"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."

    About This Interview

    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.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Bob Elliott

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

    03:48
    Thumbnail of Bob Elliott

    Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" as commercial pitchmen

    02:04
    Thumbnail of Bob Elliott

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

    01:55
    Thumbnail of Bob Elliott

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

    03:50
    Thumbnail of Bob Elliott

    Bob Elliott on hiring Audrey Meadows and Cloris Leachman to play the female characters on Bob and Ray

    04:08
    Play 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

    13:59

    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

    15:33

    On "Bob and Ray's" Peil's Beer ad campaign; on "Bob and Ray's" Broadway show

    09:48

    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

    17:17

    Chapter 2

    On working with Ray Goulding; on the comedy style of "Bob and Ray"; on various Bob and Ray television shows

    15:42

    On various Bob and Ray characters; on Bob and Ray's audience; on various other television appearances

    11:45

    On acting in his son Chris Elliott's show Get a Life; on then-current activities; on the legacy of "Bob and Ray"

    17:00

    Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

    Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show

    03:06

    Get a Life

    Bob Elliott on co-starring in Get a Life with his son Chris Elliott

    03:55

    Happy Days

    Bob Elliott on making guest appearances on Happy Days and Trapper John, M.D.

    01:05

    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

    01:55

    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

    04:16

    Trapper John, M. D.

    Bob Elliott on making guest appearances on Happy Days and Trapper John, M.D.

    01:05

    Hollywood Blacklist

    Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" doing comedy bits about McCarthyism

    04:11

    Industry Crossroads

    Bob Elliott on "Bob and Ray" doing comedy bits about McCarthyism

    04:11

    Chris Elliott

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

    01:55

    Bob Elliott on co-starring in Get a Life with his son Chris Elliott

    03:55

    Angela Lansbury

    Bob Elliott on his early dramatic training

    02:59

    Cloris Leachman

    Bob Elliott on hiring Audrey Meadows and Cloris Leachman to play the female characters on Bob and Ray

    04:08

    Audrey Meadows

    Bob Elliott on hiring Audrey Meadows and Cloris Leachman to play the female characters on Bob and Ray

    04:08

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