TICKETS ON SALE FOR PHIL DONAHUE’S AUGUST 23 APPEARANCE AT ROBERT H. JACKSON CENTER

August 8, 2006                                                                                                                                     Immediate Release

Phil Donahue appears at the Robert H. Jackson Center on Wednesday, August 23, from 4- 6 p.m. in the Carl Cappa Auditorium.
Tickets are available at $10 a person on a first-come, first-served basis.  Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Jackson Center, 305 East Fourth Street, Jamestown, or by calling (716) 483-6646 for credit card purchases.

The appearance of Phil Donahue to date is made possible by the following sponsors: Axiom Office Imaging, Falconer Electronics, Inc., Lakewood Apothecary, Lakewood Furniture Galleries and The Village Casino.

Donahue will be interviewed by Jackson Center Chairman Gregory L. Peterson, specifically about Donahue’s 1977 taped interview of Albert Speer, the last surviving Nazi official tried at the Nuremberg Trials by Chief American Prosecutor and Chautauqua County resident Robert H. Jackson.

According to the Museum of Broadcast Communications, the talk show in recent years has become the most profitable and prolific format on television.  The sensationalism of many of these programs sparks much public debate. In today’s talk show environment, according to the Museum, Phil Donahue, who is credited with inventing the talk show program, appears very tame.  In the late 1960s, however, when The Phil Donahue Show first aired in Dayton, Ohio, Donahue was considered to be a radical addition to the daytime television scene.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Donahue graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1957.  He became hooked on broadcasting when the regular booth announcer failed to show up at KYW-TV and AM when he sat in as a substitute.  As news director of WABJ radio, Adrian, Michigan, he then became a morning newscaster at WHIO-TV where interviews with Jimmy Hoffa and Billy Sol Estes were picked up nationally. He hosted a phone-in talk show for three years, and then debuted The Phil Donahue Show in Dayton in 1967.  Two years later, the program was syndicated and he relocated to Chicago from 1974-85. He hosted Donahue from 1974-96 and relocated to New York City in 1985.

Donahue, now married to actress Marlo Thomas, has won numerous Emmy Awards; Best Talk Show Host, 1988; Margaret Sanger Award, Planned Parenthood, 1987; and the Peabody Award, 1980.  He is the author of two books.

Peterson is a local partner in the New York State law firm of Phillips Lytle.  He developed an affinity for interviewing people in sports, history and other fields, prior to his interest in Jamestown attorney, Chief American Nuremberg Prosecutor and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson. Two interview subjects – local attorney Stanley Weeks and the late Carl Cappa, industrialist of Crawford Furniture - planted the seed in Peterson to found and develop the Jackson Center in 2001.  As Board Chair, he has planned a majority of programming at the Center and interviews all living people who knew or worked with Jackson and related subjects as part of the audio-visual archives at the Jackson Center.

“We are extremely excited to host Phil Donahue at the Jackson Center,” says Peterson.  “Our interview will begin with Donahue’s recollections of his interview with Albert Speer, and we no doubt will go into other subjects. After the interview, Donahue will speak to the audience from the podium.

Jackson Center Executive Director Rolland E. Kidder notes that tickets should be purchased in advance at the Jackson Center and that seating will be limited to the first 235 people to purchase tickets.  Credit card purchases can be made by telephone and ticket delivery will be arranged by phone at (716)483-6646.

 “Our Carl Cappa Auditorium has been air-conditioned in time for the Donahue program,” says Kidder.  The construction of an archives/exhibit room and improvements to the auditorium are part of a major capital project at the Jackson Center currently under way thanks to grants from New York State, the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation and the Lenna Foundation.

The Jackson Center has as its mission to preserve the legacy of Robert H. Jackson’s work in constitutional and international law through education, events and exhibitry.

Anyone interested in helping sponsor Donahue’s appearance, should contact Becky Irwin Robbins, Director of Development, at the Jackson Center at 483-6646.

                                                For more info:  (716)483-6646
                                                                        Rolland Kidder, Executive Director
                                                                       Rebecca Irwin Robbins, Director of Development

TV-Radio Star Comes To Town

Tickets Available To Hear Phil Donahue At Robert H. Jackson Center Aug. 23

By The Post-Journal Staff

Phil Donahue will be at the Robert H. Jackson Center from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, in the Carl Cappa Auditorium.

Tickets are available at $10 a person on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Jackson Center, 305 E. Fourth St., Jamestown, or by calling 483-6646 for credit card purchases.

Donahue’s appearance is made possible by the following sponsors: Axiom Office Imaging, Falconer Electronics, Inc., Lakewood Apothecary, Lakewood Furniture Galleries and The Village Casino.

Donahue will be interviewed by Gregory L. Peterson, Jackson Center chairman, specifically about Donahue’s 1977 taped interview of Albert Speer, the last surviving Nazi official tried at the Nuremberg Trials by Robert H. Jackson, Chief American Prosecutor and Chautauqua County resident.

‘‘We are extremely excited to host Phil Donahue at the Jackson Center,’’ Peterson said. ‘‘Our interview will begin with Donahue’s recollections of his interview with Albert Speer, and we no doubt will go into other subjects. After the interview, Donahue will speak to the audience from the podium.’’

Born in Cleveland, Donahue graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1957. He became hooked on broadcasting when the regular booth announcer failed to show up at KYW-TV and AM when he sat in as a substitute. As news director of WABJ radio, Adrian, Mich., he then became a morning newscaster at WHIO-TV where interviews with Jimmy Hoffa and Billy Sol Estes were picked up nationally. He hosted a phone-in talk show for three years, and then debuted The Phil Donahue Show in Dayton in 1967. Two years later, the program was syndicated and he relocated to Chicago from 1974 to 1985. He hosted Donahue from 1974 to 96 and relocated to New York City in 1985.

Donahue, now married to actress Marlo Thomas, has won numerous Emmy Awards; was Best Talk Show Host in 1988; won the Margaret Sanger Award, Planned Parenthood in 1987; and the Peabody Award in 1980. He is the author of two books.

Rolland E. Kidder, Jackson Center executive director, said tickets should be purchased in advance at the Jackson Center and that seating will be limited to the first 235 people to purchase tickets. Credit card purchases can be made by telephone and ticket delivery will be arranged by calling 483-6646.

‘‘Our Carl Cappa Auditorium has been air-conditioned in time for the Donahue program,’’ Kidder said.

The construction of an archives/exhibit room and improvements to the auditorium are part of a major capital project at the Jackson Center currently under way thanks to grants from New York state, the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation and the Lenna Foundation.

Sponsors for the program are still being accepted by calling Becky Irwin Robbins, Jackson Center development director, at the Jackson Center at 483-6646.

The Post-Journal

Jamestown, New York

Wednesday, August 9, 2006

Vol. 180, No. 49

Section D, Page 1

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Donahue to be in Jackson Center on Aug. 23

8/17/2006 - JAMESTOWN — Phil Donahue appears at the Robert H. Jackson Center Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Carl Cappa Auditorium. 



Tickets are available at $10 a person on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Jackson Center, 305 East Fourth St., or by calling 483-6646 for credit card purchases. 



The appearance of Donahue, to date, is made possible by the following sponsors: Axiom Office Imaging, Falconer Electronics Inc., Lakewood Apothecary, Lakewood Furniture Galleries and The Village Casino. 



Donahue will be interviewed by Jackson Center Chairman Gregory L. Peterson, specifically about Donahue’s 1977 taped interview of Albert Speer, the last surviving Nazi official tried at the Nuremberg Trials by Chief American Prosecutor and Chautauqua County resident Robert H. Jackson. 


According to the Museum of Broadcast Communications, the talk show in recent years has become the most profitable and prolific format on television. The sensationalism of many of these programs sparks much public debate. In today’s talk show environment, according to the Museum, Donahue — who is credited with inventing the talk show program — appears very tame. In the late 1960s, however, when The Phil Donahue Show first aired in Dayton, Ohio, Donahue was considered to be a radical addition to the daytime television scene. 



Born in Cleveland, Donahue graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1957. He became hooked on broadcasting when the regular booth announcer failed to show up at KYW-TV and AM and he sat in as a substitute. As news director of WABJ radio in Adrian, Mich., he then became a morning newscaster at WHIO-TV, where interviews with Jimmy Hoff and Billy Sol Estes were picked up nationally. He hosted a phone-in talk show for three years and then debuted The Phil Donahue Show in Dayton in 1967. Two years later, the program was syndicated and he relocated to Chicago from 1974 to 1985. He hosted Donahue from 1974 to 1996 and relocated to New York City in 1985.

Donahue, now married to actress Marlo Thomas, has won numerous Emmy Awards; Best Talk Show Host, 1988; Margaret Sanger Award, Planned Parenthood, 1987; and the Peabody Award, 1980. He is the author of two books.

“We are extremely excited to host Phil Donahue at the Jackson Center,” Peterson said. “Our interview will begin with Donahue’s recollections of his interview with Albert Speer, and we no doubt will go into other subjects. After the interview, Donahue will speak to the audience from the podium.” 



Jackson Center Executive Director Rolland E. Kidder notes that tickets should be purchased in advance and that seating will be limited to the first 235 people. Credit card purchases can be made by telephone and ticket delivery will be arranged by phone at 483-6646. 



“Our Carl Cappa Auditorium has been air-conditioned in time for the Donahue program,” Kidder said. 



The construction of an archives/exhibit room and improvements to the auditorium are part of a major capital project at the Jackson Center currently under way thanks to grants from New York state, the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation and the Lenna Foundation. 


The Jackson Center mission is to preserve the legacy of Robert H. Jackson’s work in constitutional and international law through education, events and exhibitry. 



Anyone interested in helping sponsor Donahue’s appearance should contact Becky Irwin Robbins, director of development, at the Jackson Center at 483-6646.

The Observer

Dunkirk, New York

Thursday, August 17, 2006

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Jackson Center Program Sold Out

Phil Donahue’s program Wednesday at the Jackson Center is sold out. No tickets will be sold at the door. Donahue’s appearance is sponsored by Windstream, Axiom Office Imaging, Elegant Edibles Catering, Falconer Electronics Inc., Lakewood Apothecary, Lakewood Furniture Galleries and The Village Casino. Phil Donahue will be interviewed and also will speak with the audience. Doors for the performance will open at 3:l5 p.m. Tours of the center will be limited to after the program, which is from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, call the Jackson Center at 483-6646.

The Post-Journal

Jamestown, New York

Friday, August 18, 2006

Vol. 180, No. 58

Sec. D, Page 1

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PHIL-ING THE HOUSE

Father Of TV Talk Shows Captivates Jackson Center

By Steven M. Sweeney

For Phil Donahue, audiences are not a problem.

So for a nearly two-hour discussion with a packed house at the Robert H. Jackson Center Wednesday, the father of television talk shows was right at home regaling listeners with thoughts on the First Amendment, Robert H. Jackson, the War on Terror and his wife, Marlo Thomas.

Most important to some, however, Donahue spoke at length about his exclusive two-part 1975 interview with Albert Speer, the last living Nazi prosecuted at Nuremberg by Jackson.

‘‘It’s one of the moments I will remember,’’ Donahue said. ‘‘Suddenly you’re with a man who knew, intimately knew — was a colleague of— the most vilified man of this century, perhaps many centuries — Adolph Hitler.’’

In the waning years of World War II, Speer was Germany’s minister for munitions and armaments — and helped mobilize that nation’s economy for war. The Nazi was sentenced to 20 years in Spandau prison for his complicity and service to Hitler and was released in 1965. From notes on tens of thousands of paper scraps scribbled in jail, Speer wrote the only insider’s account of Hitler’s Nazi government and used it to publish a book the following decade.

Donahue interviewed Speer prior to the book release.

‘‘I asked him,‘How can you exterminate millions of people and not know anything about it?’’’ Donahue said he asked the Nazi. ‘‘His response was something like,‘You only concern yourself with the issue that have to do with your own office.’ How culpable is he? How honest are his confessions? I think he gave his best effort to tell the world what happened. He had nothing to lose.’’

The dialogue between Donahue and Greg Peterson, Jackson Center president, lasted nearly an hour and a half, by which time, the television personality moved on to topics on which he was more passionate. These included what right-wing media have called ‘‘liberal’’ thoughts.

‘‘The Jehovah’s Witnesses have done more than any other group or individual for American jurisprudence. In 1940, America was at war, men were dying in battlefields and they wouldn’t salute the flag,’’ Donahue said, referring to the deeply held beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses which led to the Minersville v. Gobitis decision in 1940 requiring flag salutes in school.

Donahue admires the court’s shift in stance just two years later with the decision in Board of Education v. Barnette in which the court said it would ‘‘grab hold of the third grader, put up its hand to the rest of America and said ‘Stop.’ Leave this child alone. He is obeying his parents,’’ Donahue told the audience. ‘‘We are so secure ...Americans cannot be forced to believe anything. Americans cannot even be made to believe in the United States. These issues have always fascinated me.’’

He also shifted his attention to view on the War on Terror and the American-led invasion of Iraq. He mentioned a time when U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, DW. Va., read a quote from a leading Nazi on the floor of the Senate, that the only thing really needed to get a country to war was fear.

‘‘We’ve come to a place in our nation’s history where we’re a nation of laws until we’re afraid,’’ Donahue said. ‘‘It always amazed me how we could throw 120,000 Japanese-Americans behind a fence without a jury, without a judge, without a trial, without (the writ of habeus corpus). It doesn’t amaze me anymore. It is amazing, though, what people will do when they are afraid. Today, we are reminded if the Bill of Rights were up for a vote, it would fail.’’

Donahue was a national television icon from 1970 to 1996 on the Donahue Show, delving into issues like abortion, racism and the Vietnam War — identifying with the struggles of an entire generation. He is a frequent visitor to Chautauqua Institution and friend of the Jackson Center.

The Post-Journal

Jamestown, New York

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Vol. 180, No. 64

Section A, Pages 1, 3

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