an all american family who loved a good laugh and watching television. >> our household was full of arthur godfrey productions. >> they're don't do anything. they sit there. >> i can just remember being fascinated by when they would open the television part of the simulcast. there was something about the earphones and the head phones i found fascinating. >> dave was a good ball player and not a great student. >> i can remember doing so poorly and my mom was upset about it. she said we will get you into a trade school. one semester i took a public speak course. this might be my lifeline and i might be able to turn this into doing something. >> he turned it into his major. >> he decided to be a speech major in college. >> the author covered the industry for more than 25 years.