Doug Llewelyn

Doug Llewelyn (born November 26, 1938) is an American television personality, best known as the original host of the court show ''The People's Court'' from 1981 to 1993. Previously a news reporter, Llewelyn has also been the producer of a number of special programs including the popular ''The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults'' television special in 1986.

Early life and early career

Llewelyn was born in Maryland in 1938 and later moved to Lancaster, South Carolina with his family, and attended the University of South Carolina.(4 November 2007)
Fascinating adventures
''Times-News'' (Hendersonville, North Carolina)(12 February 1988
The Stroller
''Spartanburg Herald-Journal'' He became an announcer at a South Carolina station while still in high school, and then moved to New York City, working as a page for Perry Como, and later moving to work for Chet Huntley in the news room. He also worked in New York as a producer for the ''Long John Nebel Show'' on WNBC Radio, and as a radio reporter for Armed Forces Radio.(17 May 1961). Delivering a Message, ''New York Daily News'', p. 14 (photograph "Pfc. Doug Llewelyn broadcasts information about Armed Forces Day") (available via paywall at newspapers.com)(5 December 1976)
New Co-Host
''The San Bernardino Sun'', TV Week, p. 18Millwood, Joey (26 July 2013)
Playhouse is Llewelyn family passion
GoUpstate.comSherill, Alice (6 September 1991). ''He's a Lancaster star, of courts'', ''The York Observer'', p. 10 (available via paywall at newspapers.com, accessed 11 September 2023)

Career

After eight years working in New York, Llewelyn moved to the Washington, D.C. market, working at WDCA-TV (an independent station), and then WTOP (a CBS affiliate), as a news reporter on TV and radio. He was eventually hosting a talk show called "Nine in the Morning", and producing specials under the title "Doug's World". In 1976, he moved to KNXT (now KCBS-TV), the Los Angeles CBS network station, and began co-hosting the show "Noontime."(26 December 1976), Doug Llewelyn (blurb), ''Long Beach Independent'', p. 83 (available via paywall at newspapers.com)

In 1981, he was chosen to be the courtroom reporter for a new syndicated court room series, ''The People's Court''.Duffy, Mike (16 September 1981)
A Legal 'Looney Tunes' In 'The People's Court'
''Toledo Blade'' Llewelyn would introduce the litigants of each case, get audience input before a verdict, and interview the litigants as they exited the courtroom. The success of the show made Llewelyn well known, including for his catchphrase at the end of every episode, "Don’t take the law into your own hands — you take 'em to court".Twomey, Steve (25 November 1981)
Real-life spats become entertainment
''Boca Raton News''Pennington, Lucinda (24 April 1982)
The People's Court: Everyone's a Winner
''Windsor Star'' However, he concluded some episodes by saying, "If someone files a lawsuit against you and yet you're convinced you've done nothing wrong, don't be intimidated. The best policy is to go to court and stand up for your rights."

In 1986, Llewelyn was a producer of ''The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults'', which became the highest-rated ever syndicated television show at the time. Though he was a primary arranger behind the program, he did not want to host it himself, leading to the search for a "big name", and landing on Geraldo Rivera.Rumore, Kori (20 April 2023)
‘The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults’: Watch the highly-rated, live TV special hosted by Geraldo Rivera in 1986
''Chicago Tribune''(1 September 2022)
The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults
One Year: 1986, ''Slate'' (podcast) He also produced the ''Return to Titanic'' live special in 1987.Bates, James (24 November 1987)

''Los Angeles Times''Thompson, Taylor (29 June 2023)
Hendersonville's own 'People's Court' host recounts his risky submarine dive to Titanic wreckage
''WLOS''

After the first run of ''The People's Court'' ended, and after doing coverage for the O.J. Simpson trial, Llewelyn helped create the Judge Judy show, and was a supervising producer for its first season.

Llewelyn rejoined ''The People's Court'' in the reporter role in 2016.Nickerson, John (2 July 2016)
‘People’s Court’ reporter Doug Llewelyn, now 77, returns to show
''Stamford Advocate''

Other work

Llewelyn has had cameo appearances in a number of films, TV shows, music videos, and has appeared in many commercials. He is the announcer in the 1992 music video for the Nirvana song In Bloom, and appears in the 1994 "Weird Al" Yankovic video for "Headline News".Smith, Ernie (28 February 2017)
How Judge Wapner Launched the Phenomenon of Court Shows on Modern TV
Atlas ObscuraTannenbaum, Rob and Craig Marks
I Want My MTV
p. 488 (2011) (quoting Dave Grohl as saying "we just wanted to meet Doug Llewelyn from ''People's Court''.) Other cameos include playing a parade announcer in ''National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'' (1989) and store manager in '' Ice Cream Man'' (1995) (including a line where he says "by the way, you're not going to take us to court, are you?").

Away from the television screen, Llewelyn also co-created a business in 1980 called the "Electronic Press Kit" for movies. They did press kits for over 200 movies, including '' E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' (1982), where director Steven Spielberg would also ask Llewelyn about People's Court cases he'd seen. He later moved into doing in-house television segments for companies.Kiss, Tony (7 March 2012). ''From People's Court to Playhouse'', ''Asheville Citizen-Times''

Personal

Llewelyn has lived in Hendersonville, North Carolina since around 1997. He has two grown daughters with his wife, Dale.

References

External links

*

dougllewelyn.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Llewelyn, Doug
1938 births
Living people
American infotainers
Warner Bros. Discovery people
Warner Bros. people
NBCUniversal people
People from Hendersonville, North Carolina