This Is Your Life article

Sutton and Epsom Advertiser 18 April 1957

GALE PEDRICK COLUMN

EAMONN ANDREWS IS OFF TO THE STATES TO SEE FOR HIMSELF

EAMONN ANDREWS will wake up at dawn on May 13, and (metaphorically) with his bundle over his shoulder and his shillelagh under his arm, will be off - not to Philadelphia in the morning, but at least to New York and Los Angeles.

He asked me to make one thing clear: "Whatever happens, I'll be back come the end of August for the football."

Many artists depart for America, and such is the fanfare and the talk of what may happen when they get there that we sometimes wonder if we shall see them again! But Eamonn has a commonsense approach.

He's popular

Like most Irishmen, he is a born traveller. They like him in the U.S.A. and I haven't the slightest doubt that he will be offered broadcasting and television engagements, and will be pressed to stay.

But the Andrews head is screwed firmly on those square shoulders. Britain gave him the opportunity to make a name that is now a valuable property - and sport is his first love. That is why he is determined to be back, whatever happens, "for the football."

There are still many people who think that Eamonn is at his best at the ringside or as a sports interviewer. There is no doubt that he is a master of the rapid, blow-by-blow sports commentary - although when he was brought here years ago it was to replace Stewart Macpherson when "Stewy" retired from "Ignorance is Bliss" and went back to earn more dollars on the other side of the Atlantic.

Keeping in touch

I well remember sharing a taxi with a quiet and slightly apprehensive Eamonn Andrews before his name meant a thing over here and before that now familiar voice had ever breathed a syllable over the British air.

The ostensible reason for Eamonn's American trip is to keep in touch with the latest developments both in sound and vision.

"I think some interchange is good for all concerned," he told me. "Things are moving very fast in America and, after all, there are only two countries in the world so far as television is concerned - ourselves and the States. There is a great deal more competition over there, and they're forging ahead in so many directions."

"No, I don't mean to suggest that they are all that way in advance of us, but it is surely a sensible thing to keep abreast of what is going on. I would like to see what developments there have been in What's My Line? for example, and in This Is Your Life."

'No plans'

"What's My Line?" has been running merrily in New York for the best part of eight years. Ralph Edwards's "This Is Your Life" is a Los Angeles product.

Last time Eamonn Andrews was in New York he did two guest appearances in "What's My Line?" in place of the famous chairman Bennett Cerf.

They wanted him to stay longer, and when he arrived back in London there was a cable offering him an assignment with another popular series, "I've Got a Secret."

"I've made no specific plans, and I'm not going to America for work," smiled Eamonn. I believe him: but I am certain that he will be seen on television and heard on radio, and that he will have many requests to remain. I am equally sure that he will be as good as his word, and be back in time for the football.

Coventry Evening Telegraph This Is Your Life article

Coventry Evening Telegraph 20 April 1957

GALE PEDRICK... Looking and Listening

SOCCER'S THE DRAW TO BRING EAMONN BACK FROM THE U.S.

EAMONN ANDREWS, who is off to New York and Los Angeles next month, has asked me to make one thing clear:

"Whatever happens, I'll be back at the end of August for the football," he said.

Eamonn is liked in the U.S.A. And I haven't the slightest doubt that he will be offered radio and television engagements and be pressed to stay.

But he has a commonsense approach. Britain gave him the opportunity to make the name that is now a valuable property - and sport is his first love.

There are still many people who think Eamonn is at his best at the ringside or as a sports interviewer.

MASTER OF THE COMMENTARY

There is no doubt that he is a master of the rapid, blow-by-blow sports commentary, although when he was brought here years ago it was to replace Stewart Macpherson in "Ignorance is Bliss."

The reason for Eamonn's American trip is to keep in touch with the latest developments in sound and vision. "I think some interchange is good for all concerned," he told me.

"Things are moving very fast in America, and after all, there are only two countries in the world so far as television is concerned - ourselves and the States."

"It is surely a sensible thing to keep abreast of what is going on. I would like to see what developments there have been in 'What's My Line?' for example, and in "This Is Your Life".

Last time Eamonn Andrews was in New York he did two guest appearances in "What's My Line?" They wanted him to stay longer, and when he arrived back in London there was a cable offering him an assignment with another popular series, "I've Got a Secret."

"I've made no specific plans, and I'm not going to America to work," said Eamonn. I believe him.