About
"Providing a home for creative people and people to be happy and enjoying coming to work everyday. That gave me a great deal of joy."
In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Lee Rich (1927-2012) talks about starting out in television at the advertising agency Benton & Bowles, where he worked to package and sell The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Danny Thomas Show. Largely serving as an additional producer on the shows during those early days of television, when advertising agencies enjoyed almost total control over programming, Rich recounts how he left the agency in 1965 to form his own production company, Mirisch-Rich Productions, which produced television programs including The Rat Patrol and one of the first Garry Marshall/Jerry Belson shows, Hey, Landlord. Rich discusses in detail the formation of the hugely successful production company Lorimar in 1969, which generated television hits The Waltons, Dallas, Eight is Enough, Knots Landing, and numerous television movies including Sybil and Helter Skelter. Jeffrey Glaser conducted the interview on April 12, 1999 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Lee Rich on how his production company, Lorimar, got its name
Lee Rich on the "House Divided" episode of Dallas which generated the question, "Who Shot J.R.?"
Lee Rich on the Hollywood Blacklist
Lee Rich on the control that advertising agencies had over programming in the early days and how the Quiz Show Scandals changed things
Lee Rich on Fred Silverman's plan for airing Roots
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences
On his first jobs after college; on his time in the Navy; on getting into the advertising business
On his impressions of television; on heading the media department of advertising agency, Benton & Bowles
On the involvement of advertising agencies in early television programming and shows that he packaged
Chapter 2
On working with Grant Tinker at Benton & Bowles
On his involvement with The Dick Van Dyke Show
On leaving Benton & Bowles to create production company, Mirisch-Rich Productions; on the Hollywood Blacklist
On joining the Leo Burnett agency; on his involvement with the shows The Rat Patrol and Hogan's Heroes
Chapter 3
On his involvement with the shows The Rat Patrol, Hey Landlord, and Sheriff Who?; on returning to the advertising world for one year
On forming the production company Lorimar and on early Lorimar productions
On movies of the week; on movie of the week, The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, which inspired the series The Waltons
Chapter 4
On The Waltons and the series' subsequent TV movies
On Lorimar's television movies and miniseries (The Blue Knight, Sybil, Helter Skelter) and on films
On being an executive producer at Lorimar; on working with the networks
Chapter 5
On departments and procedures at Lorimar; on Eight is Enough
On Lorimar's hit show Dallas
On the Lorimar show Knot's Landing and its comparisons to Dallas
Chapter 6
On Lorimar getting into first run syndication and partnering with Telepictures; on leaving Lorimar for MGM-UA
On selling Lorimar to Warner Brothers; on his time at MGM-UA
On forming his own company, Lee Rich Productions; on movies he's produced
On some of his television favorites; on his respect for writers
Chapter 7
On the impact of cable television; on how audiences have changed
On his regrets and his legacy; on people he's worked with
Shows
Ally McBeal
Lee Rich on shows he likes
Andy Griffith Show, The
Lee Rich on shows he packaged - The Andy Griffith Show
Blue Knight, The
Lee Rich on the Lorimar production, The Blue Knight
Dallas
Lee Rich on getting Dallas off the ground
Lee Rich on getting Dallas on the air
Lee Rich on the origins of Dallas
Lee Rich on the "House Divided" episode of Dallas which generated the question, "Who Shot J.R.?"
Lee Rich on Patrick Ewing leaving and returning to Dallas - the season was all a dream
Lee Rich on going on Tom Snyder's show to deal with criticism from a reverend about Dallas
Lee Rich on staying home to watch TV shows
Dallas: "House Divided"
Lee Rich on the "House Divided" episode of Dallas which generated the question, "Who Shot J.R.?"
Dallas: "The Return to Camelot: Part 1"
Lee Rich on Patrick Ewing leaving and returning to Dallas - the season was all a dream
Dallas: J. R. Returns
Lee Rich on the TV movie Dallas: J.R. Returns
Danny Thomas Show, The aka Make Room for Daddy
Lee Rich on wanting Danny Thomas to be involved with television
Detectives, The
Lee Rich on packaging Detectives Starring Robert Taylor
Dick Van Dyke Show, The
Lee Rich on shows he packaged - The Dick Van Dyke Show
Lee Rich on his involvement with The Dick Van Dyke Show
Edge of Night, The
Lee Rich on how the Hollywood Blacklist affected daytime programming
Eight Is Enough
Lee Rich on producing Eight is Enough
Gomer Pyle - USMC
Lee Rich on CBS President Jim Aubrey's doubts that Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. would ever make it to air
Guiding Light
Lee Rich on how the Hollywood Blacklist affected daytime programming
Helter Skelter
Lee Rich on the successful television movie Helter Skelter
Hey Landlord!
Lee Rich on Hey Landlord!, the first program produced for him by Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson
Lee Rich on his involvement with the show Hey Landlord!
Hogan's Heroes
Lee Rich on his involvement with the show Hogan's Heroes
Homecoming, The: A Christmas Story
Lee Rich on how he kept Lorimar afloat by doing movies of the week like, The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, which inspired the series The Waltons
Knots Landing
Lee Rich on trying to sell Knots Landing and creating a night time soap opera
Lee Rich on producing Knots Landing
NYPD Blue
Lee Rich on shows he likes
Pink Panther, The
Lee Rich on producing the animated show, The Pink Panther
Rat Patrol, The
Lee Rich on The Rat Patrol, the first show he produced for Mirisch-Rich Productions
Lee Rich on his involvement with the show, The Rat Patrol
Lee Rich on his involvement with the show The Rat Patrol
Rifleman, The
Lee Rich on packaging The Rifleman
Roots
Lee Rich on Fred Silverman's plan for airing Roots
Sheriff Who?
Lee Rich on the cult show, Sheriff Who? - a Belson/Marshall show
Lee Rich on his involvement with the show, Sheriff Who, in which a sheriff was killed every week
Sopranos, The
Lee Rich on staying home to watch TV shows
Sybil
Lee Rich on the successful television movie Sybil
Lee Rich on his favorite TV show, Sybil
Waltons, The
Lee Rich on casting Ralph White for The Waltons
Lee Rich on his involvement with the show The Waltons
Lee Rich on promising to never give distribution rights away again after doing so with The Waltons
Lee Rich on Eight is Enough as the modern day version of The Waltons
Lee Rich on his favorite series, The Waltons
Topics
Advertising and Sponsorship
Lee Rich on how the advertising agencies worked with the television networks and sponsors during early television
Classic TV Series Episodes
Lee Rich on the "House Divided" episode of Dallas which generated the question, "Who Shot J.R.?"
Lee Rich on Patrick Ewing leaving and returning to Dallas - the previous season was all a dream
Criticism of TV
Lee Rich on criticism about Dallas
Hollywood Blacklist
Lee Rich on the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Lee Rich on the Hollywood Blacklist
Lee Rich on the Quiz Show Scandals and the subsequent impact on the networks and advertising agencies
Media Consolidation
Lee Rich on the changing media landscape and consolidation
Memorable Moments on Television
Lee Rich on the "House Divided" episode of Dallas which generated the question, "Who Shot J.R.?"
Lee Rich on Patrick Ewing leaving and returning to Dallas - the previous season was all a dream
Network Creation
Lee Rich on the network creators: David Sarnoff (NBC), William S. Paley (CBS), and Leonard Goldenson (ABC)
Quiz Show Scandals
Lee Rich on the Quiz Show Scandals and the subsequent impact on the networks and advertising agencies
Representation on Television
Lee Rich on the episode of The Waltons that dealt with race
Technological Innovation
Lee Rich on the 3-camera system used at Desilu studios
Lee Rich on the advantages and disadvantages of cable
Television Industry
Lee Rich on how the advertising agencies worked with the television networks and sponsors during early television
Lee Rich on the Hollywood Blacklist
Lee Rich on the Quiz Show Scandals and the subsequent impact on the networks and advertising agencies
Lee Rich on the network creators: David Sarnoff (NBC), William S. Paley (CBS), and Leonard Goldenson (ABC)
Lee Rich on the changing media landscape and consolidation
Lee Rich on criticism about Dallas
Professions
Advertising Executive
Lee Rich on his path to heading the media and programming departments at the advertising agency Benton & Bowles
Lee Rich on the role of producer versus that of advertising executive
Executives
Lee Rich on his path to heading the media and programming departments at the advertising agency Benton & Bowles
Lee Rich on the role of producer versus that of advertising executive
Producers
Lee Rich on forming Mirisch-Rich Productions
Lee Rich on the role of producer versus that of advertising executive
Lee Rich on forming the production company Lorimar
Lee Rich on being an executive producer at Lorimar
Lee Rich on his management style at Lorimar
Genres
Comedy Series
Lee Rich on his involvement with The Dick Van Dyke Show
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Lee Rich on Dallas
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Lee Rich on the Lorimar production, The Blue Knight
Lee Rich on the Lorimar production, Sybil
Lee Rich on the Lorimar production, Helter Skelter, the Charles Manson story
People
Danny Arnold
Lee Rich on Danny Arnold
John Astin
Lee Rich on his involvement with the show, Sheriff Who, in which John Astin starred as a villain
James T. Aubrey
Lee Rich of CBS President Jim Aubrey's doubts that Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. would ever make it to air
Lee Rich on working with Jim Aubrey, President of CBS
Lee Rich on working with Jim Aubrey to keep Benton & Bowles programming at CBS
Lee Rich on James Aubrey
Jerry Belson
Lee Rich on his respect for writers
Lee Rich on Hey Landlord!, the first program produced for him by Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson
Lee Rich on his involvement with the Garry Marshall/Jerry Belson show, Hey Landlord!
William Blinn
Lee Rich on bringing in writer/producer Bill Blinn for Eight is Enough
Betty Buckley
Lee Rich on casting Betty Buckley in Eight is Enough after Diana Hyland's death
Fielder Cook
Lee Rich on Fielder Cook's direction of The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, the movie that inspired the series The Waltons
Ellen Corby
Lee Rich on Ellen Corbin, Grandma Walton
Michael Dann
Lee Rich on Michael Dann
Jim Davis
Lee Rich on casting Jim Davis in Dallas
Barry Diller
Lee Rich on keeping Lorimar afloat by doing movies of the week for Barry Diller at ABC
Patrick Duffy
Lee Rich on casting Patrick Duffy in Dallas
Lee Rich on casting Patrick Duffy in Dallas
Lee Rich on Patrick Duffy leaving and returning to Dallas
Michael Eisner
Lee Rich on Michael Eisner
Sally Field
Lee Rich on casting Sally Field in Sybil
Barbara Bel Geddes
Lee Rich on casting Barbara Bel Geddes in Dallas
Will Geer
Lee Rich on Will Geer's death on The Waltons
Leonard H. Goldenson
Lee Rich on working with Leonard Goldenson, Founder of ABC
Lee Rich on the network creators: David Sarnoff (NBC), William S. Paley (CBS), and Leonard Goldenson (ABC)
Lee Rich on Leonard Goldenson
Bud Grant
Lee Rich on Bud Grant writing the first 5 scripts of Dallas
Andy Griffith
Lee Rich on Andy Griffith
Larry Hagman
Lee Rich on casting Larry Hagman in Dallas
Lee Rich on Larry Hagman's salary on Dallas
Lee Rich on the TV movie Dallas: J.R. Returns
Earl Hamner, Jr.
Lee Rich on Earl Hammer, creator of The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, the movie that inspired the series The Waltons
William Holden
Lee Rich on the Lorimar production, The Blue Knight
Diana Hyland
Lee Rich on casting Diana Hyland for Eight is Enough
David Jacobs
Lee Rich on Dallas creator David Jacobs
Lee Rich on David Jacobs
Leonard Katzman
Lee Rich on Leonard Katzman taking over for David Jacobs on Dallas
Lee Rich on Leonard Katzmann writing the famous Bobby's back on Dallas idea: the previous season was all a dream
George Kennedy
Lee Rich on the Lorimar production, The Blue Knight
Michael Learned
Lee Rich on casting Michael Learned for The Waltons
Lee Rich on Michael Learned leaving The Waltons
Sheldon Leonard
Lee Rich on wanting trusted people like Sheldon Leonard to work on new television shows
Lee Rich on producer/director Sheldon Leonard and how Benton & Bowles got The Dick Van Dyke Show
Lee Rich on his efforts with Sheldon Leonard to prevent The Dick Van Dyke Show from getting dropped by sponsor Procter & Gamble
Lee Rich on Sheldon Leonard
Karl Malden
Lee Rich on Karl Malden's role in the film Twilight's Last Gleaming
Lee Rich on Karl Malden
Garry Marshall
Lee Rich on his respect for writers
Lee Rich on Hey Landlord!, the first program produced for him by Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson
Lee Rich on the cult show, Sheriff Who? - a Belson/Marshall show
Lee Rich on his involvement with the Garry Marshall/Jerry Belson show, Hey Landlord!
Lee Rich on Garry Marshall
Donna Mills
Lee Rich on the women of Knots Landing
Harold Mirisch
Lee Rich on producing partner, Harold Mirisch
Leslie Moonves
Lee Rich on Leslie Moonves heading Movies of the Week at Lorimar
Lee Rich on those who wanted his position at Lorimar once he left for MGM
Lee Rich on Leslie Moonves
Patricia Neal
Lee Rich on how he kept Lorimar afloat by doing movies of the week like, The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, with Patricia Neal (the movie that inspired the series The Waltons)
William S. Paley
Lee Rich on working with William S. Paley, Founder of CBS
Lee Rich on William S. Paley's involvement with the movie of the week, The Homecoming: A Christmas Story - the movie that inspired the series The Waltons
Lee Rich on the network creators: David Sarnoff (NBC), William S. Paley (CBS), and Leonard Goldenson (ABC)
Lee Rich on William S. Paley
Daniel Petrie, Sr.
Lee Rich on Daniel Petrie directing Sybil
Victoria Principal
Lee Rich on casting Victoria Principal in Dallas
Carl Reiner
Lee Rich on his respect for writers
Lee Rich on writer/show creator Carl Reiner and how Benton & Bowles got The Dick Van Dyke Show
Lee Rich on Carl Reiner
Reginald Rose
Lee Rich on Reginald Rose
David Salzman
Lee Rich on those who wanted his position at Lorimar once he left for MGM
David Sarnoff
Lee Rich on the network creators: David Sarnoff (NBC), William S. Paley (CBS), and Leonard Goldenson (ABC)
Rod Serling
Lee Rich on the Lorimar production, The Blue Knight, written by Rod Serling
Lee Rich on Rod Serling
Fred Silverman
Lee Rich on Fred Silverman wanting him to cast a big name for The Homecoming: A Christmas Story - the movie that inspired the series The Waltons
Lee Rich on Fred Silverman's plan for airing Roots
Lee Rich onFred Silverman
Tom Snyder
Lee Rich on going on Tom Snyder's show to deal with criticism from a reverend about Dallas
Aaron Sorkin
Lee Rich on his respect for writer Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Spelling
Lee Rich on Aaron Spelling as a writer over at Desilu Studios
Steven Spielberg
Lee Rich on meeting with Steven Spielberg
Frank Stanton
Lee Rich on Frank Stanton
Brandon Stoddard
Lee Rich on Brandon Stoddard
Brandon Tartikoff
Lee Rich on Brandon Tartikoff
Danny Thomas
Lee Rich on wanting popular people like Danny Thomas to have a television show
Lee Rich on producer Danny Thomas and how Benton & Bowles got The Dick Van Dyke Show
Lee Rich on Danny Thomas
Richard Thomas
Lee Rich on how he kept Lorimar afloat by doing movies of the week like, The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, with Richard Thomas (the movie that inspired the series The Waltons)
Lee Rich on Richard Thomas ("John Boy") leaving The Waltons
Grant Tinker
Lee Rich on working with Grant Tinker at Benton & Bowles advertising agency
Lee Rich on how Grant Tinker thought he was crazy for starting Lorimar
Lee Rich on Grant Tinker
Dick Van Dyke
Lee Rich on actor Dick Van Dyke and how Benton & Bowles got The Dick Van Dyke Show
Lee Rich on concerns about Dick Van Dyke for The Dick Van Dyke Show
Lee Rich on Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Patten
Lee Rich on casting Eight is Enough
Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver
Lee Rich on Pat Weaver
Larry White
Lee Rich on working with Larry White at Benton & Bowles advertising agency
Lee Rich on the Lorimar production, The Blue Knight
Ralph White
Lee Rich on casting Ralph White for The Waltons
Joanne Woodward
Lee Rich on Joanne Woodward in Sybil