Deborah Norville (born August 8, 1958 in Dalton, Georgia) is an American television broadcaster and journalist. Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Dalton is a city in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States It is the County seat of Whitfield County and the principal city of the Dalton The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Since 1995, she has been host of the syndicated American television program Inside Edition. The year 1995 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1995. Inside Edition is a syndicated news program on the air since January 9, 1989. She hosted Today on NBC, substitute anchored both the NBC Nightly News, and the weekend CBS Evening News, and was a host and correspondent for two CBS News magazine programs. Today, also referred to as The Today Show, is an American morning news and talk show airing weekday mornings on NBC. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's NBC Nightly News is the flagship evening news program for NBC News and broadcasts from the GE Building, Rockefeller Center in New York City. CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. CBS News is the news division of American Television and Radio network CBS.
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Career
NBC years
After serving as singer and an anchor for local television stations first in Atlanta and then Chicago, in 1987, Norville, at age 28, was named anchor of NBC News at Sunrise, the network's early morning newscast which aired just prior to the Today program. The year 1987 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1987. NBC News at Sunrise was an early morning news program produced by NBC News from 1983 to 1999 Throughout the late 1980s she was seen on Today as a regular substitute for host Bryant Gumbel, co-host Jane Pauley, and news anchor John Palmer. Bryant Charles Gumbel (born September 29, 1948) is an American Television personality for news and Sports programs Margaret Jane Pauley (born October 31, 1950, in Indianapolis Indiana) is an American Television Journalist, and has been John Spencer Palmer (born September 10, 1935, in Kingsport Tennessee) is a former news correspondent for NBC News.
On September 5, 1989, Norville replaced Palmer at the Today newsdesk and he assumed her previous role on Sunrise. She also began substituting for Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News. Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw (born February 6, 1940) is an American Television Journalist and Author, and NBC Nightly News is the flagship evening news program for NBC News and broadcasts from the GE Building, Rockefeller Center in New York City. Shortly after Norville's appointment as Today's news anchor, the decision was made to feature Norville as an unofficial third host. Whereas Palmer had read the news from a desk separate from where Gumbel and Pauley sat, Norville was seated alongside the program's hosts at the opening and closing of every show. Before long, gossip columns and media observers predicted that NBC would remove Jane Pauley from the program and replace her with Norville in an effort to improve the program's recently declining viewership by young women, the demographic most coveted by morning shows.
As co-host of Today
On October 27, 1989, Jane Pauley announced after 13 years on "Today" that she would be leaving the program at the end of the year to pursue a prime-time news assignment - which would debut on July 17, 1990 as Real Life with Jane Pauley. NBC, as expected, announced that Norville would become co-host. An emotional Norville hugged Pauley on the air after the announcement was made, and many at NBC hoped the negative press generated by Norville's increased presence on the program would end. It did not. Prior to the announcement of Pauley's departure, much of the criticism had focused on Norville's youth and beauty, with many branding her "the other woman" and a "home wrecker," in a reference to what some felt seemed like her intent on "breaking up" the television marriage of Gumbel and Pauley.
Negative press only heightened after the announcement of Pauley's resignation, and Norville was put under a gag order by NBC brass which prevented her from defending herself from the widespread and erroneous reports that she somehow orchestrated her rise on Today. In January 1990, the new anchor team of Bryant Gumbel and Deborah Norville, minus Jane Pauley, debuted with disastrous results. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Ratings for the program began to plummet. Nielsen Ratings are audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research to determine the Audience size and composition of television Critics felt that Gumbel and Norville lacked chemistry and many loyal viewers began turning to rival ABC's Good Morning America (GMA). The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Good Morning America ( GMA) is a morning news show that is broadcast on the ABC television network debuting on November Whereas Jane Pauley had excelled at being deferential to the aggressive Gumbel, Norville, it was observed, was not by nature a passive person. She thus fit uncomfortably into a role in which her chief duty was to play off of his lead.
By June 1990, NBC devised what it hoped would be solution to the growing unpopularity of the show. Though it had been rumored that Norville would be removed as co-host, NBC announced that she would remain in her position and that Joe Garagiola, former Major League Baseball player, game show host, Major League Baseball on NBC announcer, and Today contributor from 1969-1970, would join Norville as a co-host alongside Bryant Gumbel. For this person's son the baseball executive see Joe Garagiola Jr Major League Baseball on NBC is the De facto name for a weekly presentation of Major League Baseball games televised on the National Broadcasting The year 1969 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1969. The year 1970 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1970. Also, CBS newswoman Faith Daniels would become the program's news anchor -- a position which was still unfilled since Norville became co-host. CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. Faith Daniels ( March 9, 1957, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) became nationally known for her role in anchoring some of America's most popular News And finally, Katie Couric assumed the role of National Correspondent. Garagiola, Daniels and Couric were added to the show during the June 11, 1990 broadcast.
In September 1990, Norville announced that she and her husband were expecting a child in the following year. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) It was hoped that motherhood would help soften Norville's image as a too-pretty, too-icy newswoman, but her pregnancy announcement was essentially unnoticed by critics.
Ouster from Today
The changes accomplished nothing in the way of stopping the ratings decline. By the end of 1990, Today, the longtime dominant program, was officially the second place morning show behind GMA, and most of the blame was pinned on Norville. The year 1990 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1990. By the outbreak of The Gulf War in 1991, Norville saw her role as co-host continually minimized. The year 1991 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1991. Today aired special editions of the program called America at War, with Gumbel anchoring most of the show alone. It was not uncommon for Norville not to even make an appearance until the two hour show's second half hour. In addition, she was directed not to initiate conversation on the show and only speak when asked a question by Gumbel. Nearing the end of her pregnancy which became complicated with a condition known as toxemia, Norville left the show for maternity leave in February 1991. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. It was announced that Katie Couric would substitute co-host during Norville's absence. Ratings for the program rose immediately following Norville's departure and Couric's arrival.
Midway though her maternity leave, Norville was interviewed by People. People (full name People Weekly) is a weekly American Magazine of Celebrity and human interest stories, published In the story, she avoided conversation about her recent trouble on Today, and instead focused on her newborn baby boy. She was photographed breastfeeding her son, a seemingly innocuous event, but NBC management was said to be greatly displeased by this, believing the photo to be in poor taste. By April 1991, in light of improved ratings on Today and NBC's displeasure at the People photograph, it was announced that Norville would not return to Today and that Katie Couric had been named the program's co-host. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Norville, it was disclosed, would continue to be paid in accordance with her contract, although she would no longer appear on any NBC News programs. NBC News is the news division of American Television network NBC, a part of NBC Universal, which is majority-owned by General Electric
Reborn on radio
Maurice Tunick former Vice-President of Talk Programming for the ABC Radio Networks comments: "With Sally Jessy Raphael's TV show in high gear and the pressures and time commitments needed to keep the show on top Sally asked to be released from her ABC Radio Network contract in late 1990. ABC Radio Networks, known as ABC Radio for short is an American Radio network. Sally Jessy Raphael (born Sally Lowenthal February 25, 1935 in Easton Pennsylvania) is an American Talk show host I was the one who hired Sally and the person who would be responsible for replacing her. Sally agreed to stay through the Summer of 1991 and her replacement would start immediately after Labor Day 1991. The search was on. "
"We tried many people while Sally took some days off. Cindy Garvey was a favorite. Dr. Laura Schlesinger who had been a regular sub for Sally for the past five years was very determined to replace her as well as several others. Laura Catherine Schlessinger (born January 16, 1947) is an American Radio host, Author and conservative Commentator "
"Because Sally was an original and the Dear Abby format was created for her, it was determined we would seek someone with national name recognition and with more of a topical news interest than a personal advice persona. Dear Abby is the name of the notable Advice column founded in 1956 by Pauline Phillips (born July 4 1918 under the pen name Abigail Van Buren About midway into the search I heard the news that Deborah Norville would be leaving The Today Show. Today, also referred to as The Today Show, is an American morning news and talk show airing weekday mornings on NBC. She had just given birth to her first child and said she wanted to be home with her child. I went to see her agent, Jim Griffin of the William Morris Agency to ask if she would be interested in replacing Sally on the radio? He reiterated Deborah's desire to stay out of the limelight and be a stay at home Mom. William Morris Agency, founded in 1898 as a Vaudeville booking broker is a Hollywood Talent agency that represents many well-known performers and I suggested we could do the show from her home, and in fact identify the show as "Deborah Norville - From Her Home To Yours". He set up a meeting with background. She liked the idea and decided to do it. "
"The show was launched in September 1992. The launch itself was perhaps anti-climatic. When the announcement of Deborah hosting a radio show was first made in May 1992, it was met by headlines and reaction around the country. Her short time at The Today Show and the botched transition from Jane Pauley was still very much alive. Margaret Jane Pauley (born October 31, 1950, in Indianapolis Indiana) is an American Television Journalist, and has been Deborah and her new radio show were being judged before the show even took to the air. "
"The original plan for the show was solid. Deborah was a good interviewer who was able to attract big guests and covered many important stores. Originating from home most nights allowed the listeners to eavesdrop on her life. Guests to her show were often invited to her New York City apartment. The City of New York It was an interesting, entertaining program hosted by a bright, articulate woman. "
"The press on Deborah was never good. It never mentioned her performance on the radio show. It only continued to talk about The Today Show. It made the growth of her show slow. While she never lost any stations that were carrying the show, it was difficult getting new stations, proving it wasn't her performance which was hurting, it was the negative image from television which would continue to haunt her. " (Maurice Tunick)
Norville hosted her ABC Radio program for one year.
Return to television
By late 1993, Norville had been hired by CBS News as a correspondent for Street Stories, a prime time newsmagazine hosted by CBS veteran Ed Bradley. The year 1993 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1993. CBS News is the news division of American Television and Radio network CBS. Prime Time is the major News analysis current affairs and Politics programme broadcast on Radio Telefís Éireann in Ireland Edward Rudolph Bradley Jr ( June 22, 1941 – November 9, 2006) was an American Journalist, best known for 26 years Norville was soon tapped to anchor Sunday editions of the CBS Evening News on a rotating basis and also substitute anchored on the weeknight edition of that program. CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. By the summer of 1994, Street Stories had been cancelled and CBS introduced a summer newsmagazine series called America Tonight co-anchored by Norville and newswoman Dana King. The year 1994 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1994.
On her new role at CBS and in reference to her appearances on the CBS Evening News, Norville once remarked, "I hope Bryant [Gumbel] was watching. "
Syndication success
By 1995, Norville, still a news correspondent for CBS was asked to replace Bill O'Reilly, later of Fox News Channel, as the host of the highly popular syndicated news and entertainment program Inside Edition -- a position she holds today. The year 1995 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1995. William James O'Reilly Jr (born September 10 1949 is an American television / radio host, Author, Syndicated columnist, and In Broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast Radio shows and Television shows to multiple individual stations without going through Inside Edition is a syndicated news program on the air since January 9, 1989.
Morning show comeback
In the summer of 2002, the beleaguered Early Show on CBS -- a distant rival of NBC's Today and ABC's GMA -- was in a precarious position. The year 2002 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 2002. The Early Show is an American Television morning news Talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City, 7 to 9 a The show, which had failed to gain traction since its inception in 1999, was devoid of an anchor team. The year 1999 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1999. Former Today host Bryant Gumbel, who had since left NBC to anchor The Early Show, (TES) had not renewed his contract with the network. His co-host, Jane Clayson, was still on the show, albeit with an uncertain future. Jane Clayson Johnson is an Emmy-winning journalist and author CBS, which owns King World, the syndicator for Inside Edition, hired Norville, still anchoring Inside Edition, to co-host alongside Clayson for a week. King World Productions Inc (also known as King World Entertainment or simply King World) was a syndicator of television programming in the United States Inside Edition is a syndicated news program on the air since January 9, 1989. Rumors started that Norville would either join or replace Clayson on the program. Neither materialized, however, as Clayson was removed from the program and CBS opted for a multi-anchor concept of which Norville expressed no interest to be a part, and chose to stick with the syndication arm.
Ironically, CBS had reportedly approached Norville in 1999 about co-hosting the program with Gumbel before its launch. This would have been particularly unusual (if not ironic) given their unsuccessful pairing on Today.
Deborah Norville Tonight
In 2004, MSNBC announced that Norville would anchor a prime time interview program on that network while remaining at Inside Edition. The year 2004 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 2004. MSNBC is a 24-hour cable television news channel based in the United States and available in Canada. A clumsy arrangement was orchestrated in which Norville was prevented from appearing as an anchor for NBC News -- of which MSNBC is a division -- so as not to confuse viewers who identified her with Inside Edition. As a result, if breaking news had developed either during the course of her show or earlier in the day, she was unable to cover the story by speaking with NBC correspondents unless they were featured as guests on the program.
Norville's news broadcasts were not faultless; while at MSNBC in late March 2004, she presented as genuine a satirical article entitled "Study: 58 Percent Of U.S. Exercise Televised" from The Onion, a parody newspaper.
Norville conducted some high profile interviews on the show -- including one with her successor on Today, Katie Couric -- and also addressed some controversial topics including the debate revolving around Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ and Mormon polygamy. Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson, AO (born January 3 1956 The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. TalkMormon#Latter Day Saint vs Latter-day Saint --> Mormon The term polygamy (a Greek word meaning "the practice of multiple marriage" is used in related ways in Social anthropology, Sociobiology, and
During one of the broadcasts on the Passion controversy, Norville disclosed on the air that she was a born-again Christian, having accepted Christ as her savior at age 15. Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " Though Norville's religious identity had been reported previously, it was the first time she had ever made such an announcement on live television.
By February 2005, exhausted from working two jobs and facing flat ratings, Norville announced she would leave MSNBC and continue anchoring the syndicated Inside Edition.
Trivia
- In 1976, she was named Georgia's Junior Miss, a scholarship pageant for college-bound high school girls.
- She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism. Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an Academic degree was earned The University of Georgia ( UGA) is a public research University located in Athens, Georgia, the oldest and largest of the Journalism is the profession of writing or communicating formally employed by publications and broadcasters for the benefit of a particular Community of people
- During her years as a reporter and anchor for a local television station in Atlanta, she dated sports celebrity Harmon Wages, then a local television sports anchor and former running back for the Atlanta Falcons. The Atlanta Falcons are an American football team based in Atlanta Georgia.
- She has twice been awarded an Emmy Award for her television work.
- Alongside Willard Scott, hosted the 1989 and 1990 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade telecast on NBC.
- Deborah tried her hand, and voice, at a brief singing career, releasing a music video for the song Gonna Keep on Movin'. She was signed to Junior Vasquez Music.
- Her tumultuous experiences on The Today Show inspired her to write a book entitled Back on Track: How to Straighten Out Your Life When it Throws You a Curve (Simon & Schuster, 1997). Today, also referred to as The Today Show, is an American morning news and talk show airing weekday mornings on NBC. Simon & Schuster Inc, a division of CBS Corporation, is a Publisher founded in New York in 1924 by Richard L The year 1997 in literature involved some significant events and new books She has also written two children's books, I Don't Want to Sleep Tonight (Golden Books, 1999) and I Can Fly (Golden Books, 2001). The year 2001 in literature involved some significant events and new books
- She is married to Karl Wellner and has three children.
- She has been the mistress of ceremonies at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Fall Gala for the past 8 years. Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or MMRF is a Non-profit organization based in Norwalk Connecticut dedicated to "accelerating the search for a
External links
- Deborah Norville official site
- Deborah Norville's blog and podcast site
- Deborah Norville at the Internet Movie Database
| Preceded by John Palmer | Today Show News Anchor 1989-1990 | Succeeded by Faith Daniels |
| Preceded by Jane Pauley | Host of The Today Show with Bryant Gumbel January 3, 1990–April 1991 | Succeeded by Katie Couric |
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