Drama Series


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

Drama describes shows involving recurring characters who must deal with emotional, difficult or changing circumstances (excluding shows which clearly fit into other genres, such as adventure or sci-fi series). Themes include: coming-of-age, social and political concerns, and family issues.

Highlights
David Chase on how the Journey song "Don't Stop Believin'" came to be used on the last episode of The Sopranos; on the reaction to the finale
Aaron Spelling on producing Melrose Place
02:26
John Amos on appearing as "Percy Fitzwallace" on The West Wing
15:57
Edie Falco on Oz
10:27
Michael Learned on being cast as "Olivia Walton" on The Waltons
06:25
Ernest Kinoy on writing for Route 66
02:51
Who talked about this genre

Chris Albrecht

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Chris Albrecht on programming The Sopranos
11:36

Debbie Allen

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Debbie Allen on being cast in the TV show Fame
05:55
Debbie Allen on the link between TV shows, Fame and Glee
00:40

John Amos

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John Amos on appearing as "Percy Fitzwallace" on The West Wing
15:57

Charlie Andrews

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Charlie Andrews on co-creating and writing Studs' Place
15:35

John Aniston

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John Aniston on appearing on The West Wing and Mad Men
01:17

Janet Ashikaga

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Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing
09:22

Edward Asner

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Ed Asner on acting as Lou Grant in the series Lou Grant
23:00

Alan Ball

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Alan Ball on the premise of, storylines, and writing for Six Feet Under
22:00
Alan Ball on writing for and the characters of Six Feet Under
22:09
Alan Ball on the writing, characters, and storylines of True Blood
24:34

Paris Barclay

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Paris Barclay on directing Dick Van Dyke in an episode of Diagnosis Murder
02:02
Paris Barclay on directing NYPD Blue
03:39
Paris Barclay on directing and later producing NYPD Blue
14:51

Bonnie Bartlett

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Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on The Waltons
00:41
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Grace Snider Edwards" on Little House on the Prairie, and on working with Michael Landon
09:29
Bonnie Bartlett on playing "Ellen Craig" on St. Elsewhere
06:44
Bonnie Bartlett on guest-starring on Midnight Caller, Wiseguy, Home Improvement, and ER
04:52
Bonnie Bartlett on appearing in The Deliberate Stranger, Once and Again, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Better Call Saul
09:39

Earl Bellamy

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Earl Bellamy on directing The Lineup
04:38
Earl Bellamy on directing Crusader, starring Brian Keith
01:21

Donald P. Bellisario

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Donald Bellisario on the creation of Magnum, P.I.
12:27
Donald Bellisario on specific episodes of Magnum, P.I.
15:05
Donald Belisario on creating Quantum Leap
04:44
Donald Belisario on creating JAG
05:41

Harve Bennett

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Harve Bennett producing Rich Man, Poor Man
21:39

Dick Berg

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Dick Berg on producing the series Dolphin Cove  and other projects
01:27

Milton Berle

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Milton Berle on his appearance on Beverly Hills, 90210
00:28

Walter Bernstein

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Walter Bernstein on writing for Hannah Weinstein's Colonel March of Scotland Yard and meeting Boris Karloff
02:59

William Blinn

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William Blinn on writing for Fame
19:22

Steven Bochco

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Steven Bochco on City of Angels and the importance of the series' predominantly African-American cast and crew
04:04

Paul Bogart

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Paul Bogart on directing The Defenders; on his favorite episodes
05:45
Paul Bogart on directing The Defenders
04:35

Haskell Boggs

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Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Little House on the Prairie
04:44
Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Father Murphy and Highway to Heaven
04:46
Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Highway to Heaven
01:36
Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Bonanza and on working with Michael Landon on Highway to Heaven
12:16

Tom Bosley

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Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Profiles in Courage
01:32

Anthony Bourdain

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Anthony Bourdain on writing for the series Treme
06:13

Eric Braeden

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Eric Braeden on co-starring in The Rat Patrol as "Captain Hans Dietrich" and the show not accurately depicting historical facts
10:27

Joshua Brand

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Joshua Brand on writing for The White Shadow
14:46
Joshua Brand on summing up The White Shadow
06:54
Joshua Brand on creating and writing A Year in the Life starring Richard Kiley
10:48
Joshua Brand on developing and writing Northern Exposure
22:37
Joshua Brand on casting Northern Exposure
07:19
Joshua Brand on creating and writing I'll Fly Away, Going to Extremes, and Northern Exposure
40:16
Joshua Brand on his overall feelings on The Americans
03:42

Connie Britton

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Connie Britton on playing "Tami Taylor" on Friday Night Lights
23:22
Connie Britton on playing "Rayna Jaymes" on Nashville
06:24

James L. Brooks

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James L. Brooks on Lou Grant
04:02

Allan Burns

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Allan Burns on the creation of Lou Grant and making the show a drama rather than a comedy
09:19

Robert Butler

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Robert Butler on directing the pilot of Moonlighting
12:37

Stephen J. Cannell

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Stephen J. Cannell on creating Baa-Baa Black Sheep
03:25

Reuben Cannon

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Reuben Cannon on casting Palmerstown U.S.A.
04:28
Reuben Cannon on casting Touched By an Angel
01:59

Glenn Gordon Caron

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Glenn Gordon Caronon creating Moonlighting and casting the leads
09:21
Glenn Gordon Caron on the premise, pilot, and music of Moonlighting
28:32
Glenn Gordon Caron on recurring gags, the writers' room and production problems on Moonlighting
29:40
Glenn Gordon Caron on memorable episodes of Moonlighting, leaving day-to-day operations, and the legacy of Moonlighting
15:13
Glenn Gordon Caron on casting Medium; on style choices on the show and a typical work week
27:08

Thomas Carter

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Thomas Carter on acting in and directing The White Shadow  (Part 1) 
25:30
Thomas Carter on directing The White Shadow (Part 2)
14:02

David Chase

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David Chase on creating The Sopranos, coming to HBO, casting James Gandolfini, and the character of "Tony Soprano"
28:25
David Chase on the female characters on The Sopranos
24:20
David Chase on "Uncle Junior" and "Tony's" crew on The Sopranos
05:54
David Chase on the writing, directing, and editing on The Sopranos
26:38
David Chase on arguing with HBO over having "Tony Soprano" murder someone on The Sopranos
David Chase on how the Journey song "Don't Stop Believin'" came to be used on the last episode of The Sopranos; on the reaction to the finale

Michael Chiklis

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Michael Chiklis on starring in The Commish at the age of 27; on his character "Tony Scali" and the show's production schedule
11:32
Michael Chiklis on auditioning for and playing "Detective Mackey" on The Shield
28:46
Michael Chiklis on the challenges of playing "Detective Vic Mackey" on The Shield; on the look and tone of the show; on the finale
31:36

Margaret Cho

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Margaret Cho on working on Drop Dead Diva
05:09
Margaret Cho on playing a villain on an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
01:51

Barbara Feldon with Emerson College

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Barbara Feldon on doing comedy v. drama
04:08
Barbara Feldon on the power of humor to heal in painful situations and how it differs on comedies and dramas
01:58

Robert Conrad

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Robert Conrad on the basic premise of Hawaiian Eye
00:44
Robert Conrad on playing "Greg 'Pappy' Boyington" on Baa-Baa Black Sheep
04:52

Bill Conti

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Bill Conti on composing the theme and pilot music for Earl Hamner, Jr.'s Falcon Crest
05:14

Joan Ganz Cooney

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Joan Ganz Cooney on The Golden Age of Television
01:02

Jeanne Cooper

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Jeanne Cooper on the show Bracken's World
10:44

Barbara Corday

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Barbara Corday on writing for Sons and Daughters and various other Universal Television shows
04:34

Alexander Courage

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Alexander Courage on scoring episodes of The Waltons
10:31

Ron Cowen

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Ron Cowen on adapting Sherwood Anderson and Willa Cather short stories for American Short Story
02:53

Ane Crabtree

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Ane Crabtree on her first union job as a costume designer in television -- Swift Justice
02:08
Ane Crabtree on her work as the costume designer for the pilot of The Sopranos;
41:38
Ane Crabtree on her work as costume designer of season one of Justified
20:44
Ane Crabtree on her work as costume designer on seasons one and two of The Handmaid's Tale
46:28
Ane Crabtree on additional secrets that she built into the costumes on The Handmaid's Tale, her designs for season two of the show, how Gilead in The Handmaid's Tale is similar to present day, and how costumes similar to those she designed began to be worn at political protests
01:10:29
Ane Crabtree on costume design for Pan Am, which was set in 1963
14:12
Ane Crabtree on her work as costume designer on the first season of Rectify, and on her parents visiting the set
10:26
Ane Crabtree on costume design for Masters of Sex; on often working on the first or first and second seasons of shows and why she left Masters of Sex
16:48

Richard Crenna

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Richard Crenna on playing James Slattery on Slattery's People
10:47
Richard Crenna on directing Lou Grant, starring Ed Asner
04:09

Michael Dann

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Michael Dann on getting The Defenders on the air
06:33

Ossie Davis

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Ossie Davis on writing an episode of East Side/West Side
00:52

John Debney

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John Debney on composing for Fame
05:17
John Debney on composing the theme song for Sisters
02:32
John Debney on composing for Hatfields & McCoys and Texas Rising
11:15
John Debney on composing for Bonnie and Clyde
02:12

Kelley Dixon

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Kelley Dixon on editing Breaking Bad
01:04:04
Kelley Dixon on editing Breaking Bad
27:09

Ramin Djawadi

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Ramin Djawadi on composing for Prison Break
07:08
Ramin Djawadi on composing for Person of Interest
05:45
Ramin Djawadi on additional details about his cameo on Westworld
01:24
Ramin Djawadi on scoring Game of Thrones
39:56
Ramin Djawadi on scoring Game of Thrones, contd., the Game of Thrones concert tour, and his Emmy wins for the show
28:24
Ramin Djawadi on scoring the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, using the same main title theme as Game of Thrones, and new and familiar themes
03:17
Ramin Djawadi on scoring Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan and expanding the main title sequence in later seasons
02:10

Elinor Donahue

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Elinor Donahue on her recurring role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
03:53

Louis Dorfsman

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Louis Dorfsman on being Art Director for CBS' ad campaign to save The Waltons with then CBS President Robert Wood
13:39

Charles S. Dubin

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
03:25
Charles S. Dubin on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand
01:19
Charles S. Dubin on directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain
04:12
Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
02:47
Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
03:22

Dick Van Dyke

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Dick Van Dyke on the differences between working on comedy and drama

Rebecca Eaton

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Rebecca Eaton on executive producing Masterpiece
48:24
Rebecca Eaton on executive producing Masterpiece, and on some of the series' programs through the years
43:33

Hector Elizondo

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Hector Elizondo on co-starring on the series Cane as "Pancho Duque"
06:10

Edie Falco

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Edie Falco on Oz
10:27
Edie Falco on The Sopranos (Part 1)
23:58
Edie Falco on The Sopranos (Part 2)
32:57
Edie Falco on Nurse Jackie
32:49

Dorothy Fontana

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Dorothy Fontana on writing the episode "The Beau" for The Waltons
02:28

Tom Fontana

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Tom Fontana on creating, writing, and producing Oz
27:22
Tom Fontana on creating and writing The Philanthropist 
03:55

Ron Friedman

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Ron Friedman on writing for Fantasy Island
07:10

Betty Garrett

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Betty Garrett on appearing on The Chevy Show and The Lloyd Bridges Show
01:47
Betty Garrett on appearing on The Fugitive
02:22

David Gerber

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David Gerber on producing the ABC After School Special  "Follow the North Star" and getting involved in the editing process
05:39
David Gerber on shepherding thirtysomething  for MGM
09:15

Melissa Gilbert

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Melissa Gilbert on getting cast as Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie
30:43
Melissa Gilbert on "The Lord is My Shepherd"episode of Little House on the Prairie
02:35

Vince Gilligan

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Vince Gilligan on the casting choices for Breaking Bad; on knowing Bryan Cranston needed to play "Walter White"; on how his association playing the dad on Malcolm in the Middle role helped this character
03:30

Lesli Linka Glatter

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Lesli Linka Glatter on directing Twin Peaks
12:13
Lesli Linka Glatter on directing Freaks and Geeks
07:39
Lesli Linka Glatter on directing Gilmore Girls
10:02
Lesli Linka Glatter on directing Aaron Sorkin's The West Wing
19:24
Lesli Linka Glatter on directing Mad Men
21:01
Lesli Linka Glatter on directing and executive producing Homeland
01:07:29

Sharon Gless

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Sharon Gless on the lead-up to getting Cagney & Lacey; on meeting future husband Barney Rosenzweig
13:31
Sharon Gless on fine-tuning the character of "Christine Cagney" on Cagney & Lacey
02:55

Leonard Goldberg

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Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Family
09:05

Jerry Goldsmith

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Jerry Goldsmith on composing for various made-for-television movies in the '70s including The Homecoming, the pilot for The Waltons
04:08
Jerry Goldsmith on composing for Jericho and being nominated for Emmy Awards for composing for Thriller  and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
01:38
Jerry Goldsmith on composing the theme for The WaltonsBarnaby JonesPolice Story, and Hawkins
03:36

Walter E. Grauman

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Director Walter Grauman on his work on The Untouchables
22:49

Walon Green

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Walon Green on writing an episode of The Man in the High Castle and an episode of Mercy Street, and on staying active in the industry
01:12

Jon Hamm

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Jon Hamm on his first experience on the set of a serialized drama - on Providence
00:45
Jon Hamm on shooting The Unit after shooting the pilot for Mad Men
02:00
Jon Hamm on getting cast on Mad Men, production on the series, working with Matthew Weiner, and the series finale
37:47
Jon Hamm on directing two episodes of Mad Men, working with the cast, and what he'll miss about the show
34:57

Earl Hamner, Jr.

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Earl Hamner on writing for the show The Kate Smith Hour
01:27
Earl Hamner on writing for the show It's a Man's World
03:15
Earl Hamner on writing the pilot for The Long, Hot Summer
01:45
Earl Hamner on the genesis of The Waltons
12:39
Earl Hamner on the casting process for The Waltons and the cast of the show
17:06
Earl Hamner on the children cast on The Waltons and how cast changes were handled on the show
11:41
Earl Hamner on producing The Waltons
19:05
Earl Hamner on his favorite episodes of The Waltons
01:09
Earl Hamner on creating the show Apple's Way
01:14
Earl Hamner on writing for the TV show Boone
02:40
Earl Hamner on working with Oprah Winfrey on the TV show Brewster Place
02:39
Earl Hamner on producing Snowy River: The McGregor Saga
03:43
Earl Hamner on producing an episode of Masterpiece Theater for PBS
03:35
Earl Hamner on working with Sylvia Sidney on the TV drama Morningstar/Eveningstar
02:07

Jonathan Harris

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Jonathan Harris on co-starring on The Third Man as "Bradford Webster"
05:57

Patricia Heaton

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Patricia Heaton on her first steady television gig, on Thirtysomething
04:22

Arthur Hiller

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Arthur Hiller on directing Route 66 and Naked City
14:05
Arthur Hiller on Route 66, Naked City, and Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
14:47

Leslie Hoffman

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Leslie Hoffman on doing stunts for Melrose Place
01:59

Hal Holbrook

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Hal Holbrook on guest-starring on Sons of Anarchy
03:21

Lee Holdridge

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Lee Holdridge on an experience scoring an episode of McCloud
01:12
Lee Holdridge on creating the theme for Moonlighting
06:06

Felicity Huffman

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Felicity Huffman on American Crime
17:21

Roy Huggins

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Roy Huggins on writing and producing King's Row  at Warner Bros.Television
05:40
Roy Huggins on creating Run For Your Life
05:25

Eddie Foy III

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Eddie Foy III on casting Route 66
02:30
Eddie Foy III on casting Family
00:57

Frank Inn

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Frank Inn on working as a trainer on Lassie
15:36
Frank Inn on Lassie and the PATSY awards, and on the end of his association with Rudd Weatherwax
04:25

David Isaacs

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David Isaacs on acting as a consulting producer for Mad Men  for Matthew Weiner
06:15

Alan Jaggs

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Alan Jaggs on editing The Waltons  and working at Lorimar
08:46

Allison Janney

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Allison Janney on auditioning for The West Wing and playing "C.J. Cregg"
14:44
Allison Janney on working with The West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin and director Thomas Schlamme
03:20
Allison Janney on her co-stars and memorable episodes of The West Wing
28:32
Allison Janney on the final season of The West Wing and her Emmy wins for the show
07:30

Charles Floyd Johnson

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Charles Floyd Johnson on producing NCIS
42:09

Kathryn Joosten

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Kathryn Joosten on the cast of Desperate Housewives; on specific episodes of the show; on her Emmy wins for the show; on the end of Desperate Housewives; on her last day on set; on her character's death on the show; on the fate of the other characters on the show
19:20

Hal Kanter

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Hal Kanter on creating The Jimmy Stewart Show
06:42

Elodie Keene

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Elodie Keene on editing various Aaron Spelling shows, including Fantasy Island
06:14
Elodie Keene on directing My So-Called Life
13:37
Elodie Keene on directing ABC Family series like Pretty Little Liars
08:24
Elodie Keene on directing scenes on Switched at Birth in sign language
02:31
Elodie Keene on directing The Fosters, and on doing socially conscious work
04:18

David E. Kelley

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David E. Kelley on creating and producing Picket Fences
17:35
David E. Kelley on co-creating Doogie Howser, M.D.
05:48
David E. Kelley on meeting Steven Bochco and writing and showrunning L.A. Law
21:15
David E. Kelley on Picket Fences' Emmy wins; on the show's legacy
03:44
David E. Kelley on creating and exiting Chicago Hope; on his writing process; on the end of Chicago Hope
09:11
David E. Kelley on creating The Practice, getting it picked up at ABC, and changing the storytelling of the show because of its time slot; on spinning off Boston Legal from The Practice
16:54
David E. Kelley on having a strong point of view on issues on Boston Legal; on why the show ended
06:31
David E. Kelley on creating Ally McBeal; on the dialogue, visual fantasies, the dancing baby, and the music on the show; on being the only producer in history to win Emmys for drama and comedy series in one year (The Practice and Ally McBeal); on Ally McBeal's Time magazine cover
15:59

Ernest Kinoy

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Ernest Kinoy on writing The Defenders (Part 2)
19:04
Ernest Kinoy on writing for Route 66
02:51
Ernest Kinoy on writing for Saints and Sinners
02:05

Jack Klugman

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Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
05:30

Glen A. Larson

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Glen A. Larson on writing for It Takes a Thief
03:29
Glen A. Larson on writing the first two 90 minute episodes of The  Six Million Dollar Man
07:03
Glen A. Larson on creating Quincy, M.E.
05:08

Piper Laurie

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Piper Laurie on portraying "Catherine Martell" on Twin Peaks
09:45

Michael Learned

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Michael Learned on playing "Olivia Walton" on The Waltons (Part 1)
30:47
Michael Learned on playing "Olivia Walton" on The Waltons (Part 2)
39:36
Michael Learned on appearing on the series Nurse
07:15

Barry Levinson

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Barry Levinson on Homicide: Life on the Street
17:18
Barry Levinson on Oz
08:00

Daniel Lipman

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Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman on how they came to create Sisters
09:35
Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman on creating Sisters
51:18
Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman on creating Queer as Folk
01:10:33
Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman on Queer as Folk
44:40
Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman on how they came to create Sisters
09:35
Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman on creating Sisters
51:18
Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman on creating Queer as Folk
01:10:33
Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman on Queer as Folk
44:40

Warren Littlefield

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Warren Littlefield on ER
08:23

Sidney Lumet

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Sidney Lumet on being assistant director on Danger
14:13
Sidney Lumet on directing Danger and You Are There
18:28

William H. Macy

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William H. Macy on co-writing an episode of thirtysomething in 1991 with his writing partner Steven Schachter
03:15

Nancy Malone

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Nancy Malone on directing Beverly Hills 90210  and the issues with one of the actors who was late
03:11

Jerry Mathers

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Jerry Mathers on working on Matinee Theater
00:57

David McCallum

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David McCallum on playing "Dr. Donald Mallard" aka "Ducky'" on NCIS
23:49

Kent McCray

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Kent McCray on working on Little House on the Prairie, Father Murphy, and Highway to Heaven
40:40

Eryn Krueger Mekash

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Eryn Krueger Mekash on makeup on Nip/Tuck
17:36
Eryn Krueger Mekash on how she started working on Nip/Tuck, on the prosthetic work she did on the show, and on working with Ryan Murphy on the show
06:20
Eryn Krueger Mekash on the creative and challenging work on American Horror Story and Ryan Murphy's innovations for the show
03:56
Eryn Krueger Mekash on creating looks for various seasons of American Horror Story
01:03:36
Eryn Krueger Mekash on makeup looks for American Crime Story, Feud, Hollywood, and Ratched
13:18

S. Epatha Merkerson

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S. Epatha Merkerson on Dick Wolf wanting her for the role of "Lt. Anita Van Buren" on Law & Order and how she portrayed her character
32:04
S. Epatha Merkerson on her character, production, censorship on, and the cancellation of Law & Order
45:33

Walter C. Miller

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Walter C. Miller on directing Fame and Hangin' In
00:23

Nolan Miller

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Nolan Miller on working on Harold Robbins' The Survivors
07:24
Nolan Miller on working on the pilot for Hotel with Bette Davis
05:55

Thomas W. Moore

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Thomas W. Moore on programming and developing The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and Combat
03:26

Rita Moreno

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Rita Moreno on how acting for television is different than acting for films, and appearing in Oz
05:04
Rita Moreno on the graphic nature of her then-current series, Oz
02:02

Harry Morgan

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Harry Morgan on playing "Bill Gannon" on Dragnet
18:36
Harry Morgan on Dragnet
14:04

Diana Muldaur

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Diana Muldaur on working on Harold Robbins' The Survivors
03:30
Diana Muldaur on working on Born Free
06:20
Diana Muldaur on appearing on A Year in the Life
01:25

Horace Newcomb

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Horace Newcomb on The Sopranos being a game changer
05:49

Lori Openden

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Lori Openden on casting The White Shadow
03:56
Lori Openden on casting Hill Street Blues
09:10
Lori Openden on her involvement in casting Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
00:45
Lori Openden on her involvement in casting Freaks and Geeks
02:10
Lori Openden on her involvement in casting The West Wing
03:11
Lori Openden on her involvement in casting Kristen Bell on Veronica Mars
02:19
Lori Openden on her involvement in casting Gossip Girl
01:22
Lori Openden on her involvement in casting The Vampire Diaries
01:32
Lori Openden on casting Stephen Amell on Arrow
00:39
Lori Openden on casting Grant Gustin on The Flash
00:26
Lori Openden on casting Ruby Rose on Batwoman
00:42
Lori Openden on Supergirl moving from CBS to the CW
00:28
Lori Openden on casting Black Lightning
00:47
Lori Openden on casting Riverdale
03:04
Lori Openden on casting Jane the Virgin
03:06
Lori Openden on casting the CW reboot of Dynasty
00:41
Lori Openden on casting the CW reboot of Charmed
01:42
Lori Openden on casting the CW show All American
02:43
Lori Openden on casting the CW show Nancy Drew
00:42
Lori Openden on casting the CW show In the Dark
00:35

Estelle Parsons

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Estelle Parsons on hosting the series Mothers By Daughters
01:50

Timothy Van Patten

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Timothy Van Patten on the MTM drama The White Shadow
20:48
Timothy Van Patten on directing The Sopranos
14:43
Timothy Van Patten on his work on The Sopranos
24:04
Timothy Van Patten on his work on The Wire
07:02
Timothy Van Patten on his work on Deadwood
04:48
Timothy Van Patten on working on the HBO drama Boardwalk Empire
10:03

Dick Van Patten

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Dick Van Patten on the premise of the TV show Mama; his character "Nels" and what it was like working on the show with the cast and crew
09:04
Dick Van Patten on how he got involved with the TV show Eight is Enough and working on the show with the cast and crew
08:39

Pam Polifroni

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Pam Polifroni on casting The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, and The Waltons
20:05
Pam Polifroni on casting The Love Boat and Hotel for Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer
02:48

Abraham Polonsky

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Abraham Polonsky on writing for Kraft Television Theatre and Seaway
09:51

Marian Rees

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Marian Rees on producing Masterpiece Theatre's American Collection
14:45
Marian Rees on producing Masterpiece Theatre's American Collection  (Part 2)
29:52
Marian Rees on producing Masterpiece Theatre's American Collection (Part 3)
14:48

Della Reese

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Della Reese on starring as "Tess" on Touched by an Angel
35:56

Tim Reid

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Tim Reid on developing and pitching Frank's Place with Hugh Wilson, memorable episodes, and the cancellation and legacy of the show
21:05
Tim Reid on developing and starring in Snoops, fights with the network, and cancellation of the show
07:57

Rob Reiner

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Rob Reiner on appearing on the Andy Griffith series Headmaster, from which he got cast on All in the Family
02:20

Del Reisman

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Del Reisman on working on Bracken's World
02:55
Del Reisman on working with Anthony Quinn on the series The Man in the City
05:40
Del Reisman on doing freelance writing in the 1970s for shows like The Streets of San Francisco, Cannon, Banacek, Little House on the Prairie, Lou Grant, and Cagney & Lacey
13:18

Gene Reynolds

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Gene Reynolds on producing Lou Grant (Part 1)
07:45
Gene Reynolds on producing Lou Grant (Part 2)
28:12

Ted Rich

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Ted Rich on editing various shows for MTM Productions including Bay City Blues 
02:14

Fatima Robinson

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Fatima Robinson on choreographing American Soul
01:41

Fred Rogers

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Fred Rogers on appearing on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
02:27

Howard Rosenberg

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Howard Rosenberg on dramatic series
03:48

Meta Rosenberg

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Meta Rosenberg on selling the series Slattery's People
00:49

Barney Rosenzweig

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Barney Rosenzweig on the idea for and several cast changes for Cagney & Lacey
37:59
Barney Rosenzweig on what Cagney & Lacey was about at its core and social issues addressed on the show
06:14
Barney Rosenzweig on the cast and the legacy of Cagney & Lacey and what it did for the portrayal of women on television; on how it changed television

Marion Ross

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Marion Ross on her role as "Sophie Berger" in Brooklyn Bridge
04:45

Thomas Del Ruth

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Thomas Del Ruth on how he became involved with Aaron Sorkin's The West Wing  
02:37
Thomas Del Ruth on acting as director of photography on The West Wing
27:56
Thomas Del Ruth on acting as director of photography on The West Wing
02:06
Thomas Del Ruth on acting as director of photography for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
06:57

Ted Sarandos

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Ted Sarandos on House of Cards
14:28

Joseph Sargent

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Joseph Sargent on directing Lassie
14:10

Edgar J. Scherick

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Edgar Scherick on developing The F.B.I.
00:44

Richard Schiff

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Richard Schiff on acting in The West Wing
44:02
Richard Schiff on performing in The West Wing
59:37

Thomas Schlamme

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Thomas Schlamme on directing "Ambush", a live episode of ER
03:16
Thomas Schlamme on the genesis of The West Wing
04:30
Thomas Schlamme on casting The West Wing
05:06
Thomas Schlamme on The West Wing  and the Clinton White House
01:51
Thomas Schlamme on shooting The West Wing  in Washington, DC
03:19
Thomas Schlamme on the cast of The West Wing
03:32
Thomas Schlamme on Aaron Sorkin's writing process on The West Wing
03:00
Thomas Schlamme on the legacy of The West Wing
01:36
Thomas Schlamme on creating Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
02:28

Alfred Schneider

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Alfred Schneider on how a controversial episode of Bus Stop ("A Lion Walks Among Us") led to the demise of ABC President, Oliver E. Treyz, as well as further inquiries into the effects of violence on television
04:13
Alfred Schneider on the decision not to allow two men to kiss on Thirtysomething
01:34

William Self

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William Self on developing Bracken's World
07:01

Ralph Senensky

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Ralph Senensky on directing Raymond Burr in Ironside
04:02
Ralph Senensky on directing several episodes of The Waltons
15:08

Nina Shaw

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NIna Shaw on Ava DuVernay hiring female directors, exclusively, on her series Queen Sugar; on the deal for Queen Sugar
05:58
NIna Shaw on observing, from the outside, the pay discrepancies between Claire Foy and Matt Smith for their work on The Crown
06:03

James Sheldon

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James Sheldon on directing West Point
05:02

Cybill Shepherd

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Cybill Shepherd on production on Moonlighting, her chemistry with Bruce Willis, and memorable episodes
24:02
Cybill Shepherd on singing in the Moonlighting episode, "The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice"
02:16
Cybill Shepherd on playing "Phyllis Kroll" on The L Word and on her daughter, Clementine, being on the show
01:47
Cybill Shepherd on enjoying her time as "Phyllis Kroll" on The L Word
00:53
Cybill Shepherd on her work in the original TV movie and subsequent series The Client List and on having a good rapport with the director of photography
02:19

David Shore

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David Shore on writing for the Canadian series Traders
01:41
David Shore on writing for the series Beggars and Choosers
06:28

Garry Simpson

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Garry Simpson on directing Breck Golden Showcase for CBS in 1962
02:54

Doris Singleton

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Doris Singleton on working on dramas and comedies
00:26
Doris Singleton on working on NBC Matinee Theater, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Perry Mason
06:05
Doris Singleton on working on The Loretta Young Show
01:30
Doris Singleton on working on The Fugitive
00:52
Doris Singleton on working on The F.B.I. with Charles Bronson
00:43

John Singleton

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John Singleton on cold-calling the writers of American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson to tell them he wanted to direct it
00:53
John Singleton on American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson
07:56
John Singleton on Empire
05:18

Mark Snow

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Mark Snow on composing for Dynasty and being fired because Douglas S. Cramer didn't like his work
01:27
Mark Snow on composing for Falcon Crest
05:43
Mark Snow on composing for Smallville
02:19

Herbert F. Solow

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Herbert F. Solow on how Then Came Bronson was created
07:19

Aaron Spelling

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Aaron Spelling on producing Beverly Hills, 90210
07:43

Lynn Stalmaster

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Lynn Stalmaster on casting Combat!
01:05
Lynn Stalmaster on casting Brandon Lee in Kung Fu and casting Buck James
02:20

Darren Star

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Darren Star on how Beverly Hills, 90210 was developed
10:40
Darren Star on why the school was called "West Beverly High" instead of "Beverly Hills High School" on Beverly Hills, 90210
00:40
Darren Star on developing the pilot of Beverly Hills, 90210 with Aaron Spelling 
00:47
Darren Star on wanting Beverly Hills, 90210 to be a more modern, honest take on being a teenager or "thirtysomething for teenagers"
02:32
Darren Star on casting Beverly Hills, 90210
08:53
Darren Star on why and how Beverly Hills, 90210 tackled social issues, particularly at the start of the series
02:00
Darren Star on controversial storylines on Beverly Hills, 90210, including "Brenda Walsh" sleeping with "Dylan McKay" in the first season's "Spring Dance" episode
04:17
Darren Star on Beverly Hills, 90210's rise to popularity
02:16
Darren Star on working with the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210
01:21
Darren Star on why Shannen Doherty left Beverly Hills, 90210
00:42
Darren Star on creating Melrose Place and its relationship to Beverly Hills, 90210
04:48
Darren Star on the censorship issues that arose on Melrose Place, particularly involving the character "Matt Fielding," who was gay
03:16
Darren Star on a memorable moment on Melrose Place: "Kimberly Shaw" taking off her wig
02:34
Darren Star on his favorite relationships and characters to write on Melrose Place
00:52
Darren Star on the legacy of Beverly Hills, 90210
02:15
Darren Star on the impact of Melrose Place and its thematic connection to two of his other shows, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sex and the City
01:24
Darren Star on creating Central Park West
02:47

John Strauss

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Publicist John Strauss on encouraging the audience to write in to save The Waltons
02:55

Richard Thomas

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Richard Thomas on playing "John-Boy Walton" on The Waltons
19:15
Richard Thomas on playing "John-Boy Walton" on The Waltons
01:19:08
Richard Thomas on starring on The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson
02:46
Richard Thomas on playing "Frank Gaad" on The Americans
10:38

Grant Tinker

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Grant Tinker on Lou Grant
09:03
Grant Tinker on Hill Street Blues
03:57

Daniel J. Travanti

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Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on Route 66
13:22
Daniel J. Travanti on appearing on East Side/West Side with Moses Gunn
10:28
Daniel J. Travanti on starring in Poltergeist: The Legacy and his semi-retirement
03:30

Leslie Uggams

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Leslie Uggams on appearing on The Good Wife
01:23
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Nurse Jackie
02:42
Leslie Uggams on appearing on Empire
02:05

Ellen M. Violett

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Ellen M. Violett on writing The Defenders
14:12
Ellen M. Violett on writing for The Defenders
11:15

W.G. Snuffy Walden

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W.G. Snuffy Walden on his first composition for TV - for thirtysomething; on composing the theme for thirtysomething
14:08
W.G. Snuffy Walden on composing for thirtysomething
06:58
W.G. Snuffy Walden on composing for The Wonder Years
07:16
W.G. Snuffy Walden on composing for Sisters
04:29
W.G. Snuffy Walden on composing for I'll Fly Away
11:34
W.G. Snuffy Walden on composing for The West Wing
09:09
W.G. Snuffy Walden on composing for My So-Called Life
01:52
W.G. Snuffy Walden on a demonstration of The West Win g theme
01:14
W.G. Snuffy Walden on his Emmy win for The West Win g
02:20
W.G. Snuffy Walden on composing for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
04:02
W.G. Snuffy Walden on composing for Friday Night Lights
01:35

George Watters

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George Watters on editing Little House on the Prairie for Michael Landon
05:57

Dennis Weaver

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Dennis Weaver on starring in Kentucky Jones
03:09
Dennis Weaver on starring in Gentle Ben
04:09

Matthew Weiner

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Matthew Weiner on his parents' influence on his show Mad Men; "there's a lot of Betty Draper" in his mother, who pursued a law school degree later in life; on his parents' take on the show
04:43
Matthew Weiner on how many details on Mad Men  are derived from memories of his childhood
00:42
Matthew Weiner on his first film script "Horseshoe" that was the genesis of Mad Men; on how he got the film finished on a very limited budget
03:41
Matthew Weiner on the genesis of Mad Men  - which he started scripting while a writer at Becker
01:57
Matthew Weiner on his process for writing the pilot of Mad Men
01:04
Matthew Weiner on the title of his show Mad Men
01:22
Matthew Weiner on the impact The Sopranos had on him and his writing for Mad Men
04:03
Matthew Weiner on The Sopranos
45:50
Matthew Weiner on Mad Men
10:52
Matthew Weiner on identifying with the characters "Peggy Olson" and "Pete Campbell" on Mad Men
04:51
Matthew Weiner on the character "Betty Draper" on Mad Men
02:16
Matthew Weiner on the character "Sally Draper" on Mad Men
03:56
Matthew Weiner on molding the character "Don Draper" alongside the actor Jon Hamm; on who he wanted "Don" to be
01:25
Matthew Weiner on shooting the second script (after the pilot) of Mad Men and the controversy over editing that episode
06:31
Matthew Weiner on the popularity of Mad Men and its audience
04:33
Matthew Weiner on the style and realism of Mad Men, including the costuming
12:58
Matthew Weiner on the Mad Men episode, "Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency," which includes the infamous lawnmower scene 
02:28
Matthew Weiner on the Mad Men episode, "Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency"; on the cardinal sin of television (married woman having an affair); on the ending of season four
11:49
Matthew Weiner on how much of Mad Men has been pre-conceived
04:04
Matthew Weiner on how JFK's assassination played into Mad Men's plotlines
02:04
Matthew Weiner on literary influences on Mad Men, including John Cheever
01:13
Matthew Weiner on the reason Mad Men's "Don Draper" could not remain a bachelor
06:39
Matthew Weiner on the "business model" for Mad Men; on differences with the network over sponsors
02:46
Matthew Weiner on how Hilton was integrated into Mad Men although they were never a formal sponsor
00:40
Matthew Weiner on the then-future of Mad Men
00:26
Matthew Weiner on the then-future of Mad Men and how he wants it to end; on not being done with the show yet
10:20
Matthew Weiner on seasons five and six of Mad Men
01:01:40
Matthew Weiner on seasons six and seven of Mad Men
59:48
Matthew Weiner on season 7b of Mad Men
36:07

John Wells

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John Wells on writing and producing China Beach
22:32
John Wells on writing and producing The West Wing
23:57

Ethel Winant

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Ethel Winant on producing The Great Adventure
03:17

Terence Winter

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Terence Winter on getting hired to write for season two of The Sopranos
08:34
Terence Winter on the early writing staff of The Sopranos on season two, the buzz surrounding the show, and working with David Chase
05:02
Terence Winter on the success of The Sopranos; on rules for writing The Sopranos and the writers' room on the show; on Steve Buscemi's work on The Sopranos
11:13
Terence Winter on writing the characters and relationships on The Sopranos
15:04
Terence Winter on memorable episodes of the show; on the impact of 9/11 on The Sopranos
22:01
Terence Winter on working with David Chase, creator of The Sopranos
05:53
Terence Winter on  working with the other writers on The Sopranos; on planning the end of The Sopranos; on the series finale
12:05
Terence Winter on his development deal with HBO that led to the creation of Boardwalk Empire; on the budget for and development of the characters for the pilot of Boardwalk Empire; on Martin Scorsese directing the pilot
21:02
Terence Winter on casting and plotting out Boardwalk Empire
09:52
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire
16:40
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire contd.; on a typical production week and working with HBO
08:19
Terence Winter on the opening sequence and music of the show; on his favorite episodes of Boardwalk Empire; on teasers for season four
13:32

Dick Wolf

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Dick Wolf on producing Deadline with Oliver Platt
01:01

Bud Yorkin

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Bud Yorkin on producing Henry Fonda and the Family
03:10

Jeff Zucker

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Jeff Zucker on his affinity for ER as a viewer and an executive
02:17
Jeff Zucker on his admiration for The West Wing and its success
00:47
Jeff Zucker on how Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip suffered because it premiered at the same time as 30 Rock, another NBC show that took place behind the scenes of a late night sketch comedy show
00:51