About
"I became a bartender because it was the only way I could have my days free to try to get an agent or do anything in show business. I tended bar for a good ten years. That's where I met Dan Rowan. I was a bartender and he was a used car salesman. An unlikely pair to follow the footsteps of Martin and Lewis."
In his nearly three-and-a-half-hour interview, Dick Martin (1922-2008) speaks about his lifelong ambition to work in the entertainment industry and talks of his early career steps in Hollywood. He describes his first encounter with Dan Rowan and their subsequent comedy partnership, details their years on the road working in nightclubs around the country, and recalls their early forays into television. He discusses working with Lucille Ball as an occasional performer on her CBS series, The Lucy Show, and recounts Rowan and Martin's summer replacement series for The Dean Martin Show, which led to their renowned comedy series Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. He comments on working with his well-known co-stars, speaks of the hectic production schedule, and outlines the extensive, creative editing needed to make the show work. Martin then chronicles his second career as a director for television on programs including The Bob Newhart Show, Flo, Family Ties, Mama's Family, The Bradys, and Newhart. He gives a detailed description of directing the historic final episode of Newhart and talks about his relationship with Bob Newhart. He decries the then-current state of television, and fondly remembers comedy partner Dan Rowan. Karen Herman conducted the interview on September 25, 2002 in Malibu, CA.
Highlights
Dick Martin on becoming comedy partners with Dan Rowan
Dick Martin on the genesis of the title for Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on directing the series finale of Newhart and its surprise ending
Dick Martin on he and Dan Rowan getting their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Dick Martin on performing as "Harry Connors" on The Lucy Show
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on writing for the radio show "Duffy's Tavern"; on Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
On meeting Dan Rowan; on his comedy act with Dan Rowan; on early television and stage appearances
Chapter 2
On his early Supper club dates with Dan Rowan; on Rowan and Martin on The Ed Sullivan Show; on Rowan and Martin appearing on The Bob Hope Chevy Show
On Rowan and Martin appearing on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show; on the Hollywood blacklist; on playing "Harry Connors" on The Lucy Show
Chapter 3
On co-starring on The Lucy Show for its first 13 weeks
On starring in The Dean Martin Summer Show aka The Rowan and Martin Show
On the genesis, format, censorship, and writing of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Chapter 4
On the style, editing and production of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In; on the cameos on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, including Richard Nixon
On the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In; on the catch-phrases and topicality of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In; on the end of the show
Chapter 5
On audience reaction to and the legacy of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In; on appearing on various game shows; on getting into television directing
On directing The Bob Newhart Show; on directing various other series including Family Ties and Flo
Chapter 6
On directing various series including Family Ties, Mama's Family and The Bradys; on directing Newhart
On directing the finale to Newhart; on working with Bob Newhart; on acting on various series and getting his star on the Walk of Fame
Chapter 7
On why he quit directing; on his proudest career achievement; on the then-current (2002) state of television
On advice to aspiring performers and directors; on meeting Stan Laurel; on his friendship with Dan Rowan and how he'd like to be remembered
On B-Roll photos from his career: with Tiny Tim; with Jack Lemmon; with Bill Cosby, Dean Martin, and Dan Rowan; with Dan Rowan and Phil Silvers; with the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In; with Dan Rowan and Richard Nixon; with Dan Rowan and Ed Sullivan
Shows
Archie Bunker's Place
Dick Martin on directing various television shows
Art Linkletter's House Party
Dick Martin on appearing on Art Linkletter's House Party
Bob Hope Chevy Show, The
Dick Martin on Rowan and Martin appearing on The Bob Hope Chevy Show
Bob Newhart Show, The (1972-78)
Dick Martin on directing The Bob Newhart Show
Bradys, The
Dick Martin on directing The Bradys
Coach
Dick Martin on acting on Coach
Dean Martin Summer Show, The
Dick Martin on starring in The Dean Martin Summer Show aka The Rowan and Martin Show
Diagnosis Murder
Dick Martin on acting on Diagnosis Murder
Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The
Dick Martin on Rowan and Martin appearing on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
Dick Martin on performing on The Ed Sullivan Show
Family Ties
Dick Martin briefly on directing episodes of Family Ties
Dick Martin on directing Family Ties
Flo
Dick Martin on directing Flo
In the Heat of the Night
Dick Martin on directing In the Heat of the Night
Lucy Show, The
Dick Martin on performing as "Harry Connors" on The Lucy Show
Dick Martin on being in the cast for the first 13 weeks on The Lucy Show
Mama's Family
Dick Martin on directing Mama's Family
Match Game
Dick Martin on being a panelist on Match Game
Newhart
Dick Martin on directing Newhart
Dick Martin on directing the series finale of Newhart and its surprise ending
Dick Martin on the "red herring" script ending for Newhart the series finale
Director Dick Martin on knowing and working with Bob Newhart
Newhart: "The Last Newhart"
Dick Martin on directing the series finale of Newhart and its surprise ending
Dick Martin on the "red herring" script ending for the Newhart series finale
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the genesis of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on dealing with the NBC censors on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the writing, title, and era of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the style of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the editing and home video release of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the taping and production schedule of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on hosting Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In with Dan Rowan
Dick Martin on the cameos on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on Richard Nixon's cameo on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the catchphrases of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the end of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the topicality of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on George Schlatter's contributions to Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the audience reaction to Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the legacy of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Sledge Hammer!
Dick Martin on directing various television shows
Topics
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Dick Martin on dealing with the censors on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Characters & Catchphrases
Dick Martin on the catchphrases of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Classic TV Series Episodes
Dick Martin on directing the series finale of Newhart and its surprise ending
Hollywood Blacklist
Dick Martin on the Hollywood blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Dick Martin on the Hollywood blacklist
Memorable Moments on Television
Dick Martin on Richard Nixon's cameo on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on directing the series finale of Newhart and its surprise ending
Pop Culture
Dick Martin on the catchphrases of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on directing the series finale of Newhart and its surprise ending
Richard M. Nixon
Dick Martin on Richard Nixon's cameo on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Television and the Presidency
Dick Martin on Richard Nixon's cameo on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Television Industry
Dick Martin on dealing with the censors on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the then-current (2002) state of television
We Laughed
Dick Martin on directing the series finale of Newhart and its surprise ending
Professions
Actor
Dick Martin on his advice to aspiring performers and directors
Directors
Dick Martin on his directing style
Dick Martin on his advice to aspiring performers and directors
Performers
Dick Martin on his advice to aspiring performers and directors
Genres
Comedy Series
Dick Martin on performing as "Harry Connors" on The Lucy Show
Dick Martin on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on directing Newhart
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Dick Martin on the writing, title, and era of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
People
Desi Arnaz
Dick Martin on performing as "Harry Connors" on The Lucy Show
Dick Martin on being in the cast for the first 13 weeks on The Lucy Show
Lucille Ball
Dick Martin on performing as "Harry Connors" on The Lucy Show
Dick Martin on being in the cast for the first 13 weeks on The Lucy Show
Eileen Brennan
Dick Martin on the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Abe Burrows
Dick Martin on his first writing job for the radio show "Duffy's Tavern"
Ruth Buzzi
Dick Martin on the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Nat King Cole
Dick Martin on Nat King Cole
Richard Dawson
Dick Martin on the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Julia Duffy
Dick Martin on directing Newhart
Mary Frann
Dick Martin on directing Newhart
Gary David Goldberg
Dick Martin briefly on directing episodes of Family Ties
Goldie Hawn
Dick Martin on dealing with the censors on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Dick Martin on the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Bob Hope
Dick Martin on Rowan and Martin appearing on The Bob Hope Chevy Show
Paul Keyes
Dick Martin on the writing, title, and era of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Stan Laurel
Dick Martin on meeting Stan Laurel
Jerry Lewis
Dick Martin on Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
Dean Martin
Dick Martin on Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
Gary Morton
Dick Martin on being in the cast for the first 13 weeks on The Lucy Show
Bob Newhart
Dick Martin on knowing and working with Bob Newhart
Richard M. Nixon
Dick Martin on Richard Nixon's cameo on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Don Rickles
Dick Martin on directing Newhart
Dan Rowan
Dick Martin on becoming comedy partners with Dan Rowan
Dick Martin on his early act with Dan Rowan
Dick Martin on hosting Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In with Dan Rowan
Dick Martin on the retirement of Dan Rowan
Dick Martin on his friendship with Dan Rowan
George Schlatter
Dick Martin on George Schlatter's contribution to Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Peter Scolari
Dick Martin on directing Newhart
Lily Tomlin
Dick Martin on the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
Vivian Vance
Dick Martin on being in the cast for the first 13 weeks on The Lucy Show
Flip Wilson
Dick Martin on the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
JoAnne Worley
Dick Martin on the cast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In