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In a week where some obituaries of old favorites of mine have emerged: the English composer Laurie Johnson (who created the memorable TV theme for The Avengers, starring Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee) and the folksinger Melanie… another one is tonight’s subject.
In 1994, the venerable Charles Kuralt — whom I profiled in this space back in 2015 — announced his retirement from broadcasting (in general) and as host of the news magazine show he created: CBS Sunday Morning. I remember having some trepidation: who would be replacing him … actually, who could possibly replace him?
Then on his final show he introduced his successor: the veteran CBS newsman Charles Osgood. I needed no introduction, as Osgood not only was a fill-in host on many a CBS news program … but also recorded a series of radio commentaries (the Osgood File) that I remembered fondly. And with that: I let out a sigh of relief, as my day was complete at 10:30 AM Eastern.
He served as host for twenty-two years before retiring in 2016 (compared to Kuralt’s fifteen) and any letters sent to the show specifically for him went to Box “O” (for Osgood). He signed-off each show with, “I’ll see you on the radio”, and as you might imagine: this coming Sunday’s program will be dedicated in part to him, per Jane Pauley (herself, a most worthy successor to Charles Osgood).
Charles Osgood Wood was born in NYC in 1933 and his family also lived in Baltimore and Philadelphia for part of his youth. He graduated with an economics degree from Fordham University and was a mainstay on the campus radio station WFUV (along with, it turns out, the future film/TV star Alan Alda and Jack Haley Jr., the son of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz).
He began as an announcer at a classical music station (WGMS) in Washington, D.C. and later joined the military as an announcer for the US Army Band until 1957. After a stint as general manager of a station in Hartford, Connecticut (that saw him fired after financial troubles) he found a spot at ABC Radio in 1963 as a writer (hired the very week that ABC also hired Ted Koppel, and Ted will be part of the tribute this coming Sunday). It was at that time that he became professionally known as Charles Osgood (as the network already had an announcer named Charles Woods).
He made his final career move in 1967 to CBS, first on its radio side. He began his human interest Osgood File commentaries that ran until the end of 2017. As noted, I recall hearing them throughout the 1970’s … and one that stood out. He was talking about two brothers, and whether one would donate a kidney to the other. I happened to be riding in the car with my younger brother Pat … and we rode in silence. I don’t know what ran through his mind … my own was working feverishly.
Moving to television in 1971, he became a reporter for several years, host of CBS’s Sunday night news program and as noted: a ubiquitous fill-in host for others.
He also had a side gig of music. He often played piano to guest singers on Sunday Morning, and even did guest performances with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Boston Pops Orchestra. He was the narrator for the 2008 film adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who. He wrote a syndicated newspaper column and was the author of seven books (including 2004’s Defending Baltimore Against Enemy Attack, as that is where his family was living during WW-II).
He won four Emmy Awards, plus the George Foster Peabody award and a Hall of Fame induction into the National Association of Broadcasters. And I was surprised to learn that he shared a Grammy Award with Sen. Everett Dirksen (R-IL) in the Spoken Word category with Gallant Men.
Charles Osgood died from dementia at the age of ninety-one. Tributes poured in from across the spectrum, from his successor Jane Pauley, who wondered “How would Charlie say it?” about his on-air delivery. As his earliest radio days were at Fordham University, the school’s current president Tania Tetlow made an observation that seems especially relevant in today’s madness:
He was the voice of reason … in an often unreasonable world.
A final salute came from a former CBS colleague Russ Mitchell— who often reported stories on Sunday Morning, before leaving to become news anchor/executive editor at WKYC in Cleveland, Ohio.
Let’s close with him making one of his frequent music clips on the show. And as noted: this coming weekend’s show will pay tribute to him (they’ll also post YouTube clips the same day).
Now, on to Top Comments:
Nothing came-in from the field today …. we depend upon your efforts
And from Ed Tracey, your faithful correspondent this evening ........
In the front-page story on the MAGA caucus upset that James Comer & Friends have been unable to find a smoking gun against the Biden family — tjlord notes a problem they’ll have if it comes time for a vote.
Next - enjoy jotter's wonderful (and now eternal) *PictureQuilt™* below. Just click on the picture and it will magically take you to the comment featuring that photo.
TOP PHOTOS
January 24th, 2024
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And lastly: yesterday's Top Mojo - mega-mojo to the intrepid mik ...... who rescued this feature from oblivion:
1) Never doubted it. I often refe … by Lex Lurker +1473) [embed] by PvtJarHead +13611) I enjoyed reading that. … by KLWhite +8616) It takes a licking and keeps on ticking. … by hijean +7919) Nikkki by Denise Oliver Velez +7119) Your terms are acceptable … by alx9090 +71