It was nearly a century ago: Nov. 15, 1926. NBC began as a radio company, launching its very first broadcast.
Television would not come around for the National Broadcasting Company for another 13 years.
“The history of NBC is really the history of how Americans have watched, listened, laughed and enjoyed some of history’s most important moments.”
Visitors can go back in time for those moments at The Paley Museum in Midtown for the exhibition, “NBC100: A Century Together,” Maureen Reidy, president and CEO at The Paley Museum, said.
It looks at the Peacock network’s early days in radio and TV, including the sports, news and late night shows.
“There’s over 75 artifacts and costumes and set pieces and show memorabilia. We have the Joey ‘many layers’ costume from ‘Friends,’ we have the EGOT necklace that Tracy Morgan wore in ‘30 Rock’ and from ‘Saturday Night Live,’ we have the ‘Coneheads,’” Reidy said.
(Spectrum News NY1)
Reidy noted the suits worn by Steve Martin and Dan Akroyd as “two wild and crazy guys” are also on display.
(Spectrum News NY1)
There is Barbara Eden’s wedding dress from “I Dream of Jeannie.” Outfits from “Miami Vice,” “Seinfeld,” “The Office” and, of course, the long-running “Law and Order SVU.”
Two stars of SVU stopped by Paley to check out the exhibit and talk about being part of NBC’s history. Corey Cott plays Detective Jake Griffin on the show.
“The overwhelming amount of TV shows that I have watched with my family, from NBC Sports to ‘The Office’ to ‘Friends’ to ‘Cheers,’ it’s just cool to be a part of that legacy,” Cott said.
Aimé Donna Kelly portrays Captain Renee Curry on SVU, and had her own story of NBC’s impact even before she was on television.
“A story that my mom loves to tell is that the family, they were huge fans of ‘Cheers’ when I was born, and I took my first steps to the ‘Cheers’ opening song,” she said.
The exhibition runs through the 100th anniversary of that first broadcast, closing after Nov. 20.