Thomas W. Moore

Network Executive

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About

About this interview

In his nearly five-and-a-half-hour interview, Thomas W. Moore (1918-2007) talks about his early years at CBS radio in sales in the late 1940s and early '50s. He describes his move to ABC, where he became head of programming and then president of the network. He discusses such shows as The Frank Sinatra Show, The Flintstones, The Jerry Lewis Show, and Stage 67. He also discusses ABC's groundbreaking sports programming including Wide World of Sports and Monday Night Football. He talks about his founding of Tomorrow Entertainment which was responsible for such Emmy-winning programming as The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and the Body Human series. Henry Colman conducted the interview on January 3 and January 31, 2003 in Los Angeles, CA.

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

"I enjoyed the programming and the manufacture of programs more than anything else. You always take great joy and pride in successful programming -- you program a period and a hit comes out of it, that's a source of great pride."

People Talking About ...

Thomas W. Moore

Highlights

Thomas W. Moore on the first time he saw television, and his early experience with the medium

06:52

Thomas W. Moore on Newton N. Minow's "vast wasteland" speech, critical of television

05:06

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Bewitched starring Elizabeth Montgomery and The Addams Family

05:02

Thomas W. Moore on various programming techniques like mid-season replacements, and on various nights that were difficult for ABC

06:06

Thomas Moore on producing The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

03:19

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his hobbies growing up, and on movies and radio he liked growing up; on his experience with World War II

On the first time he saw television, and his early experience with the medium; on his role at CBS radio

On making the transition from radio to television; on the Hollywood Blacklist

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

On Edgar J. Scherick and Roone Arledge's role in bringing sports to ABC; on the genesis of ABC's Wide World of Sports; on the genesis of ABC's Monday Night Football

On various sports shows he programmed at ABC; on ABC's acquisition of the Olympic games in the 1960s and '70s; on ABC brining various sports like golf to television

Chapter 4

on Edgar J. Scherick at ABC; on the people who worked for him at ABC when he was head of programming, including Michael Eisner and Barry Diller; on his stint as head of programming at ABC, and on his goals at the time

on programming and developing The Frank Sinatra Show; on programming and developing The Jerry Lewis Show, and The Hollywood Palace; on programming and developing The Real McCoys and 77 Sunset Strip

Chapter 5

On programming and developing The Untouchables, Adventures in Paradise and The FBI; on programming and developing The Flintstones

On programming and developing Peyton Place, and on ABC dealing with the advent of color; on programming and developing Batman

On programming various series in the '60s, including That Girl with Marlo Thomas, and the long-running The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet; on programming various shows including McHale's Navy and various game shows; on his duties at president of ABC

Chapter 6

On ABC chairman Leonard H. Goldenson; on ABC covering the 1952 conventions, and on how presidents starting with Dwight D. Eisenhower took to television

On the government attempting to require public service programming on the networks, and on William S. Paley and General David Sarnoff; on the Kennedy/Nixon debates of 1960

Chapter 7

On the Kennedy-Nixon Debates; on Newton N. Minow's "vast wasteland" speech, critical of television; on what he sees as the FCC's role in broadcasting

On the ban on cigarette advertising on television; on the FCC regulation of the networks being able to own or control the rebroadcast of primetime shows; on the length of commercials and commercial breaks on network television

Chapter 8

On networks and their affiliates; on his day-to-day responsibilities as president of ABC; on programming and developing McHale's Navy, The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Combat. Bewitched, and The Addams Family

On working with Truman Capote on ABC Stage 67; on The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, and on nonfiction programming; on ABC's proposed merger with ITT

Chapter 9

On the intended merger of ITT and ABC falling apart, and on Capital Cities taking over ABC; on working with Frederick S. Pierce; on working with Elmer Lower and Elton H. Rule

On Agnes Nixon and on daytime dramas at ABC; on being promoted to group vice president at ABC, and on leaving ABC to produce acclaimed made for television movies like The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman; on founding Ticketron, later Ticketmaster

Chapter 10

On his philosophy of program development, and on the process by which he picked television shows; on using research as a tool for program scheduling and development; on scheduling shows, and on considering demographics when programming

On various programming techniques like mid-season replacements, and on various nights that were difficult for ABC; on the importance of ratings to a programmer; on the importance of promoting shows at ABC

Chapter 11

On dealing with the stars of his shows in ABC, and on how programming changed during his stint; on what he enjoyed most about his time as an executive at ABC, and later being a producer; on the various ways the industry changed during his stint at ABC due to cable, and on how audiences tastes have changed

On his involvement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; on television living up to its potential

On advice for an aspiring television executive; on his own contributions to the television industry, and on the best lineups he programed; on how he'd like to be remembered

Shows

77 Sunset Strip

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing 77 Sunset Strip

01:22

ABC Stage 67

Thomas W. Moore on working with Truman Capote on ABC Stage 67

05:53

ABC's Wide World of Sports

Thomas Moore on the genesis of ABC's Wide World of Sports

04:55

Addams Family, The

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Bewitched starring Elizabeth Montgomery and The Addams Family

05:02

Adventures Of Ozzie and Harriet, The

Thomas W. Moore on programming various series in the '60s, including That Girl with Marlo Thomas, and the long-running The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

02:58

Adventures in Paradise

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Adventures in Paradise and The FBI produced by Quinn Martin

06:48

Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, The

Thomas Moore on producing The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

03:19

Batman

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Batman, and on the limited shelf life of shows that are instant hits

02:36

Bewitched

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Bewitched starring Elizabeth Montgomery and The Addams Family

05:02

FBI, The

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Adventures in Paradise and The FBI produced by Quinn Martin

06:48

Flintstones, The

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Flintstones

04:25

Frank Sinatra Show, The (1957-58)

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Frank Sinatra Show, and on Elvis Presley appearing on that show

06:22

I Love Lucy

Thomas W. Moore on the freeze of FCC licences for television stations in 1949

Jerry Lewis Show, The (1963)

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Jerry Lewis Show, and The Hollywood Palace

05:54

McHale's Navy

Thomas W. Moore on programming various shows including McHale's Navy and various game shows

01:57

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing McHale's Navy

02:40

Mickey Mouse Club, The

Thomas W. Moore on The Mickey Mouse Club on ABC

04:17

Thomas W. Moore on the format of The Mickey Mouse Club

04:13

Monday Night Football

Thomas Moore on the genesis of ABC Monday Night Football

03:50

Olympics

Thomas Moore on ABC's acquisition of the Olympic games in the 1960s and '70s

02:01

Outer Limits, The (1963-65)

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and Combat

03:26

Peyton Place

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Peyton Place, and on ABC dealing with the advent of color

04:02

Real McCoys, The

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Real McCoys

02:25

That Girl

Thomas W. Moore on programming various series in the '60s, including That Girl with Marlo Thomas, and the long-running The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

02:58

Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, The

Thomas W. Moore on The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, and on nonfiction programming

03:55

Untouchables, The

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Untouchables

04:05

Topics

'The Idiot Box'

Thomas W. Moore on Newton N. Minow's "vast wasteland" speech, critical of television

05:06

Advertising and Sponsorship

Thomas W. Moore on the ban on cigarette advertising on television

01:45

Thomas W. Moore on the length of commercials and commercial breaks on network television

04:14

Advice

Thomas W. Moore on advice for an aspiring television executive

01:29

Criticism of TV

Thomas W. Moore on Newton N. Minow's "vast wasteland" speech, critical of television

05:06

Thomas W. Moore on television living up to its potential

01:22

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Thomas W. Moore on ABC covering the 1952 conventions, and on how presidents starting with Dwight D. Eisenhower took to television

07:55

Historic Events and Social Change

Thomas W. Moore on his experience with World War II

03:06

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy/Nixon debates of 1960

05:51

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy-Nixon Debates

10:10

Hollywood Blacklist

Thomas W. Moore on the Hollywood Blacklist

01:04

Industry Crossroads

Thomas W. Moore on the Hollywood Blacklist

01:04

John F. Kennedy

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy/Nixon debates of 1960

05:51

Kennedy-Nixon Debates

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy/Nixon debates of 1960

05:51

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy-Nixon Debates

10:10

Media Consolidation

Thomas W. Moore on Capital Cities takeover of ABC

02:26

Public Television

Thomas W. Moore on his involvement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

06:27

Technological Innovation

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Peyton Place, and on ABC dealing with the advent of color

04:02

Thomas W. Moore on the various ways the industry changed during his stint at ABC due to cable, and on how audiences tastes have changed

06:01

Television Industry

Thomas W. Moore on the Hollywood Blacklist

01:04

Thomas W. Moore on the creation of Viacom, and on being hired at ABC by Jim Aubrey

03:12

Thomas W. Moore on being vice president in charge of programming at ABC, and on the state of the network when he arrived

03:28

Thomas W. Moore on the people who worked for him at ABC when he was head of programming, including Michael Eisner and Barry Diller

05:30

Thomas W. Moore on his stint as head of programming at ABC, and on his goals at the time

03:25

Thomas W. Moore on his duties at president of ABC

02:00

Thomas W. Moore on the government attempting to require public service programming on the networks, and on William S. Paley and General David Sarnoff

08:22

Thomas W. Moore on Newton N. Minow's "vast wasteland" speech, critical of television

05:06

Thomas W. Moore on what he sees as the FCC's role in broadcasting

05:26

Thomas W. Moore on the ban on cigarette advertising on television

01:45

Thomas W. Moore on the FCC regulation of the networks being able to own or control the rebroadcast of primetime shows

01:37

Thomas W. Moore on the length of commercials and commercial breaks on network television

04:14

Thomas W. Moore on networks and their affiliates

02:59

Thomas W. Moore on his day-to-day responsibilities as president of ABC

02:48

Thomas W. Moore on the intended merger of ITT and ABC falling apart

06:46

Thomas W. Moore on Capital Cities takeover of ABC

02:26

Thomas W. Moore on being promoted to group vice president at ABC, and on leaving ABC to produce

05:05

Thomas W. Moore on the various ways the industry changed during his stint at ABC due to cable, and on how audiences tastes have changed

06:01

Thomas W. Moore on his involvement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

06:27

Thomas W. Moore on television living up to its potential

01:22

Thomas W. Moore on advice for an aspiring television executive

01:29

Thomas W. Moore on his own contributions to the television industry, and on the best lineups he programed

03:53

Television and the Presidency

Thomas W. Moore on ABC covering the 1952 conventions, and on how presidents starting with Dwight D. Eisenhower took to television

07:55

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy/Nixon debates of 1960

05:51

War

Thomas W. Moore on his experience with World War II

03:06

World War II

Thomas W. Moore on his experience with World War II

03:06

Professions

Executives

View Profession

Thomas W. Moore on his philosophy of program development, and on the process by which he picked television shows

06:18

Thomas W. Moore on using research as a tool for program scheduling and development

03:47

Thomas W. Moore on scheduling shows, and on considering demographics when programming and its impact on advertising

04:36

Thomas W. Moore on various programming techniques like mid-season replacements, and on various nights that were difficult for ABC

06:06

Thomas W. Moore on the importance of ratings to a programmer

02:28

Thomas W. Moore on the importance of promoting shows at ABC

01:42

Thomas W. Moore on dealing with the stars of his shows in ABC, and on how programming changed during his stint

03:55

Thomas W. Moore on what he enjoyed most about his time as an executive at ABC, and later being a producer

02:17

Thomas W. Moore on advice for an aspiring television executive

01:29

Producers

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Thomas W. Moore on what he enjoyed most about his time as an executive at ABC, and later being a producer

02:17

Television Executive

View Profession

Thomas Moore on the business aspects of The Mickey Mouse Club

04:19

Thomas W. Moore on his philosophy of program development, and on the process by which he picked television shows

06:18

Thomas W. Moore on using research as a tool for program scheduling and development

03:47

Thomas W. Moore on scheduling shows, and on considering demographics when programming and its impact on advertising

04:36

Thomas W. Moore on various programming techniques like mid-season replacements, and on various nights that were difficult for ABC

06:06

Thomas W. Moore on the importance of ratings to a programmer

02:28

Thomas W. Moore on the importance of promoting shows at ABC

01:42

Thomas W. Moore on dealing with the stars of his shows in ABC, and on how programming changed during his stint

03:55

Thomas W. Moore on what he enjoyed most about his time as an executive at ABC, and later being a producer

02:17

Thomas W. Moore on advice for an aspiring television executive

01:29

Genres

Children's Programming

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Flintstones

04:25

Classic Anthology Series

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and Combat

03:26

Comedy Series

Thomas W. Moore on programming various series in the '60s, including That Girl, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and McHale's Navy

04:55

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing McHale's Navy

02:40

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Bewitched starring Elizabeth Montgomery and The Addams Family

05:02

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing 77 Sunset Strip

01:22

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Untouchables, Adventures in Paradise, and The FBI

10:53

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Batman

02:36

Daytime/Primetime Serials

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Peyton Place, and on ABC dealing with the advent of color

04:02

Drama Series

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and Combat

03:26

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Frank Sinatra Show

06:22

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Jerry Lewis Show, and The Hollywood Palace

05:54

Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and Combat

03:26

Sports

Thomas W. Moore on ABC's early sports programming

Thomas W. Moore on Edgar J. Scherick and Roone Arledge's role in bringing sports to ABC

08:47

Thomas W. Moore on various sports shows he programmed at ABC

05:27

Thomas W. Moore on ABC brining various sports like golf to television

03:24

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

Thomas Moore on producing The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

03:19

Western Series

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Real McCoys

02:25

People

Agnes Nixon

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Thomas W. Moore on Agnes Nixon and on daytime dramas at ABC

02:44

Barry Diller

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on the people who worked for him at ABC when he was head of programming, including Michael Eisner and Barry Diller

05:30

David Sarnoff

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on the government attempting to require public service programming on the networks, and on William S. Paley and General David Sarnoff

08:22

Dwight D. Eisenhower

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on ABC covering the 1952 conventions, and on how presidents starting with Dwight D. Eisenhower took to television

07:55

Edgar J. Scherick

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Thomas W. Moore on Edgar J. Scherick at ABC

03:27

Elizabeth Montgomery

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Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Bewitched starring Elizabeth Montgomery and The Addams Family

05:02

Elmer Lower

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on working with Elmer Lower and Elton H. Rule

02:27

Elton H. Rule

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on working with Elmer Lower and Elton H. Rule

02:27

Frank Sinatra

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Frank Sinatra Show

06:22

Frederick S. Pierce

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Thomas W. Moore on working with Frederick S. Pierce and Howard K. Smith

04:13

Howard K. Smith

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Thomas W. Moore on working with Frederick S. Pierce and Howard K. Smith

04:13

Jacques Cousteau

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Thomas W. Moore on The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, and on nonfiction programming

03:55

Jerry Lewis

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Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Jerry Lewis Show, and The Hollywood Palace produced by Nick Vanoff

05:49

Jim McKay

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Thomas Moore on the genesis of ABC's Wide World of Sports

04:55

Thomas Moore on ABC's acquisition of the Olympic games in the 1960s and 70s

01:53

John F. Kennedy

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy/Nixon debates of 1960

05:51

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy-Nixon Debates

10:10

Leonard H. Goldenson

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Thomas Moore on how ABC and Walt Disney partnered; how the Barbie doll was advertised on The Mickey Mouse Club

05:57

Thomas W. Moore on ABC chairman Leonard H. Goldenson

05:36

Marlo Thomas

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Thomas W. Moore on programming various series in the '60s, including That Girl with Marlo Thomas, and the long-running The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet with Ozzie Nelson

02:58

Michael Eisner

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Thomas W. Moore on the people who worked for him at ABC when he was head of programming, including Michael Eisner and Barry Diller

05:30

Nick Vanoff

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Jerry Lewis Show, and The Hollywood Palace produced by Nick Vanoff

05:49

Ozzie Nelson

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on programming various series in the '60s, including That Girl with Marlo Thomas, and the long-running The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet with Ozzie Nelson

02:58

Quinn Martin

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing Adventures in Paradise and The FBI produced by Quinn Martin

06:48

Richard M. Nixon

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy/Nixon debates of 1960

05:51

Thomas W. Moore on the Kennedy-Nixon Debates

10:10

Roone Arledge

View Person Page

Thomas Moore on the genesis of ABC's Wide World of Sports

04:55

Thomas Moore on the genesis of ABC's Monday Night Football

03:50

Thomas Moore on ABC's acquisition of the Olympic games in the 1960s and 70s

01:53

Truman Capote

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on working with Truman Capote on ABC Stage 67

05:53

Walt Disney

View Person Page

Thomas Moore on how ABC and Walt Disney partnered; how the Barbie doll was advertised on The Mickey Mouse Club

05:57

Thomas Moore on the business aspects of The Mickey Mouse Club

04:19

William S. Paley

View Person Page

Thomas W. Moore on the government attempting to require public service programming on the networks, and on William S. Paley and General David Sarnoff

08:22