New York page 1

Memories of My Life with NBC
by Bill Roddy

NBC New York, 1952, page 2

My job in the beginning was to sit in the announcer's small booth and give station breaks for WNBC radio. One of the other announcers was Don Pardo, starting his long career in radio and television.

When I had some free time I would go across the street and watch the Today show in its street level studio. It was just beginning its long run and Dave Garroway was the first host.

Although I was primarily a radio announcer I did have some TV assignments, but not at Radio City. NBC had TV studios on 105th. St. in Manhattan and I would often take the subway to work an afternoon there. It was all off-camera.

On day Pat Kelly told me I would be working the Bob and Ray Show weekdays.  They had a morning program on WNBC radio. I liked their program very much and couldn't have been happier to work with them. They were great, but prone to play pranks on their announcers. One I have never forgotten.

They did a skit one day about selling men's shorts door to door at Rockefeller Center. It was hilarious. Then it was station break time and I had to speak. They looked over at me and Ray said, "I wonder what size shorts Bill Roddy wears?"

That did it! I cracked up, (which is what they wanted) and collapsed in laughter as I tried to say "This is WNBC New York and you're listening to the Bob and Ray Show."

Another favorite of mine was Skitch Henderson. He and his band had an orchestra show on radio. Those were the days when NBC had to maintain an orchestra at all times.  Don't remember too much about his show, but he was very friendly.

Finally Summer was drawing to a close and I wondered about my future at NBC, New York. One day I was walking down the hall and a secretary stopped me and said, "Bill, I just heard you are going to be made permanent."  I was in joy... but you won't believe what happened next. I swear this is true.

I rounded the corner and met another secretary who said, "Bill, I'm so sorry to hear you are leaving."

Unfortunately she was the one who was right. My summer in New York was over. I got on the phone to call NBC in San Francisco to tell them I would be coming back to work.

I told this to Jerry Gordon, a newsman, who replied. "That's just like you Roddy.. bumping a married man with children." That was true I would be ending the job of the man who replaced me. It was a guilt trip I hadn't wanted to take.

The next day I called San Francisco and said I was resigning as an employee. The married man kept his job and became one of my best friends years later.

I went back to San Francisco and the merchant marine. I signed on as radio operator aboard the SS President Pierce of American President Lines to go around the world.

That decision to quit NBC in 1952 resulted in my filming a TV travel show, "20th Century Sailor" on Kingdom of the Sea for Jack Douglas Productions; a new career with NBC in 1960 as a news correspondent; and meeting the girl who has been my wife for almost fifty years.