Writer Bob Schiller was interviewed along with longtime collaborator Bob Weiskopf (1914-2001). Individually, they each explained how they got their respective starts in the entertainment industry, and about the many famed radio shows and performers that they were associated with in their early careers, including Duffy's Tavern (Schiller) and The Fred Allen Show (Weiskopf). Together, they remembered how they came to form their partnership, and the many early television projects for which they wrote. The duo spent a great deal of time recalling their years as staff writers on I Love Lucy (later The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour), and their collaboration on that show with Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh Davis... [More] [Less]

Studs Terkel (1912-2008) was interviewed for one-and-a-half hours in Chicago, IL. Mr. Terkel related the history of the Chicago School of television (including his relationships with Burr Tillstrom, Fran Allison and Dave Garroway) and spoke in detail about his own program, Studs Place and efforts to keep the show on the air after he was blacklisted. After the program went off the air, Terkel became one of Americas premier oral historians and radio interviewers. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on July 19, 1999. For Studs' complete online interview, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWJ4WBWeLvI For more information about this and other Archive interviews, visit www.emmytvlegends.org [More] [Less]

Archive of American Television interview with dancer Cyd Charisse. Visit http://tvinterviewsarchive.blogspot.com for links to all online interviews in the collection.

In Part 4 of this 7-part interview, George Carlin discusses his appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show, how he edited his material for television, how his "world changed" through several appearances on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson"; he comments on and refutes the criticism he received for "cashing in on the hippie craze"; his final appearance at the Copacabana (and how he got fired); his first gig to a college audience; his album FM/AM; his interest in language and obscenity; the genesis of "Seven Dirty Words"; The Supreme Court case against WBAI. [More] [Less]

Actor William Shatner talks about his early years and influences. To access all segments, visit channel playlists or go to http://tvinterviewsarchive.blogspot.com

7-part oral history interview (each segment posted separately) with actress Elinor Donahue. She outlines her early film career in such films as Mister Big and The Unfinished Dance. She describes appearing in early experimental TV for Klaus Landsberg and speaks fondly of her appearance on The Ray Bolger Show. She speaks in detail about her role as teenager [More] [Less]

Judy Collins singing a Russian love song in Russian. (Appearance on Pete Seeger TV Show 1960's)

1958

This ten minute clip is drawn from the famous 1950s game show, and it's quite surreal. I don't use the word surreal loosely: the special guest is Salvador Dali.

In his 6-part oral history interview, writer/producer Hal Kanter talks extensively about his first television work as a writer for famed comedian, Ed Wynn, on The Ed Wynn Show. He discusses how he ultimately wrote and directed The George Gobel Show. Kanter recalls his pioneering sitcom, Julia, which starred Diahann Carroll, and featured the first black, female lead on television. Kanter also mentions his writing for the "Academy Awards" shows and dozens of feature films. B-roll. [More] [Less]

This ten minute clip is drawn from the famous 1950s game show, and it's quite surreal. I don't use the word surreal loosely: the special guest is Salvador Dali.

1958

Perry Como guest stars on Bing Crosby's TV Show in the first of 2 shows where Perry and Bing took turns and appeared on each others TV shows and 'Recorded an album together'! In this segment, Perry and Bing cut the first side of their album together. Then, they discuss cutting the second side on Perry's TV Show two weeks later and they listen to playback of the first side of the album to close the show. Originally Aired on February 29, 1960. [More] [Less]