NBC

Dean Martin loved to play golf. His favorite "track" was Riviera in Los Angeles. NBC Pages, all of us college grads, were a very talented bunch. Bob Chic, a Page, one of my buddies, worked with me on the Martin Show. Greg Garrison, the producer/director of the Show found out Bob was a "scratch" golfer. Chic moved quick from NBC Page to Dean's golfing group, then on to become a State Manager for later shows and Dean Martin Roasts. Chic was a super guy and in this video, his girlfriend and "Golddigger" blows her line, Dean had fun w/it, they left it in show. NBC Page Flashback! Have not seen Don/Andy's Brother since 1970. Worked with him on the Andy Williams Show. Thrill to ride and play 18 holes at Laquinta CC, w/him. At 90 he's still makes great putts and his short game is dynamite. Talked about his Riviera playing days w/Dino. My new best friend! My KNBC and NBC Burbank News Dept Days were great but not as exciting as working on many shows like Laugh In, Andy Williams Show, Tonight Show, Hollywood Squares, Bob Hope and meeting all of the great talent from Producers down to talent. My most memorable moments were "con-ing" my way has the head page on the Dean Martin Show. I stood probably 3 feet max from Dino ushering in the talent on and off stage. Even took a sip out of his Daniels and water, those were the days. 1969 and 70. Ex-Ram Danny Villenueva was our weekend sportsguy in the early 70's. Three pages had graduated from guest relations and all of us picked the Newsroom at KNBC. Months later, Danny had a heart attack, and we, three former Pages, got a "shot" at auditioning for the weekend sports job. We sought advice from Brokaw, and Porter, they were supportive, but it was 1972 and hiring practices changed. So they sought out a writer from the local minority news paper. He got the job, they trained him, guess who? This page has inspired me to write down all of the people I came in contact w/during my KNBC and NBC Burbank days, back in the day. Working the "Artist Entrance" I'm sure brings back lots of stories. Amazing how much talent we came across, how envious we were about friends in the "other" building. You know the building were all the high paid "muckitimuks" worked. Wishing some day we wound up making the same big bucks! Memories, hopefully all of you went on to bigger and better things. First day as a Page....Artist Entrance, one of the most beautiful women in the world, Elke Summer, asks me directions for Dean Martin Show makeup dept. Minutes later in walks Tony Bennett, needs help w/his bags for that nite's appearance on Carson's Tonight Show. Lead him to his dressing room, he slips 50 bucks in my pocket, refuses to take it back! Not bad for my first day as an NBC Page in "Beautiful Downtown Burbank!" The Big Bang! How I became an NBC Page. I met John Roland at a Long Beach State SAE frat paty. After graduation, Roland landed a job w/KNBC as a newswriter/assignment editor. I begged John to get me an intv at NBC. Roland sets me up w/Stan Zieve, camera dept, my NBC adventure begins. Stan asks if I can ride a Harley. "Sure," (Pure BS, never, ever, been on a motor bike) Stan continues,..."We pick up Viet Nam film at LAX on the tarmac via United Airlines from Hong Kong and rush it back to Burbank for the 5 O'clock News. That's it, can you handle it?" "Sure," (I say to myself) I'll do anything to get my foot in door. Stan, "Duffy, our senior messenger, will take you out on the back lot, show you the Harley, ride it and we'll talk about the job later." I find "Duffy" he shows me how to start the bike, I board the Harley, decked out in a coat and tie, Duffy says "follow me," he "scoots" through the back News lot, Anchors, reporters, newswriters etc. have their cars parked along side the building. I mount the bike, rev up the handlebar accelerator, something goes wrong, the bike flys from under me. It's airborne, headed for Duffy. On the way the Harley hits several of the newstaff cars, wrecks the Harley, Duffy survives. (to be continued). The truth, how many Pages got their shoes shined by our resident Floyd the shoeshine man who was planted next to the Artist Entrance? He shined many a stars shoes. Previously on "NBC Pages." Colonna BS's his way into job at NBC. Crashes a Harley in the back lot....Duffy survives. Fade in.. Duffy marches me back to Stans office. My shorts were "moist," Stan, "Mike your driving a car until the bike is repaired." Next day News Flash, Duffy, on a film pickup goes down on the Harbor Frwy, spins atop his bike and lives to tell about it. A week later my Harley's ready. By now, the newsroom's heard about this "poor schmuck" who "BS'd" his way into NBC for a job, wrecks cars in the back lot. Back to Stan's office, "Stan, I can't do this, help me find a job here at NBC. "Begging" was the word. He calls Jay Michels in Guest Relations. Michels, hear's the story and hits the floor laughing. You start tomorrow, get down to Academy Clothes, get a NBC Blazer, you are now an NBC Page! I love Stan Zieve! "Let's Make A Deal." Ran into some of my "old" Sigma Chi Bros from the late 60's, we reminiced about the time I got them tickets for the Monty Hall show. The scene, four Pages managed the wild costumed throng outside Studio A, begging to win prizes on the show. My Frat Bros asked, "How do you get picked? "Act crazy." Sure enough, two were picked, they got lucky, picking the right doors. Trip to Hawaii, and a color TV. Memories are made of this. "Days of our Lives" "Like the Sands Through the Hour Glass, so are the Days of Our Lives." The first week of Artist Entrance duties was like hanging out like the "paparazzi" waiting for stars at Grauman's Chinese walking the Red Carpet. Beside, John Wayne, James Garner, Jack Benny, George Burns, one of my mom's favorites, McDonald Carrey stopped by, said hi, introduced himself, then made a right turn into the hallway bordering Studio's A and B. Needless to say Vittoria Colonna was thrilled that I met one of her favorite actors. "Hollywood Squares" Always fun to work with the producers of "Squares." John Alisi was the guy we worked with, and mingling with Zsa Zsa, Phyllis Diller, Charlie Weaver and host Peter Marshall was lot's of fun. Paul Lynde was the craziest guy and his one liners were a "crackup." A few years ago, I bumped into Peter Marshall at a fund raiser. Marshall, in his early 80's is still a feisty soul, and during his performance he introduced me as one of the NBC Pages that worked "Squares." The self serving "rascal" commented, "doesn't Mike look older than me?" Yea sure Pete, I don't use black dye on my hair! Tom Dreesen “Only a guy who traveled with Sinatra for 14 years and stood in the wings watching him work his magic night after night to packed houses could pull off a show like this.” Frank Sinatra once told an audience, “If I’m a saloon singer, then Tom Dreesen is a saloon comedian.” “By that”, he explained, “we’re both a couple of neighborhood guys.” For 13 years Tom opened for Frank Sinatra and together they toured 45 to 50 cities annually at some of the greatest venues in America. During that time, Tom once said in a Los Angeles Times interview, “As a kid growing up in Harvey, Illinois I used to shine shoes in the neighborhood taverns, listening to Frank Sinatra on the jukebox singing, “Come Fly With Me”. Now, I’m flying with Frank Sinatra on his private jet all over the country.” It was a marvelous run for Tom, and on May 20th, 1998, he paid his final and ultimate tribute to Mr.”S ” by eulogizing him and serving as pallbearer at his funeral in Beverly Hills. -----Original Message----- From: Mike Colonna To: bestbeachbuys Sent: Tue, Jul 23, 2013 7:28 pm Subject: whitey The Apple Machine....And Elvis...1966 was my first year as an NBC Page. After a year I got promoted to NBC and KNBC News. On the first floor, below our news room, stood the infamous Apple Machine. One night, in 1968 I was on my way to the KNBC News Studio with late script changes. Standing at the Apple Machine in a tight black leather outfit, trying to figure out where to deposit his dime was Elvis Presley. I showed Elvis where to deposit the coin, he bought me an apple, we walked to the News Studio where I introduced him to Tom Brokaw. A regular guy taping his one man show. Elvis wanted an apple during a rehearsal break. I was all "shook up!" http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/elvis-presley/1968/nbc-studios-burbank-ca-43df2f37.html The Pat Boone Show.... Second or third month as an NBC Page, got assigned as CB or head Page on the Boone Show. Lot's of laughs, that's when George Carlin was decked out in a suit, "The Hippy Dippy Weatherman" was his best skit. The daytime Boone Show lasted a few seasons. I would make sure the Boone Family got reserved seats, it's kind of funny remembering little Debby Boone, maybe 10 years old, now doing face lift commericals. Around Christmas, most of the stars that had shows would give the CB's a special present, Pat gave me a tin of caramel popcorn. Joe Spina, his agent, kinda embarrased slipped me a 100 Bill. "Merry Christmas." The Bob Hope Chrysler Comedy Special. Late 60's I was assigned to work the Hope Show. Every big time comedian, was booked. Jonathan Winters, Don Adams, Schecky Green, Phyliss Diller, and at least another 10 comics. I was in awe of just being in the same room (Studio B The Tonight Show) w/these comedic greats. During a rehearsal break, (no audience) I was standing nearby, I heard belly laughs. I look over to stage left, the comics were in a circle around one small, diminutive individual, laughing their "fanny's" off....the little guy kept peppering each comic w/a one liner insult, this went on for a least an hour. The comics were choking with laughter. This guy was king, he had them in palm of his hand. He was their idol. I'll never forget this moment and Don Rickles! The Lone Ranger will be released this week. Memories of meeting Clayton Moore, when we were kids at Chicago's westside Goldblatt's, will never be forgotten. Still the Greatest Lone Ranger! On a 1969 episode of "The Johnny Carson Show, Johnny did a sketch in which he interviewed Jay Silverheels, Tonto, on the Lone Ranger TV series in character, for a new job at NBC. "I work 30 years as faithful sidekick for kemosabe,' Silverheels tells Carson, "Hunt, fish, make food sew clothes, sweep up, stay awake all night, listen for enemies for kemosabe. Risk life for kemosabe. Thirty lousy years." When Carson wonders why Tonto's former employer let him go, the once faithful sidekick replies, "Him find out what kemosabe mean." (Almost positive this episode was taped in Burbank) Milton Berle... As kids, growing up in Chicago, our favorite celebrities were Martin and Lewis, Abbot and Costello, Ed Sullivan. We loved, Milton's had a weekly Comedy Show, (In NY Greg Garrison was one of the shows directors.) The show would begin with the famous Texaco men singing "We're the men from Texaco......" Then Berle would come out and do his crazy "schitck" zany stuff. Before I entered "Pagedom" in Burbank, On a flight back to L.A., bumped into Uncle Miltie smoking cigar in the back of the plane. I told him about watching his show as a kid, told him my favorite line was, before it came out of my mouth, Berle hits me w/ "I'll kill (kewuu) you a (miwwilion) million times." He loved it. Years later working at the Artist Entrance, Uncle Miltie walks through the doors, comes up to the desk and asks where's his dressing room for the Bob Hope Special? "Mr. Berle, you don't remember me but I met you on a plane about 5 years ago," without skipping a beat he said "I'll kill you a million times." We laughed, I proceeded to tell him how to get to Studio 2. The Tonight Show Johnny Carson, a comedic genious, and Ed McMahon America's favorite pitchman dominated late television for decades. One night we were assigned different locations, making sure the audience, producers and talent received first class treatment. I was back stage, behind Carsons famous set. Johnny takes it to a commercial, Ed McMahon rushes back stage, prepares to greet Hernandez the Springer Spanial with a dog bowl filled w/Alpo. Turns out Hernandez, has been replaced. The new dog had stage fright, won't eat out of the bowl, Ed, doesn't miss a beat, still pitching away. Now the fun starts, Johnny, leaves his set, crawls into picture on all fours, starts eating out of the dog bowl. McMahon is in stiches, the audience is hysterical, Carson is wagging and panting. McMahon pets Johnny on the head, a wild end to an live commercial. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ed+mcmahon+alpo+commercial+1967&mid=24E87809A8667F25474A24E87809A8667F25474A&view=detail&FORM=VIRE3 Tags:alpo, Billy Mays, Ed McMahon, johnny carson, pitchman, the tonight show Another of my all-time favorite pitchmen also died recently: Ed McMahon. In various remembrances McMahon has received lots of well-deserved praise for his skill in understanding what made a second-banana top dog. But it was McMahon’s skill as a pitchman, particularly for Alpo by CouponDropDown" id="_GPLITA_1" style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/2009/07/funny-story-about-one-of-tvs-all-time-great-pitchman.php#" in_rurl="http://i.trkjmp.com/click?v=VVM6MjY3MTk6MTMwNDpkb2cgZm9vZDo0YzM4MWJkNGI5NWM4OTk2ZTEzYzFjMGQxZTA3ODAwODp6LTE0OTUtMTY4MjM1Ond3dy50dndlZWsuY29tOjE3MTg1OmY3NWZiYzFhYmE2MjJjYTJkZTg2MjE3ODMzMjEyY2Yy"dog food, that I’ll most fondly remember about him. What made the Alpo commercials that he did on the ”Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" special is that they were done live…and later, live-on-tape. Here’s my favorite one. I don’t’ recall if I saw it live or in highlight reel. But I do remember seeing it. My memory is enhanced by Ed’s recounting of this particular live commercial in his 1998 memoir “For Laughing Out Loud.” One day, for a reason no one recalls, the dog that usually appeared in the commercial with McMahon had the night off. A substitute dog, a beagle named Hernandez, was filling in. As was his wont, when the commercial began McMahon was sitting on a chair on a raised platform, holding a can of Alpo and said: “Alpo is the only one of the leading by CouponDropDown" id="_GPLITA_0" style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/2009/07/funny-story-about-one-of-tvs-all-time-great-pitchman.php#" in_rurl="http://i.trkjmp.com/click?v=VVM6MjE4NTc6MTg6ZG9nIGZvb2RzOjg4N2ZkNjJlMTk2Y2JjYmQ0Y2Y4NDE4MzNhYWE3OWFiOnotMTQ5NS0xNjgyMzU6d3d3LnR2d2Vlay5jb206MDow"dog foods that has real beef…..” That was the cue for Hernandez to walk out on stage. But, as McMahon quickly surmised, Hernandez had stage fright. He’d take a few steps toward Ed and turn away. No amount of coxing by McMahon could convince the dog to make it out to where Ed was sitting and the bowl of Alpo by CouponDropDown" id="_GPLITA_3" style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/2009/07/funny-story-about-one-of-tvs-all-time-great-pitchman.php#" in_rurl="http://i.trkjmp.com/click?v=VVM6MzY0OTI6NjpuZXh0OmI5ZWJkMGNmZDFkMzQyYmRhNDE5ODg3Nzg3NTNlMmUzOnotMTQ5NS0xNjgyMzU6d3d3LnR2d2Vlay5jb206NDEwMTQ6ZGEwZDA1NjVjNThjN2Q2OTRlZGE3MjBhN2RhMjBhNmY" in_hdr=""next to him I’ll let Ed tell it from here: “And then I saw Johnny come into my little commercial area. He got down on his hands and knees and came over to me. “Come right up, nice Hernandez,” I said as I started to pet Johnny. Nice boss, I was thinking as I pet him on the head, nice boss. By this point the audience was hysterical. Carson wagged his rump to show how much he loved Alpo. I just kept going. I was going to get my commercial done. “The next time you’re looking at by CouponDropDown" id="_GPLITA_2" style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/2009/07/funny-story-about-one-of-tvs-all-time-great-pitchman.php#" in_rurl="http://i.trkjmp.com/click?v=VVM6MzA1MTY6MTMwNDpjYW5uZWQgZG9nIGZvb2Q6MDNjYTM4NjRkNWJmNzNkNGM5ZjM1OTcwMmZmNmJkZmU6ei0xNDk1LTE2ODIzNTp3d3cudHZ3ZWVrLmNvbToyNzEyMjozYTJmZDZkYTJiNjViYTVhNDQwNWRiNDVkMGQ2MjNhZg"canned dog food …” –he rubbed his cheek against my leg --- “…… nice Hernandez ….reach for the can that contains real beef….” Johnny got up on his knees and started begging for more. I started petting him again … and then he licked my hand. Good boss, good. "And I still managed to conclude, gratefully, “And doesn’t your dog deserve Alpo?”# q=ed+mcmahon+alpo+commercial+1967&mid=24E87809A8667F25474A24E87809A8667F25474A&view=detail&FORM=VIRE3 http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ed+mcmahon+alpo+commercial+1967&mid=24E87809A8667F25474A24E87809A8667F25474A&view=detail&FORM=VIRE3 www.BellagioBlog.com www.MikesMunchies.com www.SizzleFlix.com www.InstantMLS.com DRE#00407190 Kezy Beans Reardon Whitey Matteo Attorney Montreal Lighter Monte Carlo Wuersteiner Sinatra Concerts Barbara Car Mom Train Caboose Colgate Comedy Hour revival (pre-empting The Dean Martin Show, which Colgate sponsored at the time), with guests Nanette Fabray, Kaye Ballard, Edie Adams, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks [performing one of their "2000 Year Old Man" routines], Phyllis Diller, Bob Newhart, Nipsey Russell, and Dan Rowan & Dick Martin. The special also served as a television pilot for a possible revival of the series, which never happened. (Courtesy of Wikepedia) I was the CB on that show....during rehearsals, sitting under the phone in the small hallway( studio D), I had slipped in to watch Brooks and Reiner's "2000 Year Old Man" sketch. Went back to my station, sat down, Reiner and Brooks enter my space, one on each side of me, and refine their "ad libs" using me as a soundboard. Didn't know wether to laugh, cry, or wet my shorts, but what an experience. Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. The late great Whitey Littlefield was Frank Sinatra's right hand man. He managed Frank's Budweiser Distributorship in Long Beach, arranged for contractors to work on Frank's Beverly Hills and Rancho Mirage home, a jack of all trades. I met Whitey, after leaving NBC, during the early days of the Sinatra Budweiser ownership we became great friends. Together with Johnny Morris, owner of Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach we lunched often with Sinatra's attorney's Sonny Golden, and Mickey Ruden. "Schmoozing" in the Legends back booth BS'ing about Sinatra, Dino, Sammy, "broads" and "booze." Living Franks life vicariously through Whitey. Needless to say, Whitey made sure we had front row seats for all of Sinatra's SoCal concerts. Lot's of stories to post. Hopefully, we don't get to boring. Joey Bishop was one of my favorite "Rat Pack" guys. Met him, before he passed away, at a Charity Golf Tournament for St. Bonaventure Grammar School. The post game dinner at Seacliff CC in Huntington Beach was packed. I looked around the room and there was Joey sitting at a table, not sure if the guys sitting w/ him new the charisma this guy had, my first reaction was to meet him. I went to his table sat next to this legend and reminisced about his days with the Rat Pack. It was like talking to a family member. He loved Frank, Dean, and Sammy. As we all do. A Jew at a Catholic Golf Tournament, go figure! One of my favorite gumba's is one of my Facebook buddies, Vic Damone. Not sure how he's doing but I've always loved his demeanor and voice. Plus he's Italian. One Sunday he and Allen Sherman did the Dean Martin Show. It was a funny sketch. Hope you like it. As an NBC Page, working the guest lineup, standing between Deans makeup and cue card guy, Dean would tell his jokes, looking over at us to see if we were "cracking up." We were. One of the first Dean Martin Shows I worked on, a thrill to be standing three feet from my boyhood idol. Singing Country Molly Bee Eddie Fisher Joey Heatherton Les Brown Greg Garrison Rowan and Martin Andy Williams