About
"We changed not only the way women are perceived, today you watch television and there are women in the police precinct or women in the hospital, and nobody feels it necessary to explain what they're doing there. Nobody. You don't have to have backstory as to why the woman has that job. They just do. It's accepted. That was not true before 'Cagney & Lacey.'"
In the two-and-a-half-hour solo portion of his interview, Barney Rosenzweig describes his entrance into show business at MGM, starting in the mailroom, and shortly thereafter rising through the ranks as a studio publicist. He recounts becoming an associate producer at 20th Century Fox for feature films, and outlines his first television work as a producer on Daniel Boone in the late 1960s. He explains reviving the series in its final seasons, with less emphasis on action and more on contemporary political views. He talks of producing Charlie's Angels, and then details the series with which he is most closely associated: Cagney & Lacey. Rosenzweig describes launching Cagney & Lacey, taking it from a feature film script, to a television movie, and finally to a series. He talks of casting the series, shooting at a downtown Los Angeles warehouse, and the series struggling in the ratings. He then discusses The Trials of Rosie O'Neill, recalling his approach to the series and marrying lead Sharon Gless during the run of the show. He also talks about producing the series Christy and the Cagney & Lacey television movies.
In the thirty-minute joint portion of their interview, Barney Rosenzweig and Sharon Gless talk about their work together and their personal relationship. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interviews on October 15, 2008 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Barney Rosenzweig on how he got the idea for Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on meeting the writing team of Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday
Barney Rosenzweig on how Sharon Gless replaced Meg Foster as "Cagney" on Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on how he'd like to be remembered
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on hobbies as a child and loving to perform; on getting a job in the mailroom at MGM
On his rise as a publicist at MGM; on handling the premiere of "Ben-Hur"; on wanting to become a producer
On the opportunity to become an Associate Producer and subsequently quitting
On taking over as producer of Daniel Boone in its fourth season
On being influenced by the themes of "Easy Rider"; on how he transformed Daniel Boone (by "introverting" the show)
On the short-lived Sons and Daughters
Chapter 2
On what he learned from Sons and Daughters
On the long road to getting hired as a producer on Charlie's Angels and changes he brought to the show
On the idea for Cagney & Lacey; on the show's journey from movie, to TV movie, to series, and cast changes along the way
On winning the Emmy for Best Drama for Cagney & Lacey; on the core idea behind the show and social issues addressed on the program
Chapter 3
On Cagney & Lacey's Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly; on how the show changed television
On his goal for The Trials of Rosie O'Neill; on marrying Sharon Gless and how their relationship affected the show
On reuniting with Tyne Daly on Christy
On four Cagney & Lacey reunion movies and trying to make a deal with Orion to own the whole run of the series
On his book, Cagney & Lacey And Me and the DVD release of Cagney & Lacey
On advice to aspiring producers and how he'd like to be remembered
Chapter 4
START OF JOINT INTERVIEW WITH SHARON GLESS: On how they met and casting Sharon Gless as the third and final "Cagney" on Cagney & Lacey; on fighting with each other on set
On interacting with the fans of Cagney & Lacey and Queer as Folk
On developing the story arc about alcoholism on Cagney & Lacey
On not living in Los Angeles; on their professional relationship and how they fell in love; on their favorite stories about each other
Shows
Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on the idea for Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on the first steps of Cagney & Lacey becoming a TV movie rather than a motion picture
Barney Rosenzweig on Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday writing the script for the movie version of Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on Cagney & Lacey moving to television and moving shooting from Toronto to Los Angeles
Barney Rosenzweig on the cast of the first episodes of the TV series Cagney & Lacey and cast changes after the first six episodes
Barney Rosenzweig on Cagney & Lacey getting cancelled and coming back as a 10pm, not 9pm show, and the publicity tour for the show
Barney Rosenzweig on how Sharon Gless replaced Meg Foster as "Cagney" on Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on winning an Emmy for best drama series for Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on what Cagney & Lacey was about at its core
Barney Rosenzweig on addressing social issues on Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on Cagney & Lacey's Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly
Barney Rosenzweig on the legacy of Cagney & Lacey and what it did for the portrayal of women on television; on how it changed television
Barney Rosenzweig on four Cagney & Lacey reunion movies and trying to make a deal with Orion to own the whole run of the series
Barney Rosenzweig on not being a "hyphenate," but on primarily being the producer of Cagney & Lacey
Sharon Gless and Barney Rosenzweig on making last minute tweaks ("writing with an eraser") on Cagney & Lacey
Sharon Gless on getting letters from female cops who went into the field because of Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig and Sharon Gless on developing the theme of alcoholism for "Christine Cagney" and her father on Cagney & Lacey
Charlie's Angels
Barney Rosenzweig on the long road to getting hired on Charlie's Angels and changes he brought to the show
Barney Rosenzweig on the stars of Charlie's Angels
Daniel Boone
Barney Rosenzweig on disliking Daniel Boone in its first three seasons
Barney Rosenzweig on taking over as producer of Daniel Boone in its fourth season
Barney Rosenzweig on why he's proud of his work on Daniel Boone
Barney Rosenzweig on how he transformed Daniel Boone in its fourth season (by "introverting" the show)
Queer as Folk
Sharon Gless on being hugged by fans, and the impact of Queer as Folk
Sons and Daughters (1974)
Barney Rosenzweig on the short-lived Sons and Daughters
Barney Rosenzweig on what he learned from the short-lived Sons and Daughters
Trials of Rosie O'Neill, The
Barney Rosenzweig on his goal for The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
Barney Rosenzweig on marrying Sharon Gless and how their relationship affected The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
Topics
Classic TV Series Episodes
Barney Rosenzweig on the cast of the first episodes of the TV series Cagney & Lacey and cast changes after the first six episodes
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Barney Rosenzweig on being influenced by the themes of "Easy Rider"
Drama
Sharon Gless and Barney Rosenzweig on developing the theme of alcoholism for "Christine Cagney" and her father on Cagney and Lacey
Emmy Awards
Barney Rosenzweig on winning an Emmy for Cagney & Lacey
Sharon Gless and Barney Rosenzweig on Gless "finally" winning an Emmy for Cagney & Lacey
Fame and Celebrity
Sharon Gless and Barney Rosenzweig on getting recognized by and interacting with fans
Sharon Gless on being hugged by fans, and the impact of Queer as Folk
Pivotal Career Moments
Barney Rosenzweig on being influenced by the themes of "Easy Rider"
Pop Culture
Barney Rosenzweig on the cast of the first episodes of the TV series Cagney & Lacey and cast changes after the first six episodes
Representation on Television
Barney Rosenzweig on giving Aaron Spelling criticisms of Charlie's Angels and wanting to incorporate the themes of the Women's Movement into the show
Barney Rosenzweig on the idea for Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on what Cagney & Lacey was about at its core
Barney Rosenzweig on the legacy of Cagney & Lacey and what it did for the portrayal of women on television
Television Industry
Barney Rosenzweig on trying to make a deal with Orion to own the whole run of Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on advice to aspiring producers and how the business has changed
Sharon Gless and Barney Rosenzweig on getting recognized by and interacting with fans
Sharon Gless on being hugged by fans, and the impact of Queer as Folk
Women
Barney Rosenzweig on giving Aaron Spelling criticisms of Charlie's Angels and wanting to incorporate the themes of the Women's Movement into the show
Barney Rosenzweig on the idea for Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on what Cagney & Lacey was about at its core
Barney Rosenzweig on the legacy of Cagney & Lacey and what it did for the portrayal of women on television
Professions
Producers
Barney Rosenzweig on wanting to become a producer and leave publicity at MGM
Barney Rosenzweig on advice to aspiring producers and how the business has changed
Barney Rosenzweig on advice to aspiring producers and how the business has changed
Barney Rosenzweig on not being a "hyphenate," but on primarily being the producer of Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on making last minute tweaks to the show
Barney Rosenzweig and Sharon Gless on developing the theme of alcoholism for "Christine Cagney" and her father on Cagney & Lacey
Genres
Adventure/Espionage Series
Barney Rosenzweig on the long road to getting hired on Charlie's Angels and changes he brought to the show
Barney Rosenzweig on the long road to getting hired on Charlie's Angels and changes he brought to the show
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Barney Rosenzweig on the idea for and several cast changes for Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on what Cagney & Lacey was about at its core and social issues addressed on the show
Barney Rosenzweig on the cast and the legacy of Cagney & Lacey and what it did for the portrayal of women on television, and on how it changed television
Drama Series
Barney Rosenzweig on the idea for and several cast changes for Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on what Cagney & Lacey was about at its core and social issues addressed on the show
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
Western Series
Barney Rosenzweig on taking over as producer of Daniel Boone in its fourth season
Barney Rosenzweig on why he's proud of his work on Daniel Boone
Barney Rosenzweig on how he transformed Daniel Boone in its fourth season (by "introverting" the show)
People
Barbara Avedon
Barney Rosenzweig on meeting the writing team of Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday
Barney Rosenzweig on Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday writing the script for the movie version of Cagney & Lacey
Susan Clark
Barney Rosenzweig on Susan Clark being considered for "Cagney" on Cagney & Lacey
Barbara Corday
Barney Rosenzweig on meeting the writing team of Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday
Barney Rosenzweig on Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday writing the script for the movie version of Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on Cagney & Lacey moving to television and Barbara Corday becoming an executive
Tyne Daly
Barney Rosenzweig on the cast of the first episodes of the TV series Cagney & Lacey (Meg Foster and Tyne Daly)
Barney Rosenzweig on Cagney & Lacey's Tyne Daly
Barney Rosenzweig on reuniting with Tyne Daly on Christy
Sharon Gless on walking down the streets of New York with Tyne Daly and the reaction of fans
Farrah Fawcett
Barney Rosenzweig on the stars of Charlie's Angels - Farrah Fawcett
Peter Frankovich
Barney Rosenzweig on Peter Frankovich buying Cagney & Lacey for television
Sharon Gless
Barney Rosenzweig on wanting Sharon Gless to play "Cagney" on Cagney & Lacey, Gless not being available, but coming aboard when the show became a series
Barney Rosenzweig on the cast of the first episodes of the TV series Cagney & Lacey (Meg Foster and Tyne Daly) and how Sharon Gless was still unavailable to play "Cagney"
Barney Rosenzweig on how Sharon Gless replaced Meg Foster as "Cagney" on Cagney & Lacey
Barney Rosenzweig on Cagney & Lacey's Sharon Gless
Barney Rosenzweig on his goal for The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
Barney Rosenzweig on marrying Sharon Gless and how their relationship affected The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
Leonard Goldberg
Barney Rosenzweig on fighting with Leonard Goldberg about Charlie's Angels
Hedda Hopper
Barney Rosenzweig on his PR role at MGM and dinners with Hedda Hopper
Kate Jackson
Barney Rosenzweig on the stars of Charlie's Angels - Kate Jackson
Sherry Lansing
Barney Rosenzweig on Sherry Lansing loving the Cagney & Lacey script
Fess Parker
Barney Rosenzweig on Fess Parker approving him to become producer on Daniel Boone
Barney Rosenzweig on working with Fess Parker on Daniel Boone
David O. Selznick
Barney Rosenzweig on how he'd like to be remembered
Frank Sinatra
Barney Rosenzweig on putting together the movie "Tony Rome" with Frank Sinatra, but not getting to see it through production
Jaclyn Smith
Barney Rosenzweig on the stars of Charlie's Angels - Jaclyn Smith
Aaron Spelling
Barney Rosenzweig on offering Aaron Spelling his thoughts on Charlie's Angels and getting hired as a producer
Loretta Swit
Barney Rosenzweig on Loretta Swit getting cast in the Cagney & Lacey television movie