Fire Up a Colortini...

And so began the opening of Tom Snyder's "Tomorrow" show. Don't remember it? What a shame. Don't remember him? You missed something special.

Tom Snyder, who died today, was the original late-late-night talk show host. His "Tomorrow" show debuted one night in 1973, after the "Tonight Show" ended. The premise was simple: a darkened set, two chairs, Tom and a cigarette, one guest and conversation. Not chat, not 3-1/2 minute promos for a star's latest effort, but real conversation, about topics ranging from the events of the day, to politics to the arts. It was stimulating stuff, to which you really had to listen. Snyder was a journalist, not a personality, and he used his abiility to ask the right question and to communicate to create a show the likes of which no longer exist on network television. He was the Charlie Rose of his day, but also a real original.

I remember Tom Snyder when he joined the KNBC News Staff in the late 60's, to replace John Chancellor or Tom Brokaw, I think it was, when one or the other went to the network. KNBC was the proving ground for pre-network personnel in those days. He made the news individual with his quick, acerbic wit and cut-to-the-chase commentary.

But it was his interviews that brought out the best in him. Often intense and punctuated with his unique, robust laugh, he knew how to get the most from a half-hour conversation. But his secret was that he chose his guests not for who they were but what they brought to the conversation. I remember interviews with the likes of John Lennon, any number of political figures, and even Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols. Two of my favorite guests were James Woods and Kate Mulgrew, both outstanding conversationalists themselves. Not surprisingly, they were staples on the show.

Unfortunately, as tastes changed, "Tomorrow" came to an end, and far too soon. Tom Snyder went on to do other things, all worthy. He was individual enough to be parodied on SNL, by none other than Dan Ackroyd. He eventually left NBC and joined CBS. But he never created quite what that original show was again.

I'll never forget Tom Snyder, that wonderful show, and his invitation each evening to come join him for the conversation:

"Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air."

I will, Tom, but it won't be the same without you.