About
"I couldn't write a job description for what I do. But, I'm saying it all comes down to talent -- you liking talent, and talent trusting you. If you don't lie, and if you give it to them straight, they'll stay with you forever."
In his nearly four-hour interview, Bernie Brillstein (1931-2008) talks about his experiences growing up in the entertainment world of New York City, and how he eventually landed a job in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency. He discusses his meeting with WMA client Elvis Presley, and fondly remembers his first meeting with eventual client, puppeteer Jim Henson. He explains his reasons for leaving the agency to become a personal manager, and the work that he did on behalf of his various clients. He describes his role in creating the long-running syndicated series Hee Haw, and his efforts at getting The Muppet Show on the air. He also speaks about his representation of writer/producer Lorne Michaels, and his involvement in the early years of Saturday Night Live. Brillstein reminisces about clients including John Belushi and Gilda Radner, and later explains his move into the executive suites at Lorimar. Finally, he talks about his partnership with Brad Grey, and the clients and programs the pair have represented. Dan Pasternack conducted the interview on November 14, 2001 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights
Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson's death
Manager Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson's contributions to Sesame Street
Bernie Brillstein on John Belushi's audition for Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on working with Ike and Tina Turner on The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour
Bernie Brillstein on packaging shows and packaging commissions
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on growing up in New York City; on college at NYU and getting drafted into World War II
On meeting with Lou Weiss at William Morris in New York and his first job in the mailroom; on recognizing the talent of Martin and Lewis; on attending shows at comedy and cocktail clubs; on getting a job in the William Morris publicity office
Chapter 2
On getting promoted from the William Morris mailroom in 3 months and publicizing nightclubs; on publicity for Person to Person and "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying;" on the Kalcheim brothers; on getting J. Walter Thompson and BBDO as clients
On Wally Jordan; on fighting with Nat Lefkowitz - head of the New York Office; on Elvis Presley on Stage Show; on Burr Tillstrom introducing him to Jim Henson; on jumpstarting Jim Henson's career
Chapter 3
On Jim Henson as Muppet Ralph on The Jimmy Dean Show; on leaving William Morris in 1964; on the break up of MCA and Lew Wasserman becoming a producer; on packaging shows and commissions
On life after William Morris - joining Marty Cumber & Associates as a partner; on Jerry Weintraub, Management Three, and moving to the West Coast; on taking driving lessons
Chapter 4
On quitting his partnership and starting out on his own; on producing The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour
On the creation and merchandising of Sesame Street; on Kermit and Miss Piggy; on his friendship with Jim Henson; on the creation of The Muppet Show and the Muppets appearance on Saturday Night Live
Chapter 5
On Jim Henson's illness and death; on meeting Lorne Michaels and putting together what would become Saturday Night Live
On the liveness of Saturday Night Live; on the first ensemble cast of Saturday Night Live
Chapter 6
On the original cast and production of Saturday Night Live; on being on set for the first shows; on the Muppets on Saturday Night Live;
On the creation of The Blues Brothers; on the movie for The Blues Brothers; on censorship on Saturday Night Live; on Lorne Michaels leaving Saturday Night Live in 1980 and then returning
Chapter 7
On producing Buffalo Bill, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, ALF, and It's Garry Shandling's Show; on how HBO changed television
On the state of television and deal-making in 2002; on the business of show business and the economics of production
On bringing Brad Grey into the Brillstein Company; on producing shows for Columbia and ABC, forming Brillstein/Grey, and selling his portion of the company
Chapter 8
On coming to a crossroads at age 64 and writing a book; on producing in 2002; on the difference between a manager and an agent; on the controversy of defining the role of manager
On advice to someone starting out; on the highlight of his career; on how he'd like to be remembered
On photos from his career and of people with whom he's worked: Elvis Presley, Sandy Wernick, Dabney Coleman, Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses, Norm Crosby, Jim Henson, John Belushi and more
Shows
ALF
Executive producer Bernie Brillstein on being approached by Paul Fusco for ALF and the pitch to NBC
Buffalo Bill
Executive producer Bernie Brillstein on producing Buffalo Bill
Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour, The
Manager Bernie Brillstein on producing The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour
Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, The
Executive producer Bernie Brillstein on producing Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
Bernie Brillstein on Robert Precht booking Kermit the Frog and others of Brillstein's clients as a summer replacement for The Ed Sullivan Show
Hee Haw
Bernie Brillstein on the creation, development and syndication of Hee Haw
It's Garry Shandling's Show.
Manager Bernie Brillstein on the start of It's Garry Shandling's Show
Jack Paar Show, The (1954)
Bernie Brillstein on getting Jack Burns and Avery Schreiber The Jack Paar Show
Jimmy Dean Show, The
Bernie Brillstein on getting Muppet Ralph the dog on The Jimmy Dean Show
Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson as Muppet Ralph on The Jimmy Dean Show
Muppet Show, The
Manager Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson and the creation of Kermit and Miss Piggy
Manager Bernie Brillstein on selling The Muppet Show
Naked Truth, The
Executive producer Bernie Brillstein on The Naked Truth
New Show, The
Bernie Brillstein on Lorne Michaels' The New Show
Person to Person
Bernie Brillstein on promoting Person to Person
Saturday Night Live
Manager Bernie Brillstein on The Muppets appearance on Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on meeting Lorne Michaels and the beginnings of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on Lorne Michaels assembling the cast of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on the production and original cast of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on the many casts of and production of Saturday Night Live
Sesame Street
Manager Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson's contributions to Sesame Street
Stage Show
Bernie Brillstein on Elvis Presley on Stage Show
Topics
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Bernie Brillstein on censorship Lorne Michaels faced on Saturday Night Live
Characters & Catchphrases
Bernie Brillstein on Kermit the Frog
Bernie Brillstein on Miss Piggy being based on Peggy Lee
Industry Crossroads
Bernie Brillstein on the break up of MCA and Lew Wasserman becoming a producer
Media Consolidation
Bernie Brillstein on the state of television and deal-making in 2002; on the business of show business
Memorable Moments on Television
Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson as Muppet Ralph on The Jimmy Dean Show
Manager Bernie Brillstein on The Muppets appearance on Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on the creation of The Blues Brothers
Television Industry
Bernie Brillstein on the difference between a manager and an agent
We Laughed
Bernie Brillstein on getting Muppet Ralph the dog on The Jimmy Dean Show
Professions
Genres
Comedy Series
Bernie Brillstein on the creation, development and syndication of Hee Haw
Manager Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson's contributions to Sesame Street
Manager Bernie Brillstein on selling The Muppet Show
Executive producer Bernie Brillstein on being approached by Paul Fusco for ALF and the pitch to NBC
Late Night
Bernie Brillstein on meeting Lorne Michaels and the beginnings of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on the many casts of and production of Saturday Night Live
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Bernie Brillstein on getting Muppet Ralph the dog on The Jimmy Dean Show
Bernie Brillstein on Elvis Presley on Stage Show
People
Dan Aykroyd
Bernie Brillstein on the original cast of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on the creation of The Blues Brothers
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with the Blues Brothers
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi
John Belushi
Bernie Brillstein on the original cast of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on the creation of The Blues Brothers
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with the Blues Brothers
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi
Jack Burns
Bernie Brillstein on watching Second City perform
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Jim Henson, Jack Burns from The Muppet Show
Red Buttons
Bernie Brillstein on delivering a check to Red Buttons
George Carlin
Bernie Brillstein on the first episode of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on a photo of the TV Guide featuring the first episode of Saturday Night Live
Chevy Chase
Bernie Brillstein on the original cast of Saturday Night Live
Dabney Coleman
Bernie Brillstein on a photo of him getting roasted
Joan Ganz Cooney
Manager Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson's contributions to Sesame Street
Norm Crosby with Emerson College
Bernie Brillstein on signing Norm Crosby
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Norm Crosby and Robert Goulet
Jane Curtin
Bernie Brillstein on the original cast of Saturday Night Live
Michael Dann
Manager Bernie Brillstein on selling Hee-Haw
Jimmy Dean
Bernie Brillstein on getting Muppet Ralph the dog on The Jimmy Dean Show
Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson as Muppet Ralph on The Jimmy Dean Show
Dick Ebersol
Bernie Brillstein on meeting Lorne Michaels and the beginnings of Saturday Night Live
Bob Finkel
Bernie Brillstein on meeting Lorne Michaels and the beginnings of Saturday Night Live
Michael Fuchs
Bernie Brillstein on how Michael Fuchs of HBO changed television
Robert Goulet
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Norm Crosby and Robert Goulet
Lew Grade
Manager Bernie Brillstein on Lew Grade wanting to make a show for The Muppets
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Jim Henson, Lew Grade and others from The Muppet Show
Brad Grey
Bernie Brillstein on working with Brad Grey and being an independent producer
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Brad Grey
Jim Henson
Bernie Brillstein on Burr Tillstrom of Kukla, Fran and Ollie introducing him to Jim Henson
Bernie Brillstein on helping to jumpstart Jim Henson's career
Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson as Muppet Ralph on The Jimmy Dean Show
Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson leaving William Morris to follow Bernie Brillstein
Manager Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson's contributions to Sesame Street
Manager Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson; on the creation of Kermit; on selling the Muppet Show
Manager Bernie Brillstein on not being able to sell what would later become The Muppet Show
Bernie Brillstein on Jim Henson's death
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Jim Henson
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Jim Henson, Lew Grade and others from The Muppet Show
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Jim Henson, Jack Burns from The Muppet Show
Wally Jordan
Bernie Brillstein on Wally Jordan
Harry Kalcheim
Bernie Brillstein on agent Harry Kalcheim and brother Nat Kalcheim
Robert F. Kennedy
Bernie Brillstein on the break up of MCA and Lew Wasserman becoming a producer
Perry Lafferty
Manager Bernie Brillstein on selling Hee-Haw
Nat Lefkowitz
Bernie Brillstein on Nat Lefkowitz, head of the New York William Morris office
Bernie Brillstein on fighting with Nat Lefkowitz and leaving William Morris
Jerry Lewis
Bernie Brillstein on recognizing the talent of Martin and Lewis
Bernie Brillstein on mouthing along to Martin and Lewis' act
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Martin Short and Jerry Lewis
Dean Martin
Bernie Brillstein on recognizing the talent of Martin and Lewis
Bernie Brillstein on mouthing along to Martin and Lewis' act
Lorne Michaels
Manager Bernie Brillstein on The Muppets appearance on Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on meeting Lorne Michaels and the beginnings of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on the original cast and production of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on censorship Lorne Michaels faced on Saturday Night Live; and on leaving SNL
John Moffitt
Manager Bernie Brillstein on producing The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour (directed by John Moffitt)
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with the cast of Friday
Garrett Morris
Bernie Brillstein on the original cast of Saturday Night Live
Edward R. Murrow
Bernie Brillstein on promoting Person to Person
Laraine Newman
Bernie Brillstein on the original cast of Saturday Night Live
Frank Oz
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Jim Henson, Lew Grade and others from The Muppet Show
Jack Palance
Manager Bernie Brillstein on Jack Palance
Tom Patchett
Bernie Brillstein on working with writer/producers Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Jay Tarses and Tom Patchett
Frank Peppiatt
Manager Bernie Brillstein on selling Hee-Haw
Robert Precht
Bernie Brillstein on Robert Precht booking Kermit the Frog and others of Brillstein's clients as a summer replacement for The Ed Sullivan Show
Elvis Presley
Bernie Brillstein on Elvis Presley on Stage Show
Bernie Brillstein on a photo of Elvis Presley on Stage Show
Gilda Radner
Bernie Brillstein on the original cast of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on the original cast of Saturday Night Live
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Gilda Radner
Paul Shaffer
Bernie Brillstein on the creation of The Blues Brothers
Garry Shandling
Bernie Brillstein on the start of It's Garry Shandling's Show
George Shapiro
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with George Shapiro and Howard West
Martin Short
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Martin Short and Jerry Lewis
Jay Tarses
Bernie Brillstein on working with writer/producers Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with Jay Tarses and Tom Patchett
Brandon Tartikoff
Bernie Brillstein on Brandon Tartikoff wanting to cancel Saturday Night Live
Burr Tillstrom
Bernie Brillstein on Burr Tillstrom of Kukla, Fran and Ollie introducing him to Jim Henson
Grant Tinker
Bernie Brillstein on Grant Tinker and MTM
Lew Wasserman
Bernie Brillstein on the break up of MCA and Lew Wasserman becoming a producer
Lou Weiss
Bernie Brillstein on meeting with Lou Weiss at William Morris
Sandy Wernick
Bernie Brillstein on a photo of business partner Sandy Wernick
Howard West
Bernie Brillstein on a photo with George Shapiro and Howard West
Larry White
Bernie Brillstein on meeting Lorne Michaels and the beginnings of Saturday Night Live