A Requiem for NBC Burbank
On January 6, 2014
- TV History
A Bitter-Sweet Remembrance…NBC Burbank
Our friend Richard Wirth has posted a new article on a place where he once worked. Here’s the latest on the demise of this once “proud as a peacock” property and an in depth look back at it’s place in broadcast history.
http://provideocoalition.com/pvcexclusive/story/the-demise-of-nbc-burbank
In 1982, I began what was to become one of the most favorite periods of my life. I was hired at NBC in Burbank, California. It wasn’t the most prestigious position nor was it the best job I would ever have. But it was the best place I would ever work.
I also was fortunate to have visited the site in the ’60s. The tour that I took was special, as I was the only one taking the tour. The guide took me places no other tour went. When the tour was over, the guide asked if there was anywhere else I would like to see. Since Laugh-in was a closed set, I asked if we could visit there, and was guided there. After being there for a while, he had to go start another tour, and asked if I could find my way out, I and told him it would be no problem. While there I met the entire cast, and had a great time.
Since this was the ’60s, nobody had stinkin’ badges, and I returned on my own, and just acted like I knew what I was doing, and went back to the Laugh-in set, and spend a few more hours watching and visiting. It was a great experience.
It wasn’t until the mid ’80s that I actually got into TV broadcasting, having spent my early years in mainframe computers. Now semi-retired from Sony Broadcast and Professional Products support engineering, San Jose, CA, which was the best job I ever had.
Even not having worked there, It’s got sentimental value to me just from the visits. Hate to see it go.
Richard Wirth as in Dick Wirth? I worked with a Dick Wirth at Burbank in the 80’s. Richard is that you? Contact me if so. NBC Burbank was and always will be a special place. Where else could you work where one minute you’re answering a hallway phone, and the next you’re shaking Bob Hope’s hand. One minute you’re assisting talent with their dressing rooms, and then you become George Burns best friend and he searches you out whenever he visits the lot. Or having Billy Crystal walk by you at the stage door over and over again and each time he says “you do, you look marvelous! Yes you do!”. Or watch Tonight Show rehearsals with Ray Charles. Or have Ed McMahon stop you in the hallway for a catch up! Or be refused admittance to a “closed” set for the first time ever! Yes the Sinatra Special was the tightest security ever. NBC Burbank is in a class by itself when it comes to video production and broadcasting history. I feel very lucky to have been a part of it.
Nice to know we were a small part of it! Time marches on!
Very nicely written! Great photos too.
This is a wonderfully done post… Kudos to Richard Wirth!
Thanks for sharing all this, there are wonderful clips and interviews from back in the day. I really enjoyed looking through, and will go back again to see all. There is a great clip of Steve Lawrence and Sammy Davis Jr. at an awards show singing about all the great songs NOT nominated, very funny, and behind the scenes from a Johnny Carson’s Tonight show.
I still laugh when I recall the week I spent in Burbank with Late Night with David Letterman. The Letterman program was about as laid back as a network show could be. Letterman never rehearsed, he sat at his home base desk and chatted with staff. Letterman always played off what most would consider sloppy production, mistakes made for belly laughs. The writers would come up with silly skits, the crew would run cables all over the lot, then the writers would change everything…crews were constantly re-routing cables. I was used to the above, but the Burbank crew members were shocked because it all seemed so crazy. By the way, just about every Burbank studio engineer put in a request to work on the show.
Been here most of my life. 36 years. Still here. Was here for the Dean Martin show. Worked snake when I started on Midnight Special. Was here when they’d load a new show into a stage at midnight for the next day. Then change that stage again 48 hours later for another show. Now there are tumble weeds rolling in the hallways. An adjustment of the great article, Access will still be at 3000 Alameda till 2015. As will I.
I was a production assistant in the late 70’s and on into the 80’s. I worked on many shows at NBC….there was the short-lived Billy Crystal Show, a couple of Bob Hope specials, a David Copperfield special, etc. but the most memorable was a show with Sinatra. Security was super-tight for that one. It was a great place to be then.
I am fortunate to have visited and toured both Johnny Carson`s desk Jay Leno desk and Good Ole Salem set
Fortunately, I was able to see Laugh In and the Andy Williams Show, and later I was in the control room for a taping of Carson. Sad to see it go.
I regret never getting to see it in person.