Johnny Olson

[TPIRFAN1964]

If he were alive today, our beloved TPIR announcer (1972-1985) Johnny Olson, would be 99 years old, born on this date in 1920.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHNNY!!!   WE MISS YOU!!!

[Ted]

If he were alive today, our beloved TPIR announcer (1972-1985) Johnny Olson, would be 99 years old, born on this date in 1920.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHNNY!!!   WE MISS YOU!!!

I'm no Math major...oh, wait, YES I AM!  I think that would make Johnny 89 years old, not 99.  Unless his year of birth was 1910?

[Chief-O]

It was 1910.

[TPIRFAN1964]

I made a typo. in my original post. Johnny was indeed born in 1910 and not 1920.   

[plinkoplus]

Hey Johnny.

Me Chris Kennedy here.

I just wanna give you a BIG SHOUT OUT!!!  and wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!.

Johnny, you always inspired me to become an announcer and host.  Something I already am doing locally.

I wish I could've met you my man and you would have been impressed by my sounding like Charlie O'Donnell, Don Pardo, and most of all, you.   

You would be proud of me.

I hope you are enojying life in the afterlife.

You will always be loved by me very fondly.

I remember seeing and hearing you during my first few years of life.  I will always cherish these memories.

But remember. you still live on, as I see and hear you everytime I put on the tv and see shows online.  I love that.

Well you take care Johnny, and to you Penny as well, a sweet woman.

Johnny, you're very kind.

Take care and bless you.

Wishing you nothing but da best,
Chris Kennedy

[Kirsten Vaccaro]

Happy Birthday Johnny!

[StoxMan]

Happy Birthday Johnny. You were one of Game Shows very best announcers, and we miss you !

[edmojautis]

Happy Birthday Johnny!!! We all miss you and love you so much!!! 

[X54321]

I was born in the 90's but I watched retro eps and you were good

[brian1975]

long live the legend, happy birthday mr. olson.

[Rlotpir1972]

One more year and Johnny would be ONE CENTURY OLD  if he's still alive.  I'm sure he's up there somewhere doing his thing, along with other game show announcers like:

Gene Wood -- Family Feud ('76-'85 and '88-'95), Card Sharks, Classic Concentration, Password ('79-'82, '84-'89), Beat the Clock ('70-'72), Win, Lose or Draw, Child's Play, Baby Races
Rod Roddy -- Whew!, Battlestars, Love Connection, Hit Man, Press Your Luck, The Price is Right ('85-'03)
Kenny Williams -- Hollywood Squares, Gambit, High Rollers, Magnificent Marble Machine
Johnny Jacobs -- The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, The Gong Show, The Joker's Wild, Break the Bank
Jack Clark -- '60s Password, $10,000 Pyramid, Wheel of Fortune ('78-'88), Cross-wits (hosted)
Bob Clayton -- Shoot for the Stars, Pyramids ('76-'81)
Jay Stewart -- Let's Make a Deal ('72-'77), Scrabble, Sale of the Century


...and other game show hosts like:

Allen Ludden -- Password, Password All-Stars, Password Plus
Jack Narz -- Now You See It ('74-'75), Concentration ('73-'79), Beat the Clock '79 (announced, cameo)
Gene Rayburn -- Choose or Lose, Match Game ('63-'69, '73-'82), Break the Bank '85
Jack Barry -- Twenty-One, The Joker's Wild, Break the Bank '77
Bert Convy -- Tattletales, Super Password, Win, Lose or Draw
Art Fleming -- Jeopardy! ('62-'74, '79)

[jharvey79]

Johnny Olson was definitely a class act, and a great announcer that fit in perfectly with the show...Come on Down!!!

[pentellit]

Here is something that Holly Hallstrom wrote to a fan about Johnny Olson.  I hope you like it.
....................................... ........

I consider myself so fortunate to have worked with Johnny. He was such a fine man and human being. Did you know that he almost single-handedly funded a summer camp in the south for underprivileged boys? He never talked about it, never bragged. He was as humble as he was generous. And he never said an unkind word about anyone. He was such a sweet, kind, big hearted man who definitely was The Greatest Announcer in the business.

I remember one day watching Johnny have the flu during taping, vomiting into the wastebasket next to his podium, and the director was telling Johnny to “push it” because we were running behind. Johnny, sick as he was with the flu, throwing up into the wastebasket, was spitting out copy like a machine gun, and it was flawless! He truly was The Best in The Biz. And he loved his work.

It always bothered me that Barker introduced Johnny to the audience as “One of the world’s truly great announcers, Johnny Olson”, while Johnny introduced Barker as “The world’s greatest game show host”. I hated that. I always thought Barker should have said “THE world’s greatest announcer, Johnny Olson”, because that’s what he was.

Johnny said something to me that has stayed with me to this day. He and I were hurrying into the studio at the same time, we were both late (Johnny flew in every taping week and his plane had been delayed landing). He said “Whenever I’m running late I always say to myself ‘Uh, oh, I’m late, I’d better slow down.’” It was a funny, “opposites” kind of thing to say, and for some reason it stayed with me. I can’t tell you how many times I have said it to myself over the years, whenever I’m running late. I say to myself “Uh, oh, I’m late, I’d better slow down.” And I slow down, and I think of Johnny, and I miss him. Funny how a simple thing like that can stick with you.

I really admired Johnny, he was a twinkle-in-the-eye kind of person, special, a generous and gracious humanitarian who epitomized professionalism. I feel so blessed to have worked with him.

Thanks for letting me ramble, it’s been really nice remembering Johnny. Warm Wishes, Holly Hallstrom

[MarkS]

I would have loved to meet Johnny Olson. Everything about him was first class. And no voice could generate excitement like his. We miss you, John.

[WarioBarker]

I remember one day watching Johnny have the flu during taping, vomiting into the wastebasket next to his podium, and the director was telling Johnny to “push it” because we were running behind. Johnny ... was spitting out copy like a machine gun, and it was flawless!

And this is because Johnny refused to miss a taping, ladies and gentlemen. I kinda wish we could possibly narrow this down to a specific timeframe, though...

It always bothered me that Barker introduced Johnny to the audience as “One of the world’s truly great announcers, Johnny Olson”, while Johnny introduced Barker as “The world’s greatest game show host”. I hated that. I always thought Barker should have said “THE world’s greatest announcer, Johnny Olson”, because that’s what he was.

I'm really not surprised. Bob was never one to give titles like that to anybody but himself.