Bob Clayton
Encyclopedia
Bob Clayton was an American television game show announcer
and host of several shows. He spent his early television career hosting shows in Miami, Florida
before moving to New York in the 1960s.
, 1961–1962), Clayton assumed announcing duties on the long-running NBC
game Concentration
in 1963, and took over hosting duties on the show in January 1969 as successor from original emcee Hugh Downs
. He was suddenly replaced in March 1969 by Ed McMahon
, but later returned in September 1969 after viewer outrage and declining audience ratings. Wayne Howell
replaced Clayton in the announcer's booth; Clayton remained on the show until its 1973 cancellation.
Clayton also had a brief flirtation with the movies when he played the bell captain in Jerry Lewis
' 1960 film, The Bellboy
, which was shot on location in Miami.
, including the Pyramid
series of games, beginning with CBS
' The $10,000 Pyramid
in 1973. Pyramid began airing the Monday after the final episode of Concentration aired, in the same time slot, though on another network. Other Stewart shows he did included Shoot for the Stars
and Pass the Buck
.
. Steve O'Brien
, a New York disc jockey, took over Pyramid, and he and Alan Kalter
would announce the show for the remainder of its days in New York, particularly towards the end of its daytime network run on ABC-TV as The $20,000 Pyramid in 1980, and finally in first-run syndication as The $50,000 Pyramid until 1981.
Announcer
An announcer is a presenter who makes "announcements" in an audio medium or a physical location.-Television and other media:Some announcers work in television production , radio or filmmaking, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in...
and host of several shows. He spent his early television career hosting shows in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
before moving to New York in the 1960s.
Career
After his first national hosting job on the game Make a Face (ABCAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, 1961–1962), Clayton assumed announcing duties on the long-running NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
game Concentration
Concentration (game show)
Concentration was an American TV game show based on the children's memory game of the same name. Matching cards represented prizes that contestants could win...
in 1963, and took over hosting duties on the show in January 1969 as successor from original emcee Hugh Downs
Hugh Downs
Hugh Malcolm Downs is a long time American broadcaster, television host, news anchor, TV producer, author, game show host, and music composer; and is perhaps best known for his role as co-host the NBC News program Today from 1962 to 1971, host of the Concentration game show from 1958 to 1969, and...
. He was suddenly replaced in March 1969 by Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon
Edward Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995...
, but later returned in September 1969 after viewer outrage and declining audience ratings. Wayne Howell
Wayne Howell
Wayne Clay Howell Chappelle , known professionally as Wayne Howell, was a voice-over announcer for the NBC television and radio networks from 1947 through 1986...
replaced Clayton in the announcer's booth; Clayton remained on the show until its 1973 cancellation.
Clayton also had a brief flirtation with the movies when he played the bell captain in Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
' 1960 film, The Bellboy
The Bellboy
The Bellboy is a 1960 comedy film starring, written by and directed by Jerry Lewis. The film was released on July 20, 1960 by Paramount Pictures.-Plot:The movie opens with a movie studio executive introducing the movie...
, which was shot on location in Miami.
Later work
After the cancellation of Concentration, Clayton served as announcer on several shows created by Bob StewartBob Stewart (television)
Bob Stewart is a former American television game show producer. He was active in the TV industry from 1956 until his retirement in 1992....
, including the Pyramid
Pyramid (game show)
Pyramid is an American television game show which has aired several versions. The original series, The $10,000 Pyramid, debuted March 26, 1973 and spawned seven subsequent Pyramid series...
series of games, beginning with CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
' The $10,000 Pyramid
Pyramid (game show)
Pyramid is an American television game show which has aired several versions. The original series, The $10,000 Pyramid, debuted March 26, 1973 and spawned seven subsequent Pyramid series...
in 1973. Pyramid began airing the Monday after the final episode of Concentration aired, in the same time slot, though on another network. Other Stewart shows he did included Shoot for the Stars
Shoot For The Stars
Shoot for the Stars is a game show created and produced by Bob Stewart, and aired on the NBC television network. The show aired from January 3 to September 30, 1977, and was produced in New York City...
and Pass the Buck
Pass the Buck (game show)
Pass the Buck is a game show that aired on CBS television's daytime lineup from April 3 to June 30, 1978. The series was hosted by Bill Cullen and was created by Bob Stewart. Bob Clayton was the announcer.-Gameplay:...
.
Death
Clayton, a heavy smoker, died at age 57 of cardiac arrestCardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
. Steve O'Brien
Steve O'Brien
Steve O'Brien is an American disc jockey from New York. O'Brien has worked at several stations, including WCBS-FM, WMGQ, WPLJ and WIBG. He also worked as a news anchor for WNYW-TV and WNBC-TV....
, a New York disc jockey, took over Pyramid, and he and Alan Kalter
Alan Kalter
Alan Kalter is an American television announcer from New York City. He is best knownas the announcer for the Late Show with David Letterman since September 5, 1995.-Career:...
would announce the show for the remainder of its days in New York, particularly towards the end of its daytime network run on ABC-TV as The $20,000 Pyramid in 1980, and finally in first-run syndication as The $50,000 Pyramid until 1981.