His role as Barbara Walters’s on-air partner lasted only two years, but viewers knew him for three decades as a correspondent, anchor and TV host.
Tag Archives: National Broadcasting Co
‘American Song Contest’ Puts a Stateside Spin on Eurovision
Stars vs. hopefuls. State vs. state. Eurovision fans will recognize the format of NBC’s new original song competition. For everyone else, here’s a primer.
Farrah Forke, Who Played a Helicopter Pilot on ‘Wings,’ Dies at 54
Forke, the namesake of a not-yet-famous family friend named Farrah Fawcett, played Alex Lambert on three seasons of the popular sitcom, a fixture of the NBC schedule in the 1990s.
Review: What the Return of ‘Law and Order’ Is Missing
The show’s first episode in 12 years has the intro, the music, the dun-dun, and a couple of the old stars. But it’s missing the things that made the series essential.
What’s on TV This Week: ‘Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches’ and Awards Shows
A new documentary about Frederick Douglass debuts on HBO. And both the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards air this weekend.
Sam Waterston Is Still the Face of ‘Law & Order’
The actor originally signed on for only one season as Jack McCoy but became synonymous with the series, which returns Feb. 24. “It’s nice to come back and just witness the thing we made,” he said.
Valieva’s Competitors May Be Denied the Ultimate Olympic Thrill
Because of the doping scandal involving Kamila Valieva of Russia, her top competitors may be denied the joy of receiving a medal on the Olympic podium during the Games.
NBC Says Leslie Jones Can Keep Offering Olympics Commentary
The comedian had suggested that she was being pressured to give up her role as an armchair expert on the Games, but the network said the situation “has been resolved.”
NBC Opens Olympics With ‘Worst Hand Imaginable’
The Games are central to the network’s brand, and NBC will have to navigate complications resulting from the pandemic and politics.
The Rise and Fall of the Golden Globes
For eight decades, the awards and the organization behind them played an outsized role in Hollywood. Here’s what changed.
The Challenges of Keeping Schools Open
Readers discuss the teacher shortage and conditions in inner-city schools. Also: The nuclear threat; saving the free press; Meredith Willson.
John Madden, Football Enthusiast, Was Peerless in the Booth
He woke up each season hungry for the game, and shared his enthusiasm for it as if hosting a feast.
Will Forte Is Still Waiting for ‘MacGruber’ to Blow Up
In a new Peacock series, Forte returns as the unruly “Saturday Night Live” action hero who’s once again reckoning with bombs (including his 2010 movie).
‘Annie Live!’ Review: The Sun, as Always, Came Out
NBC’s latest live musical had some gaffes. But after another challenging year, it was a treat to watch talented people sing and dance their way through a hopeful bipartisan fable.
How to Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
This year’s parade will feature performers like Kelly Rowland and Carrie Underwood and will have 15 giant balloons and 28 floats.
Macy’s Parade Is Back This Thanksgiving, Without Kids on Floats
The tradition has been largely restored, but children under 12 years old will not be allowed in the parade — only as spectators.
The Fall TV Season Is Back, Smaller Than Ever
The broadcast networks’ premiere week returns after a pandemic hiatus. Here’s what there is to see, from a new version of “The Wonder Years” to the latest addition to the “NCIS”verse.
The Mannings Give TV Sports Yet Another Alternate Viewing Option
ESPN has the quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning. CBS has the slime and SpongeBob allure of Nickelodeon. A boxing upstart even got Trump. For viewers, it’s ever more options beyond just watching the game.
Willard Scott, Longtime ‘Today’ Weatherman, Dies at 87
Mr. Scott, who played both Bozo the Clown and the original Ronald McDonald on television, was a longtime weather forecaster on the “Today” show who emphasized showmanship over science.
William G. Clotworthy, ‘Saturday Night Live’ Censor, Dies at 95
A self-described “professional square,” he fell in love with the show, and worked with its writers to tweak questionable material. Cast members called him “Dr. No.”
Capitol Officer Defends Shooting Ashli Babbitt and Reveals His Identity
“I know that day I saved countless lives,” Lt. Michael Byrd said in an interview with NBC. He said shooting Ashli Babbitt, who smashed through a door near lawmakers, was a “last resort.”
Paralympics to Open With Empty Stands but a Bigger Stage
Television exposure and new interest from sponsors are raising hopes that the Games can build on their momentum.
Herbert Schlosser, a Force Behind ‘S.N.L.’ and ‘Laugh-In,’ Dies at 95
As a top NBC executive, he wrote a memo envisioning the show that became “Saturday Night Live.” He also helped recruit Johnny Carson and oversaw a raft of hit shows.
Belmont Odds and Picks: Who Will Win?
Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert weighed in on the contenders for the 153rd Belmont Stakes on Saturday.
A Brief History of ‘Friends’ Reunions
Ahead of Thursday’s “Friends” special on HBO Max, here are highlights from the many times the cast members demonstrated that they were clearly not on a break.
‘SNL’ Gets Ready for Elon Musk
The choice to have the Tesla and SpaceX billionaire host “S.N.L.” has drawn praise, criticism and some veiled pushback from the show’s own cast members.
‘Girls5Eva,’ ‘Rutherford Falls’ and the Nostalgia Trap
Peacock, the streaming platform, relies on must-see reminiscing in two shows that are also warnings about living in the past.
Elon Musk to Host ‘Saturday Night Live’
Musk, who runs Tesla and SpaceX, will become the rare “S.N.L.” host not from the worlds of entertainment, politics or sports.
Review: Elliot Stabler’s Return in ‘Law & Order Organized Crime’
Christopher Meloni’s signature character, and his anger-management issues, return in a new “Law & Order” series.
Dwayne Johnson Finds Room to Grow in ‘Young Rock’
The new NBC comedy, based on Johnson’s real life, chronicles him at three different ages on his journey to adulthood and stardom.
How the Pandemic Is Coming to Prime Time. (Or Not.)
As series roll out after pandemic delays, they’re trying to predict what audiences want: Television that reflects our shared Covid reality? Or that provides a distraction from it?
Jamie Tarses, Executive in a Hollywood Rise-and-Fall Story, Dies at 56
She broke barriers as a woman in the TV industry and turned out hit after hit, only to see it all fizzle under a very public spotlight.
NBCSN to Shut Down, With Sports Moving to USA and Peacock
NBCSN was the No. 2 sports channel on cable last year, but coverage of the N.H.L., the English Premier League and NASCAR is now moving to Peacock and the USA Network.
‘Mr. Mayor’ Review: A Political Comedy From Sitcom Royalty
Robert Carlock, Tina Fey and Ted Danson join forces for a show about a businessman who finds himself running a city.
Lilly Singh’s Week: Pixar’s ‘Soul’ and ’90s Bollywood
The host of “A Little Late With Lilly Singh” spends her downtime watching movies and trying to be more savvy with news sources.
What’s Next in Your Netflix Queue?
Bela Bajaria decides.
How the Networks Will Fill Airtime on a Quiet New Year’s Eve
In a typical year, shots of raucous parties from around the world dominate news programming. This year, the networks had to get more creative.
A Thanksgiving Parade, Unfazed by Snow or Wind, Takes on a Pandemic
Macy’s had to rip up its usual script and plan a new parade with the coronavirus in mind. There will be Rockettes, but don’t expect a kickline.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Revives Broadway for a Day
Among the things to be thankful for: Turkey is on the menu, your Uncle Charlie is not coming and, after a long absence, Broadway casts will be back onstage.
Al Roker, ‘Today’ Show Anchor, Reveals He Has Cancer
Mr. Roker, 66, said he learned of the cancer diagnosis after a routine medical checkup in September.
Major Networks Cut Away From Trump’s Baseless Fraud Claims
Fox News and CNN stuck with the White House news conference, but reported afterward that the president offered no evidence for his accusations of vote fraud.
Major TV Networks Cut Away From Trump’s Baseless Fraud Claims
Fox News and CNN stuck with the White House news conference, but reported afterward that the president offered no evidence for his accusations of vote fraud.
Advertisers Flock to Election Night, When Live TV Is the Main Event Again
In a media environment dominated by streaming and battered by the pandemic, companies see a rare opportunity to catch a huge audience all at once.
‘S.N.L.’ Takes on Trump and Biden’s Dueling Town Halls
“Saturday Night Live” also mocked NBC for its choice to schedule a town hall with President Trump opposite an ABC event featuring Joe Biden.
How the Internet Viewed the Presidential Town Halls
President Trump and Joe Biden answered questions from voters at the same time, on separate networks. The difference between the two events did not escape anyone’s notice.
NBC’s Savannah Guthrie Grills Trump Opposite ABC’s Sober Biden Talk
In place of a canceled debate, a pair of network prime-time town halls made for starkly contrasting telecasts.
NBC Faces Backlash Over Trump Town Hall
Rachel Maddow of MSNBC criticized the decision to air the town hall opposite ABC’s Biden forum tonight. NBC stars and producers also objected as Savannah Guthrie prepared to moderate.
Lorne Michaels on ‘S.N.L.’ in the Pandemic and Chris Rock’s Return as Host
“Saturday Night Live” returns Oct. 3 with Chris Rock as host. In an interview, Michaels, the show’s creator, talks about pandemic preparations and why “a little danger” can be good for comedy.
Networks’ Challenge: Covering a Live Convention When Falsehoods Fly
President Trump lobbed unsubstantiated claims during his Monday speech in Charlotte, N.C. TV broadcasters are trying to balance voters’ right to hear directly from their president with efforts to keep viewers informed of the facts.
The TV Divide: Convention Ratings Surge on MSNBC as Fox News Dips
Live television viewership for the Democratic National Convention fell 17.6 percent from 2016, but many Americans watched online.