Bill Daily

Actor

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his two-hour Archive interview, actor and comedian 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 New Mexico.

"Me and Larry Hagman on 'Jeannie' - we're doing Bob Hope and Bing Crosby."

People Talking About ...

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 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

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

Hollywood Squares, The

Bill Daily on appearing on Hollywood Squares

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

Bill Daily on a photo of him with Sammy Davis Jr. from I Dream of Jeannie

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 the biggest change he's seen in television over the years

Bill Daily on challenges in the TV industry as a dyslexic

Bill Daily on enjoying fame and celebrity

Professions

Actor

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Bill Daily on advice to an aspiring actor

Performers

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Bill Daily on advice to an aspiring actor

Writers

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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

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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

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Bill Daily on seeing Jack Benny, one of his comedic idols

Peter Bonerz

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Bill Daily on working with Peter Bonerz and the great cast and crew of The Bob Newhart Show

Dave Davis

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Bill Daily on getting hired on by The Bob Newhart Show creators Lorenzo Music and Dave Davis

Sammy Davis, Jr.

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Bill Daily on a photo of him with Sammy Davis Jr. from I Dream of Jeannie

Mike Douglas

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Bill Daily on writing for Mike Douglas on The Mike Douglas Show

Barbara Eden

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Bill Daily on working with Barbara Eden on I Dream of Jeannie

Dave Garroway

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Bill Daily on working with Dave Garroway

Lewis Gomavitz

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Bill Daily on being stage manager for Kukla, Fran & Ollie

Larry Hagman

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Bill Daily on working with Larry Hagman on I Dream of Jeannie

Bob Hope

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Bill Daily on his I Dream of Jeannie character "Major Roger Healey" being like Bob Hope and Bing Crosby

Jerry Lewis

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Bill Daily on writing the typewriter song that Jerry Lewis then wanted to use

Lorenzo Music

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Bill Daily on getting hired on by The Bob Newhart Show creators Lorenzo Music and Dave Davis

Bob Newhart

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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

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Bill Daily on Suzanne Pleshette's talent on The Bob Newhart Show

Gene Rayburn

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Bill Daily on being a panelist on Gene Rayburn's Match Game

Hayden Rorke

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Bill Daily on working with Hayden Rourke on I Dream of Jeannie

Kurt Russell

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Bill Daily on appearing in his only film: a Disney movie with Kurt Russell and a chimpanzee; on working with chimps

Al Schwartz

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Bill Daily on working with Al Schwartz

Bill Daily on forming an improv group

Sidney Sheldon

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Bill Daily on how he got the audition for I Dream of Jeannie

Burr Tillstrom

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Bill Daily on being stage manager for Kukla, Fran & Ollie

Marcia Wallace

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Bill Daily on working with Marcia Wallace and the cast of on The Bob Newhart Show

Betty White

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Bill Daily on Betty White appearing on The Mike Douglas Show