About
"I always tell everybody I'm a storyteller, that's what I do for a living. I tell stories. I spin tales."
In his one-and-a-half-hour interview, Edgar J. Scherick (1924-2002) speaks of his early years and education, getting drafted into the Air Corps as a meteorologist during World War II, and getting a job at Dancer Fitzgerald Sample advertising in New York. He talks about founding Sports Programs, Inc., a sports packaging organization which created ABC's Wide World of Sports. Scherick recalls how the company merged with ABC in 1961 and describes becoming ABC's vice president in charge of television network sales and later, vice president of programming. He talks about how, during his tenure, he spearheaded the airing of Batman, Peyton Place, Bewitched, and The FBI. He recalls later leaving ABC to form his own production company, Palomar Pictures, which produced films for theatrical release, including Take the Money and Run, The Heartbreak Kid, The Stepford Wives, and Rambling Rose, as well as films and miniseries made for television, including Raid on Entebbe, Little Gloria ... Happy At Last, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Evergreen, the ABC Weekend Special TV movie "Tales of the Nunundaga," On Wings of Eagles, and The Kennedys of Massachusetts. He concludes with remarks on the rise of cable television, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered. Marvin Wolf conducted the interview on July 28, 2000 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Edgar Scherick on why ABC's Wide World of Sports was groundbreaking and on some of the technology that helped make the show possible
Edgar Scherick on the development of Batman
Edgar Scherick on being the only ABC executive in the office when President John F. Kennedy was shot; on the special ABC programming done at the time
Edgar Scherick on developing The F.B.I.
Edgar Scherick on the development of Peyton Place
Edgar Scherick on producing (and being a writer on) the TV movie Raid on Entebbe (1976)
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early years and education; on getting drafted into the Air Corps as a meteorologist during World War II; on getting a job at Dancer Fitzgerald Sample advertising in New York
On working for CBS as Sports Specialist of the television network and CBS' entry into televising football games; on football being a bigger production for television than baseball; on creating his own company to conceive and negotiate the rights to and sell sports programming for a network; on how he got clients; on how he got the television rights to NCAA games
Chapter 2
On producing sports programming for ABC; on the creation of ABC's Wide World of Sports; on broadcasting the NCAA football games
On broadcasting Fight of the Week on closed-circuit television; on the importance of sports to a network
On sportscasters he recruited and worked with including Jim McKay, Paul Christman, and others; on his experience with the Blacklist; on his company merging with ABC
On becoming head of network sales at ABC; on the ABC sports department; on transitioning to become ABC's head of programming
On developing Ben Casey; on being the only ABC executive in the office when President John F. Kennedy was shot; on his programming philosophy; on the development and promotion of Batman
Chapter 3
On the development of The FBI, The Hollywood Palace, Bewitched, and Peyton Place; on why he left ABC and formed Palomar Productions
On feature films he produced, including Take the Money and Run, The Heartbreak Kid, The Stepford Wives, Rambling Rose, and others
On producing TV series and miniseries, including Raid on Entebbe, Little Gloria ... Happy At Last, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Evergreen, the ABC Weekend Special TV movie "Tales of the Nunundaga," On Wings of Eagles, and The Kennedys of Massachusetts; on then current productions; on advice to someone starting out in the business; on how American TV audiences have changed over the years
Chapter 4
On the impact of cable; on mentors throughout his career and on being a mentor; on how he'd like to be remembered
On B-roll photos from his life and career: a photo during the filming of Raid on Entebbe; a photo of him with Michael Caine during the filming of the movie Sleuth, and a photo of him with Walter Mathau during the filming of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Shows
ABC's Wide World of Sports
Edgar Scherick on the creation of ABC's Wide World of Sports and the rights negotiations for the show
Academy Awards, The
Edgar Scherick on working with ABC founder Leonard Goldenson and Goldenson taking him to the Academy Awards
Batman
Edgar Scherick on the development and promotion of Batman
Ben Casey
Edgar Scherick on the development of Ben Casey (it was developed and owned by Bing Crosby's company)
Bewitched
Edgar Scherick briefly on the development of Bewitched
FBI, The
Edgar Scherick on developing The F.B.I.
Fight of the Week
Edgar Scherick on producing ABC's Fight of the Week
Hollywood Palace, The
Edgar Scherick on developing The Hollywood Palace
Kennedys of Massachusetts, The
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV miniseries The Kennedys of Massachusetts
Little Gloria ... Happy At Last
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV movie Little Gloria ... Happy At Last
Medic
Edgar Scherick on Medic and Ben Casey starting a trend for medical shows on television
On Wings of Eagles
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV miniseries On Wings of Eagles
Peyton Place
Edgar Scherick on the development of Peyton Place
Raid on Entebbe
Edgar Scherick on producing (and being a writer on) the TV movie Raid on Entebbe (1976)
Edgar Scherick on the response to the TV movie Raid on Entebbe (1976)
Edgar Scherick on a photo during the filming of Raid on Entebbe
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV movie Uncle Tom's Cabin
Topics
1939-40 World's Fair
Edgar Scherick on remembering seeing television at the 1939-40 World's Fair
Advertising and Sponsorship
Edgar Scherick on getting a job at Dancer Fitzgerald Sample's advertising in New York; on Dancer Fitzgerald Sample's major clients at the time and on the power advertising agencies had over television content in the 1950s
Advice
Edgar Scherick on advice to someone starting out in the business
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Edgar Scherick on mentors throughout his career
Edgar Scherick on being a mentor to others (Roone Arledge, Brian Grazier, Scott Rudin, Barry Gordon, Michael Barnathan)
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Edgar Scherick on remembering seeing television at the 1939-40 World's Fair
Historic Events and Social Change
Edgar Scherick on getting drafted into the Air Corps as a meteorologist during World War II
Edgar Scherick on remembering seeing television at the 1939-40 World's Fair
Edgar Scherick on being the only ABC executive in the office when President John F. Kennedy was shot; on the special ABC programming done at the time
Edgar Scherick on producing the ABC Weekend Special TV movie "Tales of the Nunundaga"
Hollywood Blacklist
Edgar Scherick on his experiences with the Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Edgar Scherick on his experiences with the Blacklist
JFK Assassination and Funeral
Edgar Scherick on being the only ABC executive in the office when President John F. Kennedy was shot; on the special ABC programming done at the time
John F. Kennedy
Edgar Scherick on being the only ABC executive in the office when President John F. Kennedy was shot; on the special ABC programming done at the time
Pivotal Career Moments
Edgar Scherick on mentors throughout his career
Edgar Scherick on being a mentor to others (Roone Arledge, Brian Grazier, Scott Rudin, Barry Gordon, Michael Barnathan)
Representation on Television
Edgar Scherick on producing the ABC Weekend Special TV movie "Tales of the Nunundaga"
Technological Innovation
Edgar Scherick on why ABC's Wide World of Sports was groundbreaking and on some of the technology that helped make the show possible
Edgar Scherick on the impact of cable on television
Television and the Presidency
Edgar Scherick on remembering seeing television at the 1939-40 World's Fair
Edgar Scherick on being the only ABC executive in the office when President John F. Kennedy was shot; on the special ABC programming done at the time
Television Industry
Edgar Scherick on getting a job at Dancer Fitzgerald Sample's advertising in New York; on Dancer Fitzgerald Sample's major clients at the time and on the power advertising agencies had over television content in the 1950s
Edgar Scherick on his experiences with the Blacklist
Edgar Scherick on advice to someone starting out in the business
Edgar Scherick on the impact of cable on television
Edgar Scherick on the key to successful network programming
Edgar Scherick on whether he thinks networks will survive after the rise of cable
Underrepresented Voices
Edgar Scherick on producing the ABC Weekend Special TV movie "Tales of the Nunundaga"
War
Edgar Scherick on getting drafted into the Air Corps as a meteorologist during World War II
World War II
Edgar Scherick on getting drafted into the Air Corps as a meteorologist during World War II
Professions
Executives
Edgar Scherick on becoming head of network sales at ABC and then moving into head of programming
Edgar Scherick on his programming philosophy as head of ABC programming
Edgar Scherick on his most important contributions to ABC when he was a network executive
Edgar Scherick on advice to someone starting out in the business
Television Executive
Edgar Scherick on becoming head of network sales at ABC and then moving into head of programming
Edgar Scherick on his programming philosophy as head of ABC programming
Edgar Scherick on his most important contributions to ABC when he was a network executive
Edgar Scherick on advice to someone starting out in the business
Genres
Comedy Series
Edgar Scherick on the development and promotion of Batman
Edgar Scherick briefly on the development of Bewitched
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Edgar Scherick on the development of Peyton Place
Drama Series
Edgar Scherick on developing The F.B.I.
Medical Dramas
Edgar Scherick on the development of Ben Casey (it was developed and owned by Bing Crosby's company)
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Edgar Scherick on developing The Hollywood Palace
Sports
Edgar Scherick on putting together Baseball Game of the Week and packaging other sports shows while at Dancer Fitzgerald Sample
Edgar Scherick on his role as Director of Sports and Special Events at Dancer Fitzgerald Sample and making a deal with ABC President Bob Kintner
Edgar Scherick on working for CBS as Sports Specialist of the television network and CBS' entry into televising football games; on football being a bigger production for television than baseball
Edgar Scherick on how he got the television rights to NCAA games
Edgar Scherick on the creation of ABC's Wide World of Sports
Edgar Scherick on ratings for early televised sports
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Edgar Scherick on producing (and being a writer on) the TV movie Raid on Entebbe (1976)
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV movie Uncle Tom's Cabin
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV miniseries On Wings of Eagles
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV miniseries The Kennedys of Massachusetts
Edgar Scherick on the response to the TV movie Raid on Entebbe (1976)
People
Harry Ackerman
Edgar Scherick on the development of Bewitched
Eddie Albert
Edgar Scherick on developing the film The Heartbreak Kid
Woody Allen
Edgar Scherick on developing the film Take the Money and Run
Roone Arledge
Edgar Scherick on hiring Roone Arledge to work for his company
Edgar Scherick on making Roone Arledge the producer of NCAA football
James T. Aubrey
Edgar Scherick on how started producing sports programming for ABC -- James Aubrey reached out to him
Edgar Scherick on the development of Bewitched
Julie Barnathan
Edgar Scherick on working with Julie Barnathan
Harve Bennett
Edgar Scherick on his team at ABC when he was head of programming
Charles Bronson
Edgar Scherick on the response to the TV movie Raid on Entebbe (1976)
Avery Brooks
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV movie Uncle Tom's Cabin
Michael Caine
Edgar Scherick on a photo of him with Michael Caine during the filming of the movie Sleuth
Paul Christman
Edgar Scherick on getting Curt Gowdy and Paul Christman involved with NCAA football for ABC
Douglas S. Cramer
Edgar Scherick on his team at ABC when he was head of programming
Bing Crosby
Edgar Scherick on the development of Ben Casey (it was developed and owned by Bing Crosby's company)
Laura Dern
Edgar Scherick on developing the film Rambling Rose, which introduced Laura Dern
Bill Dozier
Edgar Scherick on the development of Batman
Vince Edwards
Edgar Scherick on the development of Ben Casey
Ben Gazzara
Edgar Scherick on developing the film When Michael Calls, with Ben Gazarra and Michael Douglas
Leonard Goldberg
Edgar Scherick on his team at ABC when he was head of programming
Leonard H. Goldenson
Edgar Scherick on working with ABC founder Leonard Goldenson and Goldenson taking him to the Academy Awards
Edgar Scherick on telling Leonard Goldenson that he wanted to be involved with (non-sports) programming at ABC
Curt Gowdy
Edgar Scherick on getting Curt Gowdy and Paul Christman involved with NCAA football for ABC
Charles Grodin with Emerson College
Edgar Scherick on developing the film The Heartbreak Kid
Charlton Heston
Edgar Scherick on ABC's tribute to President Kennedy
Irving B. Kahn
Edgar Scherick on producing ABC's Fight of the Week -- teleprompter creator Irving B. Kahn negotiated boxing rights and Scherick produced the matches
Ben Kalmenson
Edgar Scherick on developing The F.B.I.
John F. Kennedy
Edgar Scherick on being the only ABC executive in the office when President John F. Kennedy was shot; on the special ABC programming done at the time
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV miniseries The Kennedys of Massachusetts
Robert E. Kintner
Edgar Scherick on his role as Director of Sports and Special Events at Dancer Fitzgerald Sample and making a deal with ABC President Bob Kintner
Jerry Lewis
Edgar Scherick on developing The Hollywood Palace
Quinn Martin
Edgar Scherick on developing The F.B.I.
Walter Matthau
Edgar Scherick on developing the film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Edgar Scherick on a photo of him with Walter Mathau during the filming of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Elaine May
Edgar Scherick on developing the film The Heartbreak Kid
Jim McKay
Edgar Scherick on working with Jim McKay
John Mitchell
Edgar Scherick on the development of Bewitched
Elizabeth Montgomery
Edgar Scherick on the development of Bewitched
Don Ohlmeyer
Edgar Scherick on working with Don Ohlmeyer
Ross Perot
Edgar Scherick on producing the TV miniseries On Wings of Eagles
Sidney Poitier
Edgar Scherick on developing the film For Love of Ivy
Robert Saudek
Edgar Scherick on ABC's tribute to President Kennedy
Chris Schenkel
Edgar Scherick on working with Chris Schenkel
William Self
Edgar Scherick on the development of Batman
Cybill Shepherd
Edgar Scherick on developing the film The Heartbreak Kid
Fred Silverman
Edgar Scherick on producing the ABC Weekend Special TV movie "Tales of the Nunundaga"
Chet Simmons
Edgar Scherick on working with Chet Simmons
Neil Simon
Edgar Scherick on developing the film The Heartbreak Kid
Jim Spence
Edgar Scherick on working with Jim Spence
Yale Udoff
Edgar Scherick on the development of Batman
Jack L. Warner
Edgar Scherick on developing The F.B.I.
Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver
Edgar Scherick on Pat Weaver's name for another show influencing the name ABC's Wide World of Sports