TELEVISION TODAY - BY MARJORIE BILBOW

THE AMERICAN DIRECTOR BUDDY BREGMAN TALKS ABOUT THE JOYS OF DOING 'REAL TELEVISION'

"You've got nothing to learn from the States. Technique-wise and direction-wise, your shows are great. They're as good, if not better, than anything over there. Well, after all, you started television, didn't you?"

Heartening words from Buddy Bregman, the American director who was specially engaged by David Attenborough, head of BBC-2's entertainment department, to mount the series International Cabaret. Americans are always polite, but I hoped to worm a few home truths about British television out of Buddy Bregman when I arrived at a rehearsal hall in one of the drearier corners of London. Instead he had nothing but praise. And Buddy Bregman knows about television. He has a list of credits for variety, musical and spectacular shows that would fill this page. He was already a producer at the age of 19.

The names of the stars he has worked with sound like a role call of the great American entertainers: Fred Astaire, Count Basie, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Merman and Frank Sinatra are only some of them.

And he performs as well. Quite a boy is Buddy Bregman!

Are Buddy Bregman's eulogies about British television no more than the politeness of a guest determined not to hurt his host's feelings? I don't think so, because he went on to say: "You know, I've had quite a few television producers from the States come to see BBC's Television Centre. They gasped. They looked at the control rooms, the facilities, the light boards, the sound boards… and they gasped. 'Everything in that vein is better than we have. It's magnificent. Studio 1 is the finest studio I've ever seen. I've never seen one to compare with it.

"No, I don't think they'll ever have anything like TC1 in the States because there's so much film now. If you drove to TV City or NBC's center in Burbank, you'd find they were like ghost towns - except for soaps, talk shows and game shows.

When they walked into the BBC's Television Centre and saw people hurrying about and working, eight studios busy, people running, shows going on… two of the Hollywood producers said, "My God, this is really television!" "It excited them. It excites me.

I love working here and so does my wife (Canadian actress Suzanne Lloyd). We've settled down quite happily in London

with our daughter and we want to stay."

VARIETY

YANK PRODUCER BUDDY BREGMAN IMPRESSED BY BBC's SPEED IN HANDLING SHOWS

Producer and musical director Buddy Bregman, is taking up a 2nd yearly contract with BBC-TV, claims to be an American in paradise.

What impresses the Yank producer about BBC's programming setup is the speed with which he can get ideas translated into a show and then into the schedule. He says: "In just over a year I have done more than 20 shows. In American television a variety producer may only do 2 shows a year.

Says Bregman: "No TV station in the world has an output like BBC (which produces 85% of its programs) and the entertainment department (comedy and music shows) produces something like 500 hours a year."

Output demands a rapid-fire use of studios that particularly impress him. "One day you have a vast set ready for a musical the next day it's just as vast, but for a period drama.

VARIETY - RADIO-TELEVISION SECTION

BREGMAN OKAYED FOR LONDON'S WEEKEND POST

American producer and director Buddy Bregman took up his new post as entertainment chief at London's Weekend on Monday, 9 days later than originally intended. Exec, who switches from the competitive BBC camp, rang slap-bang into labor permit trouble which delayed his start as an indie shotcaller.

Problems over the work ticket arose when the Ministry of Labor received an objection from the Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians which figured that Bregman ought not to be allowed to direct programs. Union view was that, as an alien. He would be displacing natives who were available and capable of doing such directorial chores.

As it turned out the labor ministry handed Bregman a 12 month ticket to assume exec management duties (to which no union raised any objection) but would not permit him to work on the studio floor.

Restriction will not seriously affect Bregman's function as entertainment factotum but will preclude him from personally steering 3 specials which program topper Cyril Bennett originally planned to have him do.

LONDON TIMES - BARRY NORMAN

TV's NEW WHIZZ KID TALKING:

Mr. Buddy Bregman, the whizz-kid London's Weekend Network has hired to inject some red corpuscles into its entertainment shows, turns out to be an American with an appealing line in self-deprecation. "I don't feel all that sure about this job," he confessed to me yesterday, "But I'm going to give it the old college try." He is from Hollywood with an impressive record as producer and director of musical programs, but no real form behind him as an executive. It is this aspect that worries him a little. "The big question mark in my head is choosing the right people to assist me. I'm not confident or cocky and, in fact, until I report for work on January 3rd I don't even know precisely what my job is."

Until then he is working at home in a flat on Baker Street where the walls of the study are covered with pictures of Mr. Bregman with musical stars like Ella Fitzgerald. He was brought over to Europe to work on international TV programs and was later tempted to BBC. Because of his background he tends, naturally enough, to specialize in music shows. "Looking at British TV from an American point of view, it seems to me, as far as content is concerned, to be much better. I believe the surface of talent here has not even been scratched yet."

It is in this belief that Louis I. Bregman II - named after his paternal grandfather - has undertaken his new job.

DAILY TELEGRAPH - CLIFFORD DAVIS

MEET THE MUSIC MAN - HE'S GOING TO TUNE UP YOUR VIEWING

Buddy Bregman has just clinched the job of running the entertainment output of the London's Weekend ITV Network. This will be something of a challenge for young Mr. B - his first executive job.

With close-cropped hair, the look of an American College boy (which he is) and he hails from Chicago. "I'm used to having my head on the chopping block, and I think the atmosphere of commercial television will suit me fine."

His years with BBC have meant a lot to him, artistically and professionally. In his first two years he did 28 shows for the Corporation. He works in a pink-walled study in his flat on Baker St. where he lives with his wife, Suzanne Lloyd - currently filming That Riviera Touch with Morecambe and Wise.

There is a picture of her on the wall along with some 30 others … Crosby, Merman, Fitzgerald … and stars young Bregman has put on records and TV."

The BBC has been a great training for me," he admits. "It's the greatest place in the world to learn about television." When this offer came through, Suzanne said: "If they'd offered you this job two years ago, I would have said No - you couldn't have done it. Now I know you can!"

I think Mrs. B. is right at that.

DAILY SKETCH - BY SHAUN USHER

ITV SHAKE-UP CUTS DOWN ON THE POPS

Fewer pop shows will be seen on ITV after a massive reshuffle yesterday at London's Weekend Television Company.

PICTURE CAPTION:American Buddy Bregman, recently appointed Head of Entertainment.

Programming Director Cyril Bennett said, "Mr. Bregman's job is to widen the range of our entertainment program which translates into a greater stress on comedy."

DAILY MAIL - JAMES THOMAS

WHAT WILL MR. BREGMAN DO (STARTING HIS NEW JOB TODAY) TO MAKE YOU LAUGH?

An American piano player from Chicago, Buddy Bregman, today takes over as Head of Entertainment for the big London ITV Company which is the capital's main opposition to the BBC.

The appointment of Mr. Bregman therefore raised some eyebrows in the close-carpeted corridors of the Independent TV Authority's HQ in Knightsbridge. One senior exec slipped so far as to ask me: "Who is this American whizz-kid?"

Mr. Bregman, a non-smoker, non-drinker is proved by his work with BBC to be an expert in musicals. I wonder how his experience will fit him to improve London's Weekend's pathetic record in comedy. "Will that be a part of my job?"

Mr. Bregman said to me: "I don't know how to say this without sounding big-headed, but I think they really need me.

They sure need somebody. I hope it turns out to be Mr. Bregman.

INTERNATIONAL VARIETY

BREGMAN SWINGS IN

Big changes at London's Weekend TV Network were announced this week by Cyril Bennett, the director of programs.

The new Head of Entertainment will be Chicago-born Buddy Bregman, who has produced and directed for the BBC 28 musical spectaculars, including programs about Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers.

In the United States he made a big reputation as musical director, orchestrator and arranger, not altogether surprising for a talented musician who gave his first piano recital at the age of twelve.

ELLA'S ARRANGER: He has arranged music for, and recorded with many Hollywood stars, including Sammy Davis, Jerry Lewis, Fred Astaire and Ella Fitzgerald, and holds 5 golden record awards.

One of his best-known records is 'Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings.' He has also scored the music for over 20 feature films.

His plans at London's Weekend? He tells me he will wait until he settles in before publicizing his ideas.

EVENING NEWS AND STAR - BY JAMES GREEN

Now that he has had a month to try out the seat and assess the problem I have called upon Buddy Bregman the American 'Big Wheeler' who is the new Head of Entertainment for London's Weekend Television Network.

Bregman has the looks of a Hollywood leading man and the dash of a Mickey Rooney.

I left him heartened because he is pinning his hopes on a quality kick which will emphasize slick sophistication in comedy and music.

Isn't that good news after all the years that this London ITV Company has been fooling around at the longhaired altar of pop and big beat? With Bregman in command things are moving in favor of adult entertainment. It boils down to this: if you prefer the 'do-wah-diddy-diddy' pop composers to the Cole Porters and Harold Arlens then shed a tear. Because Buddy Boy sides with the Richard Rodgers and the Jerome Kerns.

Music is my life. It's all I know. My delight is 50-piece orchestras and beautiful arrangements. I'd rather spend money on music than sets. My new show 'A Swinging Scene' will contain good music, well-orchestrated, and a cast dressed in beautiful clothes."

I've got a feeling Bregman will be pleasing himself - and millions more adults. A swinging scene indeed.

CHRONICLE -BUDDY BREGMAN'S BRILLIANCE - A SWINGING PRODUCER

At 12 he could orchestrate. At 15 he went to university to study business and finance, and he left America because he was hired by Intertel a European-based company to produce and direct TV specials in Paris and Munich … he is now London's Weekend's executive head of entertainment programs. What's even more amazing, therefore, that he has never had a formal music lesson, though he has conducted and orchestrated for a 105-piece symphony orchestra. "I don't have musical knowledge, but I do have musical know-how."

A year or two ago Bregman was in Paris to produce and direct 2 shows starring Zizi Jeanmaire and The Roland Petit Ballet Company for NBC. He was then signed up by BBC, leaving them at the end of last year for London's Weekend TV Network. Now he is completely happy and has no intention of returning to America. He hates New York ("stimulating but depressing"), where his work often took him and though he likes Hollywood, where he once lived, he prefers London. "In any case," he told me in his 5th floor office at the network's Kingsway headquarters, "they like my work and if the say it's fabulous you don't go running back to New York."Asked about his Jewishness, Bregman replied: "I'm Jewish. I always have been Jewish and always will be." He was 'confirmed' at 13 in his home town of Chicago and is a Liberal Jew.He admitted that he was "not that religious" - he has married 'out' - but "observes" the Holy-days. "I don't keep them the way you're supposed to." He has never been to Israel. "But I gotta go. I've got a lot of trees there."

DAILY MAIL - MARTIN JACKSON &JAMES THOMAS
ITV CHIEF KNOCKS POP SHOWS IN NEW LOOK PLAN

With a new look for the New Year announced by the London ITV Company, in comes Hollywood music man Buddy Bregman as Head of Entertainment. Surprise of the night was the appointment of 'unknown' Mr. Bregman. Even he was somewhat surprised. "To tell you the truth I didn't even know where the offices were. I have never been an executive - just a creator. I am dead nervous, but I have done a lot of big musicals and if they think I am going to lower my standards, they can think again.I don't know how to say this without sounding big-headed, but they need me."

THE OBSERVER
AT LAST, SAY GOOD-BYE TO HAND-HELD MIKES

Mr. John McMillan, the GM of London's Weekend Network issued a statement: "I wish to scotch any rumours that there are to be any further significant changes." That was only 7 months ago; but yesterday's changes (and they are very significant) did not surprise anybody who had kept his ears open at Television House. Mr. Cyril Bennett, who took over as director of programs only a month ago, has a well-furnished mind of his own, and a habit of getting what he wants that is quite famous. What he wants at the moment is more professionalism and fewer pop shows, which helps to explain some of the internal postings and the hiring of Mr. Buddy Bregman, a young American.

Bregman inherits a legacy of programs that insist on showing the mechanics of television - lights, cameras and hand-held microphones.

This is hardly Bregman's idea of bright, creative TV. Where he comes from, which is Hollywood, that technique is known as 'local television,' and Bregman has been in the international league for a long time.

It is understandable, perhaps, that when his name first came up at the London Network some people started back in fright from his formidable record.

At the BBC he got a chance to put a favorite idea to work, the use of scripts in musical shows.

DAILY TELEGRAPH - TV STAFF
ITV CHIEFS CHANGED

Announcing changes in programs and those in charge, London's Weekend TV Network has appointed as head of entertainment American Buddy Bregman, who has been working for the BBC. He has directed and produced several shows including: 'Tribute to Cole Porter,' the 'American Civil War' and 'The Wild West.'

A talented musician, who gave his first piano recital at the age of 12, he has written the musical scores of several films and arranged music and conducted for many Hollywood stars.

Program Director Cyril Bennett said, "I feel perhaps we have had an over-estimate on the pop elements of the entertainment field to the detriment of other areas. Mr. Bregman will widen out the entertainment range."

Buddy remembers Ella Fitzgerald