Don Ohlmeyer

Donald Winfred Ohlmeyer Jr. (February 3, 1945September 10, 2017) was an American television producer and president of the NBC network's west coast division. He received notoriety for firing Norm Macdonald from ''Saturday Night Live'' in early 1998, a move that is widely believed to have been motivated by Macdonald's refusal to stop making jokes at the expense of Ohlmeyer's friend, O.J. Simpson.

Ohlmeyer also directed the Olympics and other live sporting events while working for ABC and ESPN. He was a professor of television communications at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Early life

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Ohlmeyer grew up in the Chicago area and attended Glenbrook North High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1967.

Career

ABC Sports

Ohlmeyer began his career with ABC Sports. A disciple of Roone Arledge, he worked on '' Wide World of Sports'', was the first hired producer of ''Monday Night Football'', brought '' Superstars'' to television, and also produced and directed three Olympics broadcasts (including the Munich Olympics).

NBC Sports

Ohlmeyer later moved to NBC as executive producer of the network's sports division, a position he held from 1977 to 1982. Over those five years, he created the popular sports anthology series '' SportsWorld'' and served as Executive Producer of NBC coverage of the Super Bowl and World Series. He also earned notoriety for the prime-time series ''Games People Play'' and the made-for-television movie ''The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story''. Ohlmeyer became well known for expanding the network's sports coverage as well as introducing innovative production techniques. He launched ''NFL Updates'', NCAA Basketball 'Whip-arounds,' and instituted NBC's live coverage of ''Breakfast at Wimbledon''. Ohlmeyer is credited with conceiving the one-time experiment of airing a 1980 NFL telecast without announcers.

Ohlmeyer Communications Company

Ohlmeyer formed his own production company, Ohlmeyer Communications Company (OCC), in 1982. While there he produced several made-for-television movies, network series, and specials. He won an Emmy for ''Special Bulletin'', a harrowing 1983 depiction of nuclear terrorism. His company was also responsible for producing CART IndyCar World Series race telecasts, and golf, including PGA TOUR events, "The Skins Game", and Senior PGA TOUR broadcasts. While at OCC, Ohlmeyer also oversaw Nabisco's 20% stake in ESPN. Ohlmeyer also gained a 49% controlling interest in ''Hockey Night in Canada'' starting in 1986, taking over the Canadian Sports Network that ran the program under the MacLaren Advertising agency.
He later sold his interest to Molstar Communications, the company which already possessed the other 51%.

Return to NBC

Ohlmeyer returned to NBC in 1993 to become president of its West Coast division at a time when the network was in third place in the ratings, following the conclusion of popular shows such as '' Cheers'' and ''The Cosby Show''. During his tenure, NBC returned to first place with such hits as '' Seinfeld'', '' Friends'', '' ER'', '' Homicide'', ''Frasier'', '' Providence'', ''Will & Grace'', and ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien''. While Ohlmeyer was at the helm of NBC, it was the only profitable national network in America. Ohlmeyer also spearheaded NBC's adoption of an aggressive promotional campaign to brand the network such as superimposing the Peacock logo in the corner of the screen and coining the phrase "Must See TV."

During the 1997 World Series, Ohlmeyer caused a stir when he publicly wished that the World Series would end in a four-game sweep so that its low ratings wouldn't derail NBC's primetime leading Thursday "Must See TV" entertainment schedule. The series went the full seven games.

Firing of Norm Macdonald

In early 1998, Ohlmeyer had Norm Macdonald fired from his role as anchor of ''Saturday Night Live''s popular ''Weekend Update'' segment, falsely citing declining ratings and a drop-off in quality. The actual reason for the decision was Macdonald's inclusion of a series of lacerating jokes calling O. J. Simpson a murderer during and after his murder trial (1994–95). The jokes were written primarily by Macdonald and longtime ''SNL'' writer Jim Downey, who was fired from ''SNL'' outright at the same time (he was rehired in 2000). Downey said later that Ohlmeyer and Simpson were good friends.

Shortly after Macdonald was taken off the ''Weekend Update'' desk, David Letterman (during a taping of the '' Late Show'') called Ohlmeyer an "idiot" and referred to him as "Happy Hour Don" (a reference to Ohlmeyer's alcoholism). Letterman later reconsidered and had the remarks removed for broadcast, but the comment (which was heard by the live studio audience) was publicized shortly thereafter in a report in the ''New York Post''. During a later interview with Macdonald, Letterman stated that Ohlmeyer "fancies himself creative" and ridiculed that notion, saying "Here's a man who could not create gas after a bean dinner".

In an appearance on ''Live with Regis and Kathie Lee'', Macdonald said, "Ohlmeyer is best friends with O.J. Simpson. If he can like O.J. Simpson, he can like me."

Ohlmeyer's vindictiveness toward Macdonald continued when he caused NBC to block a promo spot for Macdonald's '' Dirty Work'' from airing and would not allow the film studio to buy air time during other times to promote the film. Ohlmeyer reportedly said, "I just don't think it would be appropriate for us to turn around and take a check for a movie that's promoting somebody who has badmouthed ''Saturday Night Live'' and NBC." However, Ohlmeyer was later overruled by his bosses.

In September 2021, following Macdonald's death, '' Late Night'' host Conan O'Brien revealed that Ohlmeyer had ordered him to stop booking Macdonald as a guest. O'Brien objected and ultimately won out, later booking him numerous times in the years that followed while he was at NBC.

Return to ''Monday Night Football''

After his time at NBC, Ohlmeyer was lured out of retirement in 2000 to spark interest and provide some vigor to the ''MNF'' broadcast. Besides the on-air talent, Ohlmeyer's changes included clips of players introducing themselves, new graphics, use of a sideline Steadicam, and music. In another temporary change, the score bug used nicknames of teams, such as "Skins" and "Fins", instead of the teams' actual names or cities (the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, in this instance). He also made the controversial decision to hire comedian Dennis Miller to join Al Michaels and Dan Fouts in the broadcast booth, an experiment widely regarded in hindsight as a failure.

Ohlmeyer left ''Monday Night Football'' after one season. Ratings for the program had dropped 7% compared to the previous year.

He later served as ombudsman for ESPN.com for 18 months between 2009 and 2011.

Death

After a month of poor health, Ohlmeyer died from cancer in Indian Wells, California, on September 10, 2017, at the age of 72.

Personal life

In 1996, Ohlmeyer was admitted into rehab for alcohol abuse. Earlier, Jamie Tarses, an executive at NBC, had accused Ohlmeyer of sexual harassment. Both parties refused to talk about it on the record, and charges were dropped. Tarses was let out of her contract and became president at ABC.

Awards and honors

Ohlmeyer was honored with 16 Emmys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, two Peabody Awards, Cine Golden Eagle Award, Miami International Film Festival Award, National Film Board Award, Glaad Media Award, and three Humanitas Prizes. In 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement in Sports Broadcasting from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and in 2008 was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Credits (partial)

Television series

* 1972–76 ''Monday Night Football'' (producer)
* 1980 '' Games People Play''
* 1990 ''Lifestories'' (director/executive producer)
* 2000–01 ''Monday Night Football'' (executive producer)

Made-for-television movies

* 1980 ''The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story''
* 1983 ''Special Bulletin'' (executive producer)
* 1986 ''Under Siege''
* 1987 ''Right to Die''
* 1989 ''Cold Sassy Tree'' (executive producer)
* 1991 ''The Heroes of Desert Storm'' (executive producer/director)
* 1992 ''Crazy in Love''

Television specials

* 1972 ''XX Summer Olympic Games'' (director)
* 1976 ''XXI Summer Olympic Games'' (director)
* 1976 ''XII Winter Olympic Games'' (director)
* 1977 '' The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards'' (producer)
* 1977 ''Us Against the World'' (also director)
* 1980 ''XXII Summer Olympic Games'' (executive producer)
* 1988 ''Crimes of the Century''
* 1988 '' The 72nd Indianapolis 500'' (director)
* 1989 ''Walt Disney World's 4th of July Spectacular'' (also director)
* 1990 ''Disney's Christmas on Ice''

References

External links

The Museum of Broadcast Communications Profile

* Jen Clay

March 25, 2004.
*

Don Ohlmeyer Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Don Ohlmeyer hired as ESPN Ombudsman

Don Ohlmeyer inducted into Sports Broadcasting HOF

Don Ohlmeyer's ESPN Biography

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ohlmeyer, Don
1945 births
2017 deaths
American television executives
American television producers
People from Greater Los Angeles
Businesspeople from New Orleans
Sports Emmy Award winners
NBC executives
NBC West Coast Presidents
NBC Daytime executives
Glenbrook North High School alumni
Deaths from cancer in California
20th-century American businesspeople