About
"It isn't about a guy who hosts a talk show, it's the ability to have that world within which you could tell the story of human beings. That show ['The Larry Sanders Show'] really became a lab for a study of human behavior, and we were all somehow meshed at the right point to study it together."
In his two-hour interview, Garry Shandling (1949-2016) discusses his childhood in Arizona and describes his early interest in comedy. He tells of majoring in electrical engineering in college, then switching to the business school and pursuing comedy writing. He speaks of having early success as a comedy scribe, writing three episodes of Sanford and Son and one of Welcome Back, Kotter, and deciding to pursue stand-up comedy. Shandling recalls writing George Carlin-style monologues and actually meeting Carlin and having him read his material. He describes his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, which led to guest hosting the program. Shandling then details the creation of, the writers, and memorable moments on It's Garry Shandling's Show. He also describes the production and cast of The Larry Sanders Show, talks about working with Ricky Gervais, and touches on hosting the Emmy Awards. John Dalton conducted the interview on June 9th, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Garry Shandling on the writing process on It's Garry Shandling's Show
Garry Shandling on the character "Larry Sanders"
Garry Shandling on Jeffrey Tambor as "Hank" on The Larry Sanders Show
Garry Shandling on writing George Carlin-style monologues and meeting Carlin
Garry Shandling on his first appearance on The Tonight Show
Garry Shandling on Gilda Radner's appearance on It's Garry Shandling's Show
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early years and influences; on growing up in Tucson; on what he wanted to be when he grew up; on his interest in HAM radios as a kid; on his interest in comedy and comedians
On studying electrical engineering in college and leaving his major; on writing George Carlin-style monologues and having Carlin critique his work; on moving to LA and writing for Sanford and Son and Welcome Back Kotter
On getting into stand-up comedy; on getting into a bad car accident; on being discovered as a stand-up comic; on his act and getting on The Tonight Show; on working with Johnny Carson; on guest hosting The Tonight Show
On his first Showtime special; on his acting teacher, Roy London; on The Garry Shandling Show 25th Anniversary Special; on his interest in hosting The Tonight Show when Joan Rivers left
On It's Garry Shandling Show; on how similar he is to the the TV version of Garry Shandling and Larry Sanders, and on breaking the fourth wall and other television conventions; on the theme song to It's Garry Shandling's Show
Chapter 2
On the writing process and cast of It's Garry Shandling's Show; on Gilda Radner's appearance on It's Garry Shandling's Show
On creating The Larry Sanders Show; on CBS offering him a late night show; on the death of his mentor, Roy London; on the character "Larry Sanders"; on the critics' reaction to the show; on using his personal experiences on The Larry Sanders Show; on the name "Larry Sanders"
On Jeffrey Tambor and Rip Torn on The Larry Sanders Show; on the relationship between "Larry", "Hank" and "Artie"; on Judd Apatow writing for The Larry Sanders Show; on keeping the show fresh; on working some of his legal wranglings with Brad Grey into The Larry Sanders Show; on the finale of the show and the possibility of a reunion
On the DVD extras of The Larry Sanders Show; on appearing on Ricky Gervais Meets; on hosting The Emmys; on then-current projects; on advice to aspiring comedians
Shows
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Garry Shandling on hosting the Emmys
Garry Shandling: Alone in Vegas
Garry Shandling on his first special for Showtime, Alone in Vegas
It's Garry Shandling's Show.
Garry Shandling on how his acting coach deconstructed scripts of the show
Garry Shandling on It's Garry Shandling Show and winding up on Showtime, not NBC; on the premise and theme song of the show
Garry Shandling on the writing process and cast on It's Garry Shandling's Show
Garry Shandling on an episode of It's Garry Shandling's Show inspiring The Larry Sanders Show
Larry Sanders Show, The
Garry Shandling on creating The Larry Sanders Show; on the writers, cast, and finale
Sanford and Son
Garry Shandling on writing a spec, and eventually three episodes of Sanford and Son
Garry Shandling on the scripts he wrote for Sanford and Son
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
Garry Shandling on getting discovered as a stand-up comic and getting booked on The Tonight Show
Garry Shandling on his interest in hosting The Tonight Show when Joan Rivers left
Welcome Back, Kotter
Garry Shandling on writing an episode of Welcome Back Kotter and getting an agent
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Garry Shandling on how similar he is to the the TV version of Garry Shandling and Larry Sanders, and on breaking the fourth wall and other television conventions
Garry Shandling on the character "Larry Sanders"
Classic TV Series Episodes
Garry Shandling on the finale of The Larry Sanders Show
Comedy
Garry Shandling on the finale of The Larry Sanders Show
Pop Culture
Garry Shandling on the finale of The Larry Sanders Show
Garry Shandling on the character "Larry Sanders"
TV Theme Songs
Garry Shandling on the theme song to It's Garry Shandling's Show
Professions
Genres
Awards Shows
Garry Shandling on hosting the Emmys
Comedy Series
Garry Shandling on the scripts he wrote for Sanford and Son
Garry Shandling on It's Garry Shandling Show and winding up on Showtime, not NBC; on the premise and theme song of the show
Garry Shandling on the writing process and cast on It's Garry Shandling's Show
Garry Shandling on creating The Larry Sanders Show; on the writers, cast, and finale
Late Night
Garry Shandling on getting discovered as a stand-up comic and getting booked on The Tonight Show
People
Judd Apatow
Garry Shandling on Judd Apatow writing for The Larry Sanders Show
Garry Shandling on Judd Apatow writing for The Larry Sanders Show
Garry Shandling on the finale of The Larry Sanders Show
Ted Bergmann
Garry Shandling on writing a spec, and eventually three episodes of Sanford and Son
George Carlin
Garry Shandling on being fascinated by comedians
Garry Shandling on writing George Carlin-style monologues and having Carlin critique his work
Jim Carrey
Garry Shandling on the finale of The Larry Sanders Show
Johnny Carson
Garry Shandling on getting discovered as a stand-up comic and getting booked on The Tonight Show
Garry Shandling on getting Johnny Carson on The Garry Shandling Show 25th Anniversary Special
Garry Shandling on his interest in hosting The Tonight Show when Joan Rivers left
Michael Fuchs
Garry Shandling on his support from HBO on The Larry Sanders Show
Ricky Gervais
Garry Shandling on appearing on Ricky Gervais Meets
Brad Grey
Garry Shandling on working some of his legal wranglings with Brad Grey into The Larry Sanders Show
Al Jean
Garry Shandling on working with Al Jean
Jay Leno
Garry Shandling on his interest in hosting The Tonight Show when Joan Rivers left
Don Mischer
Garry Shandling on hosting The Emmys under producer Don Mischer
Jack Paar
Garry Shandling on being fascinated by comedians
Sean Penn
Garry Shandling on the finale of The Larry Sanders Show
Gilda Radner
Garry Shandling on Gilda Radner's appearance on It's Garry Shandling's Show
Joan Rivers
Garry Shandling on his interest in hosting The Tonight Show when Joan Rivers left
Jerry Seinfeld
Garry Shandling on what Jerry Seinfeld said to him about The Larry Sanders Show
David Spade
Garry Shandling on David Spade appearing on an episode of The Larry Sanders Show
Jeffrey Tambor
Garry Shandling on Jeffrey Tambor as "Hank" on The Larry Sanders Show
Peter Tolan
Garry Shandling on Peter Tolan writing for The Larry Sanders Show
Garry Shandling on the finale of The Larry Sanders Show
Rip Torn
Garry Shandling on Rip Torn on The Larry Sanders Show
Alan Zweibel
Garry Shandling on the writing process on It's Garry Shandling's Show
Garry Shandling on the writing process on It's Garry Shandling's Show
Garry Shandling on Gilda Radner's appearance on It's Garry Shandling's Show