TV correspondent Edwin Newman dies at 91

[El Supremo]

Source: MSNBC/AP

NEW YORK — Edwin Newman, who brought literacy, wit and energy to NBC newscasts for more than three decades, and battled linguistic pretense and clutter in his best sellers "Strictly Speaking" and "A Civil Tongue," has died. He was 91.

Newman died on Aug. 13 of pneumonia in Oxford, England. He had moved there with his wife in 2007 to live closer to their daughter, said his lawyer Rupert Mead. He said the family delayed announcing Newman's death so they could spend some time privately grieving.

At NBC from 1952 until his retirement in 1984, Newman did political reporting, foreign reporting, anchoring of news specials, "Meet the Press," "Today," "Nightly News," midday news and a variety of radio spots. He announced the death of President Kennedy on radio, and anchored on TV when President Reagan was shot.

He also narrated and helped write documentaries, back when they were an influential staple of network programming. They included "Who Shall Live?" — a 1965 study of the difficulties of deciding which kidney disease should receive lifesaving dialysis — and "Politics: The Outer Fringe," a 1966 look at extremism.

Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39193135/ns/today-entertainment/

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He was great!

[alp227]

1. He also contributed to the American Heritage Dictionary I think

I've seen his name in the credits. I need to look that up tonight. R.I.P.

[alp227]

9. Newman actually chaired the Usage Panel of the AHD

at least the 2nd college edition from 1982, the edition of the AHD that I use

[madrchsod]

2. gee i grew up listening and watching him on the teevee and radio

it seems the grand old guardians of the truth are slowly going away...

[Umbral]

3. He was on Saturday Night Live a few times, back when the show was still funny. nt

[ThatsMyBarack]

5. I remember that one.

NBC should show his famous 1984 Saturday Night Live episode, but they'd rather rerun the current crap with Betty White talking about her "muffin." Sheeple scumbags! :mad:

[alp227]

10. In 2008 after George Carlin died SNL reran its first episode, hosted by Carlin

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080624nbc05

But as of now NBC will still rerun the Betty White/Jay-Z episode. Next week is a new episode hosted by Amy Poehler and music by Katy Perry. Doesn't seem that NBC will rerun the Newman episode ever. :-(

[ThatsMyBarack]

12. NBC will never rerun any SNLs....

From the 70s-90s. That is why I have all the SNL 70s on DVD! They better get the 80s out damn soon. ;)

[jgraz]

4. 91. Damn, that's a good run.

His family has gotta be proud of the life he led.

[PSPS]

6. "Abandon hopefully all ye who enter here."

He became quite the grammar scold and had a sign with the title of this post over his office door. (He liked to rally against the use of the non-existent word "hopefully.")

[Tansy_Gold]

7. I adored Edwin Newman and have both his books on my shelf

"Hopefully" is a perfectly legitimate word, but it is often used incorrectly.

For instance, "We walked hopefully through the woods though we really weren't sure Grandmother's house would still be standing after the meteor shower." Or "We listened hopefully to the President's address but he offered no promises."

And the correct phrase, PSPS, is "rail against," not rally. Mr. Newman would also have railed against "rally against."


Tansy Gold, stalwart picker of nits

[slackmaster]

8. "Strictly Speaking" had a great influence on my writing

It came out at an auspicious time in my life.

[Vidar]

11. You were one of the great ones, Mr. Newman. Vaya con Dios & give our regards to Walter.