"I'm getting more mail now than I ever have. That I really have impacted people's lives, that I have made people happier. That I have brought families together. That I have made a difference in their lives. I think that's maybe the most important."

    About This Interview

    In the one-and-a-half-hour solo portion of his interview, Harvey Korman (1927-2008) speaks about studying under actress Uta Hagen and talks about some of his earliest television roles. He recalls working with several legendary comics including Danny Kaye, Lucille Ball, and Jack Benny. Korman describes headlining several short-lived series and his thoughts on being better suited as a second banana. Additionally, he speaks about his work as a voice actor, playing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones and his feature film collaborations with Mel Brooks and Blake Edwards. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on April 20, 2004 in Beverly Hills, CA. 

    In the one-and-a-half-hour joint portion of their interview, Harvey Korman and Tim Conway (1933-2019) speak in great detail about their years on The Carol Burnett Show, including descriptions of famous characters and sketches. They also talk about their work in then-recent years touring the country with their two-man stage show. Karen Herman conducted the interview on April 20, 2004 in Beverly Hills, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Harvey Korman

    Harvey Korman on the highlight of his career - working with Tim Conway

    00:48
    Thumbnail of Harvey Korman

    Harvey Korman on studying acting with Uta Hagen

    02:20
    Thumbnail of Harvey Korman

    Harvey Korman on how he'd like to be remembered

    01:06
    Thumbnail of Harvey Korman

    Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones

    03:32
    Thumbnail of Harvey Korman

    Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show

    04:48
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early influences; on being an introverted child; on his childhood in Chicago; on his early interest in vaudeville performers; on wanting to be an actor; on his recollections of the Chicago School of Television; on moving to New York City; on studying acting with Uta Hagen; on doing a play written by Sherwood Schwartz

    15:49

    On his first time on television; on appearing on The Donna Reed Show and on Dr. Kildare; on The Blacklist; on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones; on joining The Danny Kaye Show; on Carol Burnett; on the format of The Danny Kaye Show;

    12:33

    Chapter 2

    On working with Danny Kaye and Red Skelton; on The Jack Benny Program; on working on The Lucy Show, The Munsters, and directing some of The Steve Allen Comedy Hour; on working with Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles; on Madeline Kahn

    16:45

    On The Love Boat; on The Harvey Korman Show; on the TV Movie Bud and Lou; on The Star Wars Holiday Special; on working on Pink Panthe r films with Blake Edwards

    11:56

    Chapter 3

    On playing the White King in Alice in Wonderland; on Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills; on working with Cloris Leachman on The Nutt House; on the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

    07:19

    On touring with Tim Conway; on the longevity of his career; on the highlight of his career; on his first impression of Tim Conway; on how he'd like to be remembered

    05:43

    Chapter 4

    START OF JOINT INTERVIEW with Tim Conway and Harvey Korman: On how the pair first met; on a "Harvey Korman-type" - a straight man; on Korman's first appearance on The Carol Burnett Show; on the atmosphere Carol Burnett created on set; on the evolution of the show

    07:31

    On a production week on The Carol Burnett Show; on out-takes from the show; on a sketch that bombed; on the show's audience; on how Tim Conway became a regular on the show; on Conway writing sketches for Korman; on Conway's improvisations; on audiences loving when Korman breaks up

    11:04

    On a successful detective sketch; on a vasectomy sketch; on Carol Burnett's "Judy Garland sketch;" on their contributions to sketches; on the show's writers; on the importance of music on the show; on Bob Mackie; on Carol Burnett and her husband Joe Hamilton

    10:35

    Chapter 5

    On the cast and guest stars of The Carol Burnett Show; on becoming a comedy team; on famous characters they've portrayed - "Mr. Tudball"; on the dentist sketch; on "Carol and Sis," "F. Lee Bunny;" on "The Old Man" and Conway's physical comedy talents

    17:14

    On working with directors on the show; on their spoofs of movies and shows; on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show; on The Little Foxes sketch; on the show's writing; on Korman leaving the show; on not being "stars;"

    11:38

    Chapter 6

    On the end of The Carol Burnett Show; on the final episode; on Korman returning for the last show; on Carol & Company; on the first reunion special of The Carol Burnett Show; on the legacy of The Carol Burnett Show; on directing Eunice; on Mama's Family; on The Tim Conway Special

    13:07

    On Dorf's Family Stump; on Tim and Harvey in the Great Outdoors; on guest appearances on Golden Palace; on their live comedy show; on their success as a comedy team; on being inducted into the TV Hall of Fame; on winning an Emmy and Conway not being present at the ceremony; on stories about Harvey Korman; on Bloopers and Practical Jokes

    17:07

    Alice in Wonderland (1985)

    Harvey Korman on playing the White King in Alice in Wonderland

    01:35

    Bud and Lou

    Harvey Korman on the TV Movie Bud and Lou

    04:18

    Carol & Company

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Carol & Company

    00:46

    Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show

    00:15

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on their first appearances on The Carol Burnett Show

    27:02

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast and guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show

    04:24

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on some memorable characters they created

    09:12

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the end of The Carol Burnett Show

    03:51

    Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78): "Went with the Wind!" Sketch

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show

    00:55

    Carol, Carl, Whoopi, & Robin

    Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

    01:47

    Danny Kaye Show, The

    Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show

    04:48

    Harvey Korman on the format of The Danny Kaye Show

    01:14

    Harvey Korman on being a "second banana" to Danny Kaye

    02:33

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on how they met - on The Danny Kaye Show

    01:25

    Donna Reed Show, The

    Harvey Korman on his first TV appearance, on The Donna Reed Show

    01:29

    Dr. Kildare

    Harvey Korman on appearing on Dr. Kildare

    00:41

    Eunice

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on directing Eunice

    00:49

    Flintstones, The

    Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones

    03:32

    Golden Palace, The

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on appearing on The Golden Palace

    00:54

    Harvey Korman Show, The

    Harvey Korman on The Harvey Korman Show

    01:37

    Jack Benny Program, The

    Harvey Korman on working on The Jack Benny Program

    02:13

    Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills

    Harvey Korman on Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills

    01:46

    Love Boat, The

    Harvey Korman on the pilot of The Love Boat

    01:36

    Lucy Show, The

    Harvey Korman on working on The Lucy Show

    03:23

    Mama's Family

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Mama's Family

    01:38

    Munsters, The

    Harvey Korman on working on The Munsters

    01:28

    Muppet Show, The

    Harvey Korman on guesting on The Muppet Show

    00:16

    Star Wars Holiday Special, The

    Harvey Korman on The Star Wars Holiday Special

    00:38

    Steve Allen Comedy Hour, The

    Harvey Korman on working on The Steve Allen Comedy Hour

    02:01

    Tim Conway Special, The

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Tim Conway Special

    03:15

    TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Korman getting tricked on Bloopers and Practical Jokes

    04:41

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones

    03:32

    Emmy Awards

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on being inducted into the TV Hall of Fame and winning Emmys

    03:55

    Memorable Moments on Television

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on "Carol and Sis" on The Carol Burnett Show

    00:39

    We Laughed

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show

    00:55

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the dentist sketch on The Carol Burnett Show

    03:06

    Actor

    Harvey Korman on wanting to be an actor

    01:14

    Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

    Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show

    04:48

    Harvey Korman on being a "second banana" to Danny Kaye

    02:33

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on their first appearances on The Carol Burnett Show

    27:02

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show

    28:52

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the end of The Carol Burnett Show

    03:51

    TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

    Harvey Korman on the TV Movie Bud and Lou

    04:18

    Steve Allen

    Harvey Korman on working on The Steve Allen Comedy Hour

    02:01

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Steve Allen Show

    00:40

    Beatrice Arthur

    Harvey Korman on The Star Wars Holiday Special with Bea Arthur

    00:38

    Lucille Ball

    Harvey Korman on working on The Lucy Show

    03:23

    Jack Benny

    Harvey Korman on working with Jack Benny

    02:13

    Jeff Bridges

    Harvey Korman on Cloris Leachman

    01:19

    Mel Brooks

    Harvey Korman on working with Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles

    02:38

    Carol Burnett

    Harvey Korman on Carol Burnett wanting Korman for her new show

    03:01

    Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

    01:47

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on their first appearances on The Carol Burnett Show

    27:02

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton

    01:34

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on how difficult it was to break up Carol Burnett

    01:41

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the end of The Carol Burnett Show

    03:51

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Mama's Family

    01:38

    Richard Chamberlain

    Harvey Korman on appearing on Dr. Kildare

    00:41

    Dick Clark

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Korman getting tricked on Bloopers and Practical Jokes

    04:41

    Tim Conway

    Harvey Korman on touring with Tim Conway and the joy of working with him

    03:54

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on how Tim Conway became a regular on the show

    00:43

    Jackie Coogan

    Harvey Korman on doing a play written by Sherwood Schwartz

    02:06

    Blake Edwards

    Harvey Korman on working on Pink Panthe r films with Blake Edwards

    03:47

    Whoopi Goldberg

    Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

    01:47

    Fred Gwynne

    Harvey Korman on working on The Munsters

    01:28

    Buddy Hackett

    Harvey Korman on the TV Movie Bud and Lou

    04:18

    Uta Hagen

    Harvey Korman on studying acting with Uta Hagen

    02:20

    Joe Hamilton

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on a sketch that bombed on The Carol Burnett Show

    00:53

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton

    01:34

    Rock Hudson

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show

    00:08

    Madeline Kahn

    Harvey Korman on working with Madeline Kahn

    01:48

    Danny Kaye

    Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show

    01:47

    Harvey Korman on being a "second banana" to Danny Kaye

    02:33

    Alan King

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on a sketch that bombed on The Carol Burnett Show

    00:53

    Harvey Korman

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on what is "a Harvey Korman type"

    01:25

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Korman leaving the show, and not being a "star"

    03:28

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Conway's favorite Korman story - the pair are like Jack Benny and George Burns

    02:34

    Perry Lafferty

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Tim Conway Special

    01:42

    Vicki Lawrence

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast of The Carol Burnett Show

    01:42

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on "Carol and Sis"

    00:39

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Mama's Family

    01:38

    Cloris Leachman

    Harvey Korman on working with Cloris Leachman on The Nutt House

    02:52

    Bob Mackie

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Bob Mackie's amazing clothes he created for The Carol Burnett Show

    01:05

    Steve Martin

    Harvey Korman on Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills

    01:46

    Roddy McDowall

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show

    00:25

    Dave Powers

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on working with directors on the show

    00:53

    Carl Reiner

    Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

    01:47

    Sherwood Schwartz

    Harvey Korman on doing a play written by Sherwood Schwartz

    02:06

    Fred Silverman

    Harvey Korman on The Harvey Korman Show

    01:37

    Red Skelton

    Harvey Korman on working with Red Skelton

    00:29

    Dick Van Dyke

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Dick Van Dyke on The Carol Burnett Show

    01:07

    Lyle Waggoner

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast of The Carol Burnett Show

    00:20

    Betty White

    Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show

    00:41

    Robin Williams

    Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

    01:47

    All Interviews

    Loading Interviews...