About
"Me and Larry Hagman on 'Jeannie' - we're doing Bob Hope and Bing Crosby."
In his two-hour interview, Bill Daily (1927-2018) speaks about his early years working as a comedy writer in local television in New York and other cities. He describes working with his writing partner Woody Fraser on The Mike Douglas Show, and details breaking into acting, starting with his role as "Major Roger Healey" on I Dream of Jeannie. He recalls working with the show's ensemble cast and recounts the intricacies of Jeannie's production. He then discusses the other role for which he is best known, that of next-door neighbor "Howard Borden" on The Bob Newhart Show. Daily also outlines his appearances as a panelist on the popular game show Match Game. Karen Herman conducted the interview on June 26, 2003 in Albuquerque, NM.
Highlights
Bill Daily on how he got the audition for I Dream of Jeannie
Bill Daily on writing promos for Steve Allen and one of the greatest moments of his life
Bill Daily on the ending of I Dream of Jeannie, the show's cancellation, and the enduring popularity of the program
Bob Daily on the genesis of "Hi, Bob" on The Bob Newhart Show
Bill Daily on being a panelist on Match Game
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early years and influences; on having dyslexia; on being the class clown, playing bass, and touring with his band (doing jazz and comedy)
On serving in Korea; on getting into television via his musical talents; on writing for live television at WGN Chicago and being stage manager for Garroway-at-Large
On working with Dave Garroway; on writing for The Mike Douglas Show; on "The puppet that wouldn't talk" sketch
Chapter 2
On his improv work; on impressing Steve Allen; on covering JFK's assassination
On co-starring as "Major Roger Healey" in I Dream of Jeannie; on the cast and the cancellation of the show; on guest appearances on other shows and appearing in the pilot of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
On co-starring in The Bob Newhart Show as "Howard Borden"; on his friendship with Bob Newhart; on the cast and writers of The Bob Newhart Show; on favorite episodes
Chapter 3
On working with the cast of The Bob Newhart Show; on the genesis of "Hi, Bob"; on film projects and working with chimpanzees; on the The Bob Newhart Show's legacy
On watching comedy shows; on writing scripts for I Dream of Jeannie and his appearances on ALF, The Love Boat and The Powers of Matthew Star
On being a panelist on Match Game; on the I Dream of Jeannie reunion movie; on his opinion of then-current television; on his then-current projects
Chapter 4
On his proudest achievement; on his family; on advice to aspiring actors
On enjoying fame and celebrity; on how he'd like to be remembered
B-roll photos from his career: on The Bob Newhart Show, his jazz trio days, and I Dream of Jeannie
Shows
ALF
Bill Daily on appearing on ALF
Bob Newhart Show, The (1972-78)
Bill Daily on a TV Guide cover sketch of the cast of The Bob Newhart Show
Bill Daily on a photo of him with the cast of The Bob Newhart Show
Bill Daily on co-starring on The Bob Newhart Show as "Howard Borden"
Bill Daily on getting hired on by The Bob Newhart Show creators Lorenzo Music and Dave Davis
Bill Daily on his favorite episodes of The Bob Newhart Show
Bill Daily on storylines on The Bob Newhart Show
Bill Daily on the ending of The Bob Newhart Show
Hollywood Squares, The
Bill Daily on appearing on Hollywood Squares
I Dream of Jeannie
Bill Daily on a photo of him with Sammy Davis Jr. from I Dream of Jeannie
Bill Daily on co-starring as "Major Roger Healey" in I Dream of Jeannie; on the cast
Bill Daily on how he got the audition for I Dream of Jeannie
Bill Daily on the ending of I Dream of Jeannie, the show's cancellation, and the enduring popularity of the program
Bill Daily on the production schedule of I Dream of Jeannie, and his favorite and least favorite episodes
Bill Daily on his I Dream of Jeannie character "Major Roger Healey" being like Bob Hope and Bing Crosby
I Dream of Jeannie… 15 Years Later
Bill Daily on the I Dream of Jeannie reunion I Dream of Jeannie... 15 Years Later
Kukla, Fran & Ollie
Bill Daily on being stage manager for Kukla, Fran & Ollie
Love Boat, The
Bill Daily on appearing on The Love Boat
Mary Tyler Moore Show, The
Bill Daily on appearing in the pilot of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Match Game
Bill Daily on being a panelist on Match Game
Mike Douglas Show, The
Bill Daily on writing for The Mike Douglas Show
Newhart
Bill Daily on his guest appearance on Newhart and Bob Newhart's other shows
Powers of Matthew Star, The
Bill Daily on appearing on The Powers of Matthew Star
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Bill Daily on co-starring on The Bob Newhart Show as "Howard Borden" and the show's talented writers
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Bill Daily on his comedic idols
Fame and Celebrity
Bill Daily on enjoying fame and celebrity
JFK Assassination and Funeral
Bill Daily on covering JFK's assassination
Pop Culture
Bill Daily on co-starring on The Bob Newhart Show as "Howard Borden" and the show's talented writers
Television Industry
Bill Daily on challenges in the TV industry as a dyslexic
Bill Daily on enjoying fame and celebrity
Bill Daily on the biggest change he's seen in television over the years
Professions
Actor
Bill Daily on advice to an aspiring actor
Performers
Bill Daily on advice to an aspiring actor
Writers
Bill Daily on writing for The Mike Douglas Show
Genres
Comedy Series
Bill Daily on co-starring as "Major Roger Healey" in I Dream of Jeannie; on the cast
Bill Daily on co-starring on The Bob Newhart Show as "Howard Borden"
Bill Daily on storylines on and the ending of The Bob Newhart Show
Game Shows
Bill Daily on being a panelist on Match Game
Talk Shows
Bill Daily on writing for The Mike Douglas Show
People
Steve Allen
Bill Daily on "The puppet that wouldn't talk" sketch and impressing Steve Allen
Bill Daily on writing promos for Steve Allen and one of the greatest moments of his life
Bill Daily on working for Steve Allen
Jack Benny
Bill Daily on seeing Jack Benny, one of his comedic idols
Peter Bonerz
Bill Daily on working with Peter Bonerz and the great cast and crew of The Bob Newhart Show
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Bill Daily on a photo of him with Sammy Davis Jr. from I Dream of Jeannie
Dave Davis
Bill Daily on getting hired on by The Bob Newhart Show creators Lorenzo Music and Dave Davis
Mike Douglas
Bill Daily on writing for Mike Douglas on The Mike Douglas Show
Barbara Eden
Bill Daily on working with Barbara Eden on I Dream of Jeannie
Dave Garroway
Bill Daily on working with Dave Garroway
Lewis Gomavitz
Bill Daily on being stage manager for Kukla, Fran & Ollie
Larry Hagman
Bill Daily on working with Larry Hagman on I Dream of Jeannie
Bob Hope
Bill Daily on his I Dream of Jeannie character "Major Roger Healey" being like Bob Hope and Bing Crosby
Jerry Lewis
Bill Daily on writing the typewriter song that Jerry Lewis then wanted to use
Lorenzo Music
Bill Daily on getting hired on by The Bob Newhart Show creators Lorenzo Music and Dave Davis
Bob Newhart
Bill Daily on his friendship with Bob Newhart and how Newhart got into show business
Bill Daily on the ending of The Bob Newhart Show
Suzanne Pleshette
Bill Daily on Suzanne Pleshette's talent on The Bob Newhart Show
Gene Rayburn
Bill Daily on being a panelist on Gene Rayburn's Match Game
Hayden Rorke
Bill Daily on working with Hayden Rourke on I Dream of Jeannie
Kurt Russell
Bill Daily on appearing in his only film: a Disney movie with Kurt Russell and a chimpanzee; on working with chimps
Al Schwartz
Bill Daily on working with Al Schwartz
Bill Daily on forming an improv group
Sidney Sheldon
Bill Daily on how he got the audition for I Dream of Jeannie
Burr Tillstrom
Bill Daily on being stage manager for Kukla, Fran & Ollie
Marcia Wallace
Bill Daily on working with Marcia Wallace and the cast of on The Bob Newhart Show
Betty White
Bill Daily on Betty White appearing on The Mike Douglas Show