In Memory of Roger Mudd (1928 – 2021)

For three decades, Roger Mudd epitomized network TV news. It is difficult now, in an age saturated with media personalities, to imagine just how influential anchors like Mudd were in their time. Serving as a primary face of news networks from CBS to PBS, Mudd played a crucial role in shaping the political consciousness of the US from the 1960s to the 1980s. Working alongside such noteworthy anchormen as Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Tom Brokaw, Mudd addressed viewers with his signature deep voice and touch of cynicism, and was known for his sharp commentary and knack for political interviews. 

Following his passing this month at the age of 93, Media Burn is highlighting rare behind-the-scenes footage of Mudd from some of the most important videos in our archive. During the 1972 Republican National Convention, Skip Blumberg and Nancy Cain caught Mudd for some telling and non-verbal commentary on the political climate of the moment. Then, at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, Skip finally gets some on-the-record wisdom from the famous newsman.

These interviews, portions of which aired as part of the first ever portable-video broadcast on TV, are excerpts from TVTV’s “Four More Years” and “Five Day Bicycle Race” by The Image Union (International Personhood of Image Workers).