20/20 opening question

[bmasters1 403]

Back when Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters were on 20/20, they said hello to the viewers at the top of each broadcast by stating their names-- "Good evening-- I'm Hugh Downs." "And I'm Barbara Walters, and this is 20/20."

 

One thing you've probably noticed about that (I've noticed it a lot) is that when Barbara finished (as she finished) her part of the hello, just before the opening graphics/titles started, Hugh gave a short (split-second, possibly a blip) nod to camera, and then the graphics started. What I'd like to know is why Hugh gave that split-second nod-- was that to say to the control room, "We've said hello, and now we're ready for the show to start"?

 

Here's a 1990 broadcast of 20/20, to illustrate what I'm wanting to know about here: