Hugh Downs on the Unpredictability of Jack Paar
Original Airdates: July 10-12, 2020
TVC 500.1: From September 2013: Broadcast legend Hugh Downs talks to Ed and Phil Gries about his years as announcer/sidekick on The Jack Paar Tonight Show (NBC, 1957-1962), including the night of Feb. 10, 1960, when Downs found himself suddenly filling in as host after Paar walked off the set of The Tonight Show seven minutes into the broadcast to protest NBC’s decision to censor an on-air joke Paar had told the night before concerning a water closet. This segment includes audio highlights from the Feb. 10, 1960 Tonight Show broadcast, a clip from Downs’ 1953 interview with Frank Lloyd Wright for the NBC program Wisdom, and a remembrance of Downs from author Steven Taibbi. Hugh Downs passed away on July 1, 2020 at age 99.
Hugh Downs, Rita Hayworth, Ike, and Bobby Fischer
Original Airdates: July 10-12, 2020
TVC 500.6: From September 2013: Broadcast legend Hugh Downs talks to Ed and Phil Gries about his interviews with President Dwight D. Eisenhower and chess champion Bobby Fischer for the Today Show, as well as the night he felt genuinely starstruck in the presence of Rita Hayworth when he interviewed her on The Tonight Show. This segment includes a brief clip from Downs’ Tonight Show interview with Hayworth on Aug. 17, 1962. Hugh Downs passed away on July 1, 2020 at age 99.
Coda to Hugh Downs
Original Airdates: July 10-12, 2020
TVC 500.7: Some final thoughts on the passing of Hugh Downs, including a tribute posted via Facebook by Patty Duke biographer Bill Jankowski about Downs’ Emmy Award-winning 1989 interview with Duke on 20/20.
Finally, this week marking the 500th edition of TV Confidential, let me take this opportunity to thank the many people who help make this show possible every week, including our four regular on-air contributors—Tony, Donna, Phil, and Greg—as well as our guests, commentators, sponsors, Patreon patrons, Confidants, and the many other people behind the scenes who contribute to our show in ways large and small, known and unknown. Our thanks also to our affiliate stations for carrying us, and to you, our audience, not only for listening to us, but for emailing us, Tweeting us, posting comments on our Facebook page, providing feedback and suggestions, and for continuing to show your interest and support of this program. We appreciate your making TV Confidential part of your life, and we look forward to spending more time with you in the weeks and months ahead.
