About
"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."
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.
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
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)
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show (NBC and ABC)
Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
Milton Delugg on working on the music for many Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts
Full Interview
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
Milton Delugg on working with Abe Burrows and others when he transitioned to television
Milton Delugg on working on Abe Burrows' Almanac
Beat the Clock
Milton Delugg on working on Beat the Clock and Dollar a Second
Bill Cullen Show, The
Milton Delugg on working on The Bill Cullen Show
Broadway Open House
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)
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
Camouflage
Milton Delugg on working on Camouflage and the revivals of The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game
Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show, The
Milton Delugg on working on The Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show
Colgate Comedy Hour, The
Milton Delugg on working on The Colgate Comedy Hour
Cos
Milton Delugg on working on Bill Cosby's variety show, Cos
Dagmar's Canteen
Milton Delugg on working on Dagmar's Canteen
Dating Game, The
Milton Delugg on composing music for Chuck Barris' The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game
Dollar a Second
Milton Delugg on working on Beat the Clock and Dollar a Second
Doodles Weaver Show, The
Milton Delugg on working on The Doodles Weaver Show
Gong Show, The
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
Milton Delugg on The Gong Show, including how contestants were chosen and on working with some of the celebrity judges
Judge For Yourself
Milton Delugg on working with Fred Allen on Judge for Yourself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Milton Delugg on working with pre-recorded music cues on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and other live events
Milton Delugg on working on the music for many Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts
Morey Amsterdam Show, The
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show (NBC and ABC)
Newlywed Game, The
Milton Delugg on composing music for Chuck Barris' The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game
Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show, The
Milton Delugg on working on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
Milton Delugg on Carol Burnett's role on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
People Are Funny
Milton Delugg on working on People Are Funny with Flip Wilson
Three's A Crowd
Milton Delugg on working on Three's A Crowd
Tonight
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
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
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
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
Treasure Hunt
Milton Delugg on playing accordion on Treasure Hunt
Milton Delugg on the 1974 revival of the game show Treasure Hunt
Two for the Money
Milton Delugg on working with Herb Shriner on Two for the Money
What's My Line?
Milton Delugg on composing the theme to What's My Line
Your Hit Parade
Milton Delugg on the 1974 short-lived revival of Your Hit Parade
Topics
Advice
Milton Delugg on advice to musicians who aspire to write for television
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Milton Delugg on the censorship issues on The Gong Show
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Milton Delugg on his musical influences
Milton Delugg on mentors in his career including Frank Loesser
Industry Crossroads
Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
Network Creation
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)
Pivotal Career Moments
Milton Delugg on his musical influences
Milton Delugg on mentors in his career including Frank Loesser
Pop Culture
Milton Delugg on composing the theme to What's My Line
Quiz Show Scandals
Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
Television Industry
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)
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
Milton Delugg on the censorship issues on The Gong Show
Milton Delugg on advice to musicians who aspire to write for television
TV Theme Songs
Milton Delugg on composing the theme to What's My Line
Professions
Music Director
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
Milton Delugg on his musical style
Music Professionals
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
Milton Delugg on his musical style
Milton Delugg on advice to aspiring television musicians
Musician
Milton Delugg on advice to aspiring television musicians
Genres
Children's Programming
Milton Delugg on Carol Burnett's role on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
Comedy Series
Milton Delugg on working on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
Milton Delugg on working on The Colgate Comedy Hour
Milton Delugg on working on People Are Funny with Flip Wilson
Game Shows
Milton Delugg on playing accordion on Treasure Hunt
Milton Delugg on working with Herb Shriner on Two for the Money
Milton Delugg on working on Beat the Clock and Dollar a Second
Milton Delugg on composing the theme to What's My Line
Milton Delugg on composing music for Chuck Barris' The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game
Milton Delugg on the 1974 short-lived revival of Your Hit Parade
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
Milton Delugg on The Gong Show, including how contestants were chosen and on working with some of the celebrity judges
Milton Delugg on working on The Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show
Milton Delugg on working on Three's A Crowd
Milton Delugg on working on Camouflage and the revivals of The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game
Late Night
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)
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show
Milton Delugg on working on The Doodles Weaver Show
Milton Delugg on working on Dagmar's Canteen
Milton Delugg on working on The Bill Cullen Show
Milton Delugg on working on the music for many Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts
Milton Delugg on working on Bill Cosby's variety show Cos
Talk Shows
Milton Delugg on working with Abe Burrows and others when he transitioned to television
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
Milton Delugg on the 1974 revival of the game show Treasure Hunt
People
Fred Allen
Milton Delugg on working with Fred Allen on Judge for Yourself
Steve Allen
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
Morey Amsterdam
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show (NBC and ABC)
Chuck Barris
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)
Milton Delugg on The Gong Show, including how contestants were chosen and on working with some of the celebrity judges
Milton Delugg on his friendship with Chuck Barris
Carol Burnett
Milton Delugg on Carol Burnett's role on The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show
Abe Burrows
Milton Delugg on working with Abe Burrows and others when he transitioned to television
Milton Delugg on Abe Burrows Almanac
Milton Delugg on Abe Burrows' wit
Dick Clark
Milton Delugg on the rules regarding live music on television and how Dick Clark eventually changed them
Bill Cullen
Milton Delugg on working on The Bill Cullen Show
Dagmar
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
Bandleader Milton Delugg on working on Dagmar's Canteen
Jerry Lester
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
Frank Loesser
Milton Delugg on working with Frank Loesser
Milton Delugg on mentors in his career including Frank Loesser
Jan Murray with Emerson College
Milton Delugg on working on Treasure Hunt, and on the show's personnel making deals with potential contestants
Herb Shriner
Milton Delugg on working with Herb Shriner on Two for the Money
Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver
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)
Flip Wilson
Milton Delugg on working on People Are Funny with Flip Wilson
Henny Youngman
Milton Delugg on working on The Morey Amsterdam Show (NBC and ABC) with Henny Youngman