Backstage: Stories from My Life in Public Television

by Ron Hull

Born in 1930 in “Diddlin’ Dora’s” establishment on the banks of Rapid Creek and carried by the Madam herself to a social worker at the Alex Johnson Hotel in Rapid City, Ron Hull was destined from the outset to live an interesting life. And interesting it has indeed been, at the very least. A well-known and much-loved figure after six decades in television, Hull sets out in Backstage to tell his story—from playing a bellhop in a junior class play in South Dakota (and meeting his “real” mother backstage) to initiating the American Experience series for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Before he even owned a television set, Hull produced a military TV show at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. But it wasn’t until he got a job in public broadcasting in Lincoln, Nebraska, that he truly found his medium. Hull has a lifetime of fascinating anecdotes to working as a producer and director, encountering celebrities like John Wayne and William Shatner, befriending famous Nebraskans like writers Mari Sandoz and John Neihardt and actress Sandy Dennis, moving to Saigon in 1966 to bring television to embattled Vietnam, and working in Washington as director of the program fund for the CPB. Through it all, though, Hull’s story is a tribute to his adopted Nebraska, a celebration of the people—stars and unsung heroes—he’s known, and a moving memoir of the dramas of life, large and small.

Genres: Pop Culture

280 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether or not you've heard of Ron Hull, you have almost certainly been impacted by his life's work. As a pioneer in educational television, Hull had a vision in the 1950s of a public TV network that would bring together the greatest scientists, writers, musicians, and actors in the country to educate and enrich the lives of people in big cities and tiny villages throughout the United States. Through the tireless work of Hull and other visionaries, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications was established in Lincoln. Hull also brought educational, state-run TV to Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and was instrumental in arranging funding for such PBS series as Nova, American Experience, Ken Burns' "The Civil War", and many others through his tenure with the Corporation of Public Broadcasting in Washington D.C.

Hull's book is not a laundry list of accomplishments. Instead, it is a fast-paced, captivating, inspiring, and often funny series of anecdotes that, as a whole, tells of a life well-lived. And he has written a book worth reading.

[Mackenzie Marrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard writing a review on an autobiography by a community leader who died 4 years ago. Especially when you grew up going to the same church as him, and all the old church ladies who also knew him are going to read this too.... I hope I did a good job and peep the discussion questions for some further thoughts

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Nebraska Library Commission Book Club Spotlight - January 13th, 2026

Public Television pioneer Ron Hull may have been born in South Dakota, but he was a Nebraska man through and through. A state, in his words, that cultivates fiercely independent, creative people who value honesty and hard work. He enriched his adopted state by brining the works of famous Nebraskans like Mari Sandoz, John G. Neihardt, and Nebraska Hall of Fame. His commitment to education and culture that was embraced by the state brought him all the way to Washington DC, where as Corporation of Public Broadcast Television Program Fund Director, he helped kick start valuable programs such as the 30 time Emmy Award winning PBS show “American Experience” and “Reading Rainbow”. Ten years before his passing, Hull released his autobiography Backstage: Stories from My Life in Public Television in 2012, which was recognized as a notable book for Nebraska’s “150 Celebration”. Cementing his legacy as a true Nebraskan figure.

Without the late Ron Hull, public television as we know it wouldn’t exist. Before he had become a television legend, Ron was an army grunt stuck in Fort Sill, Oklahoma after being drafted near the end of the Korean War. But it was there that the wayward drama major got his big break- with no experience in film or television, he was assigned to produce a weekly show for the base. Ron, with a ragtag group and a small sound stage brought his first live TV program to life, having to learn the basics on the fly. After the success of 'Front and Center', Ron’s passion for public and educational television was ignited. He joined the budding public television team in Lincoln, Nebraska, helped establish a unified television network in war-torn Korea using airplane transmitters, taught in Taiwan, became an influential member of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and so much more. Along the way, he would meet a host of celebrities, high ranking politicians and military personnel, authors, poets, and even become embroiled in a high-profile lawsuit against NBC. Through it all, his support and passion for public education and culture never burned out.

“I learned a long time ago that if you can read, you can do anything.”

– Ron Hull

Ron Hull was a man who was shaped by the people around him, and he took no shame in telling others about his brushes with fame or celebrity friends, of which he had many and came by honestly. Hull’s love for people and their histories shone in his work all over the world. When appointed to the CPB, a fellow TV executive boasted: “I’m happy Ron Hull finally got a job where he can drop his own name”. Hull’s autobiography is full of incredible tidbits of his amazing life and his excellent, personable storytelling shines. Book Club Groups interested famous Nebraskans, exploring the early days of television in America, or those who enjoy memoirs full of memorable characters and stories will have much to discuss and share when reading Backstage. With the future of public broadcasting in the balance, Backstage exists as an important historical document of its beginnings and cultural value. To aid in your group’s discussion, I have compiled a list of helpful Discussion Questions.

[John Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ron is a compelling storyteller, though it rarely feels like we're glimpsing the real person beneath the public persona (and most of his account of his time with CPB feels like little more than namedropping).

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ron Hull is well known in Nebraska for his long career in public television. But I didn't know he also brought educational TV to Vietnam during the war. And on the national level he worked with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in establishing such shows as American Experience, Nova, and Ken Burn's Civil War.

I remember one particular event mentioned in the book - in 1976 NBC began using a big red N logo that belonged in Nebraska ETV. They had spent 3 million dollars in design and production of the logo, Nebraska had spent 35 dollars for their design. Of course NBC ended up with rights to the logo, but Nebraska ETV came out pretty well in the negotiations.

It's an interesting read about a man who started life being born in a brothel in Rapid City, South Dakota. The madam/midwife who delivered him was a friend of Calamity Jane. Drama seemed to follow him through out his life and career, and his final wish in the book was that he could have 50 more years to do the work he loves.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reveals a fascinating history of the development of public broadcasting as we know it today. With a shrewd business sense and a passion for creativity, Hull explored new opportunities and embraced different cultures without hesitation.
I would have liked to have heard more about Hull's family life, and how he balanced family responsibilities with his travels and career.
As I ponder my own future, and prepare to celebrate my 50th birthday, the closing sentence of Hull's book (Hull is now 82) literally jumped off the page at me...
"I wish I had 50 more years."

[Ardith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ron Hull's Insight

Mr. Hull provides a thoughtful history of public television in the US and insights into its players and the events of the last half of the 20th century.

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable look at the development and evolution of public television in Nebraska and around the nation.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

don't know this person. like how he tells things