Tom Snyder

Dead at 71.

The Tomorrow Show.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Talk show host Tom Snyder, whose smoke-filled interviews were a staple of late night television, has died after a struggle with leukemia. He was 71.

Snyder died Sunday in San Francisco from complications associated with leukemia, his longtime producer and friend Mike Horowicz told The Associated Press on Monday.

Known for his improvised, casual style and robust laughter, Snyder conducted a number of memorable interviews as host of NBC's ''The Tomorrow Show.'' Among his guests were John Lennon, Charles Manson and Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols.

It is simply impossible to conceive of such a discussion taking place on network television today.