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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

RIP Tom Snyder

posted by on July 31 at 20:18 PM

I don’t know how I missed this, but Tom Snyder, the ghost in the machine of late night 70s TV (a weird universe) died on Sunday. He was 71. Here’s the NYT obit.

I couldn’t find his Spiro Agnew interview on YouTube (and I’m sure Dan is the only other one on staff who feels some kind of pang at the news), but Snyder deserves a shout out on Slog.

I mostly associate Snyder with cranky political interviews, but here’s what I could find: Snyder in 1980 interviewing John Lydon and also Kiss in 1979.

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1

Netflix has a DVD of Snyder interviewing punk bands. Awesome stuff. Snyder wasn't a hip guy, but he didn't pretend, and he wasn't afraid to look like a dork to get into the story. No one else would go anywhere near them. He was unique. And no one else would give them the room to really get into the discussion. Kind of like a Larry King only with balls. He is missed.

Posted by Fnarf | July 31, 2007 8:54 PM
2

I grew up in Philadelphia when Tom did news anchor, and a fantastic local interview show (I believe it was called 'Contact') which used the drum part of 'In a GadaDaVida' as the theme music. Long before his national fame, it was clear this guy was in a class by himself. Dubious hair, annoying cigarette, and the best on-air and in-person presence there ever was. R.I.P. Tom Snyder

Posted by Tom_was_the_best | July 31, 2007 9:10 PM
3

Go check out Tom Snyder on YouTube...

There are interviews and performances by The Clash and Wendy O'Williams ("A pig is a pig and that's that!" ... way better than John Lydon).

And, don't forget to watch the Charles Manson interview.

Posted by Mahtli69 | July 31, 2007 11:17 PM
4

Holy shit. I hope they have his interview with The Beastie Boys from '89. It's so freakin' hilarious.

Posted by RIP Tom Snyder | August 1, 2007 12:50 AM
5

I too will miss Tom Snyder. His show late at night got me through a lot of studying, reading and being a fellow night owl.

Posted by Dave Coffman | August 1, 2007 2:19 AM
6

RIP Tom. We recently watched the entire Lydon interview -- what you don't see is Synder cackling away with Alan (Grease) Carr in the segment before about what a weirdo Lydon is. That might explain a bit of his nasty attitude.

Posted by It's Mark Mitchell | August 1, 2007 7:59 AM
7

i heart tom snyder...i'd stay up late as a kid to watch him...he interviewed all these brilliant people esp. film legends like hitchcock...and i was watching when he had his fit with rona barrett after NBC tried to 'Hollywood-ize' his show...his hatred of her was delicious, and rightfully so...

Posted by michael strangeways | August 1, 2007 9:12 AM
8

Am I the only one with bad memories of Tom Snyder? Those tight tight shots of his huge head with those giant yellow slatboard teeth, his raucous laughter at his own jokes...this is the stuff of my pre-adolescent nightmares...

Posted by David Schmader | August 1, 2007 9:22 AM
9

Tom Snyder is another fond 1970's tv memory for me.

Posted by Sally Struthers Lawnchair | August 1, 2007 9:43 AM
10

@8 - I might agree, except Dan Aykroyd's imitation made it all better.

http://members.fortunecity.com/delanay/snl83.jpg

Posted by Mahtli69 | August 1, 2007 9:54 AM
11

I remember him from his show in the 90s. I thought he was one of the best interviewers I'd ever seen. Sometimes he'd just monologue for a while, and it was always fascinating. He had an amazing presence. I always left off thinking "wow, this TV personality is actually human!"

Posted by NaFun | August 1, 2007 11:59 AM
12

#8 - Hey Schmader... I thought he was an asshole too. The male priviledge he expected to cover him forever was evaporating during his tenure. Snyder, like a whole bunch of media guys, didn't like the changes and could really lash out. I'd shut him off too saying to the TV... "You need to take that out in therapy asshole!"


I once saw Dick Cavett, a much more sanguine guy, take him down beautifully though. Snyder was being all snarky to him and Cavett said... "Why are you so nasty? You're so tall too!" The perfect putdown!

Posted by blanchard | August 1, 2007 12:04 PM
13

1. That Lydon interview hurts to watch. Rotten just totally blows whatever cultural momentum he might've had.

2. I'm with Schmader, too. Snyder was a creep much of the time, and definitely laughed too hard at his own jokes. He always reminded me of Leroy Lockhorn.

Posted by SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS | August 1, 2007 1:08 PM
14

KUDOS 2 the TOM I started B$ he passed alas not long enough B4



myspace.com/colortini

Posted by kirk maillet | August 5, 2007 3:35 PM

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