Let's All Be There

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1984 "Let's All Be There" logo.
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1984 "Let's All Be There" logo.

"Let's All Be There" was a slogan used from July 1, 1984, to May 8, 1986, to promote programming on NBC. Arguably, the slogan is one of the most popular ad campaigns NBC has ever undertaken.

The slogan, immortalized with upbeat singers putting the words to a jingle (N-B-C: Let's All Be There!), was played at the beginning of each night's broadcasts in the two years it was in use. First expanded from the Be There campaign started in 1983, the phrase became synonymous with the network as the simple jingle was expanded into a three-minute song, which was performed during the unveiling of new shows on Fall Preview night. In 1984, Gimme a Break! star Nell Carter sang the network's de facto anthem, and on a 1985 NBC All-Stars show, every NBC star at the time (sans Mr. T) performed the number.

Like many other NBC slogans, it was customized for use by the network's affiliates. For example, WMAQ in Chicago adapted it as "Channel 5, Let's All Be There!" while WXIA in Atlanta combined with their popular identity to craft "Let's All Be There on 11 Alive!" Others also have included some NBC affiliates that have switched to other networks, for instance the now-ABC affiliate in Baltimore, WMAR, took it as "Channel 2, Let's All Be There!", while the now-Fox affiliate in Miami, WSVN, had "WSVN, Let's All Be There!" (instead of "Channel 7, Let's All Be There!", strangely enough) Other stations that have used versions of the campaign include KNBC in Los Angeles and WLEX in Lexington, Kentucky (called "Channel 4, Let's All Be There" and "WLEX, Let's All Be There" (as opposed to "Channel 18, Let's All Be There")).

The slogan was considered to be out-of-date when NBC decided to change its image: a new version of the peacock was unveiled at the conclusion of NBC's 60th Anniversary special, without the "N" in the background and only six feathers instead of eleven. The new peacock faced to the right rather than the left, the indication that the network is looking "forward" rather than back at the past. Lastly, the old slogan was thrown out the window and replaced with the new slogan "Come Home to NBC."

1985 "Let's All Be There" logo.
Enlarge
1985 "Let's All Be There" logo.

This slogan, like many other NBC slogans, was used on the Sydney and Brisbane stations of the Seven Network in Australia between 1985 and 1988. It was also used on the Brazil network SBT as "Quem Procura, Acha Aqui" between 1988 and 1991. In Europe, it was used by Italy's Canale 5, Philippines' CBS-17 (now CGMA) and France's TF1.


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[edit] External links

  • 80s TV Themes.com — The "Promos" page contains several audio recordings of "Let's All Be There", both instrumentals and with lyrics, and videos of both LABT logos (and the 1985 All-Stars special), as well as numerous network promos and themes.
  • Opening for 1985 All Star Hour Nell Carter sings "I've Got a New Attitude". Watch for the primitive NBC Stereo symbol.
  • "Let's All Be There" by Nell Carter From the end of the 1984 NBC All Star Hour. This is what you get "when you watch NBC together this fall".
  • "Let's All Be There" by The National Broadcasting Company Chorus Keisha Knight Pulliam, Nell Carter, Beatrice Arthur, John Hoyt, Joey Lawrence, and almost the entire NBC cast and crew perform at the end of the 1985 NBC All Star Hour.