60 Minutes

00:45

Hugh Downs on the stories he's enjoyed most on 20/20

01:37

Hugh Downs on Geraldo Rivera's work on 20/20 and after

03:10

Hugh Downs on doing two nights of 20/20 per week

00:54

60 Minutes

Hugh Downs on differences between 20/20 and 60 Minutes

05:15

Aldrich Family, The

Hugh Downs on subbing for a character on The Aldrich Family

01:08

Caesar's Hour

Hugh Downs on on-camera announcing for Caesar's Hour

03:54

Concentration

Hugh Downs on hosting Today and Concentration

00:27

Hugh Downs on hosting the popular game show Concentration and security on the show during the Quiz Show Scandals

03:56

Hugh Downs on the success of Concentration; on the prizes on the show

01:45

Hawkins Falls

Hugh Downs on announcing for the soap opera Hawkins Falls

00:41

Hugh Downs on an actor's demands and the writers' response to them on the soap opera Hawkins Falls

01:46

Home Show, The

Hugh Downs on the daytime program The Home Show

01:02

Hugh Downs on announcing for NBC's The Home Show in New York

04:47

Hugh Downs on unusual techniques used and humorous mishaps on NBC's The Home Show

02:50

Hugh Downs on the end of The Home Show

02:37

Kukla, Fran & Ollie

Hugh Downs on announcing for Kukla, Fran & Ollie

05:44

One Life to Live

Hugh Downs on playing himself on One Life to Live

01:18

Studs' Place

Hugh Downs on the charm of Studs' Place

00:57

Today

Hugh Downs on Dave Garroway's style on Today

01:04

Hugh Downs on being offered the role of host of Today

00:49

Hugh Downs on hosting Today and turning down other television offers

01:58

Hugh Downs on why he was drawn to hosting Today

01:17

Hugh Downs on his versatility and changes to the format on Today

01:57

Hugh Downs on his preparations for hosting Today

02:55

Hugh Downs on memorable interviews he conducted on Today

09:05

Hugh Downs on leaving Today in 1971

01:18

Hugh Downs on how Today evolved during his tenure on the program

02:49

Hugh Downs on "The Today Girl" on Today

02:05

Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

Hugh Downs on not being offered the Tonight Show despite having substituted for Jack Paar the most

00:49

Tonight Show, The (1962)

Hugh Downs on not being offered the Tonight Show despite having substituted for Jack Paar the most [although Downs served as one of the 1962 interim hosts]

00:49

Tonight Starring Jack Paar aka The Jack Paar Show

Hugh Downs on his role on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar

05:46

Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's famous walk out on The Tonight Show on February 11, 1960

08:43

Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's comeback after his famous walk out on The Tonight Show on February 11, 1960

01:52

Hugh Downs on memorable guests on The Tonight Show while he was announcer

03:03

Hugh Downs on politicians appearing on The Tonight Show

05:18

Hugh Downs on racial tensions and booking diverse guests on The Tonight Show

02:30

Hugh Downs on The Tonight Show moving from live to taped, and the role of advertisers

02:20

Topics

1939-40 World's Fair

Hugh Downs on seeing television for the first time at the 1939 World's Fair

01:04

Advertising and Sponsorship

Hugh Downs on the role of advertisers on The Tonight Show

00:34

Bloopers

Hugh Downs on a live radio slip-up and the lesson he learned from it

01:33

Hugh Downs on a live television slip-up and breaking up on primetime TV; on breaking up on radio and television

03:08

Censorship / Standards & Practices

Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's famous walk out on The Tonight Show on February 11, 1960 and the censored joke that provoked it

07:18

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Hugh Downs on his Emmy wins

01:07

Historic Events and Social Change

Hugh Downs on seeing television for the first time at the 1939 World's Fair

01:04

Hugh Downs on hosting the first television program on space "The First Step Into Space" and his interest in scientific programming

02:59

Hugh Downs on racial tensions and booking diverse guests on The Tonight Show

02:30

Hollywood Blacklist

Hugh Downs on The Hollywood Blacklist not affecting booking guests on The Tonight Show

02:11

Industry Crossroads

Hugh Downs on The Hollywood Blacklist not affecting booking guests on The Tonight Show

02:11

Hugh Downs on hosting the popular game show Concentration and security on the show during the Quiz Show Scandals

02:52

Quiz Show Scandals

Hugh Downs on hosting the popular game show Concentration and security on the show during the Quiz Show Scandals

02:52

Representation on Television

Hugh Downs on racial tensions and booking diverse guests on The Tonight Show

02:30

Technological Innovation

Hugh Downs on differences between live and taped television programs and how they impact moral obligations

01:51

Hugh Downs on how Today evolved during his tenure on the program

00:41

Hugh Downs on how color television affected Today (and how his colorblindness affects his job)

01:30

Television Industry

Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's famous walk out on The Tonight Show on February 11, 1960 and the censored joke that provoked it

07:18

Hugh Downs on the role of advertisers on The Tonight Show

00:33

Hugh Downs on what he considers the best of television

00:33

Hugh Downs on the future of television

00:35

Underrepresented Voices

Hugh Downs on racial tensions and booking diverse guests on The Tonight Show

02:30

War

Hugh Downs on getting drafted into the Army during World War II

03:04

World War II

Hugh Downs on getting drafted into the Army during World War II

03:04

Professions

Hosts

View Profession

Hugh Downs on interviewing Frank Lloyd Wright and what he learned about interviewing

01:27

Interviewer

View Profession

Hugh Downs on interviewing Frank Lloyd Wright and what he learned about interviewing

01:27

Genres

Children's Programming

Hugh Downs on announcing for Kukla, Fran & Ollie

05:44

Game Shows

Hugh Downs on hosting the popular game show Concentration and security on the show during the Quiz Show Scandals

05:41

Late Night

Hugh Downs on being on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar; on Paar's wit

05:46

Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's famous walk out on The Tonight Show on February 11, 1960

09:42

Hugh Downs on politicians and diverse guests appearing on The Tonight Show

07:48

News and Documentary

Hugh Downs on announcing for NBC's The Home Show in New York

10:14

Hugh Downs on his work on 20/20 (contd.)

10:02

Talk Shows

Hugh Downs on why he was drawn to hosting Today

03:17

Hugh Downs on his preparation for hosting Today; on memorable interviews on the show and leaving the program in 1971

18:03

People

Adlai Stevenson

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on interviewing then-United Nations Ambassador Adlai Stevenson

02:00

Al Morgan

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on working with producer Al Morgan

01:14

Arlene Francis

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on announcing for NBC's The Home Show with host Arlene Francis in New York

00:42

Av Westin

View Interview Page

Hugh Downs on working with producer Av Westin

01:11

Barbara Walters

View Interview Page

Hugh Downs on "The Today Girl" on Today and bringing Barbara Walters on-screen

02:05

Hugh Downs on his working relationship with Barbara Walters; on her success

03:28

Bill Cosby

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on memorable guests on The Tonight Show while he was announcer - Bill Cosby

00:22

Burr Tillstrom

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on Burr Tillstrom's ad-libbing on Kukla, Fran & Ollie

01:45

Hugh Downs on Kukla, Fran & Ollie creator Burr Tillstrom doing portable puppet shows and his celebrity

02:37

Carol Burnett

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Hugh Downs on Carol Burnett's appearance on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar (singing "I Made a Fool of Myself Over John Foster Dulles")

00:41

Dave Garroway

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on Dave Garroway's style on Today

01:04

David Sarnoff

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on David Sarnoff's view of competition and Sarnoff's interest in broadcasting

02:42

Hugh Downs on meeting David Sarnoff

00:39

Desi Arnaz

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on announcing dance band remotes featuring Desi Arnaz

00:50

Ed McMahon

View Interview Page

Hugh Downs on working with Ed McMahon

00:21

Elaine May

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on memorable guests on The Tonight Show while he was announcer - Mike Nichols and Elaine May

00:19

Errol Flynn

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on Errol Flynn appearing on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar

00:49

Frank Lloyd Wright

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on interviewing Frank Lloyd Wright and what he learned about interviewing

01:27

Geraldo Rivera

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Hugh Downs on Geraldo Rivera's work on 20/20 and after; on why Geraldo left the show

03:10

Hugh Hefner

View Interview Page

Hugh Downs on interviewing a young Hugh Hefner

00:36

Jack Lescoulie

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on working with Jack Lescoulie

00:49

Jack Paar

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on his role on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar; on Paar's wit

05:46

Announcer Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's famous walk out on The Tonight Show on February 11, 1960

09:38

Hugh Downs on differences between Steve Allen and Jack Paar on The Tonight Show

00:44

Hugh Downs on working with Jack Paar on The Tonight Show; on Paar's nervousness

02:39

Hugh Downs on Jack Paar's strengths and weaknesses; on his interviewing skills and his ability to discover new talent

08:35

Hugh Downs on politicians appearing on The Tonight Show

05:18

Hugh Downs on working with Jack Paar

00:24

Jim Henson

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on interviewing a young Jim Henson

00:24

John Chancellor

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on working with John Chancellor in Chicago radio

00:51

John F. Kennedy

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Hugh Downs on the importance of appearances on The Tonight Show to JFK's election win

00:21

Johnny Carson

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on working with Johnny Carson

00:22

Lawrence K. Grossman

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on working with Lawrence K. Grossman

01:46

Martin Luther King, Jr.

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on interviewing Martin Luther King, Jr.

00:57

Mike Nichols

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Hugh Downs on memorable guests on The Tonight Show while he was announcer - Mike Nichols and Elaine May

00:19

Redd Foxx

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on memorable guests on Today - Redd Foxx

00:34

Robert F. Kennedy

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on RFK's appearance on The Tonight Show after JFK's assassination

00:54

Hugh Downs on RFK discussing Jimmy Hoffa on The Tonight Show

00:54

Roone Arledge

View Person Page

Hugh Downs on the origin of 20/20 (contd.) and Roone Arledge's improvements to the show (including asking Downs to anchor the program)

04:30

Hugh Downs on working with Roone Arledge

01:20

Sid Caesar

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Hugh Downs on on-camera announcing for Caesar's Hour

03:54

Steve Allen

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Hugh Downs on differences between Steve Allen and Jack Paar on The Tonight Show

00:44

Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver

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Hugh Downs on NBC's Pat Weaver and his television innovations

03:41

Woody Allen

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Hugh Downs on memorable guests on The Tonight Show while he was announcer - Woody Allen

01:34