Healthy Mr. Potato Head - Macy's 2006 Thanksgiving Day Parade (pd)
By: Paula Slade
While you’re getting the holiday turkey ready, don’t forget to tune in to watch Santa’s arrival in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which will be broadcast on NBC-TV, Thursday, November 26, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to noon in all time zones.
The parade, which marks its 83rd year on Thanksgiving morning, will be a 61-year milestone for the NBC television network, which has covered the broadcast of this highly anticipated event since 1948.
Hosting the national festivities this year are "Today Show" co-anchors, Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Al Roker who will introduce the signature giant balloons, numerous floats, marching bands, performers and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Expect to see a towering Disney Buzz Lightyear and that old favorite inflatable, Kermit the frog who will be joined by a Sesame Street float and Dickens Christmas. As far as entertainers – there will be something for everyone from Andrea Bocelli to Smurfette and Papa Smurf.
The festivities begin at 77th Street and Central Park West and continue a 2.65-mile march that culminates in front of Macy’s famed 7th Avenue flagship store.
NBC-TV and John Piper, Head Designer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, takes us on a brief behind-the-scenes tour covering the actual building of a float and the transport of these huge showstoppers. Enjoy!
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Comments
NBC's coverage of the parade is as stale as week old thanksgiving leftovers! The on air talent of Matt Lauer, Al Roker, and Meredith Viera should be dubbed "no talent" are just big blowhards with bigger heads than the balloons in the parade. NBC's commerial breaks every six minutes leave very actual little parade seen on tv and the best part is the pluggin of NBC shows that will be canceled a couple of days after the parade airs!
There are many Macy's Parade fans that should be utilzed as co-hosts to add great tidbits to the telecast, they should air the telecast like they do with the Rose Parade - commercial free! Have interviews with the celebrities as they get on board the floats - interview them after the parade etc and make a better telecast - my tv will be on CBS's coverage!
I am sorry you are disappointed in the upcoming broadcast Phil. Many children and parents I know look forward to this annual televised event. Thanks for weighing in your take on the programming.
I still love the NBC's "Macy's Thanksgivings Day Parade". Maybe I love it for its past joys. Today's version was colorful and filled with great photography.
Unfortunately, the talent shown was way below par: The "Billy Elliott" segment was plain awful without any recognition of the lead actor's talent. "Bye, Bye, Birdie" was utterly demeaning. But worst of all was MEREDITH VIERA who seemed to be snoozing through the show. She had a total disinterest in the proceedings! Let's hope that she stays home and cooks for her family next year. Ba, Humbug!! Matt Lauer was Matt Lauer, 'nuf said; thank goodness for Al Roker. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Our daughter marched for the first and last time in the Macy's All American Marching Band the first band in the parade and none of that band was shown on NBC. Clearly dissappointing. I wish there was a video of the beginning of the parade so we can at least see our daughter on video being that it is Macy's own band. Obviously a big mistake by NBC. How can they miss the beginning of the parade on TV? She was also in the Rose Parade and we came to New York to see her in person but didn't have tickets for the performance in front of Macy's and the tv cameras (?). Maybe the cameras were off?
Anybody who has a video tape of the first band in the parade I'd love to be in contact with that person.
Sheldon, I enjoy the nostalgia of the event and of course seeing the colorful floats and balloons! I totally agree with you - Al Roker saves the day! As far as the entertainment - a little too much lip sync IMHO, but I know it's extremely difficult to sing outdoors in colder weather(even if you are warmed up.) I appreciate you stopping by to share your thoughts! Happy Thanksgiving Day to you too!
Dear "Macy's All American Macy's Band," I'm very sorry to hear about your daughter's band being cut from broadcast - as a parent, I would be extremely disappointed as well if that had happened to my own child. I didn't record the show so I am of no help, but if one of my readers happens to have gotten the Macy's All American Macy's Band on video, perhaps in another time zone, could you please drop me a line. If there are no further responses here in the next few days "Macy" you might check with the Macy Corporation directly or with NBC in New York, they may actually have gotten it on tape but it was not aired because of intro and start time. I truly hope someone has captured this for you.
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