Tom Duggan - ABC Chicago

ABC Chicago

With NBC refusing to rehire him, Duggan accepted a job with ABC as a nightly commentator on WBKB (now WLS-TV).

Duggan has been called:

"... loud, abrasive, and at times unpredictable. Perhaps best described as the Morton Downey, Jr. of his day, Duggan also had ties to the Chicago Mob, an association that made Quinlan nervous, especially when Duggan would "predict" a Mob hit on the air and two or three weeks later that hit would come to pass."

"To take advantage of his recognition for his anti-mob stand, ABC proposed that Duggan host a special presentation on Chicago mob boss Tony Accardo, revealing his links with organised crime. ABC sought the co-operation of the Chicago Crime Commission and state and local law enforcement to compile material and protect Duggan should there be retribution for the show. However, some staff at ABC and various law enforcement officials opposed the show."

The concept was abandoned after a meeting between ABC manager Sterling Quinlan and Accardo himself at the Tradewinds lounge. Instead, Duggan hosted a talk show from 11:10 until midnight on weeknights. It was the first all-talk show to appear on television.

The show covered many issues, but Duggan continued his attacks on alleged mob influence in boxing. Viewers could call in and submit questions to a "girl Friday," who then read them to Duggan. Fearing attack by mobsters, Duggan began carrying a pistol.

The nighttime show became so popular that Duggan was also given an afternoon audience participation show and a Saturday evening variety show. All three shows outrated their competitors. In 1955, Duggan strongly supported the first election campaign of Richard J. Daley. Daley would become Chicago's longest-serving mayor.