 Downs' career prospects gradually dwindled after years of relative prominence as a Murrow Boy.New management in New York believed his gruff voice was a poor fit for radio and that his looks were not suited for television.Despite this, he made sporadic televised appearances on "See It Now" and served as the occasional co-host of the "Longines Chronoscope" along with Edward P. Morgan, where they interviewed Eleanor Roosevelt in 1953.