Monday, July 30, 2007

News: Former NBC Talk Show Host Dead at Age 71

Sad to report that former TV show host Tom Snyder died Sunday in San Francisco from complications associated with leukemia which he announced in 2005.

Snyder was not your typical broadcaster....and usually smoked cigarettes during his interviews. But, he was polished and a great interviewer.

He left "The Tomorrow Show" which followed "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" on NBC and WKYC in 1982. (He was host from 1973 to 1982).

In 1978, Tom brought his show to town with then Mayor Dennis Kucinich over breakfast at Tony's Diner at W. 117th & Lorain Avenue.

He then returned to late night television on CBS with the "Late, Late Show" following David Letterman more than 20 years later. Tom was eventually replaced by Craig Kilborn on that show.

Tom held a brief stint as an anchor at KYW-TV in Cleveland, currently WKYC, at age 29.

Known for his improvised and relaxed style and hardy laughs, Snyder did a number of memorable interviews including John Lennon, Charles Manson & Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols.

Tom will always be remembered in our hearts for his catchy phrase: ''Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air.''