About
"I never plotted anything. I never wrote anything down. It was always in my head. It's the only way to do it. Otherwise, you get nailed to a formula that you think may work. What happens if the actor doesn't like it? I used to let the actors run the first reading on its feet. I'd say, 'You guys do it. Let me see it.' And they would do some things that would be good; but, they'd fall apart and say, 'Help'. I would step in and say, 'Save this, save that..., but don't do this....'"
In his seven-hour interview, John Rich (1925-2012) talks about getting his start in television -- as a stage manager for NBC's The Colgate Comedy Hour -- and describes his big break in directing -- on The Ezio Pinza Show. He discusses numerous shows he directed throughout his career, including I Married Joan, The Ray Bolger Show, Our Miss Brooks, Gunsmoke, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gilligan's Island, The Brady Bunch, and All In the Family, on which he also served as producer. Rich shares his experiences directing the pilot episodes of Maude, The Jeffersons, Barney Miller, and Newhart and speaks of his role as executive producer of Benson and MacGyver. To conclude, Rich details his thoughts on the state of television directing in the 1990s and offers advice to aspiring directors. Henry Colman conducted the interview on August 3, 1999 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights
John Rich on directing Gunsmoke and James Arness
Director John Rich on the creation of the classic ottoman opening of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on the development and casting of the third (and final) pilot and early seasons of All in the Family
John Rich on the audience's reaction to the kiss in the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
John Rich on insisting that "MacGyver" would solve every problem without a gun and making an enemy of the NRA
John Rich on telling the truth
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his love of reading, radio and plays
On writing for his high school newspaper; on attending college at the University of Michigan and entering the service during World War II; on studying with Professor Garnet R. Garrison - NBC radio director
On working for radio station WHRV in Michigan
Chapter 2
On reporting basketball for WHRV; on moving to New York and starting the radio program Wanted
On F.B.I involvement with Wanted; on the Willy Sutton episode of Wanted
Chapter 3
On becoming a stage manager at NBC television; on his union activities and working in Hollywood
On working in live television on The Colgate Comedy Hour; on how working on the West Coast differed from the East Coast
Chapter 4
On his efforts to promote the Directors Guild of America; on directing The Ezio Pinza Show and The Dennis Day Show
On the new story, "Let's Watch Florence Chadwick Leave Catalina Island at Midnight and Watch her Swim Across the Channel"
On directing I Married Joan
Chapter 5
On the first broadcast of the Academy Awards; on directing I Married Joan
On directing The Ray Bolger Show; on union minimums in the 1950s; on directing Our Miss Brooks
On sitcoms in the 1950s
Chapter 6
On directing Gunsmoke; on the challenges of directing Westerns; on being in the editing room
On directing Elvis Presley; on the cast of Gunsmoke
Chapter 7
On directing episodes of Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Bat Masterson and The Twilight Zone
On the 1955 live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")
On guild strikes and negotiations for pension plans and 1948-1960 movie royalties
Chapter 8
On the Hollywood Blacklist (and witnessing an actor being fired during a reading of an episode of I Married Joan)
On getting hired to direct The Dick Van Dyke Show; on Carl Reiner and Sheldon Leonard; on banning set visitors on the first three days of rehearsals
On the visual aspects of The Dick Van Dyke Show; On Dick Van Dyke's physical comedy and the creation of the classic "ottoman" opening
On negotiating his deal on The Dick Van Dyke Show with Sheldon Leonard; on his directing style on The Dick Van Dyke Show
Chapter 9
On the writing staff and memorable episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show; on leaving The Dick Van Dyke Show to make feature films
On feature films, Gilligan's Island, and I Spy
Chapter 10
On directing the first three episodes of Gilligan's Island; on the talents of creator Sherwood Schwartz and the cast
On directing the first six episodes of The Brady Bunch; on working with the cast and the casting process
On directing episodes of Gomer Pyle (briefly)
On the development and casting of the third (and final) pilot and early seasons of All in the Family
Chapter 11
On casting Sherman Hemsley as "George Jefferson" on All in the Family; on dress rehearsals of All in the Family; on rehearsing eating scenes
On problems with Standards and Practices; on breakthrough episodes of All in the Family
Chapter 12
On Fred Silverman; on the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family; on Gloria's pregnancy and All in the Family's only music cue
On leaving All in the Family; on working with Henry Fonda; on directing Barney Miller
On directing the pilot of Maude; on The Jeffersons
On being executive producer on Benson
Chapter 13
On directing and executive producing Benson; on directing the pilot of Newhart
On producing and directing Mr. Sunshine; on producing MacGyver and his favorite episodes of MacGyver
On ending his producing partnership with Henry Winkler; on directing an episode of Murphy Brown
On his thoughts on the industry today; on television shows he watches; on advice to aspiring directors
Chapter 14
On doing a pilot with Walter Slezak on which there was a major problem with the set
On television directing today and the future of television; on career highlights and regrets; on how he'd like to be remembered
On the final shot of the movie The New Interns
On thoughts on people with whom he's worked
Shows
Academy Awards, The
John Rich on working on the first Academy Awards telecast in 1952; the 3-camera technique
All in the Family
John Rich on the development and casting of the third (and final) pilot and early seasons of All in the Family
John Rich on how Sherman Hemsley was cast as George Jefferson on All in the Family, and later, The Jeffersons (spin-off)
John Rich on leaving All in the Family
John Rich on shooting rehearsals of All in the Family
John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
John Rich on informing guest star Sammy Davis, Jr. on the way All in the Family was rehearsed
John Rich on the invention of the "kiss" for the third act in the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
Director John Rich on the audience's reaction to the kiss in the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
Director John Rich on insisting that guest star Sammy Davis Jr. not use cue cards on the episode "Sammy's Visit"
All in the Family: "Sammy's Visit"
John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
John Rich on the set-up of All in the Family's episode "Sammy's Visit"
John Rich on informing guest star Sammy Davis, Jr. on the way All in the Family was rehearsed
Director John Rich on the invention of the kiss for the third act in the All in the Family episode Sammy's Visit
Director John Rich on the audience's reaction to the kiss in the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
Director John Rich on insisting that guest star Sammy Davis Jr. not use cue cards on the episode "Sammy's Visit"
Barney Miller
Director John Rich on wanting a casting change for the wife in Barney Miller
Bat Masterson
John Rich on directing Bat Masterson
Benson
John Rich on ABC President Anthony Thomopoulos' daughter wanting to observe a rehearsal of Benson
John Rich on being an executive producer on Benson (starting the second season)
John Rich on directing and executive producing Benson
Bonanza
John Rich on directing Bonanza
Brady Bunch, The
John Rich on directing the first six episodes of The Brady Bunch; on working with the cast; on casting
Colgate Comedy Hour, The
John Rich on setting up The Colgate Comedy Hour at the El Capitan Theatre
Dennis Day Show. The
John Rich on directing The Dennis Day Show
John Rich on Jack Benny guest starring on The Dennis Day Show
Dick Van Dyke Show, The
John Rich on directing and motivating actors on The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on getting hired to direct The Dick Van Dyke Show; on Carl Reiner and Sheldon Leonard; on banning set visitors on the first three days of rehearsals
John Rich on the visual aspects of The Dick Van Dyke Show; on Dick Van Dyke's physical comedy and the creation of the classic ottoman opening
John Rich on negotiating his deal on The Dick Van Dyke Show with Sheldon Leonard; on his directing style on The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on Carl Reiner and other Dick Van Dyke Show writers
John Rich on his favorite episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show: "Where Did I Come From?" - the birth of Rob and Laura's son
John Rich on Procter & Gamble and CBS having issues with the "That's My Boy?" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on his favorite episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show - "Where Did I Come From?" - the birth of Rob and Laura's son
Dick Van Dyke Show, The: "That's My Boy?"
John Rich on Procter & Gamble and CBS having issues with the "That's My Boy?" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
Dick Van Dyke Show, The: "Where Did I Come From?"
John Rich on his favorite episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show: "Where Did I Come From?" - the birth of Rob and Laura's son
John Rich on his favorite episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show: "Where Did I Come From?" - the birth of Rob and Laura's son
Dunninger
John Rich on being a stage manager at The Dunninger Show
Ezio Pinza Show, The
John Rich on directing The Ezio Pinza Show
Gilligan's Island
John Rich on directing Gilligan's Island
John Rich on directing the first three episodes of Gilligan's Island and the talents of creator Sherwood Schwartz and the cast
Gomer Pyle - USMC
John Rich on directing episodes of Gomer Pyle
Gunsmoke
John Rich on directing Gunsmoke when he wanted to switch to drama from comedy directing
John Rich on the actors of Gunsmoke
John Rich on directing Gunsmoke and James Arness
I Married Joan
John Rich on directing I Married Joan
John Rich on directing I Married Joan and working with Joan Davis
John Rich on the Hollywood Blacklist (and witnessing an actor being fired during a reading of an episode of I Married Joan)
I Spy
John Rich on working with Bill Cosby on I Spy
Jack Carter Show, The
John Rich on being a stage manager at The Jack Carter Show
Jeffersons, The
John Rich on casting Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family
John Rich on how Sherman Hemsley was cast as George Jefferson on All in the Family, and later, The Jeffersons (spin-off)
Kraft Television Theatre
John Rich on being a stage manager at Kraft Television Theatre
Law & Order
John Rich on acting with Julia Roberts on Law & Order
MacGyver
John Rich on producing MacGyver
Maude
Director John Rich on Maude with Bea Arthur
Mr. Sunshine
John Rich on producing Mr. Sunshine
Murphy Brown
John Rich on directing one episode of Murphy Brown
Newhart
John Rich on directing the pilot of Newhart; on the concept and format of the series
Our Miss Brooks
John Rich on directing Our Miss Brooks
John Rich on format changes on Our Miss Brooks
Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
John Rich on working with producer/director Fred Coe on The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Ray Bolger Show, The
John Rich on directing The Ray Bolger Show
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
Twilight Zone, The
John Rich on directing two episodes of The Twilight Zone
Wonderful World of Disney, The aka Magical World of Disney, The
John Rich on the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")(airdate: July 17, 1955)
Your Show of Shows
John Rich on wanting to work on Your Show of Shows
Topics
Censorship / Standards & Practices
John Rich on Procter & Gamble and CBS having issues with the "That's My Boy?" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on problems with Standards & Practices on All in the Family
Characters & Catchphrases
John Rich on All in the Family's "Archie Bunker"
John Rich on using props to tell backstory of characters - as he did with Sherman Hemsley's "George Jefferson"
Classic TV Series Episodes
John Rich on the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")(airdate: July 17, 1955)
John Rich on memorable episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on Procter & Gamble and CBS having issues with the "That's My Boy?" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on the audience's reaction to the kiss in the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
Director John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
Comedy
John Rich on memorable episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on Procter & Gamble and CBS having issues with the "That's My Boy?" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
John Rich on the audience's reaction to the kiss in the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
Emmy Awards
John Rich on working with Gunsmoke producer Norm Macdonnell and assisting the editor, who won the Emmy that year
Historic Events and Social Change
John Rich on casting Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family
Hollywood Blacklist
John Rich on the Hollywood Blacklist (and witnessing an actor being fired during a reading of an episode of I Married Joan)
Industry Crossroads
John Rich on the Hollywood Blacklist (and witnessing an actor being fired during a reading of an episode of I Married Joan)
Memorable Moments on Television
John Rich on the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")(airdate: July 17, 1955)
John Rich on Procter & Gamble and CBS having issues with the "That's My Boy?" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
Director John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
Pop Culture
John Rich on the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")(airdate: July 17, 1955)
Director John Rich on the creation of the classic ottoman opening of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on memorable episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on Procter & Gamble and CBS having issues with the "That's My Boy?" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on All in the Family's "Archie Bunker"
John Rich on using props to tell backstory of characters - as he did with Sherman Hemsley's "George Jefferson"
John Rich on the audience's reaction to the kiss in the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
Director John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
Representation on Television
John Rich on casting Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family
John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
Studio and Network Management
John Rich on the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")(airdate: July 17, 1955)
Television Industry
John Rich on the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")(airdate: July 17, 1955)
John Rich on the Hollywood Blacklist (and witnessing an actor being fired during a reading of an episode of I Married Joan)
John Rich on Procter & Gamble and CBS having issues with the "That's My Boy?" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on problems with Standards & Practices on All in the Family
TV Theme Songs
Director John Rich on the creation of the classic ottoman opening of The Dick Van Dyke Show
Underrepresented Voices
John Rich on casting Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family
John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")
Professions
Directors
John Rich on his early directing responsibilities
John Rich on protecting actors
John Rich on moving from comedy to directing drama - he wanted to direct Playhouse 90 but got Gunsmoke from CBS
John Rich on negotiating his deal on The Dick Van Dyke Show with Sheldon Leonard; on his directing style on The Dick Van Dyke Show
Director John Rich on the casting process
John Rich on the type of directing that isn't done anymore
John Rich on his view of directing today, his disappointment with television today (1999), and how directors are being phased out by networks. "You don't hire a legend."
Performers
Director John Rich on the casting process
Genres
Adventure/Espionage Series
John Rich on producing MacGyver
Comedy Series
Director John Rich on the creation of the classic ottoman opening of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on the writing staff and memorable episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show; on leaving The Dick Van Dyke Show to make feature films
John Rich on directing All in the Family
John Rich on All in the Family
John Rich on directing All in the Family
John Rich on directing the pilot of Newhart
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
John Rich on being stage manager/AD on The Colgate Comedy Hour
John Rich on directing The Ezio Pinza Show
Western Series
John Rich on directing Gunsmoke
John Rich on directing Gunsmoke and James Arness
People
Richard Dean Anderson
John Rich on MacGyver star Richard Dean Anderson
Eve Arden
John Rich on Eve Arden of Our Miss Brooks
James Arness
John Rich on the actors of Gunsmoke: James Arness
John Rich on directing Gunsmoke and James Arness
Danny Arnold
John Rich on wanting a casting change for the wife in Barney Miller
Beatrice Arthur
John Rich on directing Bea Arthur on Maude
Rene Auberjonois
John Rich on the cast of Benson
James T. Aubrey
John Rich on Jim Aubrey
Jim Backus
John Rich on directing Jim Backus in I Married Joan
John Rich on directing Jim Backus in I Married Joan
Gene Barry
John Rich on Gene Barry of Bat Masterson
Jack Benny
John Rich on Jack Benny guest-starring on The Dennis Day Show
Milton Berle
John Rich on watching Milton Berle rehearse
Ray Bolger
John Rich on directing Ray Bolger
John Rich on Ray Bolger
Jack Carter
John Rich on being a stage manager and becoming an AD at The Jack Carter Show
Fred Coe
John Rich on working with producer/director Fred Coe on The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Hal Cooper
John Rich on getting Hal Cooper on as Associate Producer for Gilligan's Island
Bill Cosby
John Rich on working with Bill Cosby on I Spy
Tony Curtis
John Rich on working with Jerry Lewis and Tony Curtis
Sammy Davis, Jr.
John Rich on informing guest star Sammy Davis, Jr. ("Sammy's Visit") on the way All in the Family was rehearsed
John Rich on insisting that guest star Sammy Davis Jr. not use cue cards on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
Joan Davis
John Rich on meeting and working with Joan Davis of I Married Joan
John Rich on directing Joan Davis in I Married Joan
Dennis Day
John Rich on working with Dennis Day
John Rich on Jack Benny guest-starring on The Dennis Day Show
Bob Denver
John Rich on the cast of Gilligan's Island
Walt Disney
John Rich on the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")(airdate: July 17, 1955)
Hugh Downs
John Rich on meeting Hugh Downs
Jerry Van Dyke
John Rich on Dick Van Dyke's brother, Jerry, and Jerry's role on The Dick Van Dyke Show
Douglas Edwards
John Rich on his first memories of television - seeing Douglas Edwards do the news on a TV in a hamburger joint
Michael Eisner
John Rich on Michael Eisner
Mike Evans
John Rich on casting Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family
Henry Fonda
John Rich on his television movie with Henry Fonda
Zsa Zsa Gabor
John Rich on directing The Ezio Pinza Show
Robert Guillaume
John Rich on Benson star Robert Guillaume
John Rich on Benson star Robert Guillaume
Sherman Hemsley
John Rich on casting "George Jefferson" on All in the Family
John Rich on how Sherman Hemsley was cast as George Jefferson on All in the Family, and later, The Jeffersons (spin-off)
John Rich on using props to tell backstory of characters - as he did with Sherman Hensley's "George Jefferson"
Florence Henderson
John Rich on shooting the first few episodes of The Brady Bunch around Florence Henderson's schedule
Norman Lear
John Rich on working with Norman Lear on The Colgate Comedy Hour
John Rich on All in the Family's co-creator Norman Lear
John Rich on casting Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family
John Rich on Norman Lear's involvement and casting on All in the Family
John Rich on how Sherman Hemsley was cast as George Jefferson on All in the Family, and later, The Jeffersons (spin-off)
John Rich on the difficulties of getting All in the Family on the air
Sheldon Leonard
John Rich on getting hired to direct The Dick Van Dyke Show; on Carl Reiner and Sheldon Leonard; on banning set visitors on the first three days of rehearsals
John Rich on negotiating his deal on The Dick Van Dyke Show with Sheldon Leonard; on his directing style on The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on Sheldon Leonard and Carl Reiner's reaction to Rich leaving The Dick Van Dyke Show
Jerry Lewis
John Rich on working with Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin
John Rich on working with Jerry Lewis and Tony Curtis
Art Linkletter
John Rich on the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")(airdate: July 17, 1955)
David Lloyd
John Rich on the writing on Mr. Sunshine
Tina Louise
John Rich on the cast of Gilligan's Island
Norman Macdonnell
John Rich on working with Gunsmoke producer Norm Macdonnell and assisting the editor, who won the Emmy that year
Rose Marie
John Rich on Rose Marie's amazing talent as a comedy straight woman
Dean Martin
John Rich on working with Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin
Ted Mills
John Rich on working with Ezio Pinza and Ted Mills on The Ezio Pinza Show
Bob Newhart
John Rich on directing the pilot of Newhart; on the concept and format of the series
Don Nicholl
John Rich on All in the Family writer Don Nicholl
Carroll O'Connor
John Rich on the cast of All in the Family: Carroll O'Connor
John Rich on actor Carroll O'Connor
Jerry Paris
John Rich on training Jerry Paris to direct The Dick Van Dyke Show
Ezio Pinza
John Rich on working with Ezio Pinza and Ted Mills on The Ezio Pinza Show
Ronald Reagan
John Rich on the live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland ("Dateline: Disneyland")(airdate: July 17, 1955); on Reagan as an actor
Robert Reed
John Rich on Robert Reed of The Brady Bunch
Carl Reiner
John Rich on directing The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on Carl Reiner and the creation of the opening of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on Carl Reiner and other Dick Van Dyke Show writers
John Rich on Procter & Gamble and CBS having issues with the "That's My Boy?" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on Sheldon Leonard and Carl Reiner's reaction to Rich leaving The Dick Van Dyke Show
John Rich on the casting of Rob Reiner as "Mike Stivic" on All in the Family
Rob Reiner
John Rich on the casting of Rob Reiner as "Mike Stivic" on All in the Family
John Rich on Rob Reiner on the first day of All in the Family
Pernell Roberts
John Rich on working with Gunsmoke casting agent Lynn Stalmaster and wanting Pernell Roberts
Julia Roberts
John Rich on acting with Julia Roberts on Law & Order
Michael Ross
John Rich on All in the Family writers Bernie West and Mickey Ross
Aaron Ruben
John Rich on Aaron Ruben
David Sarnoff
John Rich on David Sarnoff
Sherwood Schwartz
John Rich on Sherwood Schwartz writing for I Married Joan
John Rich on Sherwood Schwartz
John Rich on directing Gilligan's Island
John Rich on Gilligan's Island and the talents of Sherwood Schwartz
John Rich on Sherwood Schwartz's The Brady Bunch
George Segal
John Rich on actor George Segal and top billing in The Jerusalem Post
Jerry Seinfeld
John Rich on Jerry Seinfeld on Benson
Rod Serling
John Rich on directing two episodes of The Twilight Zone
Fred Silverman
John Rich on trading wit with Fred Silverman
John Rich on Fred Silverman
Sid Smith
John Rich on his first shot directing The Colgate Comedy Hour, replacing Sid Smith
Lynn Stalmaster
John Rich on working with Gunsmoke casting agent Lynn Stalmaster and wanting Pernell Roberts
Sally Struthers
John Rich on the cast of All in the Family: Sally Struthers
David Susskind
John Rich on getting hired by David Susskind to direct a pilot that got cancelled and the beginning of "pay or play"
Jeffrey Tambor
John Rich on producing Mr. Sunshine
Anthony D. Thomopoulos
John Rich on ABC President Anthony D. Thomopoulos' daughter wanting to observe a rehearsal of Benson
Dick Van Dyke
John Rich on meeting and working wtih Dick Van Dyke
John Rich on the visual aspects of The Dick Van Dyke Show, Dick Van Dyke's physical comedy, and the creation of the classic ottoman opening
Bernard West
John Rich on All in the Family writers Bernie West and Mickey Ross
Henry Winkler
John Rich on partnering with Henry Winkler to produce Mr. Sunshine
John Rich on ending his producing partnership with Henry Winkler
Robert D. Wood
John Rich on CBS President Robert D. Wood
Bud Yorkin
John Rich on working with Bud Yorkin on The Colgate Comedy Hour
John Rich on All in the Family's co-creator Bud Yorkin