I first met Tom Kennedy when I was out walking along Ocean Drive at Hollywood Beach in Ventura Country. We began to talk about walking opposed to running and the general practice of working out.
When I first heard him speak there was no mistaking his voice, and I immediately knew who he was; I had seen him almost every week of my life while I was growing up. But on that day when we were walking, looking out at the ocean, I just couldn't help from being taken aback at how at ease he was with himself, and how happy he appeared to be just walking along with me. It was in that first encounter I had with him I knew that I wanted to know more about Tom Kennedy. After all, how many people do you meet that project a real happiness about their placement in life?
Born in Louisville, Kentucky as Jim Narz, the younger brother of Jack Narz, (another very well respected game and quiz show host) he easily, with his tall, slender good looks, eased through school with the thought that he might want to become an electrical engineer one day. However, after his older brother Jack began working as an announcer, and making decent money, as well as being heard all over the country on radio, Jim began to rethink his future. And, with the help of his brother Jack, Jim was able to get a job as an announcer.
It seemed as if in no time at all both the Narz brothers were doing quite well for themselves. Game and quiz shows were becoming popular; a way that people could forget about their problems for a few minutes and live vicariously through the contestants at the same time. The Narz brothers with their good looks, quick wit, and deep resonant voices were naturals to host these new shows. But it wasn't long before the brothers were working on opposite network and being sponsored by different automobile companies. It was obvious that one brother must change their name. Jim, the youngest, respectfully agreed to change his name to Tom Kennedy.
Tom Kennedy's first network show was Big Game, which aired on NBC in 1958. And for the next thirty years Tom Kennedy hosted a game or quiz show on one of the three major networks, or in prime time syndication. Some of the shows he hosted were: You Don't Say, Split Second, Name That Tune, Break The Bank, Password Plus, Body Language, Wordplay, and in 1985 and 86 he even hosted the nighttime syndicated version of The Price Is Right. He also produced and hosted The Real Tom Kennedy Show-a 1970 talk/variety show that was done by his own company. This he accomplished in addition to making a few appearances, as an actor, on some of television's most popular drama and comedy shows in the 70s and 80s.
An impressive body of work for a man that so unassumingly strolls down Ocean Drive near his beautiful beach house with a smile for anyone that approaches him. I doubt if any ardent television watcher ever went more than a few weeks without seeing Tom Kennedy on the tube between the years 1958 and 1987. But yet with all that exposure, which would lead most of us to feel we were pretty important, this man has seemed to capture the essence of what life is really about.
Morris: What do you think of these new game shows, Greed and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Tom: Those are quiz shows. In game shows the contestants play games for the money or the prizes. Quiz shows they are just asked questions. The people that apply to be a contestant on quiz shows are only tested for their intellect, not their ability to play games. On the game shows the applicants to be a contestant are put to a test-to see if they can play the game. And the producers and their staffs make sure they know the rules of the game.
Morris: I never thought about that. I thought of them all as just being game shows.
Tom: Most people do. But to answer your original question--I think these new shows are entertaining their audiences. Just look at the ratings. Regis Philbin's show went through the roof.
Morris: You think Regis is responsible for some of those ratings, or is it just the show?
Tom: Both. You have to have an entertaining show that the people can relate to . . . and in most cases play along at home as they watch. But you also have to have a good host. And Regis with his quick wit and superb personality just adds to that. I do feel Regis is a big part of it.
Morris: The host is really important?
Tom: He, or she, is the one that is responsible for the pacing. If the host is witty, knows what they're doing and they have a relatively interesting show they can generally make a go of it.
Morris: Not everyone is witty, especially while you're standing on a stage under hot lights with the camera fixed on you, and always in the back of your mind knowing that millions of people are going to see you, and be watching your every move. But yet you were one of the best at this. How did you do it?
Tom: That's very kind of you to say, but there were many hosts better than I was. I just seem to always be in the right spot at the right time when someone like me was needed.
Morris: I remember you were pretty funny at times. I'm quite sure you saved a taping or two by your ad-libbing.Tom: Well again, as I said, that is what a good host does. He paces the show. If a contestant mentally or emotionally stumbles for a moment that the host's job-save the contestant and keep the cameras rolling. And, make sure it is fair to the other contestants.
Morris: Can you remember any contestant that stands out in your mind-they did something really funny? Out of character type of behavior because of their nervousness.
Tom: Not really. Actually most of the shows that I hosted the producer's staff spent as much as two weeks with the contestants playing the game to make sure they knew the rules and would be comfortable on the day we taped their show. We had more problems with guest celebrities. Most of them had busy schedules and didn't have time to play the game before tape day. They simply showed up and were briefed by the producers. Now that made for some interesting moments.
Morris: Does any celebrity come to mind?
Tom: (chuckles) Yes. I really don't want to use his name. He was one our best screen actors. Played many roles and always gave an outstanding performance. Anyway, he shows up to tape the show. It was You Don't Say. If you remember the object of the game was to give a sentence, leaving off the last word. That word should sound like part of the name being played. This particular subject name was John Wayne. Our celebrity player proceeded to whistle the theme from The High and The Mighty. I of course tried not to embarrass him but I had to stop the game and stop the tape from rolling. I told him he wasn't allowed to give clues like that. He looked at me, with a very serious expression on his face, and said, "But he was in that movie." I again explained the concept of the game to him and we then again started the taping. It wasn't thirty seconds into the taping and he again blurted out an answer that was completely against the rules. I again stopped the tape. I felt so sorry for him. Here he was this giant of an actor but he simply didn't understand the game. He finally just looked off stage at our producer and said he just didn't get it and he felt it would be better to just call it a night. We of course agreed and he left and we simply replaced him with another celebrity. But that was funny-this great actor whistling the theme from The High and The Mighty and then saying, "But he was in that movie."
Morris: Do you think these new shows are on the up `n up?
Tom: Definitely. I wish some of our government agencies were run like these game and quiz shows, (or at least the ones I was involved with). The producers made sure the contestants knew how to play the game and played it fairly. On the day the show taped, the moment the contestant entered the studio they were never left alone. Someone even went to the john with `em. No one gave them the answers or coached them on what was going to happen. From what I experienced, the producers of these game and quiz shows didn't want any scandal like what happened years ago.
Morris: The $64,000 Question and that scandal were a little before your time wasn't it?
Tom: Just a bit.
Morris: You think Robert Redford's movie about quiz shows was accurate?
Tom: From what I have been told it was pretty close. You must understand that was a time when just one sponsor could sponsor an entire show. And, often these sponsors called the shots. It is my understanding that they told the networks and producers what to do. If the ratings were up and people were watching a particular contestant they might put pressure on the network to make sure that contestant would be back again next week. So more people could see their ads. It didn't happen often and they stopped it pretty quick. You notice now that shows have more than one sponsor. That power doesn't exist any longer.
Morris: In respect to the shows that are on the air now who do you feel is a good host?
Tom: As of right now there aren't many game shows on the air. Maybe with the popularity of these new shows we might see a resurgence of the game and quiz show. But, if I had to pick one person I don't know how anyone could not choose Bob Barker. Just look at his track record. He literally is a genius at what he does. No one can do it for as many years as he has without being an expert at his job.
Morris: Don't you ever get the urge to get back on a studio set-take charge of a game?
Tom: Not really. My wife and I really live a wonderful life. Just look around us
(We looked out his window at an incredible view of the ocean and the Channel Islands)
How could anyone not be happy with this. I am a very lucky man. I have been just about my entire life. I have a great wife that I've been with for way more than half my life and four marvelous grown children.Morris: If someone called would you do it?
Tom: Like I said I'm a lucky man. I've always seemed to have good timing. I feel timing is an important part of life. And, I know my time is over for doing that. Let the young people have their chance. Believe me there is a lot of talent out there.
Morris: No wanting to do it just one more time?
Tom: I know it might sound trite, and I certainly don't mean it to. But I was so very fortunate that I made the money I did and I even more so to have the family that I do. I know other people that have worked three, four times harder than I, with a lot less to show for it. No, it's time to enjoy.
After my interview with Tom it occurred to me that I might have just met the George Bailey of television game shows. Now retired, and though in his 70s, but certainly not looking it, this man genuinely knows and appreciates the fact that he has achieved A Wonderful Life.
(c) Mopam Publishing 1999
by Morris Heldt
Do not copy or republish without written permission from Mopam
Publishing
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