Customer Reviews

Johnny Olson: A Voice In Time

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

If you ever watched TV between the 50s and the 80s, chances are you've heard the voice of the late, great Johnny Olson at one time or another, and this fine bio by former Olson protege Randy West will take you through:

- His early years growing up in Windom, MN, where he first became interested in the new medium known as radio
- How he met his beloved wife and occasional co-host, "Million Dollar" Penny
- The progression of his career, from local to national radio, then to TV, and even some attempts at acting on both screen AND stage
- How he became the go-to guy for Jackie Gleason (who went so far as to fly him down from NY to Miami Beach, just so Johnny could do the warm-ups for Gleason's 60s variety show!) and Goodson-Todman
- Why his retirement plans were suddenly put on the back burner with the astonishing success of a 1970s revival of a certain 50s/60s G-T game about guessing the prices of merchandise

All told, it's a great read, and also features lots of rare photos of "the man" in action...Randy, I'm sure your mentor would be proud. :-)

This is a very thick book - 409 pages - but that's because you get a lot more than information about the beloved Johnny Olson's life. You also get the history of radio, the history of "Amos 'n' Andy" (Johnny's favorite radio show), the history of the Music Corporation of America, and much, much more. Johnny certainly deserves a biography, and I'm glad it was written with such fondness and respect. Thank you, author West.

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 ESP...'Mindreaders!'"

"Take a risk...take a chance...take a dare! Play the game of 'Double Dare!'"