Andy Williams

Performer / Host

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his one-and-a-half hour Archive interview, Andy Williams (1927-2012) discusses his early career working in his brothers' singing group on stage and in radio, before embarking on a solo career. He speaks about his early appearances on television, including being cast as a regular singer on Steve Allen's Tonight Show. He then details hosting his own series, The Andy Williams Show, and talks about the production schedule, some of his favorite guest stars (including the Osmond Brothers, whom he is credited with discovering), and the show's segue into a series of Christmas specials. In conclusion, he discusses establishing his own theater in Branson, Missouri. Karen Herman conducted the interview on September 19, 2005 in Branson, MO.

"George Wyle, the vocal director and who wrote all of the choir stuff and all of the duets, trios and things that I did with the guests, wrote a song just for the second Christmas show we did, called "Most Wonderful Time of the Year." I did that every Christmas, and then other people started doing it, and over 30 years, it's become a big standard."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Andy Williams on the genesis of The Andy Williams Show

Andy Williams on "Moon River" - his show's theme song

Andy Williams on the origin of "Cookie Bear: on The Andy Williams Show

Andy Williams on the discovery of The Osmonds and their guest appearances on his shows

Andy Williams on Elton John's early appearance on The Andy Williams Show

Full Interview

Chapter 1

On his early family life; on his start in entertainment

On his start in television on Tonight; on starting The Andy Williams Show (including working with Elton John, The Osmonds, and Jonathan Winters); on the show's production process

Chapter 2

On the many guest stars on his shows over the years including Judy Garland, Bobby Darin; on the origin of "Cookie Bear"

On working with Bob Hope, Steve Allen, Dinah Shore and others

On the production aspects of his show; on his show's theme "Moon River"; on his Christmas specials

Chapter 3

On his weekly show going off the air; on some of his guest appearances on other shows

On summing up his career; on his fans; on how we would like to be remembered

Shows

Andy Williams Show, The

Andy Williams on the genesis of The Andy Williams Show

Andy Williams on the discovery of The Osmonds and their guest appearances on his shows

Andy Williams on the origin of "Cookie Bear: on The Andy Williams Show

Andy Williams on "Moon River" - his show's theme song

Andy Williams Specials

Andy Williams on the discovery of The Osmonds and their guest appearances on his shows

Andy Williams on his Christmas specials and songs

Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

Andy Williams on his first TV appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and as a singer on the Tonight show

Muppet Show, The

Andy Williams briefly on guesting on The Muppet Show

Tonight

Andy Williams on his first TV appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and as a singer on Tonight

Topics

TV Theme Songs

Andy Williams on "Moon River" - his show's theme song

Genres

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

Andy Williams on the genesis of The Andy Williams Show

Andy Williams on his Christmas specials and songs

People

Steve Allen

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Andy Williams on working with Steve Allen

Osmond Brothers, The

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Andy Williams on the discovery of The Osmonds and their guest appearances on his shows

Judy Garland

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Andy Williams on working with Judy Garland on his shows

Elton John

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Andy Williams on Elton John's early appearance on The Andy Williams Show

Henry Mancini

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Andy Williams on "Moon River" - his show's theme song

Jonathan Winters

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Andy Williams on Jonathan Winters' appearances on The Andy Williams Show