"One Tuesday night, we had four minutes to go and I had to stall. I had to start ad-libbing. I said, 'I want to thank you, especially the boys and girls, and my little nephews and nieces that are watching, this is your Uncle Miltie saying good night.' I said it once. The next day, I went to Boston and pass two hardhat workers. One of them said, 'Hi, Uncle Miltie!' First person that ever called me Uncle Miltie. I told this story to my mother. She said, 'That's a very good moniker for you.' From then on, I said, 'Uncle Miltie.'"

    About This Interview

    In his four-hour interview, Milton Berle (1908-2002) fondly recalls "Mama Berle" and her influence on his early career when he started performing as a child in vaudeville. He discusses how his vaudeville background prepared him for television, talks extensively about the success of Texaco Star Theater, and reveals how he earned the moniker "Uncle Miltie." He speaks of the challenges of performing live and creating fresh material each week, and openly discusses his reputation as a "perfectionist" and the legendary rumor that he stole jokes from others. Dan Pasternack conducted the interview on June 11, 1996 in Los Angeles, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Milton Berle

    Milton Berle on how the moniker "Uncle Miltie" came about

    04:34
    Thumbnail of Milton Berle

    Milton Berle on getting approached by Texaco to star in their new TV show, Texaco Star Theater

    04:04
    Thumbnail of Milton Berle

    Milton Berle on the Texaco Star Theater theme song

    01:25
    Thumbnail of Milton Berle

    Milton Berle on the lore of him stealing jokes for Texaco Star Theater

    03:51
    Thumbnail of Milton Berle

    Milton Berle on how he'd like to be remembered

    02:34
    Thumbnail of Milton Berle

    Milton Berle on the proper way to smoke a cigar

    01:04
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On the proper way to smoke a cigar; on his early years and influences; on his mother's dedication to him and to his career

    12:55

    On the highlights of his career as a child performer; on his work in silent films and his start in vaudeville

    11:57

    On how he got his start in television with Texaco Star Theater

    01:53

    Chapter 2

    On his vaudeville influences; on getting approached by Texaco to star in a television show for them; on his time in radio and why radio wasn't his best medium

    15:00

    On his first television appearance; on television telethons; on others discouraging him from pursuing television

    07:55

    Chapter 3

    On the beginnings of Texaco Star Theater; on how he gathered material for the show and on the lore of him stealing jokes

    21:24

    On the rapid pace of going through material for Texaco Star Theater

    02:44

    On the technological innovations that occurred during the early years of Texaco Star Theater

    03:24

    Chapter 4

    On laugh tracks recorded from the early days of his show; on the Texaco Star Theater theme song and his wild costumes on the show (including the famous June bride costume)

    09:24

    On memorable live television mishaps on Texaco Star Theater

    12:11

    On the mishaps with the "Barber of Seville" sketch on Texaco Star Theater and how it affected the subsequent sketch

    04:30

    Chapter 5

    On a typical workweek on Texaco Star Theater

    10:01

    On his motivation for working as hard as he did; on his drive for perfection; on directing rehearsals with a whistle

    05:01

    On altercations that resulted from his perfectionism; on a memorable flashback scene on Texaco Star Theater

    06:35

    On a fight with his brother Frank; on memorable guest stars on Texaco Star Theater; on booking the African-American group The Four Step Brothers on Texaco Star Theater

    08:48

    Chapter 6

    On getting The Four Step Brothers on Texaco Star Theater; on how the moniker "Uncle Miltie" came about; on Texaco Star Theater winning Best Kinescope show and Milton Berle winning Most Outstanding Kinescope Personality at the 2nd Emmy Awards

    06:59

    On trying to get Hollywood moguls to embrace television; on signing a lifetime contract with NBC

    10:18

    On the final broadcast of The Milton Berle Show

    04:07

    On dramatic roles he took; on his thoughts on the future of television in the 21st century

    05:28

    Chapter 7

    On his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Alan King, Elvis Presley, and Rod Steiger

    16:18

    On his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Woody Allen, Henny Youngman, Phil Silvers, and Red Skelton

    13:48

    Chapter 8

    On how he'd like to be remembered; on the truth about his "endowment"

    04:29

    Beverly Hills, 90210

    Milton Berle on his appearance on Beverly Hills, 90210

    00:28

    Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

    Milton Berle on Texaco Star Theater winning Best Kinescope show and Milton Berle winning Most Outstanding Kinescope Personality at the 2nd Emmy Awards

    01:31

    Milton Berle Show, The (1954-56)

    Milton Berle on the final broadcast of The Milton Berle Show

    04:07

    Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse

    Milton Berle on complimenting Rod Steiger on his performance in "Marty"

    02:40

    Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse: "Marty"

    Milton Berle on complimenting Rod Steiger on his performance in "Marty"

    02:40

    Texaco Star Theater

    Milton Berle on how he got his start in television with Texaco Star Theater

    01:53

    Milton Berle on getting approached by Texaco to star in their new TV show, Texaco Star Theater

    04:04

    Milton Berle on the beginnings of Texaco Star Theater

    02:46

    Milton Berle on the very first broadcast of Texaco Star Theater

    02:12

    Milton Berle on how he contributed to the success of Texaco Star Theater

    07:14

    Milton Berle on not being afraid of entering television with Texaco Star Theater

    02:28

    Milton Berle on his material for the first shows of Texaco Star Theater

    00:35

    Milton Berle on bringing writers on staff for Texaco Star Theater

    02:16

    Milton Berle on the lore of him stealing jokes for Texaco Star Theater

    03:51

    Milton Berle on the rapid pace of going through material for Texaco Star Theater

    02:44

    Milton Berle on the technological innovations that occurred during the early years of Texaco Star Theater

    03:24

    Milton Berle on the Texaco Star Theater theme song

    01:25

    Milton Berle on his costumes on Texaco Star Theater

    05:30

    Milton Berle on memorable live television mishaps on Texaco Star Theater

    08:35

    Milton Berle on a memorable live television mishap with Red Buttons on Texaco Star Theater

    03:36

    Milton Berle on the mishap with the "Barber of Seville" sketch on Texaco Star Theater and how it affected the subsequent sketch

    04:26

    Milton Berle on a typical work-week on Texaco Star Theater

    10:01

    Milton Berle on directing Texaco Star Theater rehearsals with a whistle

    01:57

    Milton Berle on altercations on Texaco Star Theater that resulted from his perfectionism

    02:10

    Milton Berle on a memorable flashback scene on Texaco Star Theater

    04:25

    Milton Berle on a fight with his brother Frank while on Texaco Star Theater

    02:26

    Milton Berle on memorable guest stars on Texaco Star Theater

    06:12

    Milton Berle on getting The Four Step Brothers on Texaco Star Theater

    00:53

    Milton Berle on how the moniker "Uncle Miltie" came about

    05:17

    Milton Berle on Texaco Star Theater winning Best Kinescope show and Milton Berle winning Most Outstanding Kinescope Personality at the 2nd Emmy Awards

    01:31

    Advertising and Sponsorship

    Milton Berle on the Texaco Star Theater theme song and its strong ties to the show's sponsor

    01:25

    Bloopers

    Milton Berle on memorable live television mishaps on Texaco Star Theater

    08:35

    Milton Berle on a memorable live television mishap with Red Buttons on Texaco Star Theater

    03:36

    Milton Berle on the mishap with the "Barber of Seville" sketch on Texaco Star Theater and how it affected the subsequent sketch

    04:26

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Milton Berle on booking the African-American group The Four Step Brothers on Texaco Star Theater

    05:31

    Pop Culture

    Milton Berle on the Texaco Star Theater theme song

    01:25

    Representation on Television

    Milton Berle on booking the African-American group The Four Step Brothers on Texaco Star Theater

    05:31

    Technological Innovation

    Milton Berle on the technological innovations that occurred during the early years of Texaco Star Theater

    03:24

    Television Industry

    Milton Berle on the Texaco Star Theater theme song and its strong ties to the show's sponsor

    01:25

    Milton Berle on his thoughts on the future of television in the 21st century

    02:09

    TV Theme Songs

    Milton Berle on the Texaco Star Theater theme song

    01:25

    Underrepresented Voices

    Milton Berle on booking the African-American group The Four Step Brothers on Texaco Star Theater

    05:31

    Performers

    Milton Berle on his reputation as a perfectionist

    01:29

    Drama Series

    Milton Berle on his appearance on Beverly Hills, 90210

    00:28

    Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

    Milton Berle on how he got his start in television with Texaco Star Theater

    01:53

    Milton Berle on getting approached by Texaco to star in their new TV show, Texaco Star Theater

    04:04

    Milton Berle on the beginnings of Texaco Star Theater

    02:46

    Milton Berle on the lore of him stealing jokes for Texaco Star Theater

    03:51

    Milton Berle on how he contributed to the success of Texaco Star Theater

    07:14

    Milton Berle on memorable live television mishaps on Texaco Star Theater

    08:35

    Milton Berle on a memorable live television mishap with Red Buttons on Texaco Star Theater

    03:36

    Milton Berle on the mishap with the "Barber of Seville" sketch on Texaco Star Theater and how it affected the subsequent sketch

    04:26

    Milton Berle on a typical workweek on Texaco Star Theater

    10:01

    Milton Berle on memorable guest stars on Texaco Star Theater

    06:12

    Milton Berle on a memorable flashback scene on Texaco Star Theater

    04:25

    Woody Allen

    Milton Berle on his thoughts on Woody Allen

    03:01

    Buddy Arnold

    Milton Berle on bringing writers on staff for Texaco Star Theater - songwriter/writer Buddy Arnold

    02:16

    George Burns

    Milton Berle on appearing on vaudeville with George Burns

    00:30

    Red Buttons

    Milton Berle on a memorable live television mishap with Red Buttons on Texaco Star Theater

    03:36

    Charlie Chaplin

    Milton Berle on appearing in films with Charlie Chaplin

    01:01

    Charlie Douglas

    Milton Berle on laugh tracks recorded from the early days of Texaco Star Theater, created by Charlie Douglas

    02:17

    Gene Kelly

    Milton Berle on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked

    04:50

    Alan King

    Milton Berle on his thoughts on Alan King

    04:50

    Elvis Presley

    Milton Berle on working with Elvis Presley

    04:19

    Phil Silvers

    Milton Berle on his thoughts on Phil Silvers

    01:00

    Red Skelton

    Milton Berle on his thoughts on Red Skelton

    04:14

    Rod Steiger

    Milton Berle on his thoughts on Rod Steiger

    05:39

    Rudy Vallee

    Milton Berle on doing a radio show with Rudy Vallee

    01:47

    Walter Winchell

    Milton Berle on the lore of him stealing jokes for Texaco Star Theater

    03:51

    Henny Youngman

    Milton Berle on his thoughts on Henny Youngman

    04:54

    Darryl F. Zanuck

    Milton Berle on approaching Darryl Zanuck with an idea for "The 20th Century Fox Follies"

    03:28

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