Howard Morris

Actor

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his one-and-a-half-hour interview, Howard Morris (1919-2005) talks about his work as a regular with Sid Caesar on television's Admiral Broadway Revue, Your Show of Shows, and Caesar's Hour. He briefly discusses his work as a director in features and commercials and speaks of his voiceover work in animation. He also speaks enthusiastically about one of his most well-known characters, "Ernest T. Bass" from The Andy Griffith Show. He recalls guest-starring in several other series, including The Dick Van Dyke Show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and The Twilight Zone, as well as directing The Lucy Show, Get Smart, The Patty Duke Show, Bewitched, and Hogan's Heroes. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on February 27, 2004 in Los Angeles, CA.

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

"I'd like to be remembered as a guy who's been able to reveal humor and reality to the public, and also for my great gratitude to the fans who have always been there."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Howard Morris on being cast as "Ernest T. Bass" on The Andy Griffith Show by show producer Aaron Ruben, and on the character

01:18

Howard Morris on producing The Corner Bar with Alan King

01:13

Howard Morris on joining the cast of Admiral Broadway Revue, starring Sid Caesar, on and meeting producer Max Liebman

03:18

Howard Morris on Admiral Broadway Revue and Your Show of Shows co-star Imogene Coca, and on Carl Reiner

01:09

Howard Morris on directing the features "Who's Minding the Mint?", "With Two You Get Eggroll," and "Don't Drink the Water"

02:46

Howard Morris on how he would like to be remembered

00:40

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences and on becoming interested in performing; on being in the cast of The Admiral Broadway Revue with Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, and Carl Reiner; on Admiral Broadway Revue transitioning to Your Show of Shows

On the chemistry of the ensemble on Your Show of Shows; on the writing staff of Your Show of Shows, including Mel Brooks and Larry Gelbart; on various sketches on the show, and on it going off the air

On appearing on Caesar's Hour; on various sketches of Caesar's Hour; on the end of Caesar's Hour, and on appearing on Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz and Kraft Television Theatre

Chapter 2

On appearing on Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz; on playing "Ernest T. Bass" on The Andy Griffith Show; on guest-starring as "Mr. Holdecker" on The Dick Van Dyke Show for the episode "The Masterpiece," and on directing episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle - USMC

On appearing on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone, and on appearing in "The Nutty Professor"; on guest-starring on The Lucy Show with Lucille Ball; on directing Get Smart, The Patty Duke Show,Bewitched, and Hogan's Heroes

On directing the features "Who's Minding the Mint?", "With Two You Get Eggroll", and "Don't Drink the Water"; on his directing style; on his voiceover work

Chapter 3

On doing voiceover work for Hanna-Barbera for shows like The Jetsons and The Flintstones; on directing commercials, including one with George Burns; on producing The Corner Bar with Alan King

On directing Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, and The Beatrice Arthur Special; on acting in Ron Howard's movie "Splash"; on appearing on Baywatch, and on his longevity

On advice to aspiring actors and directors; on career regrets; on various people he's worked with in his career, and on how he would like to be remembered

On b-roll footage- pictures from his career- with the Three Stooges; with the cast of Your Show of Shows; with Sid Caesar; cast and crew of Your Show of Shows; the cover of "TV Week" with the Your Show of Shows cast; on the set of Your Show of Shows; from Your Show of Shows; winning an Emmy; from the set of The Andy Griffith Show; from the set of The Andy Griffith Show; from the set of The Andy Griffith Show with the cast; from The Andy Griffith Show "Mountain Wedding"; shot from The Dick Van Dyke Show; with Jackie Gleason; with James Garner; from the set of The Lucy Show; with Milton Berle; on the set of the feature "Call Me Mister"; with Carol Burnett; with George Burns; with Jonathan Winters; with Doris Day; with Jamie Faar; with Rock Hudson

Shows

Admiral Broadway Revue

Howard Morris on joining the cast of Admiral Broadway Revue, starring Sid Caesar, on and meeting producer Max Liebman

03:18

Howard Morris on Admiral Broadway Revue and Your Show of Shows, co-starring Imogene Coca, and on Carl Reiner

01:06

Howard Morris on the format of Admiral Broadway Revue, and on working with Sid Caesar and Max Liebman

01:32

Alfred Hitchcock Presents aka The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

Howard Morris on appearing on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone

01:54

Andy Griffith Show, The

Howard Morris on being cast as "Ernest T. Bass" on The Andy Griffith Show by show producer Aaron Ruben, and on the character

01:18

Howard Morris on working with the cast of The Andy Griffith Show, including Griffith and Ron Howard

00:51

Howard Morris on specific episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, where he appeared as "Ernest T. Bass," and on the audience reaction to the character

03:15

Baywatch

Howard Morris on appearing on Baywatch

00:54

Beatrice Arthur Special, The

Howard Morris on directing The Beatrice Arthur Special

00:52

Bewitched

Howard Morris on directing The Patty Duke Show, and on directing Bewitched, starring Elizabeth Montgomery

01:52

Caesar's Hour

Howard Morris on various sketches of Caesar's Hour

01:52

Howard Morris on appearing on Caesar's Hour

00:47

Howard Morris on the end of Caesar's Hour

00:35

Corner Bar, The

Howard Morris on producing The Corner Bar with Alan King

01:13

Dick Van Dyke Show, The

Howard Morris on guest-starring as "Mr. Holdecker" on The Dick Van Dyke Show for the episode "The Masterpiece"

00:48

Flintstones, The

Howard Morris on doing voiceover work for Hanna-Barbera for shows like The Jetsons and The Flintstones

05:01

Get Smart

Howard Morris on directing the pilot for Get Smart, starring Don Adams, produced by Mel Brooks and Leonard Stern

02:55

Gomer Pyle - USMC

Howard Morris on directing The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle - USMC

01:07

Hogan's Heroes

Howard Morris on directing several episodes of Hogan's Heroes

01:07

Jetsons, The

Howard Morris on doing voiceover work for Hanna-Barbera for shows like The Jetsons and The Flintstones

05:01

Kraft Television Theatre

Howard Morris briefly on his appearance on Kraft Television Theatre's"Code of the Corner"

00:48

Laverne & Shirley

Howard Morris on directing Laverne & Shirley

00:38

Love Boat, The

Howard Morris on directing The Love Boat

00:47

Lucy Show, The

Howard Morris on guest-starring on The Lucy Show with Lucille Ball

01:30

Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz aka Stump the Stars

Howard Morris on appearing on Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz, and being "paid" with complementary visits to Sardi's

00:25

Howard Morris on appearing on Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz

00:30

Patty Duke Show, The

Howard Morris on directing The Patty Duke Show, and on directing Bewitched, starring Elizabeth Montgomery

01:49

Return to Mayberry

Howard Morris on appearing in The Andy Griffith Show reunion Return to Mayberry, and on thanking the fans of the show

00:53

Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special, The

Howard Morris on appearing in The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special

00:48

Your Show of Shows

Howard Morris on NBC executive Pat Weaver's launching of Your Show of Shows, and on how it differed in format from the previous show Admiral Broadway Revue

02:20

Howard Morris on the chemistry of the ensemble on Your Show of Shows

01:08

Howard Morris on Admiral Broadway Revue and Your Show of Shows co-star Imogene Coca, and on Carl Reiner

01:06

Howard Morris on various sketches on Your Show of Shows

01:13

Howard Morris on the writing staff of Your Show of Shows, including Mel Brooks and Larry Gelbart

02:04

Howard Morris on Your Show of Shows going off the air

00:43

Topics

Advice

Howard Morris on advice to aspiring actors and directors

00:38

Comedy-Variety

Howard Morris on co-starring on Admiral Broadway Revue, Your Show of Shows, and Caesar's Hour, along with Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, and Carl Reiner

16:48

Hollywood Blacklist

Howard Morris on the Hollywood Blacklist

00:47

Industry Crossroads

Howard Morris on the Hollywood Blacklist

00:47

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

Howard Morris on co-starring on Admiral Broadway Revue, Your Show of Shows, and Caesar's Hour, along with Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, and Carl Reiner

16:48

Television Industry

Howard Morris on the Hollywood Blacklist

00:47

Howard Morris on advice to aspiring actors and directors

00:38

Professions

Actor

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Howard Morris on advice to aspiring actors and directors

00:38

Directors

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Howard Morris on his directing style

01:09

Howard Morris on advice to aspiring actors and directors

00:38

Performers

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Howard Morris on his voiceover work

01:49

Howard Morris on doing voiceover work for Hanna-Barbera for shows like The Jetsons and The Flintstones

05:01

Howard Morris on advice to aspiring actors and directors

00:38

Voiceover

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Howard Morris on his voiceover work

01:49

Howard Morris on doing voiceover work for Hanna-Barbera for shows like The Jetsons and The Flintstones

05:01

Genres

Adventure/Espionage Series

Howard Morris on appearing on Baywatch

00:54

Animation

Howard Morris on doing voiceover work for Hanna-Barbera for shows like The Jetsons and The Flintstones

05:01

Classic Anthology Series

Howard Morris on appearing on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone

01:54

Comedy Series

Howard Morris on being cast as "Ernest T. Bass" on The Andy Griffith Show

05:00

Howard Morris on guest-starring as "Mr. Holdecker" on The Dick Van Dyke Show for the episode "The Masterpiece"

00:48

Howard Morris on directing The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle - USMC

00:57

Howard Morris on guest-starring on The Lucy Show with Lucille Ball

01:30

Howard Morris on directing the pilot for Get Smart

02:55

Howard Morris on producing The Corner Bar with Alan King

01:13

Howard Morris on directing Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, and The Beatrice Arthur Special

00:38

Commercials

Howard Morris on directing commercials, including one with George Burns

02:42

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

Howard Morris on co-starring on Admiral Broadway Revue

07:10

Howard Morris on co-starring on Your Show of Shows

08:40

Howard Morris on co-starring on Caesar's Hour

03:17

Howard Morris on The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special

00:48

Howard Morris on directing Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, and The Beatrice Arthur Special

00:38

People

Aaron Ruben

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Howard Morris on being cast as "Ernest T. Bass" on The Andy Griffith Show by show producer Aaron Ruben, and on the character

01:18

Andy Griffith

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Howard Morris on working with the cast of The Andy Griffith Show, including Griffith and Ron Howard

00:51

Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Andy Griffith

00:15

Bill Dana

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Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Bill Dana

00:33

Carl Reiner

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Howard Morris on Admiral Broadway Revue and Your Show of Shows co-star Imogene Coca, and on Carl Reiner

01:09

Carol Burnett

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Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Carol Burnett

00:40

Dick Van Dyke

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Howard Morris on guest-starring as "Mr. Holdecker" on The Dick Van Dyke Show for the episode "The Masterpiece"

00:48

Don Knotts

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Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Don Knotts

00:21

Donny Osmond

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Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Donny Osmond

00:44

Elizabeth Montgomery

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Howard Morris on directing The Patty Duke Show, and on directing Bewitched, starring Elizabeth Montgomery

01:49

Frances Bavier

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Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Frances Bavier

00:23

George Burns

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Howard Morris on directing commercials, including one with George Burns

02:42

Imogene Coca

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Howard Morris on Admiral Broadway Revue and Your Show of Shows co-star Imogene Coca, and on Carl Reiner

01:09

Jerry Lewis

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Howard Morris on appearing in the Jerry Lewis feature film "The Nutty Professor"

00:49

Jonathan Harris

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Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Jonathan Harris

00:11

Larry Gelbart

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Howard Morris on the writing staff of Your Show of Shows, including Mel Brooks and Larry Gelbart

02:04

Lucille Ball

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Howard Morris on guest-starring on The Lucy Show with Lucille Ball

01:30

Marie Osmond

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Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Marie Osmond

00:48

Maurice Evans

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Howard Morris on appearing in a production of Twelfth Night with Maurice Evans

00:50

Max Liebman

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Howard Morris on joining the cast of The Admiral Broadway Revue and meeting producer Max Liebman

03:09

Howard Morris on joining the cast of The Admiral Broadway Revue, starring Sid Caesar, and meeting producer Max Liebman

03:19

Howard Morris on the format of Admiral Broadway Revue, and on working with Sid Caesar and Max Liebman

01:32

Mel Brooks

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Howard Morris on the writing staff of Your Show of Shows, including Mel Brooks and Larry Gelbart

02:04

Mike Stokey

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Howard Morris on appearing on Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz

00:30

Patty Duke

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Howard Morris on directing The Patty Duke Show, and on directing Bewitched, starring Elizabeth Montgomery

01:49

Red Buttons

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Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Red Buttons

00:11

Ron Howard

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Howard Morris on working with the cast of The Andy Griffith Show, including Griffith and Ron Howard

00:51

Howard Morris on acting in Ron Howard's movie "Splash"

04:41

Sheldon Leonard

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Howard Morris on various people he worked with in his career: Sheldon Leonard

00:20

Sid Caesar

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Howard Morris on the format of Admiral Broadway Revue, and on working with Sid Caesar and Max Liebman

01:32