About
"I didn't have a hard time for the first 20 years. Steve Allen. You know? Danny Thomas. Jack Paar. As big as 'Schneider' was for me, it doesn't compare to my time on 'The Jack Paar Show.'"
In his ninety-minute interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Pat Harrington, Jr. (1929-2016) talks about his father Pat Harrington, and his career on stage. He recalls meeting Jonathan Winters, which led to several shots on Tonight Starring Jack Paar. He talks about appearing on The Steve Allen Show with performers like Bill Dana, and doing characters, the most famous being “Guido Panzini." Harrington discusses his stint on Norman Lear’s classic sitcom One Day at a Time as building superintendent “Dwayne Schneider." He details the popularity of One Day at a Time, and how the show dealt with co-star Mackenzie Phillips’ drug issues. He concludes by discussing his longevity in show business, and the importance of networking in one’s career. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on June 3, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Pat Harrington, Jr. on playing "Dwayne Schneider" on One Day at a Time
Pat Harrington, Jr. on his early characters including "Guido Panzini"
Pat Harrington, Jr. on the potential for comedy to heal through Yarmy's Army
Pat Harrington, Jr. on the writers and cast of The Steve Allen Show, including Louis Nye and Bill Dana, and on his characters on the show
Pat Harrington, Jr. on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters
Pat Harrington, Jr. on his longevity in the business, and on his post One Day at a Time career
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life, and his father Pat Harrington appearing in several shows with Ethel Merman; on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters, and on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar; on his early characters including "Guido Panzini"
On appearing on The Steve Allen Show; on learning to be a performer from being around some of the greats as a child, and on watching Count Basie perform; on appearing on The Steve Allen Show; on dialect humor, and on getting into trouble with his "Guido Panzini" Andrea Doria routine
On the potential for comedy to heal through Yarmy's Army; on playing "Dwayne Schneider" on One Day at a Time
On his longevity in the business, and on his post One Day at a Time career; on the importance of continuing to network in one's career, and on training for acting
Shows
One Day at a Time (1975-84)
Pat Harrington, Jr. on playing "Dwayne Schneider" on One Day at a Time
Pat Harrington, Jr. on writing for One Day at a Time, and on the message of the show
Pat Harrington, Jr. on Mackenzie Phillips' personal problems during the run of One Day at a Time
Pat Harrington, Jr. on the end of One Day at a Time
Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law
Pat Harrington, Jr. on working with Steve Allen, and on appearing on Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law
Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)
Pat Harrington, Jr. on appearing on The Steve Allen Show
Pat Harrington, Jr. on appearing on The Steve Allen Show
Pat Harrington, Jr. on the writers and cast of The Steve Allen Show, including Louis Nye and Bill Dana, and on his characters on the show
Tonight Starring Jack Paar aka The Jack Paar Show
Pat Harrington, Jr. on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters, and on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Genres
Comedy Series
Pat Harrington, Jr. on playing "Dwayne Schneider" on One Day at a Time
Talk Shows
Pat Harrington, Jr. on appearing on The Steve Allen Show
Pat Harrington, Jr. on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters, and on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
People
Steve Allen
Pat Harrington, Jr. on working with Steve Allen
Ethel Merman
Pat Harrington, Jr. on his early life, and his father Pat Harrington appearing in several shows with Ethel Merman
Mackenzie Phillips
Pat Harrington, Jr. on Mackenzie Phillips' personal problems during the run of One Day at a Time
Jonathan Winters
Pat Harrington, Jr. on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters, and on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar