19 Facts About Don Ohlmeyer

Don Ohlmeyer received notoriety for firing Norm Macdonald from Saturday Night Live in early 1998, a move that is widely believed to have been motivated by Macdonald's refusal to stop making jokes at the expense of Ohlmeyer's friend, OJ.

Don Ohlmeyer was a professor of television communications at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Don Ohlmeyer graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1967.

Don Ohlmeyer later moved to NBC as executive producer of the network's sports division, a position he held from 1977 to 1982.

Don Ohlmeyer earned notoriety for the prime-time series Games People Play and the made-for-television movie The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story.

Don Ohlmeyer became well known for expanding the network's sports coverage as well as introducing innovative production techniques.

Don Ohlmeyer launched NFL Updates, NCAA Basketball 'Whip-arounds,' and instituted NBC's live coverage of Breakfast at Wimbledon.

Don Ohlmeyer is credited with conceiving the one-time experiment of airing a 1980 NFL telecast without announcers.

Don Ohlmeyer formed his own production company, Don Ohlmeyer Communications Company, in 1982.

Don Ohlmeyer won an Emmy for Special Bulletin, a harrowing 1983 depiction of nuclear terrorism.

Don Ohlmeyer's company was responsible for producing CART IndyCar World Series race telecasts, and golf, including PGA Tour events, "The Skins Game", and Senior PGA TOUR broadcasts.

Don Ohlmeyer returned to NBC in 1993 to become president of its West Coast division at a time when the network was in third place in the ratings, following the conclusion of popular shows such as Cheers and The Cosby Show.

In early 1998, Ohlmeyer had Norm Macdonald fired from his role as anchor of Saturday Night Lives popular Weekend Update segment, falsely citing declining ratings and a drop-off in quality.

In September 2021, following Macdonald's death, Late Night host Conan O'Brien revealed that Ohlmeyer had ordered him to stop booking Macdonald as a guest.

Besides the on-air talent, Don Ohlmeyer's changes included clips of players introducing themselves, new graphics, use of a sideline Steadicam, and music.

Don Ohlmeyer made the controversial decision to hire comedian Dennis Miller to join Al Michaels and Dan Fouts in the broadcast booth, an experiment widely regarded in hindsight as a failure.

In 1996, Don Ohlmeyer was admitted into rehab for alcohol abuse.

Don Ohlmeyer was friends with accused murderer and convicted felon OJ Simpson.

Don Ohlmeyer was honored with 16 Emmys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, two Peabody Awards, Cine Golden Eagle Award, Miami International Film Festival Award, National Film Board Award, Glaad Media Award, and three Humanitas Prizes.