Unearthing NBC’s Promo Past: A Note from Noel Engler

I'm back now after an unanticipated pause from May to now (apologies — I got a little busy being a total Tiffani Thiessen fanboy). This time, I've got something special.

In order to fully piece together the story behind NBC's Our Pride Is Showing campaign, I spoke to someone who was actually there — Noel Engler, who at the time was the head of NBC's on-air promotion.

Engler told me of projects he remembers from the Advertising and Promotion department and of his interactions with Frank Pintauro and Skip Stuart, who got to oversee the original promotional NBC production. Tapes of early promotional materials were sent to the Museum of Broadcasting - now the Paley Center for Media - via Betty Hudson.

Engler was also complimentary of the next major campaign, Just Watch Us Now. He called it the best of the bunch and praised Steve Sohmer for his creativity.

It's not a lot, but it is a part of NBC history, and it reminds us that the history of television is not encased only in archives, but in the memories of those who were there creating it.

- ChantingMammal

(Bonus: here are some concept art for NBC's 1981 affiliate convention that was provided to this blog by The Computer Parts, you can check out their channel here)

More of these photos will be posted later!

Norm from Cheers death + 32 years of Cheers finale

I just heard that George Wendt who played the character of Norm Peterson from Cheers died on May 20th 2025, 32 years after the Cheers finale. The passing felt like an end of an era especially as a 1980s NBC (tartikoff-era) fanatic and a fan of Cheers.

In honor of his death, I found a compilation of clips where every time Wendt (as Norm) enters Cheers from 1982-93:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXED2AVlbR0&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD

Hope he's safe in heaven with Nicholas Colosanto (Coach Ernie Pantusso), and Kirstie Alley (who played Rebecca Howe) (even Brandon Tartikoff too).

As to think, George Wendt brought to life a character who was more than just a bar regular; he was a symbol of camaraderie, wit, and the comfort of familiar faces.

As we raise a glass in his memory, we celebrate the life of a man who brought laughter and comfort to so many.

Rest in peace, George Wendt. You will be missed.

Found It! Pre-Mad About You Paul Reiser's Hilarious NBC Promo Video from 1989 - Rare Lost NBC Gem from the 1980s

Ever dig through old TV clips and stumble upon a lost gem (that happened to the TAT Communications Company logo)? That's what this NBC promotional video hosted by Paul Resier (before Mad About You) (pictured on the right) feels like - a delightful time capsule from NBC in the 1980s. Forget the standard interview format; Reiser embarks on a hilarious Hollywood ad
venture seeking advice from Bob Hope, finding Betty White (Rose Nylund, Golden Girls) at the LA Zoo, visiting Cloris Leachman (post-FOL) on the set of "The Nutt House", jamming with Sherman Hemsley (Ernest Frye, Amen) on Ain't that A Kick in the Head (nice song, you can hear it here). 

It's like a nostalgic trip through NBC's golden era, and yes after the end credits, the 1989-90 "Come Home to the Best" promo plays. The purpose of this special from 1989 is that Brandon Tartikoff (pictured here) asked a pre-Mad About You Reiser to interview all the new and returning NBC shows for the 1989-90 season.

This included interviews with Bob Hope at a Golf (pictured here)

Sherman Hemsley (pictured here) at a Record Studio singing "Ain't that a Kick in the Head" (nice banger)

If you are a fan of Mad About You, My Two Dads, and NBC especially their 80s era, you should check out this VHS promotion tape right here:

(Fun Fact: Seinfeld debuted during the 1989-90 season in July 1989 (with the pilot episode, four more episodes aired at the end of the 1989-90 season in June/July when NBC was starting their 1990-91 season ("The Place to Be") before the season ("Only On NBC").) officially started in September 1989)

Opinion: Why Jo is the Best Facts of Life Character (according to anybody)

Out of all the characters in The Facts of Life, Jo Polniaczek (Nancy McKeon)'s character stands out the most, as she brought in something that no one else had — grit, realism, and growth. As soon as Jo entered Eastland, she challenged the status quo with a streetwise attitude, strong morals, and a tough exterior. She gradually started opening up to the audience throughout the show, eventually revealing the many layers beneath her armor: her vulnerability, loyalty, and intelligence.

There was nothing popular or pretentious about her; she stood for what was right, even when it was hard. The emotional heft of the show came from her incredibly close bond with Mrs. Garrett and the complicated friendship with Blair. Jo went from rebellious outsider to responsible adult and made those transitions feel organic, inspiring, and earned. Nancy McKeon's grounded performance made Jo more than a character. Instead, they were casting her as a mirror image for anyone who didn't quite fit in but still wanted to do good. She contrived strength without arrogance; care without weakness; truth without apology. That was Jo – heart, conscience, and anchor – in what was certainly a cast of memorable personalities. 

In short, Jo Polniaczek wasn't just the best character in The Facts of Life; she was the soul of the show.

Review: Cheers Seasons 1 to 3

On September 30th, 1982, NBC under programming chief Brandon Tartikoff debuted a sitcom about a cozy Boston bar "where everybody knows your name" called Cheers (Charles|Burrows|Charles/Paramount Television), it quickly evolved into one of the smartest and most beloved sitcoms of NBC especially airing Thursdays at 9:00pm (where it mostly is) or 9:30pm (It aired at 9:30pm during the beginning of the 1983-84 season). I watched all the first three seasons and want to give my thoughts on these seasons.

Season 1 (1982-83)

The inagural season of Cheers introduced us to Sam Malone (Ted Danson), a baseball player and recovering alcoholic-turned bartender, Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) who is the snobby intellectual waitress, Coach Ernie Pantusso (Nicholas Colasanto), who was Sam Malone's coach, Carla Tortelli (Rhea Perlman) and barflies Norm and Cliff.

Even though Cheers struggled in the ratings at first, Season 1 is impressively well written, and the critics loved it when Season 1 originally aired on NBC during the 1982-83 season. The will-they-won't-they tension between Sam and Diane drives much of the comedy and drama in Cheers, with Ted Danson delivering a great peformance as Sam and Shelley Long bringing naunce and hilarity to Diane's highbrow's persona.

I would say that Season 1 of Cheers is a 8/10 especially the funny scenes, and the romantic scenes with Sam and Diane but it needs more improvement in Season 2, I can see how the writers react after the critics loved it back in 1982-83.

Season 2 (1983-84)

The tensions between Sam and Diane builds during Season 2, and as Season 2 rolled along, the writers lean into searialized storytelling especially with the Sam and Diane love gimmick. The ensemble is fleshed out more with Norm, Cliff, and Coach getting stronger material.

Season 2 also benefits from the increasing comfort of the cast in their roles, making the bar even more lively, while still maintaining comedy.

I would say that Season 2 of Cheers is a 9/10 like Season 1 but more evolved. The chemistry of Sam and Diane is amazing, and the bar is more lively in Season 2 but doesn't have a psychiatrist which we would get in Season 3.

Season 3 (1984-85)

This season may be the strongest of the early seasons, and this season marked the debut of Fraiser Crane who is a neurotic, education psychiatrist who adds a whole new flavor to the Cheers gang, he would become a legendary character in his own right and will get a spinoff by the time Cheers ended in May 1993.

Well speaking of the writing, the writers managed to keep the relationship of Sam and Diane both unpredictable and engaging without becoming repetitive.

This season was the final season for Coach Ernie Pantusso as he continues to be the heart of the show as Nicholas Colasanto gives one of his most heartworming peformances as Coach during his final season before his death, and as we see in Season 4 with Coach's replacement Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson) he would certainly keep the legacy of Coach alive after Colasanto's death.

In my opinion Season 3 would be a 10/10. Sam and Diane's relationship dynamic which is often imitated (wait until Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley) shows up in 1987 replacing Diane) but rarely matched is the fiery center of Cheers. From the writing to the perfect chemistry of the cast, these first three years of Cheers are why it became an American classic and the start of Must See TV.

If you are new to Cheers, start at it's first episode "Give Me a Ring Sometime", you will be suprised how that little bar in Boston would be like your place or feel like home (like what the 227 theme song says, "There's no Place like Home"), and that's why NBC should have been first place in 1982-83 and 1983-84 instead of third place in 1982-84.

Note: I'm still watching Season 4 of Cheers, after I finished watching it, I would be doing a review of Season 4 and such.

My Ranking of the NBC Image Campaigns used during Tartikoff's years at NBC

 Here are a list of image campaigns NBC used between 1979-80 to 1990-91 used during the Brandon Tartikoff era at NBC, he replaced Mike Weinblatt as president of NBC Entertainment in January 1980.

1979-80: NBC Proud as a Peacock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnfIuXyXnrI

Composed and Arranged by Joey Levine, sung by a choir consisting of Luthur Vandross and Patti Austin

Ranking: Mixed, it gave us "The Facts of Life" and it was Tartikoff's first season overall as president of NBC Entertainment.

 

1980-81: NBC Proud as a Peacock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyJM_Dnd9Kw

Composed and Arranged by Joey Levine, sung by Luthur Vandross and Patti Austin (again, why)

Ranking: Mixed, it gave us the show "Hill Street Blues", it was Tartikoff's first full season as president of NBC Entertainment as the 1979-80 was a transition from the Weinblatt era to the Tartikoff era while still being the Fred Silverman era.

1981-82: NBC, Our Pride is Showing (note: Full Promo is lost to this day, but we've found a 30 sec one! (The 30-sec one was already found in 2022, but it wasn't widespread until now!)

Composed and Arranged by Garry Sherman

Ranking: Good, 1981-82 marked the debut of "Gimme a Break" (starring Nell Carter), the Fred Silverman era ends and the Grant Tinker era starts, the Tartikoff era reigns supreme!

1982-83: We're NBC, Just Watch Us Now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVYN4EUSBww

Composed by David Buskin, Arranged by Rob Mounsey, sung by Richie Havens

Ranking: Great, 1982-83 marked the debuts for "Cheers", "Family Ties", "Knight Rider", "Silver Spoons", "Remington Steele", "St Elsewhere", and "The A-Team".

1983-84: You can NBC There, Be There

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI6gUJnUUOQ

Composed and Arranged by Rob Mounsey

Ranking: Very Legendary, 1983-84 was a failure for NBC (except for the debuts of "Night Court", and "Riptide"). Also you couldn't forget to see The Facts of Life gang, Mick Belker, and even B.A Baracus saying "Be There".

1984-85: Let's All Be There

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfWih1WIQX4

Composed and sung by David Buskin, also composed by Steve Sohmer, and Arranged by Rob Mounsey.

Ranking: Legendary, 1984-85 marked the debuts of "The Cosby Show", "Hunter", "Miami Vice", and "Punky Brewster". 

1985-86: Let's All Be There

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh1GhPBAj8w

Composed by Jake Holmes, Arranged by Rob Mounsey

Ranking: Legendary, 1985-86 marked the debuts of "227", "The Golden Girls", and "The Hogan Family".

1986-87: Come Home to NBC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUglDLVn1cM

Composed by Richard Wittenmyer, Arranged by Rob Mounsey, Sung by Vivian Cherry with the late great Richard Tee on keys (Damn, I thought it was Debbie Allen with Paul Shaffer or Patti LaBelle or whatever?!?)

Ranking: Legendary, 1986-87 marked the debuts of "ALF", "Amen", "Matlock", and "LA Law", the Grant Tinker era ends and the Bob Wright era starts, the Tartikoff era still reigns supreme!

1987-88: Come On Home to NBC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbuKlT_gztQ

Composed by David Buskin, Russ Landau, and Michael Kessler, Arranged by Rob Mounsey

Ranking: Legendary, 1987-88 marked the debut of "A Different World", "In the Heat of the Night", and "My Two Dads" (with future Mad About You star Paul Reiser and BJ and the Bear's Greg Evigan as two dads).

1988-89: Only On NBC 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmxKQxICoog

Composed by David Buskin, Arranged by Doug Katsaros

Ranking: Legendary, also 1988-89 marked the debuts of "Unsolved Mysteries", "Empty Nest", "Quantum Leap", "Seinfeld", and "Dear John".

1989-90: Only On NBC 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLkcrfX2jWo

I don't know who composed it

Ranking: Great, also 1989-90 marked the debut of "Wings", but like 1983's Be There, most of the new shows are failures except for "Grand" (which was abruptly cancelled in December 1990 during the transitional Brandon Tartikoff to Warren Littlefield phase happening from June 1990 to July 1991).

One More (The Place to Be) to be added!

Welcome to this blog!

 This is the first article of this blog dedicated to NBC from 1980-91 (the years where Brandon Tartikoff was president of it's Entertainment division. This is your webmaster ChantingMammal writing this as you all know, Tartikoff is one of my heroes in Television.

This blog will feature interviews from people who knew Brandon, and stuff related to NBC during the 1980s. Hopefully you enjoy this blog as I do!

Let's All Be There!