TV Host Tom Snyder Native Milwaukee Dies
Late night TV talk show host Tom Snyder who pioneered this style of journalism as passed away at the age of 71 years old from complications of leukemia in San Francisco on Sunday. He was known for having just one guest and talking with them in depth for the whole time with his signature cigarette smoke in the background.
As the host of NBC’s “Tomorrow, which followed the Tonight show from 1973 to ‘82, Mr. Snyder was fortunte to conducted numerous memorable interviews. For us music lovers he conducted John Lennon’s final televised interview in April 1975 and U2’s first U.S. television appearance in June 1981. Or who could forget his wild interview with Wendy O Williams of the famed punk group, one appearance she blew up a TV in the studio, and another appearance she demolished a car.
One of his most famous interviews came when he talked with Charles Manson. This was something I later studied in a Journalism class. You could see the way he weaved his way through the various sides of this person, without judging or losing his cool.
I remember watching his shows, one person sitting in this very plain studio, was such a departure from the glitz of the Tonight Show, thinking the network gave him a raw deal. Later I learned that it was the way he like it. Just plain and simple.
Later in 1982 the network decided to revamp it bringing in a studio audience and adding a co-host, but that he would have none of the glitz. Instead walked away at the height of his success and an unknown young comedian named David Letterman. Never forgetting what Mr. Snyder did for him, Letterman brought him back to create and host of The Late Late Show.
In 2005 on his website Mr. Snyder announced that he had chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
He is survived by his daughter and longtime girlfriend.
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