Bud Yorkin

Producer / Director


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his four-hour interview, Bud Yorkin (1926-2015) talks about his early years and his education at Carnegie Tech, as well as his time as a television repairman. He describes getting into television in the technical department, and working his way to becoming a stage manager and eventually director of The Colgate Comedy Hour starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. He recounts his time working as a producer on The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show with writers Danny Arnold, Roland Kibbee (who Yorkin hired despite being blacklisted), and producing partner Norman Lear. Yorkin discusses what he considers his greatest career triumph, An Evening with Fred Astaire, which he wrote, produced, and directed, and for which he won several Emmy awards. He outlines his role in his and Norman Lear's Tandem Productions, which saw him developing the classic shows All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, and Diff'rent Strokes. He concludes by speaking of striking out on his own with TOY Productions, which produced What's Happening!, Carter Country, and 13 Queens Boulevard in rapid succession. Morrie Gelman conducted the interview on December 2, 1997 in Beverly Hills, CA. 

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"ABC passed on it -- it was too controversial... now we're watching the second pilot of All in the Family, and Fred Silverman's walking by and he's says, 'This is going on CBS.' I must say they had some bravery. We never changed three words from the first show that went on the air."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Bud Yorkin on partnering up with Norman Lear to form Tandem Productions
04:53
Bud Yorkin on what distinguished him as a television director
06:01
Bud Yorkin on ABC passing on All in the Family and CBS picking it up
03:32
Bud Yorkin on developing and casting Sanford and Son
04:51
Bud Yorkin on career highlights and remaining independent 
02:13
Bud Yorkin on how he'd like to be remembered 
00:37
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on radio shows and movies he enjoyed growing up and his early interest in sports; on his service in World War II
On early attempts at writing; on attending Carnegie Tech; on being a television repairman in the early '50s
On going to work at NBC in New York City in the engineering department; on writing critiques for shows while he was working in the engineering department at NBC; on working for Fred Coe

Chapter 2

On working with Fred Coe; on stage managing and associate directing The Colgate Comedy Hour; on working with Eddie Cantor, Fred Allen, and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello on The Colgate Comedy Hour
On being promoted to associate director on The Colgate Comedy Hour and moving to the West Coast; on associate directing The Dinah Shore Show and The Tony Martin Show
On his big break becoming director of The Colgate Comedy Hour at the behest of Pat Weaver; on dealing with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis as director of The Colgate Comedy Hour

Chapter 3

On Billy Wilder, whom he considered a mentor; on directing The George Gobel Show
On producing The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show; on the writers for The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: Norman Lear, Danny Arnold, and Roland Kibbee; on working with talent and what distinguished him as a director 

Chapter 4

On making the transition from directing to producing; on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist and how it impacted Tennessee Ernie Ford Show writer Roland Kibbee
On writing, producing, and directing An Evening with Fred Astaire; on being nominated for Emmys for An Evening with Fred Astaire 
On directing Light's Diamond Jubilee for David O. Selznick; on directing The Jack Benny Hour; on directing The Danny Kaye Show

Chapter 5

On partnering up with Norman Lear to form Tandem Productions; on his first production for Tandem: The TV Guide Awards; on producing Henry Fonda and the Family
On producing The Andy Williams Show; on being a writer; on directing Come Blow Your Horn starring Frank Sinatra and other features
On finding Till Death Us Do Part upon which All in the Family was based; on casting All in the Family and making the pilot; on selling All in the Family to CBS

Chapter 6

On ABC passing on All in the Family and CBS picking it up; on initial critical and public reaction to All in the Family; on the All in the Family episode, "Sammy's Visit"
On Maude spinning off of All in the Family; on developing and casting Sanford and Son; on working with Redd Foxx on Sanford and Son
On The Jeffersons and Good Times; on leaving All in the Family, producing Diff'rent Strokes, and leaving Tandem Productions; on sharing an office with Norman Lear; on the syndication of All in the Family

Chapter 7

On forming TOY Productions and creating What's Happening!, Carter Country, and 13 Queens Boulevard; on the differences between working in television and film; on continuing to work up through the time of the interview (when he was in his seventies)
On career highlights and regrets and remaining independent; on the then-current state of television; on the then-future of television
On how he'd like to be remembered; on various people with whom he has worked in his career 

Chapter 8

On executives and personalities he's worked with: Fred Silverman, Neil Simon, Don Rickles, Robert Young, Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, Sammy Davis Jr., Aaron Ruben, Rue McClanahan, Jimmy Walker, Norman Lear
On B-roll pictures from his career: with Abbott and Costello; with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis; with Dinah Shore; with Jack Benny; with Fred Astaire; with Norman Lear
Shows

13 Queens Boulevard

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Bud Yorkin on forming TOY Productions and creating What's Happening!Carter Country, and 13 Queens Boulevard
03:47

All in the Family

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Bud Yorkin on watching Till Death Us Do Part (upon which All in the Family was based) while living in London, and introducing it to Norman Lear who suggested they try to make their own pilot based on the show
02:51
Bud Yorkin on casting All in the Family and making the pilot; on the importance of casting for any show
04:44
Bud Yorkin on selling All in the Family to CBS
03:18
Bud Yorkin on ABC passing on All in the Family and CBS picking it up
03:32
Bud Yorkin on initial critical and public reaction to All in the Family
06:10
Bud Yorkin on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
01:15
Bud Yorkin on Maude spinning off of All in the Family
01:28
Bud Yorkin on leaving All in the Family, producing Diff'rent Strokes, and leaving Tandem Productions
02:16
Bud Yorkin on the syndication of All in the Family
01:13

All in the Family: "Sammy's Visit"

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Bud Yorkin on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
01:15

Andy Williams Show, The

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Bud Yorkin on producing The Andy Williams Show
02:21

Carter Country

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Bud Yorkin on forming TOY Productions and creating What's Happening!Carter Country, and 13 Queens Boulevard
03:47

Colgate Comedy Hour, The

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Bud Yorkin on stage managing and associate directing The Colgate Comedy Hour
03:55
Bud Yorkin on working with Eddie Cantor, Fred Allen, and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:48
Bud Yorkin on working with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:01
Bud Yorkin on being promoted to associate director on The Colgate Comedy Hour and moving to the West Coast
05:52
Bud Yorkin on his big break becoming director of The Colgate Comedy Hour at the behest of Pat Weaver
02:14
Bud Yorkin on dealing with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis as director of The Colgate Comedy Hour
05:46

Danny Kaye Show, The

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Bud Yorkin on directing The Danny Kaye Show
01:52

Diff'rent Strokes

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Bud Yorkin on leaving All in the Family, producing Diff'rent Strokes, and leaving Tandem Productions
02:16

Dinah Shore Show, The

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Bud Yorkin on associate directing The Dinah Shore Show
04:36

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Bud Yorkin on being nominated for Emmys for An Evening with Fred Astaire
02:06

Evening With Fred Astaire, An

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Bud Yorkin on writing, producing, and directing An Evening with Fred Astaire
09:58
Bud Yorkin on being nominated for Emmys for An Evening with Fred Astaire
02:06

George Gobel Show, The

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Bud Yorkin on directing The George Gobel Show
10:34

Good Times

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Bud Yorkin on The Jeffersons and Good Times
01:38

Henry Fonda and the Family

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Bud Yorkin on producing Henry Fonda and the Family
03:10

Jack Benny Hour, The

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Bud Yorkin on directing The Jack Benny Hour
06:07

Jeffersons, The

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Bud Yorkin on The Jeffersons and Good Times
01:38

Maude

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Bud Yorkin on Maude spinning off of All in the Family
01:27

Sanford and Son

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Bud Yorkin on developing and casting Sanford and Son
04:51
Bud Yorkin on working with Redd Foxx on Sanford and Son
04:14

Tennessee Ernie Ford Show, The

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Bud Yorkin on producing The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
02:01
Bud Yorkin on the writers for The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: Norman Lear, Danny Arnold, and Roland Kibbee
04:40
Bud Yorkin on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist and how it impacted Tennessee Ernie Ford Show writer Roland Kibbee
01:31

Tony Martin Show, The

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Bud Yorkin on associate directing The Tony Martin Show
01:15

What's Happening!!

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Bud Yorkin on controversy over What's Happening! and its cancellation 
02:42
Bud Yorkin on forming TOY Productions and creating What's Happening!Carter Country, and 13 Queens Boulevard
03:47
Topics

Classic TV series episodes

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Bud Yorkin on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
01:15

Comedy

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Bud Yorkin on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
01:15

Creative Influences and Inspiration

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Bud Yorkin on Billy Wilder, whom he considered a mentor
01:59

Criticism of TV

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Bud Yorkin on initial critical and public reaction to All in the Family
06:10

Emmy Awards

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Bud Yorkin on being nominated for Emmys for An Evening with Fred Astaire
02:06

First Big Break

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Bud Yorkin on his big break becoming director of The Colgate Comedy Hour at the behest of Pat Weaver
02:14

Historic Events and Social Change

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Bud Yorkin on his service in World War II
01:38

Hollywood Blacklist

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Bud Yorkin on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist and Tennessee Ernie Ford Show writer Roland Kibbee
01:31

Industry Crossroads

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Bud Yorkin on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist and Tennessee Ernie Ford Show writer Roland Kibbee
01:31

Memorable Moments on Television

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Bud Yorkin on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
01:15

Pivotal Career Moments

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Bud Yorkin on his big break becoming director of The Colgate Comedy Hour at the behest of Pat Weaver
02:14
Bud Yorkin on Billy Wilder, whom he considered a mentor
01:59

Pop Culture

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Bud Yorkin on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
01:15

Television Industry

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Bud Yorkin on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist and how it impacted Tennessee Ernie Ford Show writer Roland Kibbee
01:31
Bud Yorkin on initial critical and public reaction to All in the Family
06:10
Bud Yorkin on the then-current state of television 
03:13

War

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Bud Yorkin on his service in World War II
01:38

We Laughed

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Bud Yorkin on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"
01:15

World War II

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Bud Yorkin on his service in World War II
01:38
Professions

Directors

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Bud Yorkin on his big break becoming director of The Colgate Comedy Hour at the behest of Pat Weaver
02:14
Bud Yorkin on working with talent and what distinguished him as a television director
08:48

Producers

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Bud Yorkin on partnering up with Norman Lear to form Tandem Productions
04:53
Genres

Comedy Series

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Bud Yorkin on working in various capacities on The Colgate Comedy Hour
28:25
Bud Yorkin on directing The George Gobel Show
10:34
Bud Yorkin on directing The Jack Benny Hour
06:07
Bud Yorkin on directing The Danny Kaye Show
01:52
Bud Yorkin on developing All in the Family with Norman Lear (Part 1)
10:51
Bud Yorkin on developing All in the Family with Norman Lear (Part 2)
28:05
Bud Yorkin on developing Sanford and Son
09:04
Bud Yorkin on The Jeffersons and Good Times
01:38
Bud Yorkin on Maude spinning off of All in the Family
01:27
Bud Yorkin on forming TOY Productions and creating What's Happening!Carter Country, and 13 Queens Boulevard
06:29

Drama Series

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Bud Yorkin on producing Henry Fonda and the Family
03:10

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

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Bud Yorkin on associate directing The Dinah Shore Show
04:36
Bud Yorkin on associate directing The Tony Martin Show
01:15
Bud Yorkin on producing The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
06:41
Bud Yorkin on directing Light's Diamond Jubilee for David O. Selznick
04:13
Bud Yorkin on writing, producing, and directing An Evening with Fred Astaire
12:04
Bud Yorkin on producing The Andy Williams Show
02:21
People

Bud Abbott

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Bud Yorkin on working with Eddie Cantor, Fred Allen, and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:48

Danny Arnold

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Bud Yorkin on the writers for The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: Norman Lear, Danny Arnold, and Roland Kibbee
04:40

Fred Astaire

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Bud Yorkin on writing, producing, and directing An Evening with Fred Astaire
09:58

Jack Benny

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Bud Yorkin on directing The Jack Benny Hour
06:07

Eddie Cantor

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Bud Yorkin on working with Eddie Cantor, Fred Allen, and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:48

Fred Coe

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Bud Yorkin on working with Fred Coe
04:43
Bud Yorkin on working with Fred Coe
01:47

Lou Costello

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Bud Yorkin on working with Eddie Cantor, Fred Allen, and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:48

Sammy Davis, Jr.

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Bud Yorkin on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit," guest-starring Sammy Davis, Jr.
01:15
Bud Yorkin on working with Sammy Davis, Jr.
01:01

Henry Fonda

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Bud Yorkin on producing Henry Fonda and the Family
03:10

Tennessee Ernie Ford

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Bud Yorkin on producing The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
02:01

Redd Foxx

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Bud Yorkin on working with Redd Foxx on Sanford and Son
04:14

George Gobel

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Bud Yorkin on directing The George Gobel Show
10:34

Danny Kaye

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Bud Yorkin on directing The Danny Kaye Show
01:52

Roland Kibbee

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Bud Yorkin on the writers for The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: Norman Lear, Danny Arnold, and Roland Kibbee
04:40
Bud Yorkin on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist and how it impacted Tennessee Ernie Ford Show writer Roland Kibbee
01:31

Norman Lear

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Bud Yorkin on the writers for The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: Norman Lear, Danny Arnold, and Roland Kibbee
04:40
Bud Yorkin on partnering up with Norman Lear to form Tandem Productions
04:53
Bud Yorkin on sharing an office with Norman Lear
01:32
Bud Yorkin on Norman Lear
01:32

Jerry Lewis

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Bud Yorkin on working with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:01
Bud Yorkin on dealing with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on The Colgate Comedy Hour
05:46

Tony Martin

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Bud Yorkin on associate directing The Tony Martin Show
01:15

Dean Martin

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Bud Yorkin on working with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:01
Bud Yorkin on dealing with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on The Colgate Comedy Hour
05:46

Carroll O'Connor

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Bud Yorkin on working with Carroll O'Connor
00:30

Rob Reiner

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Bud Yorkin on working with Rob Reiner
00:37

Don Rickles

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Bud Yorkin on working with Don Rickles 
00:39

Aaron Ruben

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Bud Yorkin on working with Aaron Ruben
00:39

David O. Selznick

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Bud Yorkin on directing Light's Diamond Jubilee for David O. Selznick
04:13

Dinah Shore

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Bud Yorkin on associate directing The Dinah Shore Show
04:36

Neil Simon

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Bud Yorkin on working with Neil Simon
01:20

Frank Sinatra

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Bud Yorkin on directing the feature Come Blow Your Horn starring Frank Sinatra
02:48

Jean Stapleton

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Bud Yorkin on working with Jean Stapleton
00:39

Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver

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Bud Yorkin on his big break becoming director of The Colgate Comedy Hour at the behest of Pat Weaver
02:14

Billy Wilder

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Bud Yorkin on Billy Wilder, whom he considered a mentor
01:59

Andy Williams

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Bud Yorkin on producing The Andy Williams Show
02:21

Robert Young

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Bud Yorkin on working with Robert Young
01:55

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