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Television Pioneer Who Was Behind ‘Candid Camera,’ ‘Showtime at the Apollo,’ ‘Dinah Shore,’ ‘Carol Burnett’ and Many Other Shows Dies at 89

Jun 16, 2011  •  Post A Comment

One of television’s pioneering producers–an Emmy winner who produced many hits, including "The Carol Burnett Show," "The Dinah Shore Show," "Candid Camera" and "Showtime at the Apollo"–has died, the New York Daily News reported. Bob Banner, 89, succumbed to complications from Parkinson’s disease at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Home in Woodland Hills, Calif.

"Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall" teamed Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews, and Banner’s work on that special led to his working with Burnett not only on her TV show, but also on the TV adaptation of the Broadway musical "Once Upon a Mattress."

One of Banner’s most famous productions was a TV special that helped save Carnegie Hall in New York City from the demolition ball. According to Wikipedia, "In the early 60s, Carnegie Hall was targeted for demolition and Bob was asked by Isaac Stern to produce a special to save the cultural landmark. ‘Salute to Jack Benny at Carnegie Hall’ starred Isaac Stern, Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Van Cliburn, Benny Goodman, and Roberta Peters." That show was broadcast in 1961. A year later Banner did the Carol Burnett/Julie Andrews show, also at Carnegie Hall.

Banner’s other noteworthy television credits include executive producing "My Sweet Charlie," an award-winning 1970 TV movie that won an Emmy for Patty Duke, as well as two Hallmark Hall of Fame films, "Lisa, Bright and Dark" (1973) and "Love! Love! Love!" (1972).

Banner was nominated for four Primetime Emmys, winning the award in 1958 for directing "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show."

Banner is survived by his wife, Alice, and three sons.

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