Week of 11/11: Ali-Frazier, Hal Kanter and More

By Sylvia Gurinsky

With the death of boxer Joe Frazier this week, many recalled his sport in its 20th century heyday on television. At the center of that was the three fights Frazier had with Muhammad Ali.

In 1971, Frazier won the first fight; many had argued that Ali, rusty from missing three-and-a-half years of boxing because of his courageous stand against the Vietnam War, simply wasn't ready:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyezmRI-7cE

Frazier won the title, but George Foreman won that from him in 1973. By the time Frazier and Ali met for their second match in 1974 in New York's Madison Square Garden, it was a grudge match. Calling it for ABC was the incomparable Howard Cosell; the clip includes a look at Frazier and Ali's studio scuffle during an interview with Cosell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unpw2QHMDMs

They met for the third and last time in the "Thrilla In Manila" in 1975. Ali had already taken back his title from Foreman, and Frazier was trying to win it back. Ali kept his title and his legend grew, but the fight was physically tough on both boxers, both that night and in the long term:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRth-5w0Lt8

Various documentaries and the entire 1975 fight are available on DVD.

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Hal Kanter wrote for Ed Wynn and George Gobel, and was actually involved in two groundbreaking series for NBC, creating "Julia" and writing for "Chico and the Man."

Here's a look at "Julia" (an episode that includes a young Robert Guillaume):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BobgR99qWxM

This "Chico and the Man" episode features Della Reese:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld39sBWRZFk

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Besides Andy Rooney, whom I saluted on his retirement last month, Hal Bruno, ABC's longtime political editor, has also died.

Bruno was the ultimate professional of a type that's disappearing from ABC News. He helped with the transition of political coverage into the computer age and moderated the 1992 vice presidential debate; he introduced Admiral James Stockdale, Ross Perot's running mate, leading to Stockdale's famous response:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKpX-5jQjQ0&feature=related

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And in tribute to Sid Melton, who also died this week, about 20 seconds in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxh0Nx2q48E

See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!