Tuesday, July 28, 2009

AS SEEN ON TV: WALTER CRONKITE 2x4

WALTER CRONKITE
(with President Jimmy Carter)

With this week's Two For Tuesday edition of the "As Seen On TV" showcase, we're paying tribute to Walter Cronkite - with portrayals on two different NBC series, but by four actors.

On 'Saturday Night Live', Bill Murray portrayed the veteran newscaster in six sketches, which had him in situations ranging from moderating as Jimmy Carter took calls from listeners to being hog-tied by Idi Amin. He even did some peyote in a sketch that spoofed the movie 'Altered States'.
In 1981, Dave Thomas of 'SCTV' appeared on 'SNL' during which he also played Uncle Walter. My memory is foggy on this, but apparently he critiqued Brad Hall's performance as the Weekend News Update anchorman......
Darrell Hammond also played Cronkite on 'Saturday Night Live', getting grilled on the runway by Joan Rivers:
In 1981, Johnny Carson also played Walter Cronkite, in a sketch on the 'Tonight' show about the newscaster's retirement from the anchor chair. And with thanks to Andy and Verne of the Newsday TV blog for pointing it out, here's the sketch as seen now on YouTube:



BCnU!

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