Tom Snyder Dies

America has lost one of its great interviewing talents...and, no, I’m not talking about Larry King.

Tom Snyder, best known as host of the Tomorrow show, which ran on NBC after Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in the years prior to David Letterman, died yesterday, the result of complications from leukemia.

Snyder hosted Tomorrow from 1973 until 1982, when Late Night With David Letterman took over the 12:30 to 1:30AM slot. After a few gigs that kept him in the spotlight but off of national television, Snyder was hired by CNBC in 1993 for a talk show, followed in 1995 by CBS’s Late, Late Show With Tom Snyder, which aired following The Late Show With David Letterman. Snyder worked for CBS until 1999, when he ended his show...this time by his own choice.

During his impressive career, Snyder’s highlights included the last televised interview with John Lennon and an exclusive talk with mass murderer Charles Manson. Snyder was best known for his conversational style that put guests at ease...although often catching them off guard as well by zipping a hard-hitting question their way.

The late, great Tom Snyder was 71 years old. He’ll be missed.