Alan Zweibel

Writer


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his five-and-a-half-hour interview, Alan Zweibel talks about his early years, and becoming enamored with The Dick Van Dyke Show as a child. He recalls learning how to write jokes from watching shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show, and coming up as a comedian with Richard Lewis and Larry David. He details at length his time as a writer for Saturday Night Live, where he partnered with Gilda Radner to write many of her most famous characters, including “Roseanne Roseannadanna.” Zweibel speaks of working with the entire early cast and writing staff of Saturday Night Live, as well as producer Lorne Michaels. He chronicles developing the groundbreaking show It’s Garry Shandling’s Show with Garry Shandling and serving as the series' showrunner. He opens up about the death of friends and collaborators Gilda Radner and Garry Shandling, and how he coped with the loss. He discusses his time writing for Curb Your Enthusiasm for Larry David, and working on the play “700 Sundays” for his friend Billy Crystal. He recalls several of his feature films, including “Dragnet” and the infamous feature film “North.” He concludes by discussing what he enjoys about being a writer. Dan Pasternack conducted the interview in a joint venture with the Writers Guild Foundation on November 7 and November 22, 2017 in New York, NY. 

In addition, Jenni Matz facilitated a Zoom conversation between Pasternack and Zweibel durng the COVID-19 pandemic, with each participant in their own home, on May 6, 2020. Zweibel discusses his then-new book, Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People be Funnier, the challenges of promoting a book during the pandemic, the recent death of his mother, and his thoughts on comedy during hard times. Please Note: this was the Interviews' first attempt at remote interviewing, and there were some bandwith issues. Please excuse the bumpy video.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I was in Lorne’s office and I had seen all these other people and I was spooked by their talent. I hid behind a potted plant that was in the corner of the room. First day as a comedy writer, I’m squatting behind a plant. Then, I heard a girl’s voice from the other side say, 'Can you help me be a parakeet?' I parted the leaves and I looked and it was Gilda. At least somebody was talking to me."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Alan Zweibel on Gilda Radner's cancer, and on her guest-starring on It's Garry Shandling's Show
07:53
Alan Zweibel on writing the character "Roseanne Roseannadanna" with Gilda Radner for Saturday Night Live, and on their writing process
08:25
Alan Zweibel on the disastrous, primetime Saturday Night Live "Live from Mardi Gras" special
03:12
Alan Zweibel on the end of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the death of Garry Shandling
07:26
Alan Zweibel on the death of Gilda Radner
02:55
Alan Zweibel on inspiring Larry David to write "The Pez Dispenser" episode of Seinfeld
04:50
Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on discovering he was funny as a kid, and on writing funny songs a la Allan Sherman; on the influence of The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on his friendship with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks
On deciding he wanted to be a television writer, and on the influence of That Was the Week that Was; on his college experience, and on sending jokes in to various talk shows; on learning to write jokes by watching shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show
On early on writing jokes for Borsch Belt comedians; on writing jokes for Rodney Dangerfield; on his stand-up act alongside Richard Lewis
On Larry David's early stand-up act, and on his comedy mentors like Garry Shandling; on meeting Lorne Michaels and being hired to write for Saturday Night Live; on being offered a job to write for Paul Lynde on The Hollywood Squares

Chapter 2

On jokes he wrote for Lorne Michaels to audition to be a writer on Saturday Night Live; on his experience with NBC's then-vice president of late night, Dick Ebersol, early in his tenure at Saturday Night Live; on the initial cast and writing staff of the show, and on working with writer Herbert Sargent
On meeting Gilda Radner on Saturday Night Live, and on his working relationship with her; on writing the character "Roseanne Roseannadanna" with Gilda Radner for Saturday Night Live, and on their writing process
On the first episode of Saturday Night Live, hosted by George Carlin, and on how Lorne Michaels handled it; on Billy Crystal being cut from the first episode of Saturday Night Live; on the live aspect of the show
On the individual early Saturday Night Live writers, including Michael O'Donoghue, Anne Beatts, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, and Al Franken and Tom Davis; on Chevy Chase being the first breakout star of Saturday Night Live; on a typical production week in the early years of the show
On the disastrous, primetime Saturday Night Live "Live from Mardi Gras" special; on the early Saturday Night Live cast, including Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, and Garrett Morris; on the lack of improvisation by the actors on the show

Chapter 3

On the early explosion in the popularity of Saturday Night Live, and on the show winning Emmy Awards; on the impact on Saturday Night Live when Chevy Chase left after the first season, and on John Belushi becoming a breakout star; on pieces he wrote for the show that were cut before air
On Saturday Night Live guest-host Milton Berle confirming a big rumor for him; on George Harrison appearing as musical guest the week Paul Simon hosted Saturday Night Live; on co-writing Gilda Radner's "Gilda Live" Broadway show and movie with her
On the fifth season of Saturday Night Live, and on Lorne Michaels announcing he was leaving the show; on being asked to return to Saturday Night Live when Dick Ebersol took over as producer, and on returning to write for the Jesse Jackson episode; on how the culture at the show evolved over time
On writing for the Lorne Michaels produced The New Show; on writing Lorne Michaels-produced pilot Big Shots in America and Steve Martin's Best Show Ever, and various other specials
On how he came to write for It's Garry Shandling's Show; on co-creating with Garry Shandling the meta world of It's Garry Shandling's Show; on the It's Garry Shandling's Show episode "The Graduate," and on the writers of the show
On Gilda Radner's cancer, and on her guest-starring on It's Garry Shandling's Show; on the death of Gilda Radner; on writing the book "Bunny, Bunny" about his personal and professional relationship with Gilda Radner

Chapter 4

On being the showrunner for It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on his working relationship with Garry Shandling; on It's Garry Shandling's Show moving to Fox, and how the show had to be altered; on the end of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the death of Garry Shandling
On suggesting Jeffrey Tambor for The Larry Sanders Show; on his writing process; on writing things for hire and writing things for himself
On the process of pitching a project; on what he likes about collaborating with other writers
On winning his life achievement award from the Writers Guild; on his work ethic and planned longevity

Chapter 5

On his mentors and on being a mentor; on how the industry has changed since he started
On advice to an aspiring television writer; on how he would like to be remembered

Chapter 6

On working in studio 8H for Saturday Night Live; on learning about production during his time on Saturday Night Live, and on the logistics of production on the show
On working with Saturday Night Live director Dave Wilson; on Buck Henry being injured during one of John Belushi's "Samurai" sketches on Saturday Night Live; on what makes Lorne Michaels a strong and capable producer of Saturday Night Live
On Garry Shandling breaking the fourth wall on It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the episode "The Graduate"; on how he and Garry Shandling worked with the writing staff of It's Garry Shandling's Show; on the composition of the writing staff on It's Garry Shandling's Show
On political correctness in comedy; on the legacy of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the importance of story in a comedy; on the legacy of Garry Shandling
On meeting Larry David, and writing for Curb Your Enthusiasm; on the process of writing and producing an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm with Larry David; on how the real-life Larry David differs from the Curb Your Enthusiasm character "Larry David"
On favorite episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm; on inspiring Larry David to write "The Pez Dispenser" episode of Seinfeld; on working with Billy Crystal on his one man play "700 Sundays"

Chapter 7

On working on Billy Crystal's one-man show "700 Sundays"; on how his writing process varies for different media; on writing the feature film "Dragnet" for Dan Aykroyd
On writing the infamous feature film "North" directed by Rob Reiner; on his experience appearing on and writing for Late Show with David Letterman; on what he likes about being a writer

Chapter 8

START OF ZOOM INTERVIEW DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: On Alan's latest book, Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People be Funnier, and the challenges of promoting a book during the pandemic; on the recent death of his mother and trying to find the funny in it all
On his new Friday ritual - a Zoom cocktail party with Rob Reiner, Billy Crystal, Barry Levinson, Albert Brooks, and Martin Short and their wives (they select a movie to view and discuss at these virtual parties)
On how he has been coping with the daily challenges of the pandemic; on how the pandemic has affected his work; on how humor can help people cope, as it did during the Holocaust; on his thoughts on the new Saturday Night Live At Home episodes; on how it's difficult for performers to navigate this "new normal"; on the loss of his mother and how the memorial services have changed for grieving families; on how he believes there will be a greater appreciation for human connectivity because of the pandemic stay-at-home rituals; on how he navigated a "Zoom kaddish" for his late mother; on the disconnect happening now and his hope that something positive may still result from the current situation
On how Lorne Michaels hired him to be on the original writing staff of Saturday Night Live on his birthday in 1975; on how he wants to celebrate his upcoming 70th birthday this year; on what he is grateful for
Shows

Curb Your Enthusiasm

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on meeting Larry David, and writing for Curb Your Enthusiasm
06:48
Alan Zweibel on the process of writing and producing an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm with Larry David
03:12
Alan Zweibel on how the real-life Larry David differs from the Curb Your Enthusiasm character "Larry David"
03:21
Alan Zweibel on favorite episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm
02:43

Dick Cavett Show, The

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on learning to write jokes by watching shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show
03:52

Dick Van Dyke Show, The

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on the influence of The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on his friendship with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks
03:05

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on the early explosion in the popularity of Saturday Night Live, and on the show winning Emmys
06:36

Hollywood Squares, The

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on being offered a job to write for Paul Lynde on Hollywood Squares
02:37

It's Garry Shandling's Show.

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on how he came to write for It's Garry Shandling's Show
02:40
Alan Zweibel on co-creating with Garry Shandling the meta world of It's Garry Shandling's Show
03:12
Alan Zweibel on the It's Garry Shandling's Show episode "The Graduate," a parody of the feature film
02:24
Alan Zweibel on It's Garry Shandling's Show airing on Showtime, and on the writers of the show, including Jay Kogan
04:59
Alan Zweibel on Gilda Radner's cancer, and on her guest-starring on It's Garry Shandling's Show
07:53
Alan Zweibel on show running for It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on his working relationship with Garry Shandling
06:33
Alan Zweibel on It's Garry Shandling's Show moving to Fox, and how the show had to be altered
02:57
Alan Zweibel on the end of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the death of Garry Shandling
07:26
Alan Zweibel on Garry Shandling breaking the fourth wall on It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the episode "The Graduate"
06:57
Alan Zweibel on how he and Garry Shandling worked with the writing staff of It's Garry Shandling's Show
03:12
Alan Zweibel on the composition of the writing staff on It's Garry Shandling's Show
06:20
Alan Zweibel on the legacy of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the importance of story in a comedy
05:17

Larry Sanders Show, The

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on suggesting Jeffrey Tambor for The Larry Sanders Show
04:48

Late Show with David Letterman

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on his experience on appearing on and writing for Late Show with David Letterman
04:40

New Show, The

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on writing for the Lorne Michaels-produced The New Show, which was on tape instead of being live like Saturday Night Live
04:51

Saturday Night Live

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on meeting Lorne Michaels and being hired to write for Saturday Night Live
03:27
Alan Zweibel on jokes he wrote for Lorne Michaels to audition to be a writer on Saturday Night Live
00:57
Alan Zweibel on his experience with NBC's then-vice president of late night, Dick Ebersol, early in his tenure at Saturday Night Live
01:19
Alan Zweibel on the initial cast and writing staff of Saturday Night Live
02:42
Alan Zweibel on initially gravitating toward fellow Saturday Night Live writer Herbert Sargent
02:53
Alan Zweibel on meeting Gilda Radner on Saturday Night Live, and on his working relationship with her
05:48
Alan Zweibel on writing the character "Roseanne Roseannadanna" with Gilda Radner for Saturday Night Live, and on their writing process
08:25
Alan Zweibel on the first episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by George Carlin, and on how Lorne Michaels handled it
04:58
Alan Zweibel on Billy Crystal being cut from the first episode of Saturday Night Live
01:28
Alan Zweibel on the live aspect of Saturday Night Live
02:56
Alan Zweibel on fellow Saturday Night Live writer Michael O'Donoghue
04:17
Alan Zweibel on the women on the early writing staff of Saturday Night Live, including Anne Beatts and Marilyn Suzanne Miller
02:38
Alan Zweibel on writing team of Al Franken and Tom Davis on Saturday Night Live
01:21
Alan Zweibel on Chevy Chase being the first breakout star of Saturday Night Live
01:39
Alan Zweibel on a typical production week in the early years of Saturday Night Live
04:06
Alan Zweibel on the disastrous, primetime Saturday Night Live "Live from Mardi Gras" special
03:12
Alan Zweibel on Dan Aykroyd on Saturday Night Live
01:07
Alan Zweibel on John Belushi on Saturday Night Live
01:53
Alan Zweibel on Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman on Saturday Night Live
01:29
Alan Zweibel on Garrett Morris on Saturday Night Live, and on creating and writing his "Chico Escuela" character
02:28
Alan Zweibel on the lack of improvisation by the actors on Saturday Night Live
01:37
Alan Zweibel on the early explosion in the popularity of Saturday Night Live, and on the show winning Emmy Awards
06:36
Alan Zweibel on the impact on Saturday Night Live when Chevy Chase left after the first season, and on John Belushi becoming a breakout star
02:10
Alan Zweibel on Saturday Night Live pieces he wrote that were cut before air
03:36
Alan Zweibel on Saturday Night Live guest-host Milton Berle confirming a big rumor for him
03:47
Alan Zweibel on George Harrison appearing as musical guest the week Paul Simon hosted Saturday Night Live
01:49
Alan Zweibel on co-writing Gilda Radner's "Gilda Live" Broadway show and movie with her
05:04
Alan Zweibel on the fifth season of Saturday Night Live, and on Lorne Michaels announcing he was leaving the show
03:04
Alan Zweibel on being asked to return to Saturday Night Live when Dick Ebersol took over as producer, and on returning to guest-write for the Jesse Jackson episode
01:21
Alan Zweibel on how the culture at Saturday Night Live evolved over time
01:24
Alan Zweibel on working in studio 8H for Saturday Night Live
02:35
Alan Zweibel on learning about production during his time on Saturday Night Live and on the logistics of production on the show
05:11
Alan Zweibel on working with Saturday Night Live director Dave Wilson
02:46
Alan Zweibel on Buck Henry being injured during one of John Belushi's "Samurai" sketches on Saturday Night Live
02:50
Alan Zweibel on what makes Lorne Michaels a strong and capable producer of Saturday Night Live
03:00
Alan Zweibel, interviewed from home during the Coronavirus pandemic, on humor during times of tragedy and how Saturday Night Live's At Home episodes and the late-night hosts such as Jimmy Fallon, Bill Maher, doing their shows from home have served as a comedic coping mechanism for all of us
06:12

Seinfeld

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on inspiring Larry David to write "The Pez Dispenser" episode of Seinfeld
04:50

That Was the Week that Was

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on deciding he wanted to be a television writer, and on the influence of That Was the Week that Was
01:59

Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

View Show Page
Alan Zweibel on learning to write jokes by watching shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show
03:52
Topics

Advice

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on advice to an aspiring television writer
02:15

Bloopers

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on the disastrous, primetime Saturday Night Live "Live from Mardi Gras" special
03:12

COVID-19 Pandemic

View Topic
Alan Zweibel, interviewed from home during the Coronavirus pandemic, on how he has been coping during the Stay at Home mandate
11:22

Characters & Catchphrases

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on writing the character "Roseanne Roseannadanna" with Gilda Radner for Saturday Night Live, and on their writing process
08:25
Alan Zweibel on Garrett Morris on Saturday Night Live, and on creating and writing his "Chico Escuela" character
02:28

Creative Influences and Inspiration

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on the influence of The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on his friendship with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks
03:05
Alan Zweibel on learning to write jokes by watching shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show
03:52
Alan Zweibel on Larry David's early stand-up act, and on his comedy mentors like Garry Shandling
04:06
Alan Zweibel on his mentors and on being a mentor
03:24

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on the early explosion in the popularity of Saturday Night Live, and on the show winning Emmys
06:36

Fame and Celebrity

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on Chevy Chase being the first breakout star of Saturday Night Live
01:39

First Big Break

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on meeting Lorne Michaels and being hired to write for Saturday Night Live
03:27

Health and Medicine

View Topic
Alan Zweibel, interviewed from home during the Coronavirus pandemic, on how he has been coping during the Stay at Home mandate
11:22

Historic Events and Social Change

View Topic
Alan Zweibel, interviewed from home during the Coronavirus pandemic, on how he has been coping during the Stay at Home mandate
11:22

Memorable Moments on Television

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on the first episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by George Carlin, and on how Lorne Michaels handled it
04:58
Alan Zweibel on Gilda Radner's cancer, and on her guest-starring on It's Garry Shandling's Show
07:53

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on the influence of The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on his friendship with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks
03:05
Alan Zweibel on learning to write jokes by watching shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show
03:52
Alan Zweibel on Larry David's early stand-up act, and on his comedy mentors like Garry Shandling
04:06
Alan Zweibel on meeting Lorne Michaels and being hired to write for Saturday Night Live
03:27
Alan Zweibel on his mentors and on being a mentor
03:24

Pop Culture

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on writing the character "Roseanne Roseannadanna" with Gilda Radner for Saturday Night Live, and on their writing process
08:25
Alan Zweibel on Chevy Chase being the first breakout star of Saturday Night Live
01:39
Alan Zweibel on Garrett Morris on Saturday Night Live, and on creating and writing his "Chico Escuela" character
02:28

Television Industry

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on how the industry has changed since he started
05:31
Alan Zweibel on advice to an aspiring television writer
02:15
Alan Zweibel on political correctness in comedy
05:24

We Laughed

View Topic
Alan Zweibel on Gilda Radner's cancer, and on her guest-starring on It's Garry Shandling's Show
07:53
Professions

Writers

View Profession
Alan Zweibel on writing comedy for other voices, including Larry David's
02:45
Alan Zweibel on writing the character "Roseanne Roseannadanna" with Gilda Radner for Saturday Night Live, and on their writing process
08:25
Alan Zweibel on his writing process
04:36
Alan Zweibel on writing things for hire and writing things for himself
05:13
Alan Zweibel on the process of pitching a project
06:40
Alan Zweibel on what he likes about collaborating with other writers
05:03
Alan Zweibel on winning his life achievement award from the Writers Guild
03:34
Alan Zweibel on advice to an aspiring television writer
02:15
Alan Zweibel on how his writing process varies for different media
03:21
Alan Zweibel on what he likes about being a writer
06:19
Genres

Comedy Series

View Genre
Alan Zweibel on the influence of The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on his friendship with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks
03:05
Alan Zweibel on deciding he wanted to be a television writer, and on the influence of That Was the Week that Was
01:59
Alan Zweibel on co-creating and writing It's Garry Shandling's Show
21:08
Alan Zweibel on being showrunner for It's Garry Shandling's Show
16:56
Alan Zweibel on writing for It's Garry Shandling's Show.
27:12
Alan Zweibel on writing for Curb Your Enthusiasm
16:04
Alan Zweibel on inspiring Larry David to write "The Pez Dispenser" episode of Seinfeld
04:50

Game Shows

View Genre
Alan Zweibel on being offered a job to write for Paul Lynde on Hollywood Squares
02:37

Late Night

View Genre
Alan Zweibel on his experience on appearing on and writing for Late Show with David Letterman
04:40

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Alan Zweibel on meeting Lorne Michaels and being hired to write for Saturday Night Live
03:27
Alan Zweibel on writing for Saturday Night Live
57:13
Alan Zweibel on writing for Saturday Night Live
28:51
Alan Zweibel on writing for the Lorne Michaels-produced The New Show
04:51
Alan Zweibel on writing for Saturday Night Live
16:22

Talk Shows

View Genre
Alan Zweibel on learning to write jokes by watching shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show
03:52
People

Dan Aykroyd

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on Dan Aykroyd on Saturday Night Live
01:07
Alan Zweibel on writing the feature film "Dragnet" for Dan Aykroyd
02:10

Anne Beatts

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Alan Zweibel on the women on the early writing staff of Saturday Night Live, including Anne Beatts and Marilyn Suzanne Miller
02:38

John Belushi

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on John Belushi on Saturday Night Live
01:53
Alan Zweibel on the impact on Saturday Night Live when Chevy Chase left after the first season, and on John Belushi becoming a breakout star
02:10
Alan Zweibel on Buck Henry being injured during one of John Belushi's "Samurai" sketches on Saturday Night Live
02:50

Milton Berle

View Interview Page
Alan Zweibel on Saturday Night Live guest-host Milton Berle confirming a big rumor for him at the Friars Club
03:47

Mel Brooks

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on the influence of The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on his friendship with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks
03:05

George Carlin

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Alan Zweibel on the first episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by George Carlin, and on how Lorne Michaels handled it
04:58

Chevy Chase

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on Chevy Chase being the first breakout star of Saturday Night Live
01:39
Alan Zweibel on the impact on Saturday Night Live when Chevy Chase left after the first season, and on John Belushi becoming a breakout star
02:10

Billy Crystal

View Interview Page
Alan Zweibel on Billy Crystal being cut from the first episode of Saturday Night Live
01:28
Alan Zweibel on working with Billy Crystal on his one man play "700 Sundays"
07:42
Alan Zweibel on working on Billy Crystal's one-man show "700 Sundays"
03:58

Jane Curtin

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Alan Zweibel on Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman on Saturday Night Live
01:29

Rodney Dangerfield

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on writing jokes for Rodney Dangerfield
02:17

Larry David

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on Larry David's early stand-up act, and on his comedy mentors like Garry Shandling
04:06
Alan Zweibel on writing comedy for other voices, including Larry David's
02:45
Alan Zweibel on meeting Larry David, and writing for Curb Your Enthusiasm
06:48
Alan Zweibel on how the real-life Larry David differs from the Curb Your Enthusiasm character "Larry David"
03:21
Alan Zweibel on inspiring Larry David to write "The Pez Dispenser" episode of Seinfeld
04:50

Dick Ebersol

View Interview Page
Alan Zweibel on his experience with NBC's then-vice president of late night, Dick Ebersol, early in his tenure at Saturday Night Live
01:19

Al Franken

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on writing team of Al Franken and Tom Davis on Saturday Night Live
01:21

Gilbert Gottfried

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel, interviewed from home during the Coronavirus pandemic, talks about Gilbert Gottfried's documentary, and celebrating him at his 60th birthday party
02:08

Morty Gunty

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel, interviewed from home during the Coronavirus pandemic, reminisces about how he got his first job writing jokes for Catskills comedian Morty Gunty for $7 a joke
03:41

Buck Henry

View Interview Page
Alan Zweibel on Buck Henry being injured during one of John Belushi's "Samurai" sketches on Saturday Night Live
02:50

David Letterman

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on his experience on appearing on and writing for Late Show with David Letterman

Paul Lynde

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on being offered a job to write for Paul Lynde on The tHollywood Squares
02:37

Lorne Michaels

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on meeting Lorne Michaels and being hired to write for Saturday Night Live
03:27
Alan Zweibel on jokes he wrote for Lorne Michaels to audition to be a writer on Saturday Night Live
00:57
Alan Zweibel on the first episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by George Carlin, and on how Lorne Michaels handled it
04:58
Alan Zweibel on the fifth season of Saturday Night Live, and on Lorne Michaels announcing he was leaving the show
03:04
Alan Zweibel on writing for the Lorne Michaels-produced The New Show
04:51
Alan Zweibel on what makes Lorne Michaels a strong and capable producer of Saturday Night Live
03:00

Marilyn Suzanne Miller

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on the women on the early writing staff of Saturday Night Live, including Anne Beatts and Marilyn Suzanne Miller
02:38

Garrett Morris

View Interview Page
Alan Zweibel on Garrett Morris on Saturday Night Live, and on creating and writing his "Chico Escuela" character
02:28

Laraine Newman

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Alan Zweibel on Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman on Saturday Night Live
01:29

Michael O'Donoghue

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Alan Zweibel on fellow Saturday Night Live writer Michael O'Donoghue
04:17

Gilda Radner

View Person Page
Alan Zweibel on meeting Gilda Radner on Saturday Night Live, and on his working relationship with her
05:48
Alan Zweibel on writing the character "Roseanne Roseannadanna" with Gilda Radner for Saturday Night Live, and on their writing process
08:25
Alan Zweibel on the death of Gilda Radner
02:55
Alan Zweibel on writing the book "Bunny, Bunny" about his personal and professional relationship with Gilda Radner
03:07
Alan Zweibel on co-writing Gilda Radner's "Gilda Live" Broadway show and movie with her
05:04

Carl Reiner

View Interview Page
Alan Zweibel on the influence of The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on his friendship with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks
03:05

Rob Reiner

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Alan Zweibel on writing the infamous feature film "North" directed by Rob Reiner
09:03

Herbert Sargent

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Alan Zweibel on initially gravitating toward fellow Saturday Night Live writer Herbert Sargent
02:53

Garry Shandling

View Interview Page
Alan Zweibel on Larry David's early stand-up act, and on his comedy mentors like Garry Shandling
04:06
Alan Zweibel on how he came to write for It's Garry Shandling's Show
02:40
Alan Zweibel on co-creating with Garry Shandling the meta world of It's Garry Shandling's Show
03:12
Alan Zweibel on the It's Garry Shandling's Show episode "The Graduate," a parody of the feature film
02:24
Alan Zweibel on It's Garry Shandling's Show airing on Showtime, and on the writers of the show, including Jay Kogan
04:59
Alan Zweibel on show running for It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on his working relationship with Garry Shandling
06:33
Alan Zweibel on the end of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the death of Garry Shandling
07:26
Alan Zweibel on Garry Shandling breaking the fourth wall on It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the episode "The Graduate"
06:57
Alan Zweibel on how he and Garry Shandling worked with the writing staff of It's Garry Shandling's Show
03:12
Alan Zweibel on the legacy of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and on the importance of story in a comedy
05:17
Alan Zweibel on the legacy of Garry Shandling
07:03

Allan Sherman

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Alan Zweibel on discovering he was funny as a kid, and on writing funny songs a la Allan Sherman
06:30

Paul Simon

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Alan Zweibel on George Harrison appearing as musical guest the week Paul Simon hosted Saturday Night Live
01:49

Jeffrey Tambor

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Alan Zweibel on suggesting Jeffrey Tambor for The Larry Sanders Show
04:48

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