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Today to 1A
From the control room to the green room, Joe Michaels has seen it all. In Today to 1A, the Emmy-winning director pulls back the curtain on five decades of live television—from the chaos of breaking news to the magic of morning shows. With behind-the-scenes stories, unforgettable moments, prominent personalities, and a few well-timed cues, Joe reflects on a career that shaped how America watched TV—one live shot at a time. Live from Studio 1A... all the way to today.
Episodes
14 episodes
Episode 14: Joe's Top Five Musical Guests on The Today Show
On this episode, former Today Show Director Joe Michaels and producer Jim Scott discuss Joe's Top Five musical guests over his 20+ years on the show. From James Taylor to Taylor Swift, you'll discover the very human side of legendary performers...
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Episode 13: Joe's Top Five Today Show Guests
In this episode, former Today Show Director Joe Michaels picks his Top Five Guests, from a director's perspective. Who made the the biggest and best impression on Joe, himself? Give a listen and find out.By the way, our regular podcast s...
Episode 12: Demands famous guests make- and who really does all the work behind the scenes?
On this episode, former Today Show Director Joe Michaels and co-host Jim Scott discuss some of the demands that big stars make. Plus, who really does all the prep work to make sure everything from cooking shows to band performances go off witho...
Episode 11: Backstage at The Today Show
From Taylor Swift to Dustin Hoffman, Bill Clinton to Donald Trump... what was it like to hang out on set with famous- and infamous- people? How "real" were they, in-person? What was in that bag Richard Nixon brought to the Today Show? Who was "...
Episode 10: The Today Show gets bullet-proof glass and... what did Bryant Gumbel really think about the live audience?
On this episode of Today to 1A, former Today Show director Joe Michaels discusses the transformation of the Today Show set, allowing people to peer in as the morning magic is made. Learn inside secrets about the cast felt about that, how the au...
Episode 9: What really goes on behind the scenes of a major political convention, through the eyes of a network news director
In this episode of Today to 1A, former Today Show director Joe Michaels reveals what actually goes on behind the scenes of a major political convention. Fascinating stuff, as we discover how our perception of political leadership is shaped and ...
Episode 8: Joe becomes Director of NBC's Today Show
In the midst of a successful career at NBC Sports, Joe Michaels is eager to explore new horizons (pun intended) at NBC, transitioning to NBC's Sunrise program and, then, to Director of The Today Show, a position he would hold for over 20 years....
Episode 7: Innovator, risk-taker, Hall of Fame sports producer, Glenn Adamo guests
Love the overhead shot of a NHL goalie making a save? That was Glenn Adamo's idea.Love the camera in the goal, itself? That was Glenn Adamo's idea. Love seeing the puck cross the goal line because the crease and the goal ice ...
Episode 6: Former Today Show Director discusses what happens when things go wrong- plus, some career advice that really works.
What happens when things go wrong during live broadcasts? What happens in the ears of talent and producers that we never get to hear back home? Former Today Show Director Joe Michaels and co-host Jim Scott discuss those unforgettable/regrettabl...
Episode 5: Joe takes us behind the scenes to see what really goes on in the control room at NBC
On this episode, Joe shares what we never get to see: what goes on behind the scenes of network television. We head back to the late 70s and early 80s in our timeline and Joe talks about everything from David Brinkley's reaction to doing endles...
Episode 4: Former Today Show Director Joe Michaels on what it's like to direct live network broadcasting
LIVE network broadcasting- no one knows what that's like better than former Today Show Director Joe Michaels. Whether it was directing TODAY every day of the week, or live sports- even national political conventions- Joe's made it happen. So, w...
Episode 3: Joe's sports career at NBC, his wonderful friendship with Joe Garagiola and stories, stories, stories about legendary people and events
In the episode, former Today Show Director Joe Michaels discusses his long career at NBC Sports, including his wonderful friendship with Joe Garagiola. Joe takes us back to what it was like working with and living with the legends of broadcasti...
Episode 2: NBC in the '70s and... walking Katherine Hepburn across the street
On this episode, you'll experience through Joe's eyes what it felt like to be a young associate director for NBC living in the heart of New York City during the exciting times of the 70s, from walking Katherine Hepburn across the street to intr...