About
"It's very tough to get somebody to give you a job as a director because there's so much at stake. Everybody's afraid that if they pick you to be a director and the thing fails, they're going to take the rap for it."
In his four-and-a-half-hour interview, Jack Shea (1928-2013) recalls his early years in New York, working as a stage manager and assistant director at NBC. He talks about his move to NBC in Los Angeles, where he became began a director on Bob Hope's television specials, including his many programs overseas. He also discusses directing Jerry Lewis' specials for television. Shea describes his experiences as a director on several series, including The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The Waltons, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons (on which he was also a producer), Good Times, The Ropers, Silver Spoons, and Designing Women. He then details his take on the craft of directing for television and outlines his many years of service in the Directors Guild of America, including his stint as president of the organization. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on December 9, 2002 in Studio City, CA.
Highlights
Jack Shea on directing The Golden Girls and working with the ensemble of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty
Jack Shea on "George Jefferson's" walk on The Jeffersons
Jack Shea on directing Leonardo DiCaprio on Growing Pains
Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA
Jack Shea on the most important role a director fulfills on the set of sitcoms
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on growing up during The Great Depression; on wanting to be an actor; on radio programs he enjoyed as a boy; on his high school years
On his college years at Fordham University; on the beginning of his interest in directing; on his early memories of watching television; on his first job out of college - as an assistant director at NBC; on working as a stage manager at NBC; on mishaps during the era of live television
On the tension on set before live shows; on early television equipment; on the early NBC television studios and sets; on injuries on-set
Chapter 2
On live studio audiences; on meeting Pat Weaver; on his co-workers in early television; on working on live anthology dramas; on entering the Army in 1952 and making training films; on moving to California
On working for NBC in Los Angeles; on the new NBC studios in Burbank and shows he worked on as an assistant director
On directing Truth or Consequences and working with Ralph Edwards; on the Hollywood Blacklist
On directing the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" at NBC
Chapter 3
On the producers, writers, and musicians on Bob Hope's television specials; on entertaining troops at USO shows; on Bob Hope's legacy
On directing Jerry Lewis' television specials; on leaving NBC
On directing The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour; on the music and format of the show; on also serving as a producer on the program
On the challenges of directing Hawaii Five-O
Chapter 4
On the joys of directing The Waltons; on directing What's Happening!
On directing Sanford and Son; on producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin; on Redd Foxx's comedy style and relationship with the cast of Sanford and Son; on Redd Foxx falling ill on the set of The Royal Family
On diversity on television and taboo topics during the era of Sanford and Son; on the cast of and production on the show
Chapter 5
On directing The Jeffersons; on the show's premise, characters, stars, and producers; on why he left The Jeffersons; on directing The Jeffersons' spin-off Checking In starring Marla Gibbs
On directing Good Times; on the show's cast; on directing a few episodes of Maude
On his first impressions of being on a television set and the craft of directing
Chapter 6
On the craft of directing and inventing techniques; on how stage managers, assistant directors, and directors work together on set; on preparations for a day of filming and working with actors
On how involved he is with editing; on how the invention of color TV changed his work; on the relationship between producers and directors; on producers he wanted to work for
On how he selected projects; on his approach to directing actors; on setting the tone and pace on set; on his directing style
On directing The Ropers
Chapter 7
On the stars of The Ropers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley; on directing Silver Spoons and working with Rick Schroeder; on the premise, cast, and producers of the show; on writing an episode of Silver Spoons with his wife; on why he left the show
On directing Designing Women; on the show's premise and stars; on the producers of Designing Women - Linda Blooodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason; on the show's Southern sensibility
On directing Punky Brewster; on directing The Golden Girls and working with the ensemble of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty
On directing The Cavanaughs and Full House; on directing The Hogan Family and Growing Pains
Chapter 8
On directing The Royal Family starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese; on directing 704 Hauser, Sister, Sister, and Good Behavior
On on his involvement with the Directors Guild of America; on The Radio, Television Directors Guild (RTDG) and network response to the guilds; on the merger of the RTDG and the Screen Directors Guild into the Directors Guild of America (DGA); on the workings of and diversity within the DGA
On the credits issues between the WGA and the DGA; on runaway production; on low budget agreements; on the status of film versus TV directors and directors-for-hire; on his tenure as President of the DGA
On then-current projects
Chapter 9
On his experience directing pilots; on his religious beliefs and how they intertwined with the syndicated program Insight; on co-founding the organization Catholics and Media Associates
On advice to aspiring directors; on mentoring young directors; on the highlight of his career; on career regrets and how he'd like to be remembered
On people with whom he's worked over the years; on his wife
Shows
704 Hauser
Jack Shea on directing 704 Hauser starring John Amos
All in the Family
Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons and their origin on All in the Family
Bert Parks Show, The
Jack Shea on live studio audiences at The Bert Parks Show
Bob Hope Specials
Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff
Jack Shea on how involved Bob Hope was in his TV specials
Jack Shea on producers and writers on Bob Hope's television specials
Checking In
Jack Shea on directing The Jeffersons' spin-off Checking In starring Marla Gibbs and why he felt it was not given the chance to succeed
Designing Women
Jack Shea on directing Designing Women - on the cast, premise, and producers
Full House
Jack Shea on directing Full House
Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The
Jack Shea on directing The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and working with Glen Campbell and his parents
Golden Girls, The
Jack Shea on directing The Golden Girls and working with the ensemble of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty
Good Times
Jack Shea on directing Good Times
Growing Pains
Jack Shea on directing Growing Pains
Hawaii Five-O
Jack Shea on the challenges of directing Hawaii Five-O
Hogan Family, The aka Valerie
Jack Shea on directing The Hogan Family
Insight
Jack Shea on his religious beliefs and how they intertwined with the syndicated program Insight
Jeffersons, The
Jack Shea on directing The Jeffersons, and the popularity and premise of the show
Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons
Jack Shea on the cast of and producers on The Jeffersons
Jack Shea on why he left The Jeffersons
Jerry Lewis Specials
Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff
Jack Shea on directing Jerry Lewis' television specials; on the format of the show
Maude
Jack Shea on Esther Rolle's Good Times character "Florida's" origins on Maude
Jack Shea on directing Bea Arthur on Maude
Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Jack Shea on working on live anthology dramas like Philco Television Playhouse
Jack Shea on his admiration for Delbert Mann, who he worked with when he started out as a stage manager on Philco Television Playhouse
Punky Brewster
Jack Shea on directing Punky Brewster and how he directs kids
Ropers, The
Jack Shea on directing The Ropers
Jack Shea on the stars of The Ropers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley
Royal Family, The
Jack Shea on Redd Foxx falling ill on the set of The Royal Family
Jack Shea on directing The Royal Family starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese
Sanford and Son
Jack Shea on the audience reaction to Redd Foxx (and some of his off-screen antics) on Sanford and Son
Jack Shea on directing Sanford and Son; on the show's producers, premise and working with Redd Foxx
Jack Shea on diversity on television and taboo topics during the era of Sanford and Son
Jack Shea on the cast of and production on Sanford and Son
Silver Spoons
Jack Shea on directing Silver Spoons
Jack Shea on writing an episode of Silver Spoons with his wife and directing his own work
Sister, Sister
Jack Shea on directing Sister, Sister
Three's Company
Jack Shea on the origin of the characters on The Ropers (from Three's Company)
Truth or Consequences
Jack Shea on working on Truth or Consequences, one of the first shows he directed
Waltons, The
Jack Shea on the collaborative and careful work that made The Waltons such a rewarding experience for him; on the premise and cast of the show
What's Happening!!
Jack Shea on directing What's Happening!
Topics
Anthology Drama
Jack Shea on working on live anthology dramas like Philco Television Playhouse
Bloopers
Jack Shea on mishaps during the era of live television
Characters & Catchphrases
Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons
Historic Events and Social Change
Jack Shea on entering the Army in 1952 and making training films
Jack Shea on editing Bob Hope's USO shows
Jack Shea on music director of Bob Hope's television specials, Les Brown, and entertaining troops at USO shows
Hollywood Blacklist
Jack Shea on the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Jack Shea on the Hollywood Blacklist
Jack Shea on the DGA and runaway production
Korean War
Jack Shea on entering the Army in 1952 and making training films
Memorable Moments on Television
Jack Shea on "George Jefferson's" walk on The Jeffersons
Jack Shea on directing Leonardo DiCaprio on Growing Pains
Pop Culture
Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons
Representation on Television
Jack Shea on diversity on television during the era of Sanford and Son
Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA
Runaway Production
Jack Shea on the DGA and runaway production
Technological Innovation
Jack Shea on early television equipment
Jack Shea on how early TV programs were transmitted from California to New York
Jack Shea on how color TV changed his work
Television Industry
Jack Shea on the Hollywood Blacklist
Jack Shea on the DGA and runaway production
TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)
Jack Shea on working on live anthology dramas like Philco Television Playhouse
Underrepresented Voices
Jack Shea on diversity on television during the era of Sanford and Son
Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA
War
Jack Shea on entering the Army in 1952 and making training films
Jack Shea on editing Bob Hope's USO shows
Jack Shea on music director of Bob Hope's television specials, Les Brown, and entertaining troops at USO shows
We Laughed
Jack Shea on "George Jefferson's" walk on The Jeffersons
Women
Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA
Professions
Directors
Jack Shea on the beginning of his interest in directing
Jack Shea on how stage managers and assistant directors assist the director
Jack Shea on being promoted to director at NBC
Jack Shea on his first impressions of being on a television set and the craft of directing
Jack Shea on the craft of directing and inventing techniques, and how stage managers, assistant directors, and directors work together on set
Jack Shea on the differences between assistant directors and directors
Jack Shea on preparations for a day of filming and working with actors
Jack Shea on how involved he is with editing
Jack Shea on the relationship between producers and directors
Jack Shea on his approach to directing actors
Jack Shea on setting the tone and on set
Jack Shea on the most important role a director fulfills on the set of sitcoms
Jack Shea on his directing style
Jack Shea on how he directs kids
Jack Shea on his involvement with the Directors Guild of America (DGA)
Jack Shea on The Radio, Television Directors Guild (RTDG) and network response to the guilds
Jack Shea on the merger of the RTDG and the Screen Directors Guild into the Directors Guild of America (DGA)
Jack Shea on who can be a member of the DGA and the role of the organization in the industry; on the international profile of the DGA
Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA
Director Jack Shea on the credits issues between the WGA and the DGA
Jack Shea on the DGA and runaway production
Jack Shea on the DGA and low budget agreements
Jack Shea on the status of film versus TV directors and directors-for-hire
Jack Shea on his tenure as President of the DGA and the importance of the guild and on why he's stayed involved for 50 years
Producers
Jack Shea on his role as a producer on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
Genres
Comedy Series
Jack Shea on the cast of and production on Sanford and Son
Jack Shea on directing Sanford and Son and on the show's producers, premise and working with Redd Foxx
Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons
Jack Shea on the cast of and producers on The Jeffersons
Jack Shea on the most important role a director fulfills on the set of sitcoms
Jack Shea on directing Silver Spoons
Jack Shea on directing Designing Women
Jack Shea on directing Golden Girls
Game Shows
Jack Shea on working on Truth or Consequences, one of the first shows he directed
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff
Jack Shea on directing The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and working with Glen Campbell and his parents
People
Alan Alda
Jack Shea on working with Alan Alda
John Amos
Jack Shea on the cast of Good Times - John Amos
Jack Shea on directing 704 Hauser starring John Amos, produced by Norman Lear
Jennifer Aniston
Jack Shea on working with Jennifer Aniston
Beatrice Arthur
Jack Shea on directing Bea Arthur in the title role of Maude
Jack Shea on working with the ensemble of The Golden Girls: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty
Paul Benedict
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Paul Benedict ("Harry Bentley")
Les Brown
Jack Shea on music director of Bob Hope's television specials, Les Brown, and entertaining troops at USO shows
Delta Burke
Jack Shea on the stars of Designing Women - Delta Burke
Glen Campbell
Jack Shea on directing The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and working with Glen Campbell and his parents
Art Carney
Jack Shea on working with Art Carney on The Cavanaughs
Dixie Carter
Jack Shea on the stars of Designing Women - Dixie Carter
Imogene Coca
Jack Shea on working with Imogene Coca
Ellen Corby
Jack Shea on working with the cast of The Waltons - Ellen Corby
Franklin Cover
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Franklin Cover ("Tom Willis")
Zara Cully
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Zara Cully ("Mother Jefferson")
Leonardo DiCaprio
Jack Shea on directing Leonardo DiCaprio on Growing Pains
Sandy Duncan
Jack Shea on working with Sandy Duncan on The Hogan Family
Ralph Edwards
Jack Shea on working with Ralph Edwards on Truth or Consequences
Mike Evans
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Mike Evans ("Lionel Jefferson")
Norman Fell
Jack Shea on directing The Ropers
Jack Shea on the stars of The Ropers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley
Jodie Foster
Jack Shea on working with Jodie Foster
Redd Foxx
Jack Shea on the audience reaction to Redd Foxx (and some of his off-screen antics) on Sanford and Son
Jack Shea on problems between Redd Foxx and producers on Sanford and Son
Director Jack Shea on Redd Foxx and his comedy style and relationship with the cast of Sanford and Son
Jack Shea on Redd Foxx falling ill on the set of The Royal Family
Jack Shea on directing The Royal Family starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese
Will Geer
Jack Shea on working with the cast of The Waltons - Will Geer
Estelle Getty
Jack Shea on working with the ensemble of The Golden Girls: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty
Marla Gibbs
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Marla Gibbs ("Florence Johnston")
Jack Shea on directing The Jeffersons' spin-off Checking In starring Marla Gibbs and why he felt it was not given the chance to succeed
Ernest D. Glucksman
Jack Shea on the producer of Jerry Lewis' television specials, Ernest Glucksman
Earl Hamner, Jr.
Jack Shea on working with Lee Rich and Earl Hamner, Jr. on The Waltons
Sherman Hemsley
Jack Shea The Jeffersons' Sherman Hemsley ("George Jefferson")
Jack Shea on directing Good Behavior starring Sherman Hemsley
Joel Higgins
Jack Shea on working with Joel Higgins on Silver Spoons
Hal Holbrook
Jack Shea on working with Hal Holbrook on Designing Women
Bob Hope
Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff
Jack Shea on producers and writers on Bob Hope's television specials
Jack Shea on music director of Bob Hope's television specials, Les Brown, and entertaining troops at USO shows
Jack Shea on editing Bob Hope's USO shows
Jack Shea on Bob Hope's legacy
John Houseman
Jack Shea on working with John Houseman on Silver Spoons
Mort Lachman
Jack Shea on producers and writers on Bob Hope's television specials
Jack Shea on editing Bob Hope's USO shows
Norman Lear
Jack Shea on Sanford and Son producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin
Jack Shea on how he got involved with directing The Jeffersons
Jack Shea on directing 704 Hauser starring John Amos, produced by Norman Lear
Michael Learned
Jack Shea on working with the cast of The Waltons - Michael Learned
Jerry Lewis
Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff
Jack Shea on directing Jerry Lewis' television specials and Lewis wanting to direct
Audra Lindley
Jack Shea on directing The Ropers
Jack Shea on the stars of The Ropers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley
Jack Lord
Jack Shea on the challenges of directing Hawaii Five-O
Delbert Mann
Jack Shea on his admiration for Delbert Mann, who he worked with when he started out as a stage manager on Philco Television Playhouse
Whitman Mayo
Jack Shea on the cast of Sanford and Son - Whitman Mayo
Rue McClanahan
Jack Shea on working with the ensemble of The Golden Girls: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty
Barney McNulty
Jack Shea on working with Barney McNulty
Anne Meara
Jack Shea on working with Anne Meara
Burgess Meredith
Jack Shea on working with Burgess Meredith
Agnes Moorehead
Jack Shea on working with Agnes Moorehead
Pat Morita
Jack Shea on the cast of Sanford and Son - Pat Morita
Don Nicholl
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' producing team of Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, and Bernard West
Leslie Nielsen
Jack Shea on working with Leslie Nielsen
Noam Pitlik
Jack Shea on the cast of Sanford and Son - Noam Pitlik
Annie Potts
Jack Shea on the stars of Designing Women - Annie Potts
Della Reese
Jack Shea on directing The Royal Family starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese
John Rich
Jack Shea on his co-workers in early television
Lee Rich
Jack Shea on working with Lee Rich and Earl Hamner, Jr. on The Waltons
Roxie Roker
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Roxie Roker ("Helen Willis")
Esther Rolle
Jack Shea on the cast of Good Times - Esther Rolle
Jack Shea on the cast of Good Times - Esther Rolle
Michael Ross
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' producing team of Don Nichols, Michael Ross, and Bernard West
Isabel Sanford
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Isabel Sanford ("Louise Jefferson")
Bob Schiller
Jack Shea on working with writers Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf
Rick Schroder
Jack Shea on working with Rick Schroeder on Silver Spoons
Sherwood Schwartz
Jack Shea on working with Sherwood Schwartz
Jean Smart
Jack Shea on the stars of Designing Women - Jean Smart
McLean Stevenson
Jack Shea on working with McLean Stevenson
George Sunga
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' producer George Sunga
Richard Thomas
Jack Shea on working with the cast of The Waltons - Richard Thomas
Linda Bloodworth Thomason
Jack Shea on the producers of Designing Women - Linda Blooodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason
Harry Thomason
Jack Shea on the producers of Designing Women - Linda Blooodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason
E. Duke Vincent
Jack Shea on working with E. Duke Vincent
Jimmie Walker
Jack Shea on the cast of Good Times - Jimmie Walker
Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver
Jack Shea on meeting Pat Weaver
Bob Weiskopf
Jack Shea on working with writers Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf
Ned Wertimer
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Ned Wertimer ("Ralph, the doorman")
Bernard West
Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' producing team of Don Nichols, Michael Ross, and Bernard West
Betty White
Jack Shea on working with the ensemble of The Golden Girls: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty
Demond Wilson
Jack Shea on the cast of Sanford and Son - Demond Wilson
Bud Yorkin
Jack Shea on his co-workers in early television
Jack Shea on Sanford and Son producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin