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“Today’s” 55th-anniversary celebration this week wasn’t a unanimous decision within NBC.
“Some felt we should wait until the 60th,” “Today” boss Jim Bell acknowledges. “I think once you hit 50, you’re on solid ground with zeroes and fives to look back. I don’t think anybody would consider 15 or 35.”
At first, “Today” was going to pull out all the stops, as it did for the show’s 50th. Then cooler heads prevailed.
“It’s more a tip of the cap than a standing ovation,” Bell says.
“It’s not really over the top. We’re not patting ourselves on the back for the whole show.”
Of course not. When you’ve got an 11-year winning streak, who needs prolific pats? (Well, except for the big wet kiss to coanchor Matt Lauer Friday for his 10th anniversary.)
“We’re a little bit in uncharted waters,” Bell says. “How many programs have to face this kind of dilemma? As dilemmas go, it’s one everybody should have.”
Each day for a portion of the 8 a.m. hour, the “Today” set is being replaced by a computer-generated virtual set representing a different decade.
It began Monday with Meredith Vieira and Lauer on a ’50s-era set that included some real pieces from the time. (“Today” launched Jan. 14, 1952, with Dave Garroway.)
Tuesday, it was the ’60s, followed by the ’70s Wednesday, the ’80s Thursday, and the ’90s Friday.
Former anchors Bryant Gumbel, Jane Pauley, Tom Brokaw, Barbara Walters and Hugh Downs all taped tributes to air this week. Nothing from Katie Couric, but the CBS anchor did one for Lauer’s lovefest.
As for the timing of this week’s festivities, on the heels of Lauer’s, Bell labels it “just a wonderful, happy coincidence.”
P.S. Pop quiz: 50 is gold, 60 is diamond. What’s the 55th anniversary?
“Denim?” asks Bell. “Tin? Crystal?”
None of the above, Jimbo. Try emerald.