About
"Laughter is an intravenous -- instead of sticking it in the vein, causing people to think while they're laughing, it's the intravenous of messaging through laughter."
In his one-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Norman Lear (1922-2023) talks about his early years at Emerson College and his time in the television business, and recalls some significant lessons and memories throughout his career. He talks in depth about the healing power of laughter and about how comedy is an excellent vehicle for social change. He discusses some of his career highs and lows, and talks about his experience working on shows such as All in the Family, The Colgate Comedy Hour, and The Martha Raye Show. He also gives advice on how to maintain creative integrity in the business-savvy television industry, and comments on the rarity of true talent. Lear speaks about how a sense of humor can be sharpened but not acquired, and talks about how he gets inspiration for the comedy in his shows and characters. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on May 26, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
Norman Lear on how a storyline on Good Times came about and how television can be a teaching tool
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
Norman Lear on comedy as a tool for survival and laughter as a way to get messages across
Norman Lear on why he decided to pursue a career in television and the joys of working in television
Norman Lear on advice to those getting into comedy
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On attending Emerson College; on where he was on December 7, 1941 and on his time in the army; on comedy as a tool for survival and laughter as a way to get messages across; on why he decided to pursue a career in television and the joys of working in TV; on spreading messages in the television he's done and on not speaking up about something on The Colgate Comedy Hour; on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs; on he and Bill Dana's early years getting to know each other, socializing with Imogene Coca and others; on Danny Thomas and David Susskind being instrumental to the start of his career
On he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue; on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show; on the importance of knowing comedy legends who came before you; on a party the night The Colgate Comedy Hour concluded in New York; on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana; on maintaining creative integrity while navigating the business of television; on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family; on crafting who the characters were in All in the Family; on comparisons between a controversial kiss on The Martha Raye Show and the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family
On his creative process; on the healing power of comedy and laughter; on the incident that led to Norman Cousins writing Anatomy of an Illness; on exploring tough themes through comedy and contributing to PSAs about voting
On the business of show business; on whether good writing can be taught; on advice to those getting into comedy; on what makes people laugh; on being happy with his career -- and it was worth it; on needing more laughter today; on what he's most proud of; on a piece of wisdom - the jacket with two pockets
Shows
All in the Family
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family
Norman Lear on crafting who the characters were in All in the Family
Norman Lear on comparisons between a controversial kiss on The Martha Raye Show and the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family
Norman Lear on educational tools learned when exploring the storyline of Edith Bunker's almost-rape on All in the Family
All in the Family: "Sammy's Visit"
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
Norman Lear on comparisons between a controversial kiss on The Martha Raye Show and the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family
Colgate Comedy Hour, The
Norman Lear on spreading messages in the television he's done and on not speaking up about something on The Colgate Comedy Hour
Norman Lear on a party the night The Colgate Comedy Hour concluded in New York
Norman Lear on originally being unhappy when Jerry Lewis broke the fourth wall on The Colgate Comedy Hour
Ford Star Revue
Norman Lear on he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue
Good Times
Norman Lear on how a storyline on Good Times came about and how television can be a teaching tool
Martha Raye Show, The
Norman Lear on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
Norman Lear on comparisons between a controversial kiss on The Martha Raye Show and the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family
Topics
Advertising and Sponsorship
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family
Advice
Norman Lear on advice to those getting into comedy
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family
Emmy Awards
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
First Big Break
Norman Lear on he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue
Historic Events and Social Change
Norman Lear on where he was on December 7, 1941 and on his time in the army
Memorable Moments on Television
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
Pivotal Career Moments
Norman Lear on he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue
Television Industry
Norman Lear on why he decided to pursue a career in television and the joys of working in television
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
Norman Lear on maintaining creative integrity while navigating the business of television
Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family
Norman Lear on the business of show business
Norman Lear on advice to those getting into comedy
War
Norman Lear on where he was on December 7, 1941 and on his time in the army
We Laughed
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
World War II
Norman Lear on where he was on December 7, 1941 and on his time in the army
Professions
Writers
Norman Lear on his creative process
Norman Lear on whether good writing can be taught
Norman Lear on advice to those getting into comedy
Norman Lear on what makes people laugh
Genres
Comedy Series
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family and on crafting the characters
Norman Lear on how storylines on Good Times and All in the Family came about and how television can be a teaching tool
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Norman Lear on spreading messages in the television he's done and on not speaking up about something on The Colgate Comedy Hour
Norman Lear on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs
Norman Lear on he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
Norman Lear on originally being unhappy when Jerry Lewis broke the fourth wall on The Colgate Comedy Hour
People
Sid Caesar
Norman Lear on tense moments between Nick Condos and Sid Caesar
Imogene Coca
Norman Lear on he and Bill Dana's early years getting to know each other, socializing with Imogene Coca and others
Norman Cousins
Norman Lear and Bill Dana on the incident that led to Norman Cousins writing Anatomy of an Illness
Bill Dana
Norman Lear on Bill Dana running errands for The Martha Raye Show and on Dana and Lear's early years getting to know each other
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
David Geffen
Norman Lear on a story David Geffen told him
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr
Norman Lear on a controversial moment on The Martha Raye Show
Jerry Lewis
Norman Lear on spreading messages in the television he's done and on not speaking up about something on The Colgate Comedy Hour
Jerry Perenchio
Norman Lear on the business of show business
Norman Lear on the business of show business and the creativity of Jerry Perenchio
Martha Raye
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show
Charles Revson
Norman Lear on controversial television moments on The Martha Raye Show
John Rich
Norman Lear on a party the night The Colgate Comedy Hour concluded in New York
Ed Simmons
Norman Lear on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs
Neil Simon
Norman Lear on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs
Danny Thomas
Norman Lear on Danny Thomas and David Susskind being instrumental to the start of his career
Bud Yorkin
Norman Lear on a party the night The Colgate Comedy Hour concluded in New York