Milton Delugg

Music Director


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About
About this interview

In his nearly two-and-a-half-hour interview, Milton Delugg (1918-2015) talks about his early professional jobs before his service in World War II, including a job in the orchestra at Paramount. He describes the days of network radio and early television, and working with personalities including Abe Burrows and Morey Amsterdam. He speaks about his role as conductor (and accordion player) on the variety series Broadway Open House, a precursor to The Tonight Show. He comments on his association with several shows from the 1950s and early '60s, including The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show, as well as a string of game shows. Delugg then discusses his one-and-a-half-year stint as the orchestra leader of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, taking the reins in between Skitch Henderson and Doc Severinsen. For The Tonight Show, he talks about the rehearsal process and gives his impressions of host Carson and sidekick Ed McMahon. He then speaks in great detail about his long association with producer Chuck Barris and his participation in all of his most well-known series: The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, The Gong Show, The $1.98 Beauty Show, and others. He goes into great detail about The Gong Show, commenting on the panelists who appeared and the unscripted nature of the show. Finally, he talks about his many years with the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Throughout the interview, Delugg notes his many original compositions, including: "Orange-Colored Sky" (a hit for Nat King Cole) and "Roller Coaster" (for What's My Line?). B-roll consists of photos of Delugg with such notables as Frank Loesser, Jerry Lester, Dagmar, Bing Crosby, Morey Amsterdam, Al Jolson, Johnny Carson, Chuck Barris, and John Lennon. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on May 5, 2008 in Studio City, CA.

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

"I brought Dagmar on the show because Jerry Lester had picked her, and I said, 'What's she supposed to do?' And he said, 'She's the girl singer with the band.' So I introduced her that night. I said, 'Jerry, this is Dagmar. She's the chick with the band.' He said, 'How does she sound?' And I said, 'Who cares?' I guess it was my first laugh. After that, I had lines to do." 

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Milton Delugg on conducting the "Milton Delugg and the Band with a Thug" band on The Gong Show, and on the outrageous acts on the show
09:00
Milton Delugg on NBC exec Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's idea to have morning, noon, and night shows on NBC, and on becoming bandleader on the night show Broadway Open House (precursor to The Tonight Show)
01:57
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
03:09
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show (NBC and ABC)
04:40
Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
02:27
Milton Delugg on working on the music for many Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts
03:52
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on his early music career where he played "jazz" accordion
On his college education; on joining the Paramount staff orchestra; on working with Frank Loesser and Marty Melnick; on his World War II service during which he worked on radio show
On working on the Broadway musical "Very Warm for May" composed by Jerome Kern with a libretto by Oscar Hammerstein; on working with Abe Burrows; on his friend Pat Weaver's idea to have a morning, afternoon, and evening show on NBC's TV schedule; on wanting to be part of early television; on Broadway Open House
On working on The Morey Amsterdam Show
On the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
On working with Herb Shriner on Two for the Money; on working on Abe Burrows' Almanac
On being conductor on Broadway Open House and working with host Jerry Lester and "girl singer" Dagmar; on the production aspects of the show; on working on Seven at Eleven; on the start of The Tonight Show with host Steve Allen
On working on Paul Winchell's television shows

Chapter 2

On Carol Burnett's role on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show; on The Doodles Weaver Show; on Colgate Comedy Hour; on Dagmar's Canteen; on The Bill Cullen Show
On working with Fred Allen on Judge for Yourself; on working on Treasure Hunt (where the show's personnel made deals with potential contestants); on I've Got a Secret; on working on Beat the Clock and Dollar a Second
On composing the theme to What's My Line?; on working with Bill Todman and Mark Goodson; on recording television themes; on composing the theme ("Hooray for Santa Claus") for the film Santa Claus Conquers the Martians; on the advent of pre-recorded music; on directing the music for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
On being hired as conductor on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; on working with the band; on working with musical guests; on being on-camera on the show
On working with producer Chuck Barris; on composing for The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game; on working on Chuck Barris' revivals of Treasure Hunt and Your Hit Parade; on being the bandleader for The Gong Show (and all of the antics that ensued)

Chapter 3

On The Gong Show, including how contestants were chosen, and on working with some of the celebrity judges
On working on various Chuck Barris productions; on various specials he worked on
On working on the music for many Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts
On his then-current projects; on his career favorites; on working with Chuck Barris; on his advice to aspiring musicians; on how he would like to be remembered
On b-roll photos from his career- with Frank Loesser; on the set of Broadway Open House with Jerry Lester and Dagmar; with Bing Crosby; Al Jolson; with Johnny Carson; in the recording studio with Chuck Barris; with Tom Jones and John Lennon
Shows

Abe Burrows' Almanac

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Milton Delugg on working with Abe Burrows and others when he transitioned to television
04:56
Milton Delugg on working on Abe Burrows' Almanac
01:02

Beat the Clock

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Milton Delugg on working on Beat the Clock and Dollar a Second
02:07

Bill Cullen Show, The

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Milton Delugg on working on The Bill Cullen Show
01:51

Broadway Open House

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Milton Delugg on NBC exec Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's idea to have morning, noon, and night shows on NBC, and on becoming bandleader on the night show Broadway Open House (precursor to The Tonight Show)
01:57
Milton Delugg on being conductor on Broadway Open House and working with host Jerry Lester and "girl singer" Dagmar, and on the production aspects of the show
09:26

Camouflage

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Milton Delugg on working on Camouflage and the revivals of The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game
00:52

Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show, The

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Milton Delugg on working on The Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show
01:01

Colgate Comedy Hour, The

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Milton Delugg on working on The Colgate Comedy Hour
01:19

Cos

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Milton Delugg on working on Bill Cosby's variety show, Cos
00:46

Dagmar's Canteen

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Milton Delugg on working on Dagmar's Canteen
01:07

Dating Game, The

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Milton Delugg on composing music for Chuck Barris' The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game
02:49

Dollar a Second

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Milton Delugg on working on Beat the Clock and Dollar a Second
02:07

Doodles Weaver Show, The

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Milton Delugg on working on The Doodles Weaver Show
01:12

Gong Show, The

View Show Page
Milton Delugg on conducting the "Milton Delugg and the Band with a Thug" band on The Gong Show, and on the outrageous acts on the show
09:00
Milton Delugg on The Gong Show, including how contestants were chosen and on working with some of the celebrity judges
05:31

Judge For Yourself

View Show Page
Milton Delugg on working with Fred Allen on Judge for Yourself
01:14

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Milton Delugg on working with pre-recorded music cues on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and other live events
04:44
Milton Delugg on working on the music for many Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts
03:56

Morey Amsterdam Show, The

View Show Page
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show (NBC and ABC)
04:40

Newlywed Game, The

View Show Page
Milton Delugg on composing music for Chuck Barris' The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game
02:49

Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show, The

View Show Page
Milton Delugg on working on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
04:48
Milton Delugg on Carol Burnett's role on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
00:57

People Are Funny

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Milton Delugg on working on People Are Funny with Flip Wilson
00:56

Three's A Crowd

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Milton Delugg on working on Three's A Crowd
00:33

Tonight

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Milton Delugg on the genesis of The Tonight Show with host Steve Allen, and on getting called to be the conductor on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:39

Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

View Show Page
Milton Delugg on the genesis of The Tonight Show with host Steve Allen, and on getting called to be the conductor on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:39
Milton Delugg on being hired as conductor (replacing Skitch Henderson) on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, on working with the band, on working with musical guests, and on being on-camera on the show
09:46

Treasure Hunt

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Milton Delugg on playing accordion on Treasure Hunt
00:51
Milton Delugg on the 1974 revival of the game show Treasure Hunt
01:07

Two for the Money

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Milton Delugg on working with Herb Shriner on Two for the Money
01:54

What's My Line?

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Milton Delugg on composing the theme to What's My Line
01:34

Your Hit Parade

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Milton Delugg on the 1974 short-lived revival of Your Hit Parade
01:30
Topics

Advice

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Milton Delugg on advice to musicians who aspire to write for television
01:17

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Milton Delugg on the censorship issues on The Gong Show
02:27

Creative Influences and Inspiration

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Milton Delugg on his musical influences
00:50
Milton Delugg on mentors in his career including Frank Loesser
01:07

Industry Crossroads

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Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
02:27

Network Creation

View Topic
Milton Delugg on NBC exec Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's idea to have morning, noon, and night shows on NBC, and on becoming bandleader on the night show Broadway Open House (precursor to The Tonight Show)
01:57

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Milton Delugg on his musical influences
00:50
Milton Delugg on mentors in his career including Frank Loesser
01:07

Pop Culture

View Topic
Milton Delugg on composing the theme to What's My Line
01:34

Quiz Show Scandals

View Topic
Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
02:27

TV Theme Songs

View Topic
Milton Delugg on composing the theme to What's My Line
01:34

Television Industry

View Topic
Milton Delugg on NBC exec Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's idea to have morning, noon, and night shows on NBC, and on becoming bandleader on the night show Broadway Open House (precursor to The Tonight Show)
01:57
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
03:09
Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
02:27
Milton Delugg on the censorship issues on The Gong Show
02:27
Milton Delugg on advice to musicians who aspire to write for television
01:17
Professions

Music Director

View Profession
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
03:09
Milton Delugg on his musical style
01:18

Music Professionals

View Profession
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
03:09
Milton Delugg on his musical style
01:18
Milton Delugg on advice to aspiring television musicians
01:17

Musician

View Profession
Milton Delugg on advice to aspiring television musicians
01:17
Genres

Children's Programming

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Milton Delugg on Carol Burnett's role on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
00:57

Comedy Series

View Genre
Milton Delugg on working on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
04:48
Milton Delugg on working on The Colgate Comedy Hour
01:19
Milton Delugg on working on People Are Funny with Flip Wilson
00:56

Game Shows

View Genre
Milton Delugg on playing accordion on Treasure Hunt
00:51
Milton Delugg on working with Herb Shriner on Two for the Money
01:54
Milton Delugg on working on Beat the Clock and Dollar a Second
02:07
Milton Delugg on composing the theme to What's My Line
01:34
Milton Delugg on composing music for Chuck Barris' The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game
02:49
Milton Delugg on the 1974 short-lived revival of Your Hit Parade
01:32
Milton Delugg on conducting the "Milton Delugg and the Band with a Thug" band on The Gong Show, and on the outrageous acts on the show
09:00
Milton Delugg on The Gong Show, including how contestants were chosen and on working with some of the celebrity judges
05:31
Milton Delugg on working on The Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show
01:01
Milton Delugg on working on Three's A Crowd
00:33
Milton Delugg on working on Camouflage and the revivals of The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game
00:52

Late Night

View Genre
Milton Delugg on NBC exec Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's idea to have morning, noon and night shows on NBC, and on becoming bandleader on the night show Broadway Open House (precursor to The Tonight Show)
01:56

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show
04:40
Milton Delugg on working on The Doodles Weaver Show
01:12
Milton Delugg on working on Dagmar's Canteen
01:07
Milton Delugg on working on The Bill Cullen Show
01:51
Milton Delugg on working on the music for many Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts
03:56
Milton Delugg on working on Bill Cosby's variety show Cos
00:46

Talk Shows

View Genre
Milton Delugg on working with Abe Burrows and others when he transitioned to television
04:56
Milton Delugg on being hired as conductor (replacing Skitch Henderson) on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, on working with the band, on working with musical guests, and on being on-camera on the show
09:46
Milton Delugg on the 1974 revival of the game show Treasure Hunt
01:07
People

Fred Allen

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on working with Fred Allen on Judge for Yourself
01:14

Steve Allen

View Interview Page
Milton Delugg on the genesis of Tonight with host Steve Allen, and on getting called to be the conductor on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
02:39

Morey Amsterdam

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show (NBC and ABC)
04:40

Chuck Barris

View Interview Page
Milton Delugg on working with producer Chuck Barris; on composing for The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game, and on being the bandleader for The Gong Show (and all of the antics that ensued)
21:21
Milton Delugg on The Gong Show, including how contestants were chosen and on working with some of the celebrity judges
05:28
Milton Delugg on his friendship with Chuck Barris
00:26

Carol Burnett

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Milton Delugg on Carol Burnett's role on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
00:57

Abe Burrows

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on working with Abe Burrows and others when he transitioned to television
04:58
Milton Delugg on Abe Burrows Almanac
01:02
Milton Delugg on Abe Burrows' wit
01:11

Dick Clark

View Interview Page
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
03:09

Bill Cullen

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on working on The Bill Cullen Show
01:51

Dagmar

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on being conductor on Broadway Open House and working with host Jerry Lester and "girl singer" Dagmar, and on the production aspects of the show
09:24
Bandleader Milton Delugg on working on Dagmar's Canteen
01:07

Jerry Lester

View Person Page
Milton Delugg being conductor on Broadway Open House and working with host Jerry Lester and "girl singer" Dagmar, and on the production aspects of the show
09:24

Frank Loesser

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on working with Frank Loesser 
01:35
Milton Delugg on mentors in his career including Frank Loesser
01:07

Jan Murray

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
02:27

Herb Shriner

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on working with Herb Shriner on Two for the Money
01:54

Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on NBC exec Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's idea to have morning, noon, and night shows on NBC, and on becoming bandleader on the night show Broadway Open House (precursor to The Tonight Show)
01:57

Flip Wilson

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on working on People Are Funny with Flip Wilson
00:56

Henny Youngman

View Person Page
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show (NBC and ABC) with Henny Youngman
04:42

All Interviews

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