Don Mischer
Producer/ Director
About This Interview
Don Mischer was interviewed for over four hours in Los Angeles, CA. Mischer talks about his early interest in television production, his schooling, and how he planned to be an academic, but got into production during the aftermath of President Kennedy’s assassination. He discusses receiving a grant from the Ford Foundation, working for the USIA, and landing a spot on the landmark show The Great American Dream Machine. He shares his experiences from ABC’s Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell, Motown 25, Kennedy Center Honors and Barbara Walters Specials, and describes working with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Robin Williams, and Ellen DeGeneres. Mischer also details the production of several award shows he's helmed, including the Tony Awards and the Emmy Awards, and recalls his work on several Olympic broadcasts and Superbowl halftime shows. Beth Cochran conducted the interview on November 7, 2008.
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Highlights
Don Mischer on the Super Bow l halftime show featuring Michael Jackson (00m 57s)- Don Mischer on producing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with Muhammad Ali carrying the torch (02m 55s)
Don Mischer on producing the finale of The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (01m 46s)
Don Mischer on what makes a good Emmy host (01m 25s)- Don Mischer on his favorite Olympic moments (01m 00s)
- Don Mischer on the last night of the 2004 DNC (07m 48s)
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on radio shows he loved as a child and his first time seeing television; on his entry into television during JFK assassination coverage
- On starting in public television with a grant from The Ford Foundation; On working for the USIA; on transitioning from political to event television
- On variety shows and specials with which he was involved; on working with Howard Cosell and starting in televised specials; on forming Don Mischer productions
- On producing specials honoring Motown; on The Kennedy Center Honors
- Chapter 2
- On Kennedy Center Honors, Barbara Walters' Specials, The Goldie Hawn Special, Goldie & Liza, Donahue and Kids, Robin Williams' HBO Special
- On how the emergence of cable in the 1980s affected the industry; on television specials with Bob Hope and Mikhail Baryshnikov; On working with Dolly Parton; on The Tony Awards and The Presidential Inaugural Gala
- On getting talent for specials; on on producing The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson; on Normal Life
- Chapter 3
- On Super Bowl 27 - halftime with Michael Jackson; On Super Bowl halftime shows with Prince, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- On NFL approval on Super Bowl performances; on the 2002 Winter Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics; on production of The Olympics
- On producing the Special Olympics in Shanghai
- Chapter 4
- On producing The Emmy Awards; on the 2001 Emmy broadcast; on things that have gone wrong on Emmy broadcasts
- On how the Emmys have changed over the years; on The People's Choice Awards; on the Michael Moore Show and the 2004 DNC
- On working with Barbra Streisand; on a special with Cher paying tribute to the late Sonny Bono
- On handling the passing of people with whom he's worked; on The Wayne Brady Show and producing Miss America Pageant; on Movies Rock, and Fashions Rock
- Chapter 5
- On the technological advances that enhance production; on producing and advice to aspiring producers, directors and performers
- On how he'd like to be remembered
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