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What happens when things go wrong during live broadcasts? What happens in the ears of talent and producers that we never get to hear back home? Former Today Show Director Joe Michaels and co-host Jim Scott discuss those unforgettable/regrettable and often hilarious (although perhaps not-so-much at the time) moments. Plus, career advice that really works.

Mentioned on this episode:

Bruce Springsteen

Al Roker

Bryant Gumbel

Glenn Adamo

Harry Coyle

Natalie Morales

Roger Goodell

Mitch Rissmiller

Harry Coyle

Michael Weissman

Joe Michaels is an acclaimed television director with a distinguished career spanning over five decades. An eight-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Directors Guild of America honoree, Michaels is best known for his 22-year tenure directing NBC’s Today Show, where he helmed more than 5,000 episodes and helped shape the landscape of live morning television. His directing credits also include major global broadcasts such as the Olympics (including eight Opening Ceremonies), Network coverage of the 2016 & 2024 Democratic National Convention, and National Geographic’s groundbreaking Brain Surgery Live.

Starting his career at NBC Sports, Michaels contributed to Emmy-winning coverage of the Super Bowl, World Series, Wimbledon, and the Olympics. He has directed high-profile network specials, live concerts, stage productions, and segments for celebrated shows like Seinfeld, 30 Rock, and The Michael J. Fox Show. His work has been seen by hundreds of millions around the world and thousands live at venues like Rockefeller Plaza.

In addition to his directing work, Michaels serves as the Broadcaster-in-Residence at High Point University, where he mentors the next generation of television professionals through courses in multi-camera production, on-camera performance, and senior production experience. A graduate of Seton Hall University and its 2013 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Michaels continues to consult on creative media projects,...

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On this episode, Joe shares what we never get to see: what goes on behind the scenes of network television. We head back to the late 70s and early 80s in our timeline and Joe talks about everything from David Brinkley's reaction to doing endless room-to-room promo drops to the true character of Johnny Carson to the tragic night and morning when the world lost John Lennon and network morning shows showed their ability to cover breaking news.

Among those mentioned on this episode:

John Chancellor

David Brinkley

Jane Pauley

John Lennon

Tom Brokaw

Johnny Carson

Ricky Carson

Bill Hanrahan, the voice of NBC

Jonathan Winters

Robin Williams

Harry Coyle

Glenn Adamo

Joe Garagiola

Dick Enberg

Sports World

Bob Levy

Russ Ross

Matt Lauer

Joe Michaels is an acclaimed television director with a distinguished career spanning over five decades. An eight-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Directors Guild of America honoree, Michaels is best known for his 22-year tenure directing NBC’s Today Show, where he helmed more than 5,000 episodes and helped shape the landscape of live morning television. His directing credits also include major global broadcasts such as the Olympics (including eight Opening Ceremonies), Network coverage of the 2016 & 2024 Democratic National Convention, and National Geographic’s groundbreaking Brain Surgery Live.

Starting his career at NBC Sports, Michaels contributed to Emmy-winning coverage of the Super Bowl, World Series, Wimbledon, and the Olympics. He has directed high-profile network specials, live concerts, stage productions, and segments for celebrated shows like Seinfeld, 30 Rock, and The Michael J. Fox Show. His work has been seen by hundreds of millions around the world and thousands live at venues like Rockefeller Plaza.

In addition to his directing work, Michaels serves as the Broadcaster-in-Residence at High Point University, where he mentors the next generation of television professionals through courses in multi-camera production, on-camera performance, and senior production experience. A graduate of Seton Hall University and its 2013 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Michaels continues to consult on creative media projects,...

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LIVE network broadcasting- no one knows what that's like better than former Today Show Director Joe Michaels. Whether it was directing TODAY every day of the week, or live sports- even national political conventions- Joe's made it happen. So, what's that like to be in the hot seat as director? Find out on this episode of Today to 1A. Plus, the game show scene at NBC back in the late 70s and early 80s, Joe's friendship with Soupy Sales, preparing for Olympics coverage... that never happened... and the art of covering sports.

Mentioned:

Michael Weissman

Harry Coyle

President Jimmy Carter

John Libretto

Don Ohlmeyer

Wimbledon

1980 Olympics in Moscow

Soupy Sales

Matt Lauer

Princess Diana

ESPN

Joe Michaels is an acclaimed television director with a distinguished career spanning over five decades. An eight-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Directors Guild of America honoree, Michaels is best known for his 22-year tenure directing NBC’s Today Show, where he helmed more than 5,000 episodes and helped shape the landscape of live morning television. His directing credits also include major global broadcasts such as the Olympics (including eight Opening Ceremonies), Network coverage of the 2016 & 2024 Democratic National Convention, and National Geographic’s groundbreaking Brain Surgery Live.

Starting his career at NBC Sports, Michaels contributed to Emmy-winning coverage of the Super Bowl, World Series, Wimbledon, and the Olympics. He has directed high-profile network specials, live concerts, stage productions, and segments for celebrated shows like Seinfeld, 30 Rock, and The Michael J. Fox Show. His work has been seen by hundreds of millions around the world and thousands live at venues like Rockefeller Plaza.

In addition to his directing work, Michaels serves as the Broadcaster-in-Residence at High Point University, where he mentors the next generation of television professionals through courses in multi-camera production, on-camera performance, and senior production experience. A graduate of Seton Hall University and its 2013 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Michaels continues to consult on creative media projects,...

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In the episode, former Today Show Director Joe Michaels discusses his long career at NBC Sports, including his wonderful friendship with Joe Garagiola. Joe takes us back to what it was like working with and living with the legends of broadcasting.

Mentioned on this episode:

Joe Garagiola

Tony Kubek

Curt Gowdy

Bob Costas

Harry Coyle

Keith Jackson

Bryant Gumbel

Chet Forte

Vin Scully

Glenn Adamo

Joe Michaels is an acclaimed television director with a distinguished career spanning over five decades. An eight-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Directors Guild of America honoree, Michaels is best known for his 22-year tenure directing NBC’s Today Show, where he helmed more than 5,000 episodes and helped shape the landscape of live morning television. His directing credits also include major global broadcasts such as the Olympics (including eight Opening Ceremonies), Network coverage of the 2016 & 2024 Democratic National Convention, and National Geographic’s groundbreaking Brain Surgery Live.

Starting his career at NBC Sports, Michaels contributed to Emmy-winning coverage of the Super Bowl, World Series, Wimbledon, and the Olympics. He has directed high-profile network specials, live concerts, stage productions, and segments for celebrated shows like Seinfeld, 30 Rock, and The Michael J. Fox Show. His work has been seen by hundreds of millions around the world and thousands live at venues like Rockefeller Plaza.

In addition to his directing work, Michaels serves as the Broadcaster-in-Residence at High Point University, where he mentors the next generation of television professionals through courses in multi-camera production, on-camera performance, and senior production experience. A graduate of Seton Hall University and its 2013 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Michaels continues to consult on creative media projects,...

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On this episode, you'll experience through Joe's eyes what it felt like to be a young associate director for NBC living in the heart of New York City during the exciting times of the 70s, from walking Katherine Hepburn across the street to introducing Edwin Newman to the wonders of videotape.

Mentioned on this episode:

Katherine Hepburn

Prince

Maya Angelou

Mohammad Ali

Warren Beatty

Bryant Gumbel

Lauren “Betty” Bacall

Dick Ebersole

Dean Cain

Edwin Newman

’74 All-Star Game

’75 World Series

Joe Garagiola

Harry Coyle

Michael Weissman

Jerry Damon

Howard Rigg

Walter Kravitz

American Airlines Flight 191 crash in Chicago: early use of video tape in live news.

Ernie Kovac Show

and more.

Produced and co-hosted by Jim Scott.

Joe Michaels is an acclaimed television director with a distinguished career spanning over five decades. An eight-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Directors Guild of America honoree, Michaels is best known for his 22-year tenure directing NBC’s Today Show, where he helmed more than 5,000 episodes and helped shape the landscape of live morning television. His directing credits also include major global broadcasts such as the Olympics (including eight Opening Ceremonies), Network coverage of the 2016 & 2024 Democratic National Convention, and National Geographic’s groundbreaking Brain Surgery Live.

Starting his career at NBC Sports, Michaels contributed to Emmy-winning coverage of the Super Bowl, World Series, Wimbledon, and the Olympics. He has directed high-profile network specials, live concerts, stage productions, and segments for celebrated shows like Seinfeld, 30 Rock, and The Michael J. Fox Show. His work has been seen by hundreds of millions around the world and thousands live at venues like Rockefeller Plaza.

In addition to his directing work, Michaels serves as the Broadcaster-in-Residence at High Point University, where he mentors the next generation of television professionals through courses in multi-camera production, on-camera performance, and senior production experience. A graduate of Seton Hall University and its 2013 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Michaels continues to consult on creative media projects,...

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From the control room to the green room, former Today Show and NBC Sports Director Joe Michaels has seen it all. In Today to 1A, the multiple Emmy-winner pulls back the curtain on five decades of live television—from the chaos of breaking news to the magic of morning shows, from mundane cooking bits to the Day the World Stood Still. With behind-the-scenes stories, unforgettable moments, prominent personalities, and a plenty of well-timed cues, Joe reflects on a career that shaped how America watched TV—one live shot at a time, using his keen sense of storytelling and viewer empathy. Live from Studio 1A... all the way to today. Produced by award-winning broadcaster, Jim Scott.

On this first episode, we meet Joe, how he got his start at NBC, and enjoy some remarkable memories along the way.

Joe Michaels is an acclaimed television director with a distinguished career spanning over five decades. An eight-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Directors Guild of America honoree, Michaels is best known for his 22-year tenure directing NBC’s Today Show, where he helmed more than 5,000 episodes and helped shape the landscape of live morning television. His directing credits also include major global broadcasts such as the Olympics (including eight Opening Ceremonies), Network coverage of the 2016 & 2024 Democratic National Convention, and National Geographic’s groundbreaking Brain Surgery Live.

Starting his career at NBC Sports, Michaels contributed to Emmy-winning coverage of the Super Bowl, World Series, Wimbledon, and the Olympics. He has directed high-profile network specials, live concerts, stage productions, and segments for celebrated shows like Seinfeld, 30 Rock, and The Michael J. Fox Show. His work has been seen by hundreds of millions around the world and thousands live at venues like Rockefeller Plaza.

In addition to his directing work, Michaels serves as the Broadcaster-in-Residence at High Point University, where he mentors the next generation of television professionals through courses in multi-camera production, on-camera performance, and senior production experience. A graduate of Seton Hall University and its 2013 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Michaels continues to consult on creative media projects,...