Johnny Olson: A Voice in Time

I purchased this book a couple of years ago when it first came out. Johnny Olson was best known for his long-time association with Goodson-Todman as their main announcer for their game shows for over 25 years, but he did so much more in both TV and radio. Author Randy West gives detailed accounts of how Johnny took on all sorts of jobs and how he had an effect on those he worked with as well as the final product of the show itself. Nobody said anything negative of him. In the world of show biz, that's practically unheard of.The book is an amazing account of covering a man who made a name for himself by the late 60s. He was ready to take it easy when Goodson-Todman relocated him to work in California for what would be the busiest and most productive years of his life. It was all really unexpected to him. He had a bought a farm in West Virginia and commuted regularly to CA to do his shows. Through it all, he had an energy level and work ethic of a man in his 20s. I remember seeing him at The Price is Right and Match Game, running around the place and dancing like a teenager during his audience warm-ups, and he was in his 60s at the time.Johnny O was the best game show announcer there was. The Price is Right had a HUGE hole to fill when he died in 1985. Ironically, Johnny was on his way to a "Price" taping when he felt ill and pulled his car over. So he went out "with his boots on" so to speak. If you get GSN, the Game Show Network on your cable TV provider, you can still hear Johnny O on Match Game every morning. If you want to know all about the man, this book definitely does him justice. I got my copy at Amazon.

An interesting read with lots of info about Johnny Olson's life and career. I thought that there was a little too much detail regarding the history of early radio and tv. I purchased the book to learn about Johnny Olson and not to become an expert in early radio/tv. Overall, an interesting book about a very well-known (but often not seen) voice in 20th Century television. It's hard to believe that Johnny Olson died almost 25 years ago. He was truly gifted with an incredible voice and the ability to communicate effectively with audiences. I actually had the privilege of seeing him (and his well-known audience warm-up "show") many times as a teenager at Television City at Match Game '7X tapings. As described in the book, he really was an expert at preparing an audience for a show.

For one who grew up with watching great tv game shows in the daytime and at night in the 1970s and 1980s, Johnny Olson was the king of game show announcing just as Mark Goodson and Bill Todman were the kings of tv game show producers. His exuberant voice delivery in the introductions at the start of the game show and with the grand prize and small consolation prize descriptions, and his physical appearances interviewing the audience or appearing on stage with the host and celebrity guests all signalled "fun entertainment" all the way.Randy West goes into wonderful detail profiling a familiar voice in tv history.Great for game show fans and radio and television broadcasting historians!Something missing that I would have loved to see in the book would have been the introductions and catch phrases for all of the tv games Mr. Olson announced so people can try it at home..."A fortune in fabulous prizes can be won by these people today...if they know when The Price Is Right...""Get Ready to Match the Stars...(6 celebrity names)...as we play the star-studded big money 'Match Game 7X!'""Every answer...to every question...is right here...before your eyes...and...NOW...YOU...SEE...IT!...and now here is the star of our show...now you see him...Jack Narz!""From Hollywood...the game of puzzles and prizes... 'Concentration!'""From Hollywood...the game that reveals all! 'I've Got a Secret!'""It's a game for the uninhibited...and today's guest stars are (name) and (name)...see their bodies do the talking on 'Body Language!'""Are you a 'Mindreader?' Yes or No? Will (celebrity name) say 'Yes?' Will (celebrity name) say 'No?' We'll find out today in this game of hunch and ESP...'Mindreaders!'""Take a risk...take a chance...take a dare! Play the game of 'Double Dare!'"

Johnny Olson (1910-1985) was one of television's all time great announcers. Friend and mentee Randy West, with access to Olson's personal archives, has crafted a unique and very well researched biography of the man who was best known for bellowing "Come on down!" on "The Price is Right", beginning in 1972. But it also functions as a history of the television and radio media, from both a technical and artistic standpoint. It is amazing how much of the development of both media Johnny was privy to. The development of specific shows that featured Olson is also discussed, such as "The Match Game" (both the original and the bawdy 70's revival) and "What's My Line?".West traces Olson's Minnesota beginnings as a teenager infatuated with primitive crystal radio sets and amateur transmitting equipment, to his early days as the country's youngest radio station manager. Eventually, Johnny became one of the most in-demand hosts, announcers and warmup personalities on both coasts, often appearing alongside his wife Penny. Jackie Gleason thought so much of Olson's skills, he paid to have him flown in from New York to Miami each week to introduce Gleason's variety show. Diehard TV and radio fans, especially game show fanatics, will enjoy this account of the career of one of the legends of broadcasting.

Anyone 30 or older... as well as younger GSN viewers... will recognize Johnny Olson's voice any time they think of (or watch) "The Price Is Right," "Match Game," or a host of other shows that Johnny played a significant role in. Randy's outstanding book basically takes you through Johnny's life and career; it is a biography, to be sure, but it is even moreso a unique perspective on the events that ultimately shaped Johnny's life, as well as ours.If you're a fan of classic TV, you're bound to learn a lot from what Randy shares with us; if you're an expert in the subject, you'll find anecdotes and nuances that will further shape your understanding. There are a variety of photos as well, most of which were new to this reader.Whatever expectations you have of the book, I predict that you'll come away from it amazed at the breadth of interesting material. Come on down and order your own copy now!