John Palmer (TV journalist)
Encyclopedia
John Spencer Palmer is a former news correspondent for NBC News
. He worked for the network over the course of 40 years, first from 1962 to 1990; and again from 1994 until his retirement in 2002. During his tenure with NBC News, he held several positions, including correspondent stints in Chicago, Paris, and the Middle East; White House correspondent (1979-1982); news anchor for The Today Show (1982-1989); and anchor for NBC News at Sunrise
(1989-1990).
Palmer was born in Kingsport, Tennessee
. He officially joined the Today cast as news anchor on September 27, 1982, replacing Chris Wallace
, who had read the news and served as Bryant Gumbel
and Jane Pauley
's Washington co-anchor. The team of Gumbel, Pauley, Palmer, Willard Scott
, and Gene Shalit
helped take The Today Show to the top of the ratings in 1986
, where it stayed until the end of the decade.
After serving as Today news anchor for seven years, Palmer was abruptly replaced by Deborah Norville
in September 1989
, and was moved to Norville's old position at NBC News at Sunrise
. Palmer left NBC News in March 1990
to anchor a syndicated program, Instant Recall. After that show was canceled, Palmer joined the Christian Science Monitor in December 1991
as anchor of Monitor Channel's short-lived World Monitor newscast. He later served as Washington correspondent for Monitor Radio.
In 1994, NBC News Washington bureau chief Tim Russert
and NBC News president Andrew Lack invited Palmer to return to the network as a Washington correspondent, and Palmer accepted. He was soon back on familiar ground, serving as White House correspondent for the weekend edition of NBC Nightly News
and an occasional substitute news anchor for The Today Show. He retired from NBC News in January 2002.
Palmer is a graduate of Northwestern University
and obtained a master's degree from Columbia University
.
Palmer is currently the host of The Informed Citizen and The Prudent Advisor on Retirement Living Television. Retirement Livings' content airs Monday-Friday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM on CN8, the Comcast Network
, which reaches 9 million homes on the Eastern Seaboard. Retirement Living also airs nationally on DirecTV
Channel 364 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
John also serves on the College of Charleston, in Charleston, South Carolina advisory council and won the department of communications prestigious Distinguished Communicator award
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of American television network NBC. It first started broadcasting in February 21, 1940. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is...
. He worked for the network over the course of 40 years, first from 1962 to 1990; and again from 1994 until his retirement in 2002. During his tenure with NBC News, he held several positions, including correspondent stints in Chicago, Paris, and the Middle East; White House correspondent (1979-1982); news anchor for The Today Show (1982-1989); and anchor for NBC News at Sunrise
NBC News at Sunrise
NBC News at Sunrise was an early morning news program produced by NBC News from 1983 to 1999. The program featured the top news headlines of the morning, sports and weather reports, and business segments. Many of the program's anchors also appeared on The Today Show...
(1989-1990).
Palmer was born in Kingsport, Tennessee
Kingsport, Tennessee
Kingsport is a city located mainly in Sullivan County with some western portions in Hawkins County in the US state of Tennessee. The majority of the city lies in Sullivan County...
. He officially joined the Today cast as news anchor on September 27, 1982, replacing Chris Wallace
Chris Wallace (journalist)
Christopher "Chris" Wallace is an American journalist, currently the host of the Fox Network program, Fox News Sunday. Wallace has won three Emmy Awards, the Dupont-Columbia Silver Baton Award, and a Peabody Award. Wallace has been with Fox News since 2003...
, who had read the news and served as Bryant Gumbel
Bryant Gumbel
Bryant Charles Gumbel is an American television journalist and sportscaster. He is best known for his 15 years as co-host of NBC's The Today Show. He is the younger brother of sportscaster Greg Gumbel.-Early life:...
and Jane Pauley
Jane Pauley
Margaret Jane Pauley is an American television journalist, and has been involved in news reporting since 1975...
's Washington co-anchor. The team of Gumbel, Pauley, Palmer, Willard Scott
Willard Scott
Willard Herman Scott, Jr. is an American media personality and author best known for his television work on NBC's The Today Show and as the creator of the Ronald McDonald character.-Early years:...
, and Gene Shalit
Gene Shalit
Gene Shalit is a film and book critic. He has filled these roles on NBC's The Today Show since January 15, 1973. He is known for his frequent use of puns, his oversized handlebar moustache, and for wearing colorful bowties.-Career:...
helped take The Today Show to the top of the ratings in 1986
1986 in television
The year 1986 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1986.For the American network television schedule, please see 1986-87 American network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:*September 6 –...
, where it stayed until the end of the decade.
After serving as Today news anchor for seven years, Palmer was abruptly replaced by Deborah Norville
Deborah Norville
Deborah Norville is an American television broadcaster and journalist. Since 1995 she has been host of the syndicated American television program Inside Edition...
in September 1989
1989 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1989–90 United States network television schedule.The year 1989 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1989.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
, and was moved to Norville's old position at NBC News at Sunrise
NBC News at Sunrise
NBC News at Sunrise was an early morning news program produced by NBC News from 1983 to 1999. The program featured the top news headlines of the morning, sports and weather reports, and business segments. Many of the program's anchors also appeared on The Today Show...
. Palmer left NBC News in March 1990
1990 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1990-91 United States network television schedule.The year 1990 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1990.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
to anchor a syndicated program, Instant Recall. After that show was canceled, Palmer joined the Christian Science Monitor in December 1991
1991 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1991-92 United States network television schedule.The year 1991 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1991.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
as anchor of Monitor Channel's short-lived World Monitor newscast. He later served as Washington correspondent for Monitor Radio.
In 1994, NBC News Washington bureau chief Tim Russert
Tim Russert
Timothy John "Tim" Russert was an American television journalist and lawyer who appeared for more than 16 years as the longest-serving moderator of NBC's Meet the Press. He was a senior vice president at NBC News, Washington bureau chief and also hosted the eponymous CNBC/MSNBC weekend interview...
and NBC News president Andrew Lack invited Palmer to return to the network as a Washington correspondent, and Palmer accepted. He was soon back on familiar ground, serving as White House correspondent for the weekend edition of NBC Nightly News
NBC Nightly News
NBC Nightly News is the flagship daily evening television news program for NBC News and broadcasts. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is located in the center...
and an occasional substitute news anchor for The Today Show. He retired from NBC News in January 2002.
Palmer is a graduate of Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
and obtained a master's degree from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
Palmer is currently the host of The Informed Citizen and The Prudent Advisor on Retirement Living Television. Retirement Livings' content airs Monday-Friday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM on CN8, the Comcast Network
Comcast Network
Comcast Network is a cable television station that is shown mostly in parts of Comcast Cable services in the Eastern part of the US. Viewed in four states and 20 television markets from New Jersey to Virginia on Comcast cable systems. The main focus of the network is Philadelphia although they...
, which reaches 9 million homes on the Eastern Seaboard. Retirement Living also airs nationally on DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
Channel 364 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
John also serves on the College of Charleston, in Charleston, South Carolina advisory council and won the department of communications prestigious Distinguished Communicator award