Mary V. Ahern

In her two-hour interview, Mary V. Ahern talks about her early years and her experience during World War II, which led her to work for the ABC radio public affairs department. She describes early public affairs television programming she was involved with, including shows like On Trial, United or Not, and Horizons. She recounts in detail producing the classic series Omnibus along with executive producer Robert Saudek, recalling several aspects of the production of the show including host Alistair Cooke, conductor Leonard Bernstein’s involvement and his “Musical Lectures” series, and historical plays the show presented. Ahern speaks of the reasons for the end of the series, its legacy, and Robert Saudek’s contribution to television. She discusses being involved with the series Profiles in Courage, as well as being the first curator of the Paley Center for Media (originally the Museum of Broadcasting), and her involvement with the Library of Congress. She concludes with advice to aspiring television producers, and her career achievements and regrets. Ron Simon conducted the interview on May 22, 2017 in Peabody, MA.