The former television executive has written a memoir called "Tinker in Television." He was co-founder of the production company MTM Enterprises with his then wife Mary Tyler Moore. He left MTM at the peak of its success to become the chairman of NBC, and made it the top-rated network, with shows like "Cheers," "The Cosby Show," and "St. Elsewhere."
David Bianculli offers an appreciation of Tinker, who died last month. Also, we listen to a Fresh Air interview with Tinker from 1994, and an interview with Tinker's wife, Mary Tyler Moore, from 1995.