Dr. Ruth Westheimer

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About

About this interview

In her nearly two-hour interview, Dr. Ruth Westheimer (1928-2024) talks about her early years growing up in Germany until the start of World War II. She discusses her eventual move to the United States, where she studied sociology and soon developed a strong interest in studying sexuality. She recalls her first foray into radio, which led to her own series, and her television work on such series as Good Sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer/The Dr. Ruth Show, and Ask Dr. Ruth. Allan Neuwirth conducted the interview on June 14, 2010 in New York, NY.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I said to Johnny Carson: 'Mr. Carson, you are responsible for the problems Americans have in their bedroom.' And Johnny Carson said, 'me? How come?' I said 'because they stay up to watch you and then they are too tired!"

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Ruth Westheimer

Highlights

Dr. Ruth Westheimer on being a guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; on crediting her popularity with college students to David Letterman

01:06

Dr Ruth Westheimer on her start in television hosting; on how she came to be called "Dr. Ruth"

02:40

Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her series Good Sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer; on the language she chose to use in her work; on how sex is perceived in various cultures

11:51

Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her legacy

01:00

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

Introduction

On her early years growing up in Germany; on the start of World War II and her experiences during the Holocaust; on living in an orphanage in Switzerland; on her education; on moving to Israel and working as a teacher

On emigrating to the United States; on her marriage to Fred Westheimer

On getting her masters in sociology and beginning her work at Planned Parenthood where she developed an interest in sex as a research subject; on receiving her doctorate from Columbia University; on the state of sex education at the time; on working with noted sex researcher Helen Singer Kaplan

On her start in radio (as the host of Sexually Speaking); on her philosophy on sex education

On her start in television hosting; on how she came to be called "Dr. Ruth"

Chapter 2

On being a guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; on crediting her popularity with college students to David Letterman; on starring in the 1990 unsold comedy pilot Dr. Ruth's House

On her series Dr. Ruth; on her books; on the AIDS epidemic; on some of the controversy around her teachings

On her series Good Sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer; on the language she chose to use in her work; on how sex is perceived in various cultures

On You're on the Air with Dr. Ruth Westheimer; on her guest appearance on Quantum Leap; on her other television appearances; on her legacy

On her then-current documentary projects; on her non-television work and her personal passions

Shows

Dr. Ruth

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Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her series Dr. Ruth