Hal Kanter with Emerson College

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About this interview

In his one-and-a-half hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Hal Kanter (1918-2011) talks about how he got his start in comedy, writing for Eddie Cantor, as well as early radio shows he worked on. He discusses learning to write comedy, how to write for comedians’ voices, and structure jokes. He recalls creating the groundbreaking series Julia, starring Diahann Carroll, and writing for The Danny Kaye Show. Kanter speaks of dealing with several agents and managers in his career, and talks about how the industry has changed since he started. He gives advice to aspiring comedy writers, and concludes by discussing his role in the Pacific Pioneers Broadcasters Group. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on June 6, 2005 in Beverly Hills, CA.

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

"I appreciate when someone other than myself can amuse me. Because I find myself to be much more interesting than I find anyone else!"

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Hal Kanter on various comedy writers he admires
02:14
Hal Kanter on creating Julia, starring Diahann Carroll
03:56
Hal Kanter on early comedy writing jobs in radio
05:27
Hal Kanter on his public speaking career, and on being house humorist for Pacific Pioneers Broadcasters group
05:38
Hal Kanter on what makes him laugh
00:31
Hal Kanter on working with Elvis Presley
03:07
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On growing up Jewish in the South; on getting into writing for radio for Eddie Cantor, and pairing with writer Eddie Davis; on realizing he had a gift for comedy writing
On learning to write comedy from the greats; on early comedy writing jobs in radio; on learning to write for different comedians' voices for radio
On learning to structure jokes, and on working with Bob Hope; on creating Julia, starring Diahann Carroll; on various comedy writers he admires
On writing for The Danny Kaye Show; on dealing with agents and managers, and the business end of show business; on how the business has changed since he started
On the rise of "blue" humor; on how humor evolved over the years; on working with Elvis Presley
On advice to aspiring comedy writers; on summing up his career, and what makes him laugh; on his public speaking career, and on being house humorist for Pacific Pioneers Broadcasters group
Shows

Danny Kaye Show, The

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Hal Kanter on writing for The Danny Kaye Show
00:57

Julia

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Hal Kanter on creating Julia, starring Diahann Carroll
03:56
Hal Kanter on Julia addressing serious topics of the day like Vietnam, and on comedy dealing with social issues in general
04:59
Topics

Advice

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Hal Kanter on advice to aspiring comedy writers
00:42

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Hal Kanter on the rise of "blue" humor
03:41

Television Industry

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Hal Kanter on how the business has changed since he started
04:13
Hal Kanter on the rise of "blue" humor
03:41
Hal Kanter on advice to aspiring comedy writers
00:42
Professions

Writers

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Hal Kanter on realizing he had a gift for comedy writing
03:05
Hal Kanter on learning to write comedy from the greats
02:18
Hal Kanter on learning to write for different comedians' voices on radio
05:21
Hal Kanter on learning to structure jokes, and on working with Bob Hope
03:02
Hal Kanter on dealing with agents and managers, and the business end of show business
11:48
Hal Kanter on how humor has evolved over the years
01:28
Hal Kanter on advice to aspiring comedy writers
00:42
Genres

Comedy Series

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Hal Kanter on creating Julia, starring Diahann Carroll
08:55

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

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Hal Kanter on writing for The Danny Kaye Show
00:57
People

Bob Hope

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Hal Kanter on learning to structure jokes, and on working with Bob Hope
03:02

Danny Kaye

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Hal Kanter on writing for The Danny Kaye Show
00:57

Diahann Carroll

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Hal Kanter on creating Julia, starring Diahann Carroll
03:56

Eddie Cantor

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Hal Kanter on getting into writing for radio for Eddie Cantor, and pairing with writer Eddie Davis
06:48

Elvis Presley

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Hal Kanter on working with Elvis Presley
03:07

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