Richard Baer

I Don't Drop Names Like Marilyn Monroe Just to Sell Books: a Memoir by Richard Baer

In the early 1950's, in Los Angeles, at 6 AM, John West, vice-president of the National Broadcasting Company in charge of west coast, gets a phone call from New York City on the NBC tie line. The caller is General David Sarnoff, chairman of the Board of RCA, the Radio Corporation of America, NBC's parent company.

Awakened from sleep, Mr. West groggily says "Hello"

"John, this is General Sarnoff."

Mr. West swiftly clears the cobwebs. "Good morning, General, it's always good to hear from you."

"John, you're acquainted with my nephew Richard Baer, aren't you?"

"Yes, General, I am. He's a fine young man. I think very highly of him."

"Last night I spoke with his mother, my sister. She's upset. The reason she's upset is that Richard has been out of work for four months and he has no prospects, so it looks like his life is going nowhere."

"General, I'm surprised and sorry to hear that."

"John, I want you to find Richard a job. And I want you to find him a job by nine o'clock this morning, your time. I'll be waiting for your call saying you took care of it. Goodbye."