David Israel (born March 17, 1951, in

New York City, New York New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harb ...

) is an American television producer,

writer A writer is a person who uses written words in different writing styles, genres and techniques to communicate ideas, to inspire feelings and emotions, or to entertain. Writers may develop different forms of writing such as novels, short sto ...

, former sportswriter and general columnist. A 1973 graduate of

Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...

's Medill School of Journalism, Israel wrote for the '' Chicago Daily News'', '' Washington Star'', the ''

Chicago Tribune The ''Chicago Tribune'' is an American daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1847, it was formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper", a slogan from which its once integrated WGN (AM), WGN radio and ...

'' (for which he wrote a nationally syndicated column) and the ''

Los Angeles Herald-Examiner The ''Los Angeles Herald Examiner'' was a major Los Angeles daily newspaper, published in the afternoon from Monday to Friday and in the morning on Saturdays and Sundays. It was part of the Hearst syndicate. It was formed when the afternoon ' ...

''. He is known for violating the "old bylaw" of neutrality in

journalism Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the "news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree of accuracy. The word, a noun, applies to the journ ...

when he announced at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics hockey game at which the American team eventually beat the Soviets, "Gentlemen, there will be cheering in the press box."Hubert Mizell
"Miracle on Ice unmatched in capturing American spirit,"
'' St. Petersburg Times'', Feb. 10, 2002. He was right. Israel went on to a career in Hollywood as producer and writer of hour-long television dramas and made-for-television movies and mini-series. His credits include co-executive producer/writer of '' Tremors: The Series'', '' Midnight Caller'' and '' The Untouchables'', writer/producer of ''A Comedy Salute to Baseball Starring Billy Crystal'', and a writer on the baseball-themed series '' Bay City Blues''. He also executive produced ''The Port Chicago Mutiny'', ''Pandora's Clock'', '' House of Frankenstein''. and '' Y2K (TV movie)''. In 2000, Don Ohlmeyer hired Israel as coordinating producer to help him retool ABC's '' Monday Night Football''. In a controversial move, they hired comedian Dennis Miller to join

Al Michaels Alan Richard Michaels (born November 12, 1944) is an American television play-by-play sportscaster for '' Thursday Night Football'' on Amazon Prime Video and in an emeritus role for NBC Sports. He has worked on network sports television sin ...

and Dan Fouts in the broadcast booth. In 1984, Israel served as Director, Officer of the President for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. In 2004,

Governor of California The governor of California is the head of government of the U.S. state of California. The Governor (United States), governor is the commander-in-chief of the California National Guard and the California State Guard. Established in the Constit ...

Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, businessman, former politician, and former professional bodybuilder, known for his roles in high-profile action films. Governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger, ...

, a personal friend, appointed Israel, a Democrat,Office of the Governor
"Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments"
(press release), August 15, 2008. to the California Science Center Board."Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments,"
''Schwarzenegger.com News'', July 27, 2004. He was president of the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission, having served on the Commission since 2005. In 2008, Schwarzenegger appointed him to the California Horse Racing Board where he served as Chair. As a sports columnist, Israel wrote about the Triple Crown triumphs of " Seattle Slew" and " Affirmed," and about the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Israel, David Israel,David Living people Medill School of Journalism alumni American television producers Israel,David Israel,David Sportswriters from New York (state) Los Angeles Herald Examiner people Chicago Daily News people The Washington Star people Chicago Tribune people