About
"What first lured me to broadcasting was that intimacy, that connection. It brings us to a common denominator at its best. By showing us that it's okay to struggle and it's okay to get spray tanned and dance or it's okay to get hit in the crotch with a piñata bat or whatever. We can all get through it together."
In his four-hour interview, Tom Bergeron describes his early interest in broadcasting, which led him to call and interview Moe Howard and Larry Fine of the Three Stooges at age sixteen. He recalls becoming a local television announcer in Portsmouth, NH, and chronicles his years as a local television personality in Boston on WBZ, where he hosted People Are Talking. He discusses transitioning to a national platform on the FX Channel, where he hosted the cult hit Breakfast Time, and recounts his years hosting Hollywood Squares. Bergeron then talks of his great success in replacing Bob Saget as the host of America's Funniest Home Videos, and details his role as host of Dancing with the Stars. He speaks of dealing with the various co-hosts, judges, and celebrities involved with the program, and expresses his love of the spontaneity of live television. He also speaks of co-hosting the 2008 Emmy Awards. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on January 18, 2013 in Calabasas, CA.
Highlights
Tom Bergeron on what makes a good contestant on Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on a prank pulled on him on Hollywood Squares
Tom Bergeron on the success of Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on the videos submitted to America's Funniest Home Videos
Tom Bergeron on co-hosting The View and the Miss America Pageant
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his early interest in broadcasting; on interviewing Moe Howard and Larry Fine of "The Three Stooges" as a teenager
On his first broadcasting job; on his career in mime; on working in local television in New Hampshire and Boston
On his various experiences hosting local Boston television; on hosting People Are Talking on WBZ in Boston
On being hired to host Breakfast Time on FX; on his experience hosting Breakfast Time on FX
Chapter 2
On FX Breakfast Time; on hosting FOX After Breakfast
On the end of FOX After Breakfast; on being considered for Good Morning America; on what makes a good host
On hosting Hollywood Squares; on his memories of 9/11
On his Emmy nominations; on his cameo in Star Trek: Enterprise and his friendship with Whoopi Goldberg
Chapter 3
On hosting America's Funniest Home Videos; on selecting clips for the show; on the production crew of America's Funniest Home Videos
On co-hosting The View and the Miss America Pageant; on how he came to host Dancing With the Stars
On the importance of Dancing With the Stars being live; on his hosting style on Dancing With the Stars; on a typical production week on the show
On the camera choreography, producer, and director on Dancing With the Stars; on his co-hosts and judges on the show
Chapter 4
On the professional dancers on Dancing With the Stars; on what makes a good contestant on the show
On memorable moments on Dancing With the Stars; on keeping Dancing With the Stars fresh; on the legacy of the show
On co-hosting The Jerry Lewis Telethon and appearing on Planet Green; on being considered as host for The Price is Right; on co-hosting The 2008 Emmy Awards
On appearing on Castle and A Capitol Fourth; on his greatest achievement and biggest regret; on advice to aspiring hosts and the power of television
Shows
America's Funniest Home Videos
Tom Bergeron on hosting America's Funniest Home Videos
Tom Bergeron on how the advent of You Tube has affected America's Funniest Home Videos, and the selection process of the videos
Tom Bergeron on becoming producer of America's Funniest Home Videos and keeping the show fresh
Tom Bergeron on the videos submitted to America's Funniest Home Videos
Tom Bergeron on the appeal of America's Funniest Home Videos
Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on the professional dancers on Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on casting the celebrities on Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on what makes a good contestant on Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on what Dancing With the Stars can do for a celebrity, and stand-out celebrity moments
Tom Bergeron on Marie Osmond fainting on Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on Sarah Palin and "Boogate" on Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on his favorite season and the biggest challenge of hosting Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on Dancing With the Stars and The Emmy Awards
Tom Bergeron on keeping Dancing With the Stars fresh and the crew of the show
Tom Bergeron on the then-future of Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on the legacy of Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on how he came to host Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on the importance of hosting Dancing With the Stars live; on the voting process
Tom Bergeron on the success of Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on his hosting style and the challenges of doing a live show
Tom Bergeron on the content limitations of Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on juggling his responsibilities and a typical production week of Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on the camera choreography of Dancing With the Stars and working with Executive Producer Conrad Green and Director Alex Rudzinski
Tom Bergeron on the set and the band on Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on his Dancing With the Stars co-hosts and judges
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Tom Bergeron on co-hosting the Emmy Awards
Tom Bergeron on his Emmy nominations
Good Morning America
Tom Bergeron on being considered to host Good Morning America
Hollywood Squares, The
Tom Bergeron on hosting Hollywood Squares
Tom Bergeron on a prank pulled on him on Hollywood Squares
Tom Bergeron on his memories of Hollywood Squares
Tom Bergeron on his recollections of 9/11
Tom Bergeron on Whoopi Goldberg helping him at NAPTE
Live with Regis and Kathie Lee
Tom Bergeron on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee and trying to save "Bob the Puppet"
Miss America Pageant
Tom Bergeron on co-hosting The View and the Miss America Pageant
Price is Right, The
Tom Bergeron on being approached as the host for The Price is Right
View, The
Tom Bergeron on co-hosting The View and the Miss America Pageant
Topics
9/11
Tom Bergeron on his recollections of 9/11
Emmy Awards
Tom Bergeron on co-hosting the Emmy Awards
Tom Bergeron on his Emmy nominations
Professions
Hosts
Tom Bergeron on his advice for aspiring hosts
Tom Bergeron on his advice for aspiring hosts
Tom Bergeron on his philosophy on making a show work
Tom Bergeron on his philosophy on making a show work
Tom Bergeron on his hosting style and the challenges of doing a live show
Reality Show Host
Tom Bergeron on his hosting style and the challenges of doing a live show
Genres
Game Shows
Tom Bergeron on hosting Hollywood Squares
Reality TV
Tom Bergeron on hosting Dancing With the Stars
Tom Bergeron on hosting America's Funniest Home Videos
Tom Bergeron on hosting Dancing With the Stars
People
Bob Barker
Tom Bergeron on hosting Breakfast Time on the FX cable channel
Jimmy Carter
Tom Bergeron on hosting People Are Talking in WBZ in Boston
John Denver
Tom Bergeron on hosting People Are Talking in WBZ in Boston
Whoopi Goldberg
Tom Bergeron on his recollections of 9/11
Tom Bergeron on hosting Hollywood Squares
Tom Bergeron on Whoopi Goldberg helping him at NAPTE
Jerry Lewis
Tom Bergeron on co-hosting The Jerry Lewis Telethon
Mary Tyler Moore
Tom Bergeron on interviewing Mary Tyler Moore on Breakfast Time
Marie Osmond
Tom Bergeron on Marie Osmond fainting on Dancing With the Stars
Bob Saget
Tom Bergeron on hosting America's Funniest Home Videos
Jerry Springer
Tom Bergeron on what Dancing With the Stars can do for a celebrity, and stand-out celebrity moments
Howard Stern
Tom Bergeron on interviewing Moe Howard and Larry Fine of The "Three Stooges"