[Deathwatch] Tom Snyder, 'Tomorrow' talk show host, 71

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

'Tomorrow' host Snyder dies at 71
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/30/obit.snyder.ap/index.html

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- Talk show host Tom Snyder, whose
smoke-filled interviews were a staple of late night television, has
died after a struggle with leukemia. He was 71.

 Snyder died Sunday in San Francisco from complications associated with
leukemia, said his longtime producer and friend Mike Horowicz.

Known for his improvised, casual style and robust laughter, Snyder
conducted a number of memorable interviews as host of NBC's "The
Tomorrow Show." Among his guests were John Lennon, Charles Manson and
Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols.

He gained more fame when Dan Aykroyd lampooned him in the early days of
"Saturday Night Live."

Snyder began his career as a radio reporter in Milwaukee in the 1960s,
then moved into local television news. He anchored newscasts in
Philadelphia and Los Angeles before moving to late night.

In 1973, Snyder left news to host "The Tomorrow Show," which followed
"The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. He hosted the show until 1981,
according to "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable
Shows."

His catch phrase for the show was: "Fire up a colortini, sit back,
relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air."
Snyder smoked throughout his show, the cigarette cloud swirling around
him during interviews.

In 1980, "Tomorrow" -- which had been 60 minutes -- was expanded to 90
minutes. Gossip columnist Rona Barrett was added to the show, but she
and Snyder didn't get along. Their feud made headlines.

In 1995, he returned to late-night television as the host of "The Late
Late Show with Tom Snyder" on CBS. The program followed David
Letterman's "Late Show" until 1998, when Snyder was replaced by Craig
Kilborn.

Snyder announced on his Web site in 2005 that he had chronic
lymphocytic leukemia.

"When I was a kid leukemia was a death sentence," he wrote then. "Now,
my doctors say it's treatable!"

Many thanks to TheLenGuy for posting this obituary