About
"All you have to do is say to anybody who was a teenager at that time, 'pork chops and applesauce' and they know what you're talking about."
In his three-hour interview, Ben Starr (1921-2014) talks about writing for radio stars Al Jolson, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis. He speaks of his start in television, writing for live programs like Climax!, and explains what it was like to write for the popular show Mister Ed. Starr also talks of writing two episodes of The Brady Bunch, one of which was "The Personality Kid" in which "Peter Brady" delivers the famous "pork chops and applesauce" line. He speaks of writing for Norman Lear's All in The Family, and details developing the series Diff'rent Strokes. He discusses writing the pilots for television shows Perry Mason and The Thin Man, but not staying on to write for the rest of the series runs. Starr also describes co-creating The Facts of Life and Silver Spoons. He outlines his writing routine, and shares details of his regular lunches with pals Sid Caesar, Hal Kanter, and other television legends. Dan Harrison conducted the interview on November 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Ben Starr on coming up with the catchphrase "Whatchu talkin' 'bout Willis?" for Diff'rent Strokes
Ben Starr on spinning off The Facts of Life from Diff'rent Strokes
Ben Starr on how the horse "talked" on Mister Ed
Ben Starr on writing the episode of The Brady Bunch ("The Personality Kid") which includes the famous line "pork chops and apple sauce"
Ben Starr on how he'd like to be remembered
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his early interest in writing; on moving to Los Angeles in 1938; on graduating from UCLA
On serving in World War II as an Air Force Navigator and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross
On his start in radio writing on "First Nighter"; on his involvement with the Radio Writers Guild and helping to form the Writers Guild of America (for TV and radio writers)
On his early memories of television; on his first television job, writing for The Jack Carter Show; on getting a contract with CBS and writing for Climax!
On writing the pilots for Perry Mason and for T he Thin Man; on his love of writing; on writing several pilots
On his recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist
Chapter 2
On writing the screenplay "Our Man Flint"; on how he got involved with Mister Ed; on writing plays and screenplays
On working with George Burns and the other producers of Mister Ed; on how "Mister Ed" talked; on leaving Mister Ed to write movies
On writing television specials and films for Bob Hope
On writing for The Brady Bunch, including penning the episode "The Personality Kid" with the famous line "pork chops and apple sauce"
On co-writing the TV movie My Sister Hank starring Jodi Foster
On writing for the Norman Lear shows All in the Family and Maude
Chapter 3
On the impact of All in the Family
On the creation of Diff'rent Strokes and coining the phrase "Whatchu talking 'bout, Willis?"; on working with the lead actors
On spinning off The Facts of Life from Diff'rent Strokes; on writing plays
On co-creating Silver Spoons
On his thoughts on people with whom he's worked over the years, including Sid Caesar, Jack Benny, and Larry Gelbart
On his writing routing; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
All in the Family
Ben Starr on writing for All in the Family
Ben Starr on writing the All in the Family episode in which "Gloria " has a baby
Ben Starr on writing the All in the Family episode in which "Gloria " has a baby
Ben Starr on writing for All in the Family and the impact of the program
Bob Hope Specials
Ben Starr on writing for Bob Hope
Brady Bunch, The
Ben Starr on writing the episode of the Brady Bunch ("The Personality Kid") which includes the famous line "pork chops and apple sauce"
Ben Starr on writing two episodes of the Brady Bunch and the legacy of "The Personality Kid" episode
Climax!
Ben Starr on how he came up with the idea for a Climax! episode "Thin Air"
Diff'rent Strokes
Ben Starr on the creation of Diff'rent Strokes
Ben Starr on writing and casting the pilot of Diff'rent Strokes
Ben Starr on coming up with the catchphrase "Whatchu talkin' 'bout Willis?" for Diff'rent Strokes
Ben Starr on Todd Bridges and Dana Plato's difficulties on Diff'rent Strokes
Ben Starr on the production of Diff'rent Strokes
Ben Starr on becoming a producer and working with writers on Diff'rent Strokes
Facts of Life, The
Ben Starr on spinning off The Facts of Life from Diff'rent Strokes
Jack Carter Show, The
Ben Starr on his first television job, writing for The Jack Carter Show; on the show's intense production schedule
Maude
Ben Starr on writing freelance for Maude
Mister Ed
Ben Starr on how Mister Ed came about
Ben Starr on treating the character "Mister Ed" as a grown-up
Ben Starr on writing for Mister Ed
Ben Starr on production and the cast of Mister Ed
Ben Starr on why he left Mister Ed - to write movies
Ben Starr on working with George Burns and the other producers of Mister Ed
Perry Mason (1957-66)
Ben Starr on writing the pilot for Perry Mason
Silver Spoons
Ben Starr on co-creating Silver Spoons
Thin Man, The
Ben Starr on writing the pilot for The Thin Man
Topics
Advice
Ben Starr on advice to aspiring television writers
Characters & Catchphrases
Ben Starr on coming up with the catchphrase "Whatchu talkin' 'bout Willis?" for Diff'rent Strokes
Historic Events and Social Change
Ben Starr on serving in World War II as an Air Force Navigator and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross
Hollywood Blacklist
Ben Starr on his recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Ben Starr on his recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist
Memorable Moments on Television
Ben Starr on writing the episode of the Brady Bunch ("The Personality Kid") which includes the famous line "pork chops and apple sauce"
Ben Starr on writing the All in the Family episode in which "Gloria " has a baby
Pop Culture
Ben Starr on coming up with the catchphrase "Whatchu talkin' 'bout Willis?" for Diff'rent Strokes
Television Industry
Ben Starr on his recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist
Ben Starr on advice to aspiring television writers
War
Ben Starr on serving in World War II as an Air Force Navigator and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross
We Laughed
Ben Starr on writing the episode of the Brady Bunch ("The Personality Kid") which includes the famous line "pork chops and apple sauce"
World War II
Ben Starr on serving in World War II as an Air Force Navigator and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross
Professions
Writers
Ben Starr on his love of writing
Ben Starr on his writing routine
Ben Starr on advice to aspiring television writers
Genres
Comedy Series
Ben Starr on working with George Burns and the other producers of Mister Ed; on how "Mister Ed" talked; on leaving Mister Ed to write movies
Ben Starr on writing for The Brady Bunch, including penning the episode "The Personality Kid" with the famous line "pork chops and apple sauce"
Ben Starr on writing for All in the Family
Ben Starr on the creation of Diff'rent Strokes and coining the phrase "Whatchu talking 'bout, Willis?"; on working with the lead actors
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Ben Starr on writing the pilot for Perry Mason
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Ben Starr on his first television job, writing for The Jack Carter Show; on the show's intense production schedule
People
Steve Allen
Ben Starr on casting Steve Allen on the television pilot of "First Nighter"
Conrad Bain
Ben Starr on Conrad Bain's lucrative deal on Diff'rent Strokes
Jack Benny
Ben Starr on working with Jack Benny
George Burns
Ben Starr on working with George Burns while writing for Mister Ed
Sid Caesar
Ben Starr on working and socializing with Sid Caesar
Gary Coleman
Ben Starr on Fred Silverman not liking the original pilot script for Diff'rent Strokes, but liking Gary Coleman
Ben Starr on Gary Coleman's talent and how he was ripped off on Diff'rent Strokes
Ben Starr on Gary Coleman's agent demanding more money and stopping production on Diff'rent Strokes
Bill Dozier
Ben Starr on meeting CBS executive Bill Dozier
Verna Felton
Ben Starr on casting Verna Felton on the television pilot of "First Nighter"
Jodie Foster
Ben Starr on co-writing the TV movie My Sister Hank starring Jodi Foster
Larry Gelbart
Ben Starr on working with Larry Gelbart
Cary Grant
Ben Starr on working with Cary Grant
Arthur Hiller
Ben Starr on working with Arthur Hiller and his regular lunches with his writing buddies
Bob Hope
Ben Starr on writing TV specials and movies for Bob Hope
Al Jolson
Ben Starr on working with Al Jolson in radio
Milt Josefsberg
Ben Starr on writing the All in the Family episode in which "Gloria " has a baby
Norman Lear
Ben Starr on working with Norman Lear while writing for All in the Family
Jerry Lewis
Ben Starr on working with Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin in radio
Frank Loesser
Ben Starr on working with Broadway's Frank Loesser
Martin Manulis
Ben Starr on how he came up with the idea for a Climax! episode "Thin Air"
Dean Martin
Ben Starr on working with Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin in radio
Dana Plato
Ben Starr on Todd Bridges and Dana Plato's difficulties on Diff'rent Strokes
Charlotte Rae
Ben Starr on writing and casting the pilot of Diff'rent Strokes - Charlotte Rae
Fred Silverman
Ben Starr on Fred Silverman not liking the original pilot script for Diff'rent Strokes, but liking Gary Coleman
Doris Singleton
Ben Starr on casting Doris Singleton on the television pilot of "First Nighter"
Jack Valenti
Ben Starr on working with Jack Valenti