Don Pardo: The Legendary Voice of NBC and Saturday Night Live
For over six decades, few voices were as recognizable or as influential in American broadcasting as that of Don Pardo. From the golden age of radio to the cutting edge of late-night television, Pardo served as the sonic backbone of NBC, delivering everything from breaking news of national tragedies to the high-energy introductions of comedy legends.
Key Facts
- NBC Tenure: Spent 60 years as a staff member at NBC.
- SNL Legacy: The iconic voice of Saturday Night Live, introducing the cast and musical guests.
- Game Show Staple: Announced original versions of The Price Is Right and Jeopardy!.
- Historical Moment: First NBC announcer to break the news of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
- Radio Roots: Began his career at WJAR in Providence in 1938.
The Radio Years: Foundations of a Career
Don Pardo's journey in broadcasting began in 1938 when he was hired by WJAR, an NBC affiliate in Providence. By 1944, he transitioned to a full-time role as an in-house announcer for NBC, a relationship that would span an incredible 60 years. During World War II, Pardo expanded his skill set by serving as a war reporter for NBC Radio.
His versatility was evident in the diverse range of programs he voiced. He worked on the detective series Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator, as well as science-fiction staples X Minus One and Dimension X. Later in his career, his voice became a fixture for 30 years on the San Francisco radio show "Ten at Ten" on KFOG, appearing in recorded introduction inserts.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Dominating the Television Screen
As television evolved, Pardo became a pioneer in the medium. In the early 1950s, he provided the voice for closed-circuit color television demonstrations for RCA and NBC. He soon became a household name through his work on game shows, starting with Winner Take All in 1952.
Pardo's association with legendary game shows is a cornerstone of his legacy. He was the announcer for the original The Price Is Right from 1956 until 1963, and later voiced Jeopardy! from 1964 until the original series concluded in 1975. He also lent his voice to Bob Stewart productions, including Three on a Match, Winning Streak, and Jackpot!.
News and National Events
Beyond entertainment, Pardo was trusted with the network's most serious assignments. He was a regular voice for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade until 1999, as well as NBC Nightly News and WNBC-TV's Live at Five. On November 22, 1963, while serving as the live booth announcer for WNBC-TV and the NBC network, Pardo was the first to inform viewers that President John F. Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, Texas.
The Voice of Saturday Night Live
Don Pardo is perhaps most remembered for his role on Saturday Night Live (SNL). Joining the show for its 1975 premiere, he became the fourth voice heard in the first episode. Except for the 1981–1982 season—where Mel Brandt or Bill Hanrahan filled in—Pardo remained the show's definitive announcer.
His role was pivotal to the show's structure: immediately following the famous "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" catchphrase, Pardo would announce the show's title and introduce the cast and musical guests via voice-over during the opening montage. Interestingly, Pardo noted that his announcing booth in Studio 8H was located almost exactly where Arturo Toscanini had stood while conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra between 1937 and 1950.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Pop Culture and Musical Collaborations
Pardo's distinct voice often led to unique creative collaborations. In 1976, he worked with Frank Zappa, reciting a verse for the song "I'm the Slime" and providing narration for "The Illinois Enema Bandit" and "Punky's Whips." These recordings appeared on the Zappa in New York album, with some tracks reinstated during the 1991 CD re-release.
He also appeared in "Weird Al" Yankovic's music video for "I Lost on Jeopardy," a parody of The Greg Kihn Band's song. The video featured a star-studded cast, including original Jeopardy! host Art Fleming and Greg Kihn himself. Pardo's career came full circle in 2009 when he appeared as "Sid," the announcer for TGS, in an episode of the sitcom 30 Rock titled "Cutbacks."
| Category | Key Programs / Events | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Radio | WJAR, X Minus One, Dimension X | 1938 – 2004 |
| Game Shows | The Price Is Right, Jeopardy! | 1952 – 1975 |
| News | JFK Assassination Announcement | 1963 |
| Comedy | Saturday Night Live | 1975 – 2004 (mostly) |
| Music | Frank Zappa, "Weird Al" Yankovic | 1976 – 1980s |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which famous game shows did Don Pardo announce?
Don Pardo was the announcer for the original versions of The Price Is Right (1956–1963) and Jeopardy! (1964–1975), as well as Winner Take All, Three on a Match, Winning Streak, and Jackpot!.
What was Don Pardo's role on Saturday Night Live?
Pardo was the show's primary announcer. He announced the show's title and introduced the cast and musical guests during the opening montage, immediately following the "Live from New York" cold open.
Did Don Pardo do any news reporting?
Yes, Pardo worked as a war reporter for NBC Radio during World War II and served as a live booth announcer for WNBC-TV and the NBC network.
How long did Don Pardo work for NBC?
Don Pardo remained on the NBC network staff for 60 years, having joined full-time in 1944.
Did Don Pardo appear in any fictional television shows?
Yes, in 2009, he appeared in the 30 Rock episode "Cutbacks," playing a character named Sid, the announcer for the fictional show TGS.