Legendary talk-show host Tom Snyder dies

[CBC News]

Television talk-show host Tom Snyder, known for his casual style and iconic interviews with the likes of John Lennon and Charles Manson, has died after a battle with leukemia.
The 71-year-old died Sunday in San Francisco, according to his friend and longtime producer, Mike Horowicz.
Snyder's laid-back attitude was further imbued by his smoking habit, cigarette clouds swirling as he interviewed high-profile guests. His catchphrase was: "Fire up a colourtini, sit back, relax and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air." MORE
What are your memories of Tom Snyder's career?


More...

 

[Pangloss]

Folks, this guy was first-rate. Smart, funny, modest and genuinely interested in his guests and the world around him - his interviews always got me laughing with delight and surprise, and man oh man, did I ever try to copy his style!

I will seriously miss this guy.

Pangloss

 

[Curiosity]

When I was going to school down here, I worked at a competitive network affiliate station and I had a major crush on Synder's laid back style and his sexuality which seemed to be ageless...

I had to sneak into one office and turn on the 'wrong' channel to watch him, but I think that was part of my enjoyment.... like he was worth my getting heck from my bosses for watching another network...

I wish there was someone like Snyder these days.... he had such a smooth 'honeyness' in his interviews... makes most of the personalities we have now seem like hyperventilating hysterics.

 

[Dreadful Nonsense]

Folks, this guy was first-rate. Smart, funny, modest and genuinely interested in his guests and the world around him - his interviews always got me laughing with delight and surprise, and man oh man, did I ever try to copy his style!

I will seriously miss this guy.

Pangloss

Copy his style???....may i inquire pangloss, are you a radio or tv talk host?

I loved the whole vibe the guy brought with him. back in the 80's I loved watching him and his schtick with the off camera crew.....Great guy. The world is a better palce with him in it.....
Hurry back Tom!

 

[gopher]

Tom Snyder! He was incredibly popular in NYC for his style and class.

Will miss him greatly ...

 

[Curiosity]

OMG I remembered something this morning - something Snyder said on air which I thought was fantastic.... so I wrote him a fan letter - I mean a real letter sent in the snail mail ....

He answered back - in his own handwriting.... I hope I still have it. I never throw anything away.

He was such an intimate guy - like he was talking in a room with each person watching him and his guest. Very few of those 'old timey' interviews go on now - they are usually waiting to insert the
bleeder question and everything else is just sound to put the guest at ease....before they pounce.

 

[Unforgiven]

Never thought too much of him. I'd watch once in a whille if he had something I was interested on but other than that, I found his voice to be some what grating.

 

[Pangloss]

Dan Ackroyd did an awesome, bang-on impersonation of him.

Doc: Used to be, used to be.

Pangloss