Visual History with Bernie Hoffman
Interviewed by:Dennis Mazzocco
Bernie Hoffman studied television production at NYU before starting at ABC in New York in the mailroom. In his early years at the network he gradually worked his way up to stage manager on musical/variety shows and dramatic series. As more of those types of shows moved from New York to Los Angeles, Hoffman transitioned into sports broadcasting, working on Roone Arledge’s ABC’S Wide World of Sports and the college football-centered Scoreboard Show. Here he became an associate director and traveled the country filming everything from football to daredevil auto stunts. In addition to his post at Wide World, he also directed segments of the Olympic games, beginning in 1968 in Mexico, as well as the infamous and tragic 1972 Munich Games, of which he directed a reenactment retrospective special the following year.
In 1976 Hoffman left ABC to become director/executive producer of CBS Sports Spectacular. He left CBS after only a few years to join NBC to direct the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Despite traveling to Russia several times with his crew to prepare for the broadcast, the United States government boycotted the games which ended Hoffman and NBC’s involvement. While at NBC, in addition to subsequent Olympic broadcasts, Hoffman directed Sports World where he covered such events as racing and gymnastics. He returned to ABC in the late 1980s to direct and launch Primetime Live with Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson. While at ABC, Hoffman also directed several specials covering the Bosnian War, interviews with Michael Jackson, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
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Highlights


As a young Stage Manager at ABC in the 1960's, Bernie Hoffman had the opportunity to learn about blocking and lenses from the 1st generation of Television Directors.
Bernie Hoffman / Highlight 1
As a young Stage Manager at ABC in the 1960's, Bernie Hoffman had the opportunity to learn about blocking and lenses from the 1st generation of Television Directors.


News and Live Sports Director Bernie Hoffman details some of the challenges in Directing Auto Racing such as capturing speed for the camera and being prepared for the story to change at any moment.
Bernie Hoffman / Highlight 2
News and Live Sports Director Bernie Hoffman details some of the challenges in Directing Auto Racing such as capturing speed for the camera and being prepared for the story to change at any moment.


Hoffman describes his experience covering the Munich Massacre at the 1972 Olympics which developed right outside the broadcast center, and Directing an Emmy-winning recreation of the events two years later.
Bernie Hoffman / Highlight 3
Hoffman describes his experience covering the Munich Massacre at the 1972 Olympics which developed right outside the broadcast center, and Directing an Emmy-winning recreation of the events two years later.