About
"The Academy Awards -- the Oscars. I've done twenty of them. It's a specialty. If your head hurts, you don't go to a podiatrist, you go to a brain surgeon. Writing awards shows is a specialty, and if you've done it, at least they can say 'Hey, he did it before -- I thought he'd be good.' But for the most part, it's a thankless job -- and you thank God you got it."
In his nearly five-hour interview, Alan "Buz" Kohan talks about growing up in New York and attending the Eastman School of Music. He discusses working with long-time writing partner Bill Angelos on The Perry Como Show and The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show, and speaks of becoming a producer/writer on The Carol Burnett Show, for which he won an Emmy award. He speaks of his specialty -- writing for award shows -- and details events from the twenty-plus Academy Award shows on which he was a writer (from 1973-1991). He comments on writing for several variety shows, including The Ann-Margret Special, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair is Back, Baryshnikov in Hollywood, Comic Relief, and Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration. He also talks about his children -- sharing how two of his children, daughter Jenji Kohan (creator of Weeds and Orange Is the New Black), and son David Kohan (co-creator with Max Mutchnick of Will & Grace), found success in the industry. Karen Herman conducted the interview on September 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Buz Kohan on his speciality -- writing for award shows -- and why he believes he continues to get ask to work on them
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Buz Kohan on how he got his nickname, Buz
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, writing for Tracey Takes On... and winning an Emmy, and his son David Kohan winning an Emmy, making his family one of only two families with three members that have won Emmy awards (Danny, Marlo, and Tony Thomas are the other family/members)
Buz Kohan on watching the run-through of the then-new Broadway musical "West Side Story"
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on why he doesn't reveal his middle name; on his talent for music as a child and attending the Bronx High School of Science; on how he met Bobby Darin and on seeing him later in life; on seeing Milton Berle's legendary appendage
On getting accepted to the Eastman School of Music and learning music composition; on working on his Master's degree and writing a revue; on his time serving in the Army, winning the All-Army Entertainment contest, and appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show
On getting his start as a writer on Hi, Mom, produced by Roone Arledge; on doing musical accompaniments in nightclubs and for auditions; on he and Bill Angelos becoming writing partners and meeting up with other writers to form The Ten Scribes
On getting an agent and writing for animation; on writing material for Arthur Godfrey and Sammy Davis, Jr.; on auditioning for Keefe Brasselle and writing for The Keefe Brasselle Show; on working with Goodman Ace on Perry Como Specials
Chapter 2
On working with Goodman Ace on Perry Como Specials, contd.; on entertainers with whom he worked; on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on TV specials and The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
On working with Sammy Davis, Jr. after The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show ended
On how he and Bill Angelos began writing for Carol Burnett, which eventually led to writing for The Carol Burnett Show; on writing the pilot for The King Family Show; on coming to LA to write for The Carol Burnett Show; on the writing process and musical guests on The Carol Burnett Show
On working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Lyle Waggoner, Vicki Lawrence, and Harvey Korman
Chapter 3
On particular sketches he wrote for The Carol Burnett Show and on memorable guests on the show; on why he left The Carol Burnett Show and later returned to the show; on ending his writing partnership with Bill Angelos and again leaving The Carol Burnett Show
On how changes in technology affected his writing style
On the beginning of his solo career as a writer; on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium; on working with Bette Midler, Cher, Shirley MacLaine, Barbra Streisand, and Doug Henning
On working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Chapter 4
On his long tenure writing for Academy Awards shows; on his experiences writing opening numbers for the show; on the formula for writing an Academy Awards show and the pressure of the show; on working with the host and the host's writers
On writers he works with often and the process of writing for the Oscars; on the preparations for Academy Awards shows -- nominations, working with presenters, turning in material, and the producer (often Gil Cates) being the position of power
On some memorable unscripted moments on Academy Awards shows; on memorable Oscar hosts, including Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, and David Letterman
On the required exposition when writing for the Academy Awards; on the biggest changes to the Academy Awards over the years; on making the show topical; on why he believes he continues to get asked to write for award shows
On writing for Comic Relief and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever; on meeting Michael Jackson and working with The Jackson 5; on writing songs with Michael Jackson and with and for other artists
Chapter 5
On writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood; Dolly, and for the Muppets
On working with Sammy Davis, Jr. and guest stars on Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
On working with Frank Sinatra on TV specials, including Sinatra: 80 Years My Way; on working with Julie Andrews; on working on the pilot for The Wayne Brady Show; on writing for Happy Days and The Odd Couple
On his then-current projects; on several of his children following him into the industry; on advice he gave to his children about working in the industry; on whether variety shows will ever come back and his idea for a variety show before the decline of the genre
Shows
Academy Awards, The
Buz Kohan on writing for the opening numbers and musical categories for the Academy Awards shows (the Oscars)
Buz Kohan on working on specific categories and with specific producers on the Academy Awards shows; on the routine nature of the show
Buz Kohan on the fascinating thing about being a writer for Academy Awards shows -- the things you can't anticipate -- and on the constant complaints about the writing of the shows
Buz Kohan on the formula for writing an Academy Awards show and the pressure of the show; on working with the host and the host's writers
Buz Kohan on working with Hal Kanter on Academy Awards shows; on memorable, unscripted moments on the show
Buz Kohan on the preparations for Academy Awards shows -- nominations, working with presenters, turning in material, and the producer (often Gil Cates) being the position of power
Buz Kohan on memorable hosts and moments from Academy Awards shows
Buz Kohan on the required exposition when writing for the Academy Awards show
Buz Kohan on the biggest changes to the Academy Awards over the years
Buz Kohan on integrating current events into Academy Awards ceremonies and the difficulties surrounding acceptance speeches
Buz Kohan on how writing for the Emmys and for the Grammys differs from writing for the Oscars
Buz Kohan on his speciality -- writing for award shows -- and why he believes he continues to get ask to work on them
America Salutes Richard Rodgers: The Sound of His Music
Buz Kohan on writing for the Smith-Hemion production America Salutes Richard Rodgers: The Sound of His Music and winning an Emmy for the show
Baryshnikov in Hollywood
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
Baryshnikov on Broadway
Buz Kohan on Baryshnikov on Broadway
Beatles at Shea Stadium, The
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium
Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back
Buz Kohan on working with Bette Midler on her TV special Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back
Bing Crosby Specials
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)
Buz Kohan on writing particular sketches for The Carol Burnett Show and on having a free hand with the writing
Buz Kohan on memorable guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show
Buz Kohan on why he left The Carol Burnett Show -- to be a head writer on Pearl -- then returning and once again leaving The Carol Burnett Show
Buz Kohan on how he and Bill Angelos began writing for The Carol Burnett Show -- by writing for the TV special Carol Burnett and Friends
Buz Kohan on the premise and original cast for The Carol Burnett Show
Buz Kohan on the writing process for The Carol Burnett Show
Buz Kohan on working with musical guests on The Carol Burnett Show, and working on "The Fun Family" sketch and other musical sketches
Buz Kohan on not dealing with musical clearances on The Carol Burnett Show
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show
Comic Relief Specials
Buz Kohan on writing for Comic Relief specials
Dolly
Buz Kohan on consulting for Dolly Parton's variety series Dolly and his wife being a writer on the show
Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
Buz Kohan on winning the All-Army Entertainment contest and appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Buz Kohan on how writing for the Emmys differs from writing for the Oscars
Frank Sinatra Specials
Buz Kohan on working with Frank Sinatra on the TV special Sinatra: 80 Years My Way and on other specials and performances
Goin' Back to Indiana
Buz Kohan on meeting Michael Jackson and working with The Jackson 5; on working on their first act when they played the MGM Grand
Grammys, The
Buz Kohan on how writing for the Emmys and for the Grammys differs from writing for the Oscars
Happy Days
Buz Kohan on working with Garry Marshall and briefly being on the writing staff of Happy Days
Julie Andrews Specials
Buz Kohan on working with Julie Andrews on TV specials and other performances
Keefe Brasselle Show, The
Buz Kohan on writing for The Keefe Brasselle Show
King Family Show, The
Buz Kohan on Nick Vanoff asking him to write a pilot for The King Family Show
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Buz Kohan on writing for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Muppet Show, The
Buz Kohan on working with the Muppets (writing the prototype of The Muppet Show) and being introduced to Jim Henson by Roone Arledge
Odd Couple, The (1970-75)
Buz Kohan on he and Bill Angelos writing for The Odd Couple
Pearl
Buz Kohan on why he left The Carol Burnett Show -- to be a head writer on Pearl
Perry Como Show, The
Buz Kohan on why he was a good fit for writing for Perry Como Specials
Perry Como Specials
Buz Kohan on writing for Perry Como Specials
Buz Kohan on working with Goodman Ace on Perry Como Specials, contd. - particularly on the one right after JFK's assassination
Buz Kohan on what he learned from working on Perry Como Specials
Sammy Davis, Jr. Show, The
Buz Kohan on working on The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on his Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme Show, The
Buz Kohan on a remark by George Schlatter when they worked on The Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme Show
Tony Awards
Buz Kohan on Tony Award winners giving the best speeches at award shows
Wayne Brady Show, The
Buz Kohan on working on the pilot for The Wayne Brady Show
Topics
Advice
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
Emmy Awards
Buz Kohan on writing for the Smith-Hemion production America Salutes Richard Rodgers: The Sound of His Music and winning an Emmy for the show
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, writing for Tracey Takes On... and winning an Emmy, and his son David Kohan winning an Emmy, making his family one of only two families with three members that have won Emmy awards (Danny, Marlo, and Tony Thomas are the other family/members)
Historic Events and Social Change
Buz Kohan on his memories of JFK's assassination and how it impacted his work - he was supposed to work on a Perry Como Special in Dallas, Texas
JFK Assassination and Funeral
Buz Kohan on his memories of JFK's assassination and how it impacted his work - he was supposed to work on a Perry Como Special in Dallas, Texas
John F. Kennedy
Buz Kohan on his memories of JFK's assassination and how it impacted his work - he was supposed to work on a Perry Como Special in Dallas, Texas
Memorable Moments on Television
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Buz Kohan on Jack Palance's memorable moment at an Academy Awards show
Buz Kohan on a moment with Sir Laurence Olivier at the Academy Awards
Pivotal Career Moments
Buz Kohan on his first job in television - in the U.S. Army
Pop Culture
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Technological Innovation
Buz Kohan on how evolving technology impacted his writing process
Television and the Presidency
Buz Kohan on his memories of JFK's assassination and how it impacted his work - he was supposed to work on a Perry Como Special in Dallas, Texas
We Celebrated
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Buz Kohan on Jack Palance's memorable moment at an Academy Awards show
Buz Kohan on a moment with Sir Laurence Olivier at the Academy Awards
Professions
Writers
Buz Kohan on how evolving technology impacted his writing process
Buz Kohan on the end of his writing partnership with Bill Angelos and what had made the partnership work
Buz Kohan on the beginning of his solo career as a writer
Buz Kohan on the formula for writing an Academy Awards show and the pressure of the show; on working with the host and the host's writing team
Buz Kohan on the preparations for Academy Awards shows -- nominations, working with presenters, turning in material, and the producer (often Gil Cates) being the position of power
Buz Kohan on the writing process for The Carol Burnett Show
Genres
Animation
Buz Kohan on his early work writing for animation
Awards Shows
Buz Kohan on writing for Academy Awards shows
Comedy Series
Buz Kohan on working with Garry Marshall and briefly being on the writing staff of Happy Days
Buz Kohan on he and Bill Angelos writing for The Odd Couple
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Buz Kohan on writing for Perry Como Specials and why he was a good fit for the task
Buz Kohan on writing particular sketches for The Carol Burnett Show, the musical guests on the show, and leaving and returning to the show and leaving again
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium
Buz Kohan on working with Bette Midler on her TV special Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Buz Kohan on meeting Michael Jackson and working with The Jackson 5; on working on their first act when they played the MGM Grand
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
Buz Kohan on consulting for Dolly Parton's variety series Dolly
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on his Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
Buz Kohan on working with Frank Sinatra on the TV special Sinatra: 80 Years My Way and other specials
Buz Kohan on working with Julie Andrews on TV specials and other performances
Buz Kohan on working on the pilot for The Wayne Brady Show
Buz Kohan on working on The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
Buz Kohan on writing for The Carol Burnett Show
People
Goodman Ace
Buz Kohan on his respect for writer Goodman Ace who wrote for The Perry Como Show and Perry Como Specials
Buz Kohan on working with Goodman Ace on Perry Como Specials, contd.
Julie Andrews
Buz Kohan on working with Julie Andrews
Bill Angelos
Buz Kohan on he and Bill Angelos becoming writing partners and meeting up with other writers to form The Ten Scribes
Buz Kohan on the end of his writing partnership with Bill Angelos and what had made the partnership work
Buz Kohan on he and Bill Angelos writing for The Odd Couple
Buz Kohan on how he and Bill Angelos began writing for The Carol Burnett Show -- by writing for the TV special Carol Burnett and Friends
Roone Arledge
Buz Kohan on working on Hi, Mom, produced by Roone Arledge
Buz Kohan on working with the Muppets and being introduced to Jim Henson by Roone Arledge
James T. Aubrey
Buz Kohan on Keefe Brasselle being good friends with Jim Aubrey; on not having close workings with Jim Aubrey
Pearl Bailey
Buz Kohan on working with Pearl Bailey
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
Milton Berle
Buz Kohan on seeing Milton Berle's legendary appendage
David Bowie
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Wayne Brady
Buz Kohan on working on the pilot for The Wayne Brady Show
Keefe Brasselle
Buz Kohan on auditioning for Keefe Brasselle and writing for The Keefe Brasselle Show
Carol Burnett
Buz Kohan on writing a particular sketch for special guest Carl Reiner on The Carol Burnett Show
Buz Kohan on working with Carol Burnett
Buz Kohan on how he and Bill Angelos began writing for The Carol Burnett Show -- by writing for the TV special Carol Burnett and Friends
Buz Kohan on the premise and original cast for The Carol Burnett Show and on working with Carol Burnett and the cast
George Burns
Buz Kohan on working with George Burns and John Denver
Johnny Carson
Buz Kohan on memorable on-camera moments at Academy Awards shows -- Johnny Carson as host
Gilbert Cates
Buz Kohan on how much he enjoyed working with Gil Cates
Buz Kohan on the preparations for Academy Awards shows -- nominations, working with presenters, turning in material, and the producer (often Gil Cates) being the position of power
Cher
Buz Kohan on working with Cher on two of her TV specials
Perry Como
Buz Kohan on why he was a good fit for writing for Perry Como Specials
Buz Kohan on the Perry Como Special right after JFK's assassination, with guests Diahann Carroll and Jimmy Durante
Buz Kohan on working with Perry Como, who played it mostly safe on his shows
Buz Kohan on Sammy Davis, Jr. not appearing on The Perry Como Show, as scheduled
Tim Conway
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Tim Conway
Pierre Cossette
Buz Kohan on working on award shows with producer Pierre Cossette
Bing Crosby
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Buz Kohan on Bing Crosby's intelligence
Billy Crystal
Buz Kohan on a moment with Bob Hope when Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars
Buz Kohan on Billy Crystal as host of the Academy Awards and the problem of having a comedian as host
Bobby Darin
Buz Kohan on how he met Bobby Darin and on seeing him later in life
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Buz Kohan on writing material for Sammy Davis, Jr.
Buz Kohan on writing for several Sammy Davis, Jr. TV specials
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on his 60th Anniversary Celebration
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on his TV specials and series and on he and Bill Angelos becoming head writers on The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show (at the same time they were writing Perry Como's TV specials)
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. after the end of The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
Ann B. Davis
Buz Kohan on writing for the regulars on The Keefe Brasselle Show
Sam Denoff
Buz Kohan on Bill Persky and Sam Denoff being part of The Ten Scribes
John Denver
Buz Kohan on working with George Burns and John Denver
Bob Dishy
Buz Kohan on accompanying Bob Dishy on musical auditions
Jimmy Durante
Buz Kohan on the Perry Como Special right after JFK's assassination, with guests Diahann Carroll and Jimmy Durante
Fred Ebb
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
Blake Edwards
Buz Kohan on helping Julie Andrews with Blake Edwards' memorial and on getting to work with Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards together
Peter Falk
Buz Kohan on accompanying Peter Falk on musical auditions
Ian Fraser
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Judy Garland
Buz Kohan on writing for Judy Garland's appearances on The Perry Como Show and The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
Arthur Godfrey
Buz Kohan on writing material for Arthur Godfrey
Whoopi Goldberg
Buz Kohan on Whoopi Goldberg as host of the Academy Awards
Berry Gordy
Buz Kohan on meeting Berry Gordy and working on Motown specials and with Motown artists
Lawrence K. Grossman
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Fred Gwynne
Buz Kohan on writing for the regulars on The Keefe Brasselle Show
Howard Hanson
Buz Kohan on working with composer Howard Hanson to create a musical revue
Dwight Hemion
Buz Kohan on one of his first solo writing projects: working with Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion on an Ann-Margret special
Doug Henning
Buz Kohan on working with Doug Henning
Jim Henson
Buz Kohan on working with the Muppets and being introduced to Jim Henson by Roone Arledge
Gregory Hines
Buz Kohan on Gregory Hines' tap dance number with Sammy Davis, Jr. on Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
Bob Hope
Buz Kohan on a moment with Bob Hope when Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars
Rock Hudson
Buz Kohan on learning of Rock Hudson's musical talents in preparation for the TV special Carol Burnett and Friends
Michael Jackson
Buz Kohan on meeting Michael Jackson and working with The Jackson 5; on writing songs with Michael Jackson and with and for other artists
Buz Kohan on convincing Michael Jackson to perform the song "You Were There" at Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
Harry Kalcheim
Buz Kohan on getting an agent
Hal Kanter
Buz Kohan on working with Hal Kanter when writing for several Academy Awards ceremonies
Gene Kelly
Buz Kohan on working with Gene Kelly
Emmett Kelly
Buz Kohan on the highlight of Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back -- Bette Midler with sad clown Emmett Kelly
Jenji Kohan
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenii Kojan, creating Weeds and only ever working on a computer for a TV show
Buz Kohan on Doug Henning using his daughter Jenji as an assistant for a magic trick
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, creator of Weeds, and her writing style
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, writing for Tracey Takes On... and winning an Emmy, and his son David Kohan winning an Emmy, making his family one of only two families with three members that have won Emmy awards (Danny, Marlo, and Tony Thomas are the other family/members)
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
David Kohan
Buz Kohan on his son, David Kohan, co-creating Will & Grace and only ever working on a computer for a TV show
Buz Kohan on his son David Kohan, co-creator of Will & Grace with Max Mutchnick
Buz Kohan on his son David Kohan being Sydney Pollock's executive assistant before David teamed with Max Mutchnick
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, writing for Tracey Takes On... and winning an Emmy, and his son David Kohan winning an Emmy, making his family one of only two families with three members that have won Emmy awards (Danny, Marlo, and Tony Thomas are the other family/members)
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
Jono Kohan
Buz Kohan on his son Jono Kohan
Harvey Korman
Buz Kohan on writing a particular sketch for special guest Carl Reiner on The Carol Burnett Show
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Tim Conway breaking up Harvey Korman
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Harvey Korman
Louise Lasser
Buz Kohan on playing at a nightclub with Louise Lasser
Steve Lawrence
Buz Kohan on memorable guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show - Steve Lawrence
Vicki Lawrence
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Vicki Lawrence
David Letterman
Buz Kohan on David Letterman as host of the Academy Awards and why some hosts aren't successful
Shari Lewis
Buz Kohan on working on Hi, Mom with Shari Lewis
Sophia Loren
Buz Kohan on a moment with Sophia Loren at the Academy Awards
Shirley MacLaine
Buz Kohan on working with Shirley MacLaine on several TV specials
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
Buz Kohan on working with Gregory Peck and Shirley MacLaine on Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
Garry Marshall
Buz Kohan on Garry Marshall being part of The Ten Scribes
Buz Kohan on working with Garry Marshall, briefly being on the writing staff of Happy Days, and writing three episodes of The Odd Couple
Steve Martin
Buz Kohan on working with Steve Martin when he hosted the Academy Awards
Bette Midler
Buz Kohan on working with Bette Midler on her TV special Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back
Max Mutchnick
Buz Kohan on his son David Kohan teaming with Max Mutchnick to create Will & Grace
Donald O'Connor
Buz Kohan on working with Donald O'Connor on an Academy Awards opening
Laurence Olivier
Buz Kohan on a moment with Sir Laurence Olivier at the Academy Awards
Jack Palance
Buz Kohan on Jack Palance's memorable moment at an Academy Awards show
Dolly Parton
Buz Kohan on consulting for Dolly Parton's variety series Dolly
Gregory Peck
Buz Kohan on working with Gregory Peck and Shirley MacLaine on Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
Bill Persky
Buz Kohan on Bill Persky and Sam Denoff being part of The Ten Scribes
Suzanne Pleshette
Buz Kohan on playing at a nightclub with Suzanne Pleshette
Sydney Pollack
Buz Kohan on his son David Kohan once being Sydney Pollock's executive assistant
Robert Precht
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium, to which Ed Sullivan secured the rights
Carl Reiner
Buz Kohan on writing a particular sketch for special guest Carl Reiner on The Carol Burnett Show
Chris Rock
Buz Kohan on the difficulties Chris Rock had hosting the Academy Awards
Mickey Rooney
Buz Kohan on memorable guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show - Mickey Rooney
Herbert Sargent
Buz Kohan on auditioning for Herb Sargent to write for Perry Como Specials
George Schlatter
Buz Kohan on a remark by George Schlatter when they worked on The Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme Show
Frank Sinatra
Buz Kohan on working with Frank Sinatra on the TV special Sinatra: 80 Years My Way and on other TV specials and performances
Gary Smith
Buz Kohan on one of his first solo writing projects: working with Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion on an Ann-Margret special
Barbra Streisand
Buz Kohan on working with Barbra Streisand
Ed Sullivan
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium, to which Ed Sullivan secured the rights
Beatles, The
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium, to which Ed Sullivan secured the rights
Saul Turteltaub
Buz Kohan on Saul Turteltaub being part of The Ten Scribes
Nick Vanoff
Buz Kohan on Nick Vanoff asking him to write a pilot for The King Family Show
Lyle Waggoner
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Tim Conway breaking up Lyle Waggoner
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Lyle Waggoner
Gene Wilder
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
Bob Zmuda
Buz Kohan on writing for Comic Relief specials