A Page in History

In 2005, he embarked on an unforgettable experience as a West Coast Page, a position that opened doors to the exhilarating world behind the scenes of television.

But before being an NBC Page, he worked for Late Night with Conan O'Brien! He'll explain how he got that gig!

As a Page, he'll recount the time he led a group into the Tonight Show dressing room of none other than Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger himself!

You'll hear what it was like to have his tour hijacked by none other than the irrepressible Carrot Top.

He'll reveal what it was like to witness legendary bands rehearsing for The Tonight Show and the unforgettable encounters with die-hard fans of Days of Our Lives.

Our guest will share some hair-raising moments, like when he opened Jay Leno's mail during post-9/11 anthrax scares and the absurd letters he would receive.

He'll even talk about all the chatter when Conan gave The Tonight Show a go!

From pre-show Page meetings to the various Page positions, he'll give us a glimpse into the exhilarating life of an NBC Page.

Imagine the thrill of working outside with eager fans waiting to enter, the nerve-wracking presence of the secret service during Laura Bush's appearance, and the intense excitement surrounding a tribute show to the legendary Johnny Carson. He’ll talk about it all!

Prepare to be amazed as he shares anecdotes about encounters with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Avril Lavigne and the unforgettable highlight of seeing the legendary band KISS!

And let's not forget his time working with Dennis Miller and spotting Dennis himself in the commissary.

Our guest will take us through the Old West set on the Universal lot, where special screenings unfolded, and reveal his experiences witnessing the birth of new pilots, including iconic shows like The Office and Surface.

And don't miss the heart-pounding competition among Pages for the coveted Development assignment, with each one vying for a chance to shape the future of television.

As our guest delves into his time in NBC Primetime Development, he'll unveil the electrifying atmosphere, the thrill of reading scripts, and the fascinating projects being developed at that time, including future hits like Heroes and The Walking Dead.

Discover how he found his place to become a Senior Manager on the Digital Distribution Release Planning team at NBCUniversal.

This is an episode you don't want to miss as we unravel the exhilarating history of television through the eyes of a true industry insider. Get ready for laughter, surprises, and a journey like no other; please enjoy the show with Danny Baram!

In this installment of Part Two, which marks the celebratory continuation of our second season of "A Page in History," we delve further into our captivating dialogue with a wonderful Hollywood writer!

From his early days as an NBC Page, selling tickets for the NBC Tour, he went on to superstardom to craft scripts for iconic shows like "3rd Rock from the Sun," "That '70s Show," and "King of the Hill.” He also wrote for shows on Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, and Amazon Studios.

His love of sports led him to work with the chairman of NBC Sports, Dick Ebersol! Who happens to love a great cigar!

He also got a glimpse of a TV pilot of a little show called "Law & Order, yes, that legendary series; he wasn’t sure it was going to work!

And he was asked to escort a female actress from LA Law to a major event where he introduced her to Johnny Carson, James Garner, and the gracious at the time, Bill Cosby, who bestowed upon him a special nickname. This guest's life is better than a TV drama!

And wait, there's more! Ever wondered how to get Letterman tickets? Well, our guest once gave advice to an alleged porn star on just that, leaving his co-pages blushing FOR him!

But through it all, the most fulfilling part of his journey was the family of pages he shared his time with. The bond and camaraderie among these pages made his experience truly memorable and heartwarming.

Please enjoy Part Two of this fun and exciting episode with someone I hold dear to my heart – the one and only Mr. Dave Schiff!

I'm an enthusiastic admirer of my upcoming guest, and I promise you're in for an extraordinary experience! This talented individual, along with his dedicated team, possesses a remarkable ability to transport audiences to diverse places, which all help to tell a story!

His artistry entails the intricate design process and the profound responsibility of its creation. You have all seen his work, but today, we'll pull back the curtain and shine a light on the magic he creates!

He's one of the masterminds responsible for conceptualizing and constructing the legendary sets featured on "Saturday Night Live."

He played a pivotal role in shaping the current rendition of the "Saturday Night Live" set, with its captivating Grand Central theme and the iconic Opal Timeclock that greets you at the start of every episode.

We are going to delve into the intricate, painstaking, and high-pressure process of designing and building these sets for the broadcast live every Saturday night at 11:30. Trust me; it's a conversation you won't want to miss; you will be fascinated at this glimpse into the world of production design and the wizardry that unfolds behind the scenes of this legendary television program.

He will also share insights into his journey from starting as an NBC Page to forging a thrilling and fulfilling career in the industry.

Furthermore, our conversation will touch upon the iconic figures who have left an indelible mark on "Saturday Night Live," such as the legendary announcer Don Pardo and the influential music producer Hal Willner, who contributed to the unforgettable soundtracks of many beloved sketches and more!

We'll explore the inner workings of the film unit, the dedicated crew responsible for creating the pre-recorded videos and commercials that grace the show.

And you'll have to stay tuned to discover if there are any exciting plans or tantalizing secrets he can share about the forthcoming 50th-anniversary show!

Plus, he's got a treasure trove of many other thrilling stories to share, including his intriguing experiences at CNBC, his stint in NBC's Press & Publicity, and the diverse Page Assignments he took on; plus, you'll hear about his fascinating encounters with legendary talent like Conan and Jay Leno.

He'll also take us on a journey through his upbringing in Connecticut and his academic pursuits in architecture, design, and theater. And he'll talk about his involvement with Ragtime and Seussical the Musical!

Moreover, you'll hear about his current passion – a deep and enduring love for crafting and bringing unique puppets to life, which has become a central focus in his creative endeavors.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is both an honor and an absolute delight to introduce our distinguished guest. He is a true artisan and a recipient of multiple Emmy© Awards. Please enjoy this conversation with Saturday Night Live's Production Designer, Mr. Joe DeTullio!

Get ready for an extraordinary journey in today's episode of "A Page in History" and hear stories from the 1980s!

Hear how our next guest made small talk with some lovely ladies and told them the Bandit would be by any minute. To his surprise, the one and only Burt Reynolds did make an appearance.

Hear how our guest faced the amusing trials of inexperience, once preventing an NBC Anchor from entering the building—an unforgettable blunder that speaks volumes about the learning curve of his fascinating journey.

From tickling the ivories as a guest piano player on the set of Saturday Night Live, where he shared the stage with the incomparable Eddie Murphy, to becoming a news and sports anchor for affiliates of NBC, CBS, and Fox, his career is a testament to his versatility and resilience.

Hear about his encounter with a political figure and the near mishap of almost knocking Ted Kennedy to the ground right before an interview on Meet the Press.

And who could forget the unconventional swim in the fountain at Rockefeller Plaza with none other than the legendary Bill Murray?

His journey is sprinkled with memorable encounters, from retrieving a guitar left behind by CHEAP TRICK to escorting Debbie Harry of Blondie on Valentine's Day, receiving a box of chocolates in gratitude.

He even played a pivotal role in helping David Letterman find his dressing room on his first day in NYC, setting the stage for the iconic career that followed.

One of the most remarkable chapters of our guest involves sleeping in his car for six straight nights at Cape Canaveral while working as a production assistant for the TODAY SHOW during the lead-up to the first Space Shuttle Launch in 1981.

He sang and played piano for a duet with another NBC employee in the first ALL-NBC TALENT SHOW, held in 8-H. Tom Snyder was hosting.

Join us on a captivating journey through the pages of his remarkable life, sharing anecdotes that span from the humorous to the heartwarming and reminding us that sometimes, the most unforgettable moments are written in the margins of history. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Doug Sivco!

Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Saturday Night Live! You'll hear untold stories and secrets of this iconic show.

Discover the unexpected connections between Prince, Batman, and SNL.

Uncover the shocking truth about the 15th Anniversary of SNL and the notable absence of a certain someone.

Hear about Robin Williams' impromptu performance for a tour group, showcasing his incredible talent.

Learn how to secure tickets for the show, including standby tickets; the process is quite an ordeal!

Find out if Marci Klein, Calvin's daughter, really had her panties in an uproar!

Hear about the magic of set construction as we explore how the elaborate sets for SNL are built and brought into the studio.

And explore the golden era of television programming in the early 90s and gain insights into ratings, budgets, scheduling, and advertising.

Plus, you’ll discover valuable tips on making friends and networking to break into the entertainment business.

Don't miss this captivating episode of "A Page in History" with our special guest Ken Hommel.