About
"I like jokes, but Ray and I, we never did jokes. We weren't in that line of humor. We each contributed our own kind of observations. I'm glad to have people look at, and laugh at, and respect, and get some creative juice out of what we did by observing."
In his one-hour-and-forty-five-minute interview, Bob Elliott (1923-2016) talks about his early experiences in radio in the wake of World War II and working for radio station WHDH in Boston. He recalls meeting Ray Goulding at the radio station and developing their "Bob and Ray" act, which was quickly translated to local, and later, national television. He outlines Bob and Ray's hugely successful Peil's Beer television and radio advertising campaign, which led to dozens of other commercial endorsements over the years. He discusses "Bob and Ray's" Broadway show, in which many of their most famous characters were honed, and speaks of his and Goulding's multiple TV talk show appearances, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and Late Night with David Letterman (on which his son Chris Elliott worked as a writer and on-air talent). Elliott discusses how he worked and developed his act with Ray Goulding, and recalls appearing on Newhart, Happy Days, and Trapper John, M.D. He talks about being a regular on his son Chris Elliott's groundbreaking cult sitcom, Get a Life, and recalls the longevity of the comedy of "Bob and Ray." Karen Herman conducted the interview on June 19, 2011 in Harrisville, ME.
Highlights

Bob Elliott on creating his radio show with Ray Goulding and his getting his first television show, Bob and Ray

Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" as commercial pitchmen

Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" appearing on Late Night with David Letterman, on which his son Chris Elliott worked

Bob Elliott on the comedy style of "Bob and Ray"

Bob Elliott on hiring Audrey Meadows and Cloris Leachman to play the female characters on Bob and Ray
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his early dramatic training; on what attracted him to radio; on his World War II experience
On his career in Boston radio and meeting Ray Goulding; on getting the first Bob and Ray television show and hiring Audrey Meadows and Cloris Leachman to play the female roles; on making the transition from radio to television
On "Bob and Ray's" Peil's Beer ad campaign; on "Bob and Ray's" Broadway show
On appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and various other talk shows; on his son Chris Elliott working as a writer/performer on Late Night with David Letterman; on his comedy partner Ray Goulding
Chapter 2
On working with Ray Goulding; on the comedy style of "Bob and Ray"; on various Bob and Ray television shows
On various Bob and Ray characters; on Bob and Ray's audience; on various other television appearances
On acting in his son Chris Elliott's show Get a Life; on then-current activities; on the legacy of "Bob and Ray"
Shows
Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show
Get a Life
Bob Elliott on co-starring in Get a Life with his son Chris Elliott
Happy Days
Bob Elliott on making guest appearances on Happy Days and Trapper John, M.D.
Late Night with David Letterman
Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" appearing on Late Night with David Letterman, on which his son Chris Elliott worked
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and various other talk shows
Trapper John, M. D.
Bob Elliott on making guest appearances on Happy Days and Trapper John, M.D.
Topics
Hollywood Blacklist
Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" doing comedy bits about McCarthyism
Industry Crossroads
Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" doing comedy bits about McCarthyism
People
Chris Elliott
Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" appearing on Late Night with David Letterman, on which his son Chris Elliott worked
Bob Elliott on co-starring in Get a Life with his son Chris Elliott
Angela Lansbury
Bob Elliott on his early dramatic training
Cloris Leachman
Bob Elliott on hiring Audrey Meadows and Cloris Leachman to play the female characters on Bob and Ray
Audrey Meadows
Bob Elliott on hiring Audrey Meadows and Cloris Leachman to play the female characters on Bob and Ray