“The Voice” Don Pardo

By: Frank Carpano

Don Pardo, the famous announcer who is the voice that introduces each Saturday Night Live show was at NBC 10 today.

He is in Rhode Island to be inducted into the state’s Radio Hall of Fame. He worked at the old WJAR radio in the 30’s and 40’s. In fact, he left WJAR for New York and the NBC network where he still works today. At the age of 91!

Our paths have crossed a couple of times.
The first time was when I was an undergrad at Ithaca College. I hosted a 50 hour radiothon to benefit the American Heart Association and each hour I interviewed a different guest via the telephone.

At the time, Pardo was a famous booth announcer for NBC and did a lot of voice work on the then wildly famous “Imus in the Morning” show on WNBC radio. I was a college student working at the school station and held Pardo and Imus in high esteem.

Pardo called in to our little radiothon to spend a few minutes speaking with a wet behind the ears college freshman. I can’t remember how the interview went, (no doubt plenty of ums and ahs by me) but I couldn’t believe my good fortune to speak with one of broadcastings most famous voices.

When I saw Pardo today I told him we had bumped into each other many, many years ago on an elevator at 30 Rock (the building that is home to the NBC network). I was in awe of him then. Not sure I said a word.

He couldn’t have been more gracious today, kindly spending time speaking with me and my co-workers.

I don’t usually go out of my way to approach celebrities whose work I admire. Too many times I discover that they aren’t very nice people and that spoils my enjoyment of their future work.

I am happy to report that Don Pardo, broadcasting legend, didn’t disappoint me. Professionally and personally, he’s the best!