Andy Williams

Performer / Host


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."

Highlights
Andy Williams on the genesis of The Andy Williams Show
03:30
Andy Williams on "Moon River" - his show's theme song
03:44
Andy Williams on the origin of "Cookie Bear: on The Andy Williams Show
02:43
Andy Williams on the discovery of The Osmonds and their guest appearances on his shows
04:21
Andy Williams on Elton John's early appearance on The Andy Williams Show
01:34
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

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Andy Williams on the genesis of The Andy Williams Show
03:30
Andy Williams on the discovery of The Osmonds and their guest appearances on his shows
04:21
Andy Williams on the origin of "Cookie Bear: on The Andy Williams Show
02:43
Andy Williams on "Moon River" - his show's theme song
03:44

Andy Williams Specials

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Andy Williams on the discovery of The Osmonds and their guest appearances on his shows
04:21
Andy Williams on his Christmas specials and songs
03:22

Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

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Andy Williams on his first TV appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and as a singer on the Tonight  show
02:31

Muppet Show, The

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Andy Williams briefly on guesting on The Muppet Show
00:41

Tonight

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Andy Williams on his first TV appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and as a singer on Tonight
02:31
Topics

TV Theme Songs

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Andy Williams on "Moon River" - his show's theme song
03:44
Genres

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

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Andy Williams on the genesis of The Andy Williams Show
03:30
Andy Williams on his Christmas specials and songs
03:22
People

Steve Allen

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Andy Williams on working with Steve Allen
01:08

Osmond Brothers, The

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Andy Williams on the discovery of The Osmonds and their guest appearances on his shows
04:21

Judy Garland

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Andy Williams on working with Judy Garland on his shows
02:41

Elton John

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Andy Williams on Elton John's early appearance on The Andy Williams Show
01:34

Henry Mancini

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Andy Williams on "Moon River" - his show's theme song
03:44

Jonathan Winters

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Andy Williams on Jonathan Winters' appearances on The Andy Williams Show
00:59

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