Now for the story behind the voice over.
This morning, Today viewers heard the voice of EP Jim Bell when he doubled as an advertisement announcer leading into a weather segment (prompting Al Roker to praise Bell’s “dulcet tones”). Turns out this isn’t the first time Bell has helped out in the recording booth for the show he helms.
Today spokesperson Megan Kopf tells TVNewser, “Since our regular announcer doesn’t hold early morning hours, Jim has had to put on the announcer hat a couple of times…when bumpers [billboard ads] change at the last minute.”
She says Bell also did voice overs when he was with NBC Sports, providing the English translation during soundbites from non-English speaking athletes.
More from an emailer: Back in the day, that would’ve resulted in a major AFTRA grievance. A national television network ought to have announcers on standby, 24/7.