Tomorrow Show Host Tom Snyder Dies at 71 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-30-2007, 09:10 AM

Link

SAN FRANCISCO - Talk show host Tom Snyder, whose smoke-filled interviews were a staple of late night television, has died after a struggle with leukemia. He was 71.

Snyder died Sunday in San Francisco from complications associated with leukemia, said his longtime producer and friend Mike Horowicz.

Known for his improvised, casual style and robust laughter, Snyder conducted a number of memorable interviews as host of NBC's "The Tomorrow Show." Among his guests were John Lennon, Charles Manson and Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols.

Snyder began his career as a radio reporter in Milwaukee in the 1960s, then moved into local television news. He anchored newscasts in Philadelphia and Los Angeles before moving to late night. He gained more fame when Dan Ackroyd lampooned him in the early days of Saturday Night Live.

In 1972, Snyder left news to host "The Tomorrow Show," which followed "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.

His catch phrase for the show was: "Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air." Snyder smoked throughout his show, the cigarette cloud swirling around him during interviews.

In 1995, he returned to late night television as the host of "The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder" on CBS. The program followed David Letterman's "Late Show" until 1998, when Snyder was replaced by Craig Kilborn.

Snyder announced on his Web site in 2005 that he had chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

"When I was a kid leukemia was a death sentence," he wrote then. "Now, my doctors say it's treatable!"

Brian Damage · 07-30-2007, 09:30 AM

To a great TV personality!

AKA · 07-30-2007, 12:17 PM

The Tomorrow Show pre-dates me (although I have seen clips of appearances by John Lennon, the original Saturday Night Live cast and "Weird Al" Yankovic), but I remember his version of The Late Late Show and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

bossradio93 · 07-30-2007, 12:30 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070730/...obit_snyder_10

Tom Snyder of 'Tomorrow Show' dies at 71

1 hour, 12 minutes ago

SAN FRANCISCO - Tom Snyder, whose smoke-filled interviews were a staple of late night television and an inspiration for Dan Aykroyd on "Saturday Night Live," has died after a struggle with leukemia. He was 71.

Snyder died Sunday in San Francisco from complications associated with leukemia, his longtime producer and friend Mike Horowicz told The Associated Press on Monday.

Known for his improvised, casual style and robust laughter, Snyder conducted a number of memorable interviews as host of NBC's "The Tomorrow Show." Among his guests were John Lennon, Charles Manson and Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols.

Snyder began his career as a radio reporter in Milwaukee in the 1960s, then moved into local television news. He anchored newscasts in Philadelphia and Los Angeles before moving to late night.

"He loved the broadcast business," said Marciarose Shestack, who co-anchored a noontime newscast with Snyder at KYW-TV in Philadelphia in the 1960s. "He was very surprising and very irreverent and not at all a typical newscaster."

In 1972, Snyder left news to host "The Tomorrow Show," which followed "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.

His catch phrase for the show was: "Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air." Snyder smoked throughout his show, the cigarette cloud swirling around him during interviews.

He gained more fame when Ackroyd lampooned him in the early days of "Saturday Night Live."

In 1995, he returned to late night television as the host of "The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder" on CBS. The program followed David Letterman's "Late Show" until 1998, when Snyder was replaced by Craig Kilborn.

Snyder announced on his Web site in 2005 that he had chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

"When I was a kid leukemia was a death sentence," he wrote then. "Now, my doctors say it's treatable!"

Horowicz met Snyder in 1982 and worked with him at WABC in New York before producing the "Tom Snyder" television show.

"He was a great guy and very talented," Horowicz said.

(This version CORRECTS spelling of Aykroyd.)

Yahoo! News/AP-July 30, 2007

Snyder also worked as a news anchor at KTLA Channel 5 in the 1960s, KNBC Channel 4 in the 1970s and at KABC-TV Channel 7 in the 1980s.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA

The Tomorrow Show pre-dates me (although I have seen clips of appearances by John Lennon, the original Saturday Night Live cast and "Weird Al" Yankovic), but I remember his version of The Late Late Show and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

The Tomorrow Show on NBC ran from October 15, 1973 to January 28, 1982 and aired at around 1:00am after The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson when Johnny's show lasted 90 minutes until 1980 when it was shortened to 60 minutes while Tomorrow expanded to 90 minutes and aired a half-hour earlier at 12:30am.

Mikado · 07-30-2007, 01:23 PM

The Tomorrow Show was easily my favorite talk show in the day...I never much cared for Carson, but, Id often watch him while waiting for Tom. Tomorrow often featured really weird and quirky guests that wouldnt have been likely to be invited by a show with an earlier time-slot. The one that comes readilly to mind is also the weirdest, litterally a man who had kept his mother's body in his basement freezer after her death! He was some kind of a spiritualist and claimed that he had to keep her in the freezer a certaihn amount of time, until the day he would bring her back to life......somehow!
( I know, it sounds like im making this up but, Im sure someone else remembers this particular show, it was just too creepy to forget! )

Scoobiedoo30 · 07-30-2007, 05:50 PM

Rest in Peace Tom

Skywalker · 07-30-2007, 06:15 PM

Wow, this is such a shock. I used to watch the Late Late show once in a while when he was the host, I even taped his final episode.

R.I.P. Tom.

Sophie Treadmill · 07-30-2007, 06:29 PM

I was so sad to hear of his passing. He was my favorite late night host and I still miss his show. I didn't see the Tomorrow Show, but I used to watch the Late Show in college and that's how I discovered him.

RIP, Tom. You are missed.

Mr. Television · 07-30-2007, 06:42 PM

Very sad...he seemed like a nice guy. I remember the Tomorrow Show although I barely ever watched it. R.I.P. Tom.

snl 70s show fan · 07-30-2007, 06:49 PM

he was one of my all time fave talk show hosts i use to watch the tomorrow show on nights when i didnt have school the next day and esp in the summertime he was always quite entertaining even if the guest was a bore tom always seemed so excited about interviewing said guest that he made almost any interview worth watching even in later years on the late late show he hadn;t lost his magic so long tom thanks for all the great times we had watching you we will miss you

Zoneboy · 07-30-2007, 09:33 PM

Oddly enough, 3 people associated with NBC have died in the last 2 days, Tom Snyder, Bill Walsh and I just found out about another.

Eric Wishnie

Dynomite · 07-30-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Oddly enough, 3 people associated with NBC have died in the last 2 days, Tom Snyder, Bill Walsh and I just found out about another.

Eric Wishnie

That's real tragic, but if you're talking about people associated with NBC that have passed away this year, so far, and I'm not sure if you'll include network promo announcers, that number would be four. Here's the link:

http://www.voicehunter.com/chuck.htm

Zoneboy · 07-30-2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynomite

That's real tragic, but if you're talking about people associated with NBC that have passed away this year, so far, and I'm not sure if you'll include network promo announcers, that number would be four. Here's the link:

http://www.voicehunter.com/chuck.htm

Thanks, Dynomite.

Ireneparalegal · 07-30-2007, 10:12 PM

I was shocked when I seen the news early this morning and heard the news of Tom's death.

I loved his show. He was awesome. He had some great guests. I also liked when Dan Akroyd imitated him on Saturday Night Live.

He did Tom so well. I laugh just thinking abt it.

REST IN PEACE TOM AND THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

Sophie Treadmill · 07-30-2007, 10:33 PM

I'd forgotten about Ackroyd's impression!

Ingmar Bergman also passed away today. So I guess the three are Bergman, Snyder, and Bill Walsh.

07-30-2007, 09:10 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,433	Tomorrow Show Host Tom Snyder Dies at 71 Link SAN FRANCISCO - Talk show host Tom Snyder, whose smoke-filled interviews were a staple of late night television, has died after a struggle with leukemia. He was 71. Snyder died Sunday in San Francisco from complications associated with leukemia, said his longtime producer and friend Mike Horowicz. Known for his improvised, casual style and robust laughter, Snyder conducted a number of memorable interviews as host of NBC's "The Tomorrow Show." Among his guests were John Lennon, Charles Manson and Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols. Snyder began his career as a radio reporter in Milwaukee in the 1960s, then moved into local television news. He anchored newscasts in Philadelphia and Los Angeles before moving to late night. He gained more fame when Dan Ackroyd lampooned him in the early days of Saturday Night Live. In 1972, Snyder left news to host "The Tomorrow Show," which followed "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. His catch phrase for the show was: "Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air." Snyder smoked throughout his show, the cigarette cloud swirling around him during interviews. In 1995, he returned to late night television as the host of "The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder" on CBS. The program followed David Letterman's "Late Show" until 1998, when Snyder was replaced by Craig Kilborn. Snyder announced on his Web site in 2005 that he had chronic lymphocytic leukemia. "When I was a kid leukemia was a death sentence," he wrote then. "Now, my doctors say it's treatable!"
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

07-30-2007, 09:30 AM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	To a great TV personality!
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-30-2007, 05:50 PM	#6
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Rest in Peace Tom
	__________________ Who Dat

07-30-2007, 06:42 PM	#9
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Very sad...he seemed like a nice guy. I remember the Tomorrow Show although I barely ever watched it. R.I.P. Tom.
	__________________ Sonny

07-30-2007, 10:12 PM	#14
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I was shocked when I seen the news early this morning and heard the news of Tom's death. I loved his show. He was awesome. He had some great guests. I also liked when Dan Akroyd imitated him on Saturday Night Live. He did Tom so well. I laugh just thinking abt it. REST IN PEACE TOM AND THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

07-30-2007, 12:17 PM	#3
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	The Tomorrow Show pre-dates me (although I have seen clips of appearances by John Lennon, the original Saturday Night Live cast and "Weird Al" Yankovic), but I remember his version of The Late Late Show and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

07-30-2007, 01:23 PM	#5
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	The Tomorrow Show was easily my favorite talk show in the day...I never much cared for Carson, but, Id often watch him while waiting for Tom. Tomorrow often featured really weird and quirky guests that wouldnt have been likely to be invited by a show with an earlier time-slot. The one that comes readilly to mind is also the weirdest, litterally a man who had kept his mother's body in his basement freezer after her death! He was some kind of a spiritualist and claimed that he had to keep her in the freezer a certaihn amount of time, until the day he would bring her back to life......somehow! ( I know, it sounds like im making this up but, Im sure someone else remembers this particular show, it was just too creepy to forget! )

07-30-2007, 06:15 PM	#7
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	Wow, this is such a shock. I used to watch the Late Late show once in a while when he was the host, I even taped his final episode. R.I.P. Tom.

07-30-2007, 06:29 PM	#8
Sophie Treadmill Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 19, 2007 Location: Stars Hollow, CT Posts: 162	I was so sad to hear of his passing. He was my favorite late night host and I still miss his show. I didn't see the Tomorrow Show, but I used to watch the Late Show in college and that's how I discovered him. RIP, Tom. You are missed.

07-30-2007, 06:49 PM	#10
snl 70s show fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2005 Location: in the forman basment Posts: 2,454	he was one of my all time fave talk show hosts i use to watch the tomorrow show on nights when i didnt have school the next day and esp in the summertime he was always quite entertaining even if the guest was a bore tom always seemed so excited about interviewing said guest that he made almost any interview worth watching even in later years on the late late show he hadn;t lost his magic so long tom thanks for all the great times we had watching you we will miss you

07-30-2007, 09:33 PM	#11
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,433	Oddly enough, 3 people associated with NBC have died in the last 2 days, Tom Snyder, Bill Walsh and I just found out about another. Eric Wishnie

07-30-2007, 10:33 PM	#15
Sophie Treadmill Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 19, 2007 Location: Stars Hollow, CT Posts: 162	I'd forgotten about Ackroyd's impression! Ingmar Bergman also passed away today. So I guess the three are Bergman, Snyder, and Bill Walsh.