About
"Television will always be here. It is the most powerful medium I've known of since the first time I saw it and why I switched from advertising to television. And when it's used for all of its good, it's fabulous."
In his nearly six-hour interview, Leonard Goldberg (1934-2019) talks about breaking into the business in the research departments at ABC and NBC in the 1950s. He speaks of his return to ABC in the 1960s, where he worked in TV development and was later promoted to vice president of network programming. He details his work at Screen Gems, where he developed the celebrated television movie Brian's Song - one of the highlights of his career. Goldberg discusses the formation of Spelling-Goldberg Productions with his partner Aaron Spelling, and elaborates on the many projects that came from the company including Charlie's Angels, Starsky and Hutch, Fantasy Island, Hart to Hart, and T.J. Hooker. He talks of developing the television movies The Boy in the Plastic Bubble and Something About Amelia. He also outlines his accomplishments as president and COO of 20th Century Fox, where he facilitated The Simpsons and the feature films Broadcast News and Working Girl. Finally, he discusses his then-current position as head of Mandy Films. Dan Pasternack conducted the two-part interview on October 21 and December 7, 2004 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights
Leonard Goldberg on the sudden stardom of Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels; on THE poster and her leaving the show
Leonard Goldberg on William Blinn adding narration to the TV movie Brian's Song
Leonard Goldberg on Prince Charles meeting the leads of Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on the concept for Fantasy Island
Leonard Goldberg on the people helped by the TV movie Something About Amelia (which dealt with incest)
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his own family experience that inspired the show Family
On his hobbies as a child - sports and reading; on attending the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania at 16 years old; on his early memories of radio and television
On his first job out of Wharton - at Bloomingdales
On his start in television in the ABC research department
Chapter 2
On working in the ABC research department with Fred Pierce; on moving to NBC and wanting to get into programming; on working for advertising agency BBD&O
On getting hired back at ABC and working with Douglas Cramer
On becoming Vice-President of Daytime Programming at ABC
Chapter 3
On his start in daytime programming (when ABC was supposedly getting out of the daytime business); on targeting children and youth-oriented programming
On working with Chuck Barris, head of daytime for the West Coast, and creating The Dating Game; on the creation of Supermarket Sweep; on the Beatles cartoon show; on ABC becoming the number one network Saturday mornings
On his daytime strategy, on the creation of The Newlywed Game and Dark Shadows
On the creation of Never Too Young and the clever way he shot the show; on getting promoted to ABC's head of programming
Chapter 4
On finding his footing as head of programming; on hiring Barry Diller and re-vamping the ABC Sunday Night Movie
On hiring Michael Eisner
On the creation on the made-for-TV movie (Movie of the Week); on ABC founder Leonard Goldenson and ABC President Elton Rule
Chapter 5
On leaving ABC in New York and moving to California to work for Columbia Pictures Television (Screen Gems); on the projects on which he worked, including The Partridge Family
On the creation of the TV movie Brian's Song
On forming a production partnership with Aaron Spelling; on their work on The Mod Squad
Chapter 6
On producing The Rookies, S.W.A.T., and Starsky and Hutch
On the creation of Family
On the creation of Charlie's Angels
Chapter 7
On producing and casting Charlie's Angels
On the sudden stardom of Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels; on Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson leaving the show; on why the show left the air
Chapter 8
PART II: On The Fugitive and producing the TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, starring John Travolta
On the supporting cast of Charlie's Angels; on the episode of Charlie's Angels where we finally see "Charlie"
On his and Aaron Spelling's involvement with production and with ABC; on the many cast changes on the show; on the 2000 movie version of Charlie's Angels
Chapter 9
On the 2000 movie version of Charlie's Angels, contd.
On executive producing Fantasy Island; on casting the show, guest stars, and production of the show
On the creation of Hart to Hart; on casting Stefanie Powers and Robert Wagner and the chemistry between the leads; on why the show went off the air
Chapter 10
On ending his long-term business partnership with Aaron Spelling; on the final Spelling-Goldberg production, T.J. Hooker
On executive producing the TV movie Something About Amelia; on the social impact the movie had and how many people were helped by it
On executive producing Paper Dolls; on producing the movies "War Games"
On becoming head of television and film programming (President and COO) at 20th Century Fox and working with Barry Diller
On the development of The Tracey Ullman Show
Chapter 11
On the genesis of The Simpsons and the role James L. Brooks played in getting it made
On the development of In Living Color; on the films "Broadcast News", "Big", and "Working Girl"
On leaving 20th Century Fox and becoming an independent producer; on the craft of being a producer
On then-current projects and ageism in the business; on the future of television
Chapter 12
On the future of the big three networks; on advice to aspiring producers and executives
On the highlight of his career; on his mentors and people he's mentored; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
ABC Sunday Movie, The
Leonard Goldberg on hiring Barry Diller and re-vamping the ABC Sunday Night Movie
Boy in the Plastic Bubble, The
Leonard Goldberg on producing the TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, starring John Travolta
Brian's Song
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of the TV movie Brian's Song
Leonard Goldberg on how much he enjoyed working on Brian's Song
Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Charlie's Angels, originally titled "The Alley Cats"
Leonard Goldberg on casting Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on starting production and promotions on Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on the critics' reception of Charlie's Angels and "jiggle television"
Leonard Goldberg on Prince Charles meeting the leads of Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on issues with Standards & Practices and complaints from the lead actresses on Charlie's Angels; on the wardrobe for the show
Leonard Goldberg on the sudden stardom of Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels; on THE poster and her leaving the show
Leonard Goldberg on replacing Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels and re-casting the show
Leonard Goldberg on why Charlie's Angels went off the air
Leonard Goldberg on the supporting cast of Charlie's Angels: David Doyle (Bosley)
Leonard Goldberg on Charlie's Angels and casting John Forsythe as "Charlie"
Leonard Goldberg on the production of Charlie's Angels with Aaron Spelling
Leonard Goldberg on his and Aaron Spelling's relationship with ABC during the production of Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on censorship issues on Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on how the many cast changes on Charlie's Angels weakened the show
Leonard Goldberg on the movie version of Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on the 2000 movie version of Charlie's Angels, contd.
Dark Shadows
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Dark Shadows
Dating Game, The
Leonard Goldberg on working with Chuck Barris, head of daytime for the West Coast, and creating The Dating Game
Family
Leonard Goldberg on his own family experience that inspired the show Family
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Family
Fantasy Island
Leonard Goldberg on the concept for Fantasy Island
Leonard Goldberg on casting Fantasy Island
Leonard Goldberg on the success of Fantasy Island on Saturday night
Leonard Goldberg on guest stars, favorite episodes, and production of Fantasy Island
Fugitive, The
Leonard Goldberg on the importance of The Fugitive to television and fighting for a big series finale
Hart to Hart
Leonard Goldberg on the creation and casting of Hart to Hart
Leonard Goldberg on the success of Hart to Hart and why it went off the air
In Living Color
Leonard Goldberg on the development of In Living Color
Milton Berle Show, The (1966-67)
Leonard Goldberg on The Milton Berle Show lasting only 13 weeks at ABC
Mod Squad, The
Leonard Goldberg on his working relationship with Aaron Spelling on The Mod Squad
Never Too Young
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Never Too Young and the clever way he shot the show
Newlywed Game, The
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of The Newlywed Game
O. K. Crackerby!
Leonard Goldberg on working on O. K. Crackerby! with Abe Burrows and learning a valuable lesson
Paper Dolls
Leonard Goldberg on executive producing Paper Dolls (which introduced Nicollette Sheridan)
Partridge Family, The
Leonard Goldberg on getting The Partridge Family made
Rookies, The
Leonard Goldberg on producing his first series, The Rookies
S.W.A.T.
Leonard Goldberg on producing a spin-off of The Rookies - S.W.A.T
Simpsons, The
Leonard Goldberg on the genesis of The Simpsons and the role James L. Brooks played in getting it made
Sing Along with Mitch
Leonard Goldberg on speaking up to Bob Sarnoff and pitching Sing Along with Mitch
Something About Amelia
Leonard Goldberg on executive producing the TV movie Something About Amelia
Starsky and Hutch
Leonard Goldberg on producing Starsky and Hutch
Leonard Goldberg on casting Starsky and Hutch
Leonard Goldberg on stylistic elements and side stories on Starsky and Hutch
Leonard Goldberg on an episode of Starsky & Hutch which used the Mona Lisa in the shot
Supermarket Sweep
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Supermarket Sweep
T.J. Hooker
Leonard Goldberg on the final Spelling-Goldberg production, T.J. Hooker
Leonard Goldberg on casting T.J. Hooker
Leonard Goldberg on production on T.J. Hooker
Tracey Ullman Show, The
Leonard Goldberg on the development of The Tracey Ullman Show
Topics
Advertising and Sponsorship
Leonard Goldberg on working for advertising agency BBD&O
Leonard Goldberg on the deal with Ford on Starsky and Hutch
Advice
Leonard Goldberg on advice to aspiring producers and executives
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Leonard Goldberg on issues with Standards & Practices and complaints from the lead actresses on Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on censorship issues on Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on fighting Standards & Practices on the incest in the TV movie Something About Amelia
Classic TV Series Episodes
Leonard Goldberg on the episode of Charlie's Angels where we finally see "Charlie"
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Leonard Goldberg on his mentors and people he mentored
Leonard Goldberg on his mentors and people he mentored
Historic Events and Social Change
Leonard Goldberg on the people helped by the TV movie Something About Amelia (which dealt with incest)
Memorable Moments on Television
Leonard Goldberg on William Blinn adding narration to the TV movie Brian's Song
Leonard Goldberg on the episode of Charlie's Angels where we finally see "Charlie"
Leonard Goldberg on the people helped by the TV movie Something About Amelia (which dealt with incest)
Pivotal Career Moments
Leonard Goldberg on his mentors and people he mentored
Pop Culture
Leonard Goldberg on the episode of Charlie's Angels where we finally see "Charlie"
Television Industry
Leonard Goldberg on working for advertising agency BBD&O
Leonard Goldberg on the deal with Ford on Starsky and Hutch
Leonard Goldberg on issues with Standards & Practices and complaints from the lead actresses on Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on censorship issues on Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on fighting Standards & Practices on the incest in the TV movie Something About Amelia
Leonard Goldberg on the future of television
Leonard Goldberg on the future of the big three networks
Leonard Goldberg on advice to aspiring producers and executives
We Cried
Leonard Goldberg on William Blinn adding narration to the TV movie Brian's Song
Professions
Executives
Leonard Goldberg on taking charge of daytime programming at ABC and targeting children's programming
Leonard Goldberg on getting promoted to ABC's head of programming
Leonard Goldberg on becoming head of television and film programming (President and COO) at 20th Century Fox and working with Barry Diller
Producers
Leonard Goldberg on the craft of being a producer and how he selects projects
Genres
Adventure/Espionage Series
Leonard Goldberg on casting and producing Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on the supporting cast, production, and the 2000 movie version of Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on the creation, casting and series run of Fantasy Island
Leonard Goldberg on the creation and casting of Hart to Hart
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Leonard Goldberg on producing Starsky and Hutch
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Charlie's Angels, originally titled "The Alley Cats"
Leonard Goldberg on the final Spelling-Goldberg production, T.J. Hooker
Drama Series
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Family
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Leonard Goldberg on hiring Barry Diller and re-vamping the ABC Sunday Night Movie
Leonard Goldberg on the creation on the made-for-TV movie
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of the TV movie Brian's Song
Leonard Goldberg on producing the TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, starring John Travolta
Leonard Goldberg on executive producing the TV movie Something About Amelia
People
Jay Presson Allen
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Family
Chuck Barris
Leonard Goldberg on working with Chuck Barris, head of daytime for the West Coast, and creating The Dating Game
Drew Barrymore
Leonard Goldberg on Drew Barrymore wanting to be in and produce the 2000 movie version of Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on casting the 2000 movie version of Charlie's Angels
Meredith Baxter-Birney
Leonard Goldberg on casting Meredith Baxter on Family
Milton Berle
Leonard Goldberg on The Milton Berle Show lasting only 13 weeks at ABC
William Blinn
Leonard Goldberg on hiring William Blinn to write the TV movie Brian's Song
Leonard Goldberg on William Blinn adding narration to the TV movie Brian's Song
Leonard Goldberg on producing Starsky and Hutch
Matthew Broderick
Leonard Goldberg on producing the movies "War Games" starring Matthew Broderick
James L. Brooks
Leonard Goldberg on the development of The Tracey Ullman Show
Leonard Goldberg on the genesis of The Simpsons and the role James L. Brooks played in getting it made
Leonard Goldberg on the film "Broadcast News"
Leonard Goldberg on the film "Big"
Abe Burrows
Leonard Goldberg on working on O.K. Crackerby with Abe Burrows and learning a valuable lesson
James Caan
Leonard Goldberg on casting James Caan in the TV movie Brian's Song
Douglas S. Cramer
Leonard Goldberg on meeting and working with Douglas Cramer at ABC
Dan Curtis
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Dark Shadows
Michael Dann
Leonard Goldberg on Mike Dann wanting to hire him at CBS
Ted Danson
Leonard Goldberg on casting the TV movie Something About Amelia
Barry Diller
Leonard Goldberg on hiring Barry Diller and re-vamping the ABC Sunday Night Movie
Leonard Goldberg on Barry Diller's eulogy at Lew Wasserman's memorial
Leonard Goldberg on the creation on the made-for-TV movie
Leonard Goldberg on Barry Diller not wanting Family on ABC, but doing it when Mike Nichols was attached
Leonard Goldberg on becoming head of television and film programming (President and COO) at 20th Century Fox and working with Barry Diller
Leonard Goldberg on leaving 20th Century Fox
David Doyle
Leonard Goldberg on the supporting cast of Charlie's Angels: David Doyle ("Bosley")
Michael Eisner
Leonard Goldberg on hiring Michael Eisner at ABC
Leonard Goldberg on Michael Eisner's responsibilities at ABC
Farrah Fawcett
Leonard Goldberg on casting Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on Farrah Fawcett becoming the breakout star of Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on the sudden stardom of Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels; on her leaving the show
Leonard Goldberg on the Farrah Fawcett poster being featured in the film "Saturday Night Fever" (after she left Charlie's Angels)
John Forsythe
Leonard Goldberg on Charlie's Angels and casting John Forsythe as "Charlie"
Paul Michael Glaser
Leonard Goldberg on casting Starsky and Hutch
Leonard H. Goldenson
Leonard Goldberg on Leonard Goldenson being pleased with the daytime successes at ABC
Leonard Goldberg on working with ABC founder/chariman Leonard Goldenson
Shelley Hack
Leonard Goldberg on Kate Jackson leaving Charlie's Angels and casting Shelley Hack
Christopher Hewett
Leonard Goldberg on casting Fantasy Island - Christopher Hewett
Diana Hyland
Leonard Goldberg on John Travolta meeting Diana Hyland during the TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble
Kate Jackson
Leonard Goldberg on casting Charlie's Angels
Leonard Goldberg on Kate Jackson leaving Charlie's Angels and casting Shelley Hack
Robert E. Kintner
Leonard Goldberg on getting on Robert Kintner's bad side
Buzz Kulik
Leonard Goldberg on director Buzz Kulik disapproving of notes, but winning the DGA Award for Brian's Song
Cheryl Ladd
Leonard Goldberg on replacing Farrah Fawcett with Cheryl Ladd on Charlie's Angels
Michel Legrand
Leonard Goldberg on wanting Michel Legrand do the music for Brian's Song
Heather Locklear
Leonard Goldberg on casting Heather Locklear on T.J. Hooker
Tom Mankiewicz
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Hart to Hart and buying the rights to the basic story from Sidney Sheldon
Kristy McNichol
Leonard Goldberg on casting Kristy McNichol on Family
John Mitchell
Leonard Goldberg on his mentors
Ricardo Montalban
Leonard Goldberg on casting Fantasy Island - Ricardo Montalban
Mike Nichols
Leonard Goldberg on Barry Diller not wanting Family on ABC, but doing it when Mike Nichols was attached
Leonard Goldberg on the film "Working Girl"
Agnes Nixon
Leonard Goldberg on buying Agnes Nixon's company
Frederick S. Pierce
Leonard Goldberg on working in the ABC research department with Fred Pierce
Leonard Goldberg on meeting Fred Pierce in the research department of ABC
Stefanie Powers
Leonard Goldberg on casting Stefanie Powers and Robert Wagner on Hart to Hart and the chemistry between the leads
Prince of Wales, Charles
Leonard Goldberg on Prince Charles meeting the leads of Charlie's Angels
Burt Reynolds
Leonard Goldberg on Burt Reynolds wanting to play the lead in the TV movie Brian's Song
Elton H. Rule
Leonard Goldberg on working with ABC President Elton Rule
Edgar J. Scherick
Leonard Goldberg on turning down a job at ABC offered to him by Edgar Scherick, but eventually getting the job
Leonard Goldberg on becoming Vice-President of Daytime Programming at ABC
Leonard Goldberg on his mentors
Abe Schneider
Leonard Goldberg on meeting with the Chairman of Columbia Pictures, Abe Schneider
William Shatner
Leonard Goldberg on casting William Shatner on T.J. Hooker
Sidney Sheldon
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Hart to Hart and buying the rights to the basic story from Sidney Sheldon
Fred Silverman
Leonard Goldberg on his and Aaron Spelling's relationship with ABC during the production of Charlie's Angels
Jaclyn Smith
Leonard Goldberg on the third "angel" on Charlie's Angels
David Soul
Leonard Goldberg on casting Starsky and Hutch
Aaron Spelling
Leonard Goldberg on how he met Aaron Spelling
Leonard Goldberg on his working relationship with Aaron Spelling on The Mod Squad
Leonard Goldberg on forming his production partnership with Aaron Spelling and how their skill sets complemented each other
Leonard Goldberg on the creation of Family
Leonard Goldberg on the production of Charlie's Angels with Aaron Spelling
Leonard Goldberg on the 2000 movie version of Charlie's Angels, contd.
Leonard Goldberg on ending his long-term business partnership with Aaron Spelling
Lionel Stander
Leonard Goldberg on casting Lionel Stander as "Max" on Hart to Hart
Brandon Stoddard
Leonard Goldberg on fighting Standards & Practices on the incest in the TV movie Something About Amelia
Tony Thomas
Leonard Goldberg on Tony Thomas to associate produce the TV movie Brian's Song
John Travolta
Leonard Goldberg on producing the TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, starring John Travolta
Herve Villechaize
Leonard Goldberg on casting Fantasy Island - Herve Villechaize
Robert Wagner
Leonard Goldberg on casting Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers on Hart to Hart and the chemistry between the leads
Lew Wasserman
Leonard Goldberg on Barry Diller's eulogy at Lew Wasserman's memorial
Billy Dee Williams
Leonard Goldberg on how Billy Dee Williams was cast in the TV movie Brian's Song
Natalie Wood
Leonard Goldberg on not casting Natalie Wood on Hart to Hart