Page "Charles Van Doren" Paragraph 5

Numerous writings since have suggested Van Doren was offered a job as a special " cultural correspondent " for Today almost at once — but Van Doren subsequently reminded people that his first job was as a newswriter, short-lived, before he began doing small pieces for Today host Dave Garroway's weekend cultural program, Wide Wide World — pieces that led quickly to Garroway's inviting Van Doren to join Today.

Van Doren also made guest appearances on other NBC programs, even serving as Today's substitute host when Garroway took a brief vacation.