First Ever “TODAY” Promo, Live With Fred Allen & Dave Garroway

In preparation for a new era of television, the full staff of the new “TODAY” show began reporting to work at 4 AM, Monday January 2, 1952, to get them acclimated to their new early morning schedules, two weeks prior to the January 14th debut. This sketch/promo aired at the end of that first early rising week, on Friday night, the 6th.

This is also a rare look at “Sound Off”, a show that had rotating hosts that included not only radio star Fred Allen, seen here, but Bob Hope and Jerry Lester as well. The show only aired for a few months, and this is one of the last episodes. The announcer is Dick Stark.

I think this show came from NBC’s Uptown studios at 106 Street. Notice in the front of the gag, CBS gets dished and the “NBC Man” is called Mr. Weaver, a poke at NBC program head Pat Weaver, who of course was the creator of “Today”, “Tonight” and much more. -Bobby Ellerbee

Source