The Day Danny Thomas Came To Orlando

by Greg May
(Orlando, FL)

If you're a TV nostalgia buff like me, you've probably delighted in the classic old sitcoms on Nick at Nite and other cable channels.

Wes May, now retired from the Orlando Fire Department, is a big fan of "The Andy Griffith Show". This show premiered on CBS in 1960 and ran eight seasons and is still in reruns.

"The Andy Griffith Show" made a movie star out of Don Knotts, who played Sheriff Taylor's bumbling deputy, 'Barney' before he was given a contract by Universal Studios.

"The Andy Griffith Show" was a 'spin-off' of "The Danny Thomas Show" and was the first television spin-off.

In the world of television, the term 'spin off' describes a show that was created from another. And the man who created the 'spin-off' was responsible for bringing to television some of our most memorable and unforgettable situation comedies.

This man was Danny Thomas.

A true pioneer in the television industry, Danny Thomas bankrolled such shows as his own, "Make Room For Daddy",
"The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" - making a star out of Mary Tyler Moore.

So when I learned Danny Thomas was in Orlando I had to meet and interview him for my TV show, "Central Florida Spotlight".

Our meeting took place at Stars Hall of Fame, the now-defunct Hollywood wax museum once located near Sea World. After the traditional hand-print ceremony, Danny graciously consented to interviews from the Central Florida media.

As the "new kid on the block" I patiently waited while the other Orlando TV personalities interviewed Danny. When my turn came, I was the last interviewer and, as Mr. Thomas graciously put it, "the most fun".

My interview with the legendary television producer was a look into the industry's past, present and future as he compared the moral standards of TV's past with the "anything goes" attitude of today.

As Danny Thomas enjoyed his trademark cigar, he reminded us how Lucy and Desi had to sleep in twin beds on "I Love Lucy" while today on television "they show you making the baby!"

Did you know Danny Thomas was one of the original owners of The Miami Dolphins?

A generous philanthropist, he founded St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee to treat children for childhood cancers.

Once a starving actor, Danny Thomas made a vow that if he found success he would open a hospital dedicated to St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes.