Buz Kohan

Writer
View Full Interview


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

Tab

About
About this interview

In his nearly five-hour interview, Alan "Buz" Kohan talks about growing up in New York and attending the Eastman School of Music. He discusses working with long-time writing partner Bill Angelos on The Perry Como Show and The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show, and speaks of becoming a producer/writer on The Carol Burnett Show, for which he won an Emmy award. He speaks of his specialty -- writing for award shows -- and details events from the twenty-plus Academy Award shows on which he was a writer (from 1973-1991). He comments on writing for several variety shows, including The Ann-Margret Special, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair is Back, Baryshnikov in Hollywood, Comic Relief, and Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration. He also talks about his children -- sharing how two of his children, daughter Jenji Kohan (creator of Weeds and Orange Is the New Black), and son David Kohan (co-creator with Max Mutchnick of Will & Grace), found success in the industry. Karen Herman conducted the interview on September 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA.

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

"The Academy Awards -- the Oscars. I've done twenty of them. It's a specialty. If your head hurts, you don't go to a podiatrist, you go to a brain surgeon. Writing awards shows is a specialty, and if you've done it, at least they can say 'Hey, he did it before -- I thought he'd be good.' But for the most part, it's a thankless job -- and you thank God you got it."  

People Talking About ...
Buz Kohan
Highlights
Buz Kohan on his speciality -- writing for award shows -- and why he believes he continues to get ask to work on them
05:12
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58
Buz Kohan on how he got his nickname, Buz
01:01
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
02:35
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, writing for Tracey Takes On... and winning an Emmy, and his son David Kohan winning an Emmy, making his family one of only two families with three members that have won Emmy awards (Danny, Marlo, and Tony Thomas are the other family/members)
01:01
Buz Kohan on watching the run-through of the then-new Broadway musical "West Side Story"
01:24
Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on why he doesn't reveal his middle name; on his talent for music as a child and attending the Bronx High School of Science; on how he met Bobby Darin and on seeing him later in life; on seeing Milton Berle's legendary appendage
On getting accepted to the Eastman School of Music and learning music composition; on working on his Master's degree and writing a revue; on his time serving in the Army, winning the All-Army Entertainment contest, and appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show
On getting his start as a writer on Hi, Mom, produced by Roone Arledge; on doing musical accompaniments in nightclubs and for auditions; on he and Bill Angelos becoming writing partners and meeting up with other writers to form The Ten Scribes
On getting an agent and writing for animation; on writing material for Arthur Godfrey and Sammy Davis, Jr.; on auditioning for Keefe Brasselle and writing for The Keefe Brasselle Show; on working with Goodman Ace on Perry Como Specials

Chapter 2
On working with Goodman Ace on Perry Como Specials, contd.; on entertainers with whom he worked; on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on TV specials and The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
On working with Sammy Davis, Jr. after The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show ended
On how he and Bill Angelos began writing for Carol Burnett, which eventually led to writing for The Carol Burnett Show; on writing the pilot for The King Family Show; on coming to LA to write for The Carol Burnett Show; on the writing process and musical guests on The Carol Burnett Show
On working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Lyle Waggoner, Vicki Lawrence, and Harvey Korman

Chapter 3
On particular sketches he wrote for The Carol Burnett Show and on memorable guests on the show; on why he left The Carol Burnett Show and later returned to the show; on ending his writing partnership with Bill Angelos and again leaving The Carol Burnett Show
On how changes in technology affected his writing style
On the beginning of his solo career as a writer; on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium; on working with Bette Midler, Cher, Shirley MacLaine, Barbra Streisand, and Doug Henning
On working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie

Chapter 4
On his long tenure writing for Academy Awards shows; on his experiences writing opening numbers for the show; on the formula for writing an Academy Awards show and the pressure of the show; on working with the host and the host's writers
On writers he works with often and the process of writing for the Oscars; on the preparations for Academy Awards shows -- nominations, working with presenters, turning in material, and the producer (often Gil Cates) being the position of power
On some memorable unscripted moments on Academy Awards shows; on memorable Oscar hosts, including Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, and David Letterman
On the required exposition when writing for the Academy Awards; on the biggest changes to the Academy Awards over the years; on making the show topical; on why he believes he continues to get asked to write for award shows
On writing for Comic Relief and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever; on meeting Michael Jackson and working with The Jackson 5; on writing songs with Michael Jackson and with and for other artists

Chapter 5
On writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood; Dolly, and for the Muppets
On working with Sammy Davis, Jr. and guest stars on Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
On working with Frank Sinatra on TV specials, including Sinatra: 80 Years My Way; on working with Julie Andrews; on working on the pilot for The Wayne Brady Show; on writing for Happy Days and The Odd Couple
On his then-current projects; on several of his children following him into the industry; on advice he gave to his children about working in the industry; on whether variety shows will ever come back and his idea for a variety show before the decline of the genre
Shows

Academy Awards, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on writing for the opening numbers and musical categories for the Academy Awards shows (the Oscars)
03:40
Buz Kohan on working on specific categories and with specific producers on the Academy Awards shows; on the routine nature of the show
02:07
Buz Kohan on the fascinating thing about being a writer for Academy Awards shows -- the things you can't anticipate -- and on the constant complaints about the writing of the shows
00:45
Buz Kohan on the formula for writing an Academy Awards show and the pressure of the show; on working with the host and the host's writers
03:15
Buz Kohan on working with Hal Kanter on Academy Awards shows; on memorable, unscripted moments on the show
03:59
Buz Kohan on the preparations for Academy Awards shows -- nominations, working with presenters, turning in material, and the producer (often Gil Cates) being the position of power
04:49
Buz Kohan on memorable hosts and moments from Academy Awards shows
10:29
Buz Kohan on the required exposition when writing for the Academy Awards show
01:49
Buz Kohan on the biggest changes to the Academy Awards over the years
01:01
Buz Kohan on integrating current events into Academy Awards ceremonies and the difficulties surrounding acceptance speeches
03:22
Buz Kohan on how writing for the Emmys and for the Grammys differs from writing for the Oscars
03:31
Buz Kohan on his speciality -- writing for award shows -- and why he believes he continues to get ask to work on them
05:12

America Salutes Richard Rodgers: The Sound of His Music

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on writing for the Smith-Hemion production America Salutes Richard Rodgers: The Sound of His Music and winning an Emmy for the show
00:34

Baryshnikov in Hollywood

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
03:56

Baryshnikov on Broadway

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on Baryshnikov on Broadway
00:58

Beatles at Shea Stadium, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium
04:13

Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working with Bette Midler on her TV special Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back
03:24

Bing Crosby Specials

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on how he and Bill Angelos began writing for The Carol Burnett Show -- by writing for the TV special Carol Burnett and Friends
04:37
Buz Kohan on the premise and original cast for The Carol Burnett Show
03:16
Buz Kohan on the writing process for The Carol Burnett Show
03:28
Buz Kohan on working with musical guests on The Carol Burnett Show, and working on "The Fun Family" sketch and other musical sketches
03:15
Buz Kohan on not dealing with musical clearances on The Carol Burnett Show
00:51
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show
08:45
Buz Kohan on writing particular sketches for The Carol Burnett Show and on having a free hand with the writing
07:35
Buz Kohan on memorable guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show
01:59
Buz Kohan on why he left The Carol Burnett Show -- to be a head writer on Pearl -- then returning and once again leaving The Carol Burnett Show
04:29

Comic Relief Specials

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on writing for Comic Relief specials
02:45

Dolly

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on consulting for Dolly Parton's variety series Dolly and his wife being a writer on the show
03:56

Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on winning the All-Army Entertainment contest and appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show
01:32

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on how writing for the Emmys differs from writing for the Oscars
01:02

Frank Sinatra Specials

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working with Frank Sinatra on the TV special Sinatra: 80 Years My Way and on other specials and performances
08:17

Goin' Back to Indiana

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on meeting Michael Jackson and working with The Jackson 5; on working on their first act when they played the MGM Grand
02:15

Grammys, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on how writing for the Emmys and for the Grammys differs from writing for the Oscars
02:29

Happy Days

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working with Garry Marshall and briefly being on the writing staff of Happy Days
01:51

Julie Andrews Specials

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working with Julie Andrews on TV specials and other performances
04:19

Keefe Brasselle Show, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on writing for The Keefe Brasselle Show
02:43

King Family, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on Nick Vanoff asking him to write a pilot for The King Family Show
02:11

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on writing for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
01:40

Muppet Show, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working with the Muppets (writing the prototype of The Muppet Show) and being introduced to Jim Henson by Roone Arledge
03:14

Odd Couple, The (1970-75)

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on he and Bill Angelos writing for The Odd Couple
03:42

Pearl

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on why he left The Carol Burnett Show -- to be a head writer on Pearl
00:47

Perry Como Show, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on why he was a good fit for writing for Perry Como Specials
03:30

Perry Como Specials

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on writing for Perry Como Specials
00:48
Buz Kohan on working with Goodman Ace on Perry Como Specials, contd. - particularly on the one right after JFK's assassination
03:12
Buz Kohan on what he learned from working on Perry Como Specials
00:34

Sammy Davis, Jr. Show, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working on The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
11:54

Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on his Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
12:10

Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme Show, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on a remark by George Schlatter when they worked on The Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme Show
01:08

Tony Awards

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on Tony Award winners giving the best speeches at award shows
01:15

Wayne Brady Show, The

View Show Page
Buz Kohan on working on the pilot for The Wayne Brady Show
01:56
Topics

Advice

View Topic
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
02:35
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
02:35

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Buz Kohan on writing for the Smith-Hemion production America Salutes Richard Rodgers: The Sound of His Music and winning an Emmy for the show
00:34
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, writing for Tracey Takes On... and winning an Emmy, and his son David Kohan winning an Emmy, making his family one of only two families with three members that have won Emmy awards (Danny, Marlo, and Tony Thomas are the other family/members)
01:01

Historic Events and Social Change

View Topic
Buz Kohan on his memories of JFK's assassination and how it impacted his work - he was supposed to work on a Perry Como Special in Dallas, Texas
02:38

JFK Assassination and Funeral

View Topic
Buz Kohan on his memories of JFK's assassination and how it impacted his work - he was supposed to work on a Perry Como Special in Dallas, Texas
02:38

John F. Kennedy

View Topic
Buz Kohan on his memories of JFK's assassination and how it impacted his work - he was supposed to work on a Perry Como Special in Dallas, Texas
02:38

Memorable Moments on Television

View Topic
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58
Buz Kohan on Jack Palance's memorable moment at an Academy Awards show
00:13
Buz Kohan on a moment with Sir Laurence Olivier at the Academy Awards
01:13

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Buz Kohan on his first job in television - in the U.S. Army
07:05

Pop Culture

View Topic
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58

Technological Innovation

View Topic
Buz Kohan on how evolving technology impacted his writing process
06:52

Television and the Presidency

View Topic
Buz Kohan on his memories of JFK's assassination and how it impacted his work - he was supposed to work on a Perry Como Special in Dallas, Texas
02:38

We Celebrated

View Topic
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58
Buz Kohan on Jack Palance's memorable moment at an Academy Awards show
00:13
Buz Kohan on a moment with Sir Laurence Olivier at the Academy Awards
01:13
Professions

Writers

View Profession
Buz Kohan on the writing process for The Carol Burnett Show
03:28
Buz Kohan on how evolving technology impacted his writing process
06:52
Buz Kohan on the end of his writing partnership with Bill Angelos and what had made the partnership work
03:42
Buz Kohan on the beginning of his solo career as a writer
01:56
Buz Kohan on the formula for writing an Academy Awards show and the pressure of the show; on working with the host and the host's writing team
03:15
Buz Kohan on the preparations for Academy Awards shows -- nominations, working with presenters, turning in material, and the producer (often Gil Cates) being the position of power
03:56
Genres

Animation

View Genre
Buz Kohan on his early work writing for animation
00:59

Awards Shows

View Genre
Buz Kohan on writing for Academy Awards shows
44:09

Comedy Series

View Genre
Buz Kohan on working with Garry Marshall and briefly being on the writing staff of Happy Days
01:51
Buz Kohan on he and Bill Angelos writing for The Odd Couple
03:42

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Buz Kohan on writing for Perry Como Specials and why he was a good fit for the task
04:45
Buz Kohan on working on The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
11:54
Buz Kohan on writing for The Carol Burnett Show
19:34
Buz Kohan on writing particular sketches for The Carol Burnett Show, the musical guests on the show, and leaving and returning to the show and leaving again
14:03
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium
04:13
Buz Kohan on working with Bette Midler on her TV special Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back
03:24
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58
Buz Kohan on meeting Michael Jackson and working with The Jackson 5; on working on their first act when they played the MGM Grand
02:15
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
03:56
Buz Kohan on consulting for Dolly Parton's variety series Dolly
03:56
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on his Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
12:10
Buz Kohan on working with Frank Sinatra on the TV special Sinatra: 80 Years My Way and other specials
08:17
Buz Kohan on working with Julie Andrews on TV specials and other performances
04:19
Buz Kohan on working on the pilot for The Wayne Brady Show
01:56
People

Ann B. Davis

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on writing for the regulars on The Keefe Brasselle Show
00:32

Arthur Godfrey

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on writing material for Arthur Godfrey
01:58

Barbra Streisand

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Barbra Streisand
09:57

Beatles, The

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium, to which Ed Sullivan secured the rights
04:13

Berry Gordy

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on meeting Berry Gordy and working on Motown specials and with Motown artists
01:40

Bette Midler

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Bette Midler on her TV special Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back
03:24

Bill Angelos

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on he and Bill Angelos becoming writing partners and meeting up with other writers to form The Ten Scribes
05:21
Buz Kohan on how he and Bill Angelos began writing for The Carol Burnett Show -- by writing for the TV special Carol Burnett and Friends
04:37
Buz Kohan on the end of his writing partnership with Bill Angelos and what had made the partnership work
03:42
Buz Kohan on he and Bill Angelos writing for The Odd Couple
03:41

Bill Persky

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on Bill Persky and Sam Denoff being part of The Ten Scribes
04:49

Billy Crystal

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on a moment with Bob Hope when Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars
02:16
Buz Kohan on Billy Crystal as host of the Academy Awards and the problem of having a comedian as host
05:07

Bing Crosby

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on Bing Crosby's intelligence
00:42
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58

Blake Edwards

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on helping Julie Andrews with Blake Edwards' memorial and on getting to work with Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards together
02:34

Bob Dishy

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on accompanying Bob Dishy on musical auditions
00:16

Bob Hope

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on a moment with Bob Hope when Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars
02:16

Bob Zmuda

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on writing for Comic Relief specials
02:51

Bobby Darin

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on how he met Bobby Darin and on seeing him later in life
02:44

Carl Reiner

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on writing a particular sketch for special guest Carl Reiner on The Carol Burnett Show
04:15

Carol Burnett

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on working with Carol Burnett
00:33
Buz Kohan on how he and Bill Angelos began writing for The Carol Burnett Show -- by writing for the TV special Carol Burnett and Friends
04:37
Buz Kohan on the premise and original cast for The Carol Burnett Show and on working with Carol Burnett and the cast
19:37
Buz Kohan on writing a particular sketch for special guest Carl Reiner on The Carol Burnett Show
04:15

Cher

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Cher on two of her TV specials
02:25

Chris Rock

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on the difficulties Chris Rock had hosting the Academy Awards
00:42

David Bowie

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58

David Kohan

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on his son, David Kohan, co-creating Will & Grace and only ever working on a computer for a TV show
00:13
Buz Kohan on his son David Kohan, co-creator of Will & Grace with Max Mutchnick
00:32
Buz Kohan on his son David Kohan being Sydney Pollock's executive assistant before David teamed with Max Mutchnick
01:19
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, writing for Tracey Takes On... and winning an Emmy, and his son David Kohan winning an Emmy, making his family one of only two families with three members that have won Emmy awards (Danny, Marlo, and Tony Thomas are the other family/members)
01:01
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
02:35

David Letterman

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on David Letterman as host of the Academy Awards and why some hosts aren't successful
01:24

Dolly Parton

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on consulting for Dolly Parton's variety series Dolly
03:56

Donald O'Connor

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Donald O'Connor on an Academy Awards opening
00:25

Doug Henning

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Doug Henning
03:34

Dwight Hemion

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on one of his first solo writing projects: working with Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion on an Ann-Margret special
01:23

Ed Sullivan

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium, to which Ed Sullivan secured the rights
04:13

Emmett Kelly

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on the highlight of Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back -- Bette Midler with sad clown Emmett Kelly
00:47

Frank Sinatra

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Frank Sinatra on the TV special Sinatra: 80 Years My Way and on other TV specials and performances
08:17

Fred Ebb

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
00:58

Fred Gwynne

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on writing for the regulars on The Keefe Brasselle Show
00:32

Garry Marshall

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on Garry Marshall being part of The Ten Scribes
04:49
Buz Kohan on working with Garry Marshall, briefly being on the writing staff of Happy Days, and writing three episodes of The Odd Couple
06:34

Gary Smith

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on one of his first solo writing projects: working with Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion on an Ann-Margret special
01:23

Gene Kelly

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Gene Kelly
00:40

Gene Wilder

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
02:58

George Burns

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with George Burns and John Denver
00:53

George Schlatter

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on a remark by George Schlatter when they worked on The Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme Show
01:08

Gilbert Cates

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on how much he enjoyed working with Gil Cates
00:17
Buz Kohan on the preparations for Academy Awards shows -- nominations, working with presenters, turning in material, and the producer (often Gil Cates) being the position of power
04:49

Goodman Ace

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on his respect for writer Goodman Ace who wrote for The Perry Como Show and Perry Como Specials
02:52
Buz Kohan on working with Goodman Ace on Perry Como Specials, contd.
03:12

Gregory Hines

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on Gregory Hines' tap dance number with Sammy Davis, Jr. on Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
02:59

Gregory Peck

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Gregory Peck and Shirley MacLaine on Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
01:24

Hal Kanter

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on working with Hal Kanter when writing for several Academy Awards ceremonies
01:07

Harry Kalcheim

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on getting an agent
00:54

Harvey Korman

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Tim Conway breaking up Harvey Korman
01:12
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Harvey Korman
01:54
Buz Kohan on writing a particular sketch for special guest Carl Reiner on The Carol Burnett Show
04:15

Herbert Sargent

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on auditioning for Herb Sargent to write for Perry Como Specials
00:49

Howard Hanson

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with composer Howard Hanson to create a musical revue
01:06

Ian Fraser

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58

Jack Palance

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on Jack Palance's memorable moment at an Academy Awards show
00:13

James T. Aubrey

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on Keefe Brasselle being good friends with Jim Aubrey; on not having close workings with Jim Aubrey
00:37

Jenji Kohan

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenii Kojan, creating Weeds and only ever working on a computer for a TV show
00:19
Buz Kohan on Doug Henning using his daughter Jenji as an assistant for a magic trick
00:36
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, creator of Weeds, and her writing style
02:14
Buz Kohan on his daughter, Jenji Kohan, writing for Tracey Takes On... and winning an Emmy, and his son David Kohan winning an Emmy, making his family one of only two families with three members that have won Emmy awards (Danny, Marlo, and Tony Thomas are the other family/members)
01:01
Buz Kohan on advice he offered to his children about working in the television industry
02:35

Jim Henson

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with the Muppets and being introduced to Jim Henson by Roone Arledge
03:14

Jimmy Durante

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on the Perry Como Special right after JFK's assassination, with guests Diahann Carroll and Jimmy Durante
00:55

John Denver

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with George Burns and John Denver
00:53

Johnny Carson

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on memorable on-camera moments at Academy Awards shows -- Johnny Carson as host
02:52

Jono Kohan

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on his son Jono Kohan
00:44

Judy Garland

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on writing for Judy Garland's appearances on The Perry Como Show and The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
03:19

Julie Andrews

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on working with Julie Andrews
04:19

Keefe Brasselle

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on auditioning for Keefe Brasselle and writing for The Keefe Brasselle Show
03:33

Laurence Olivier

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on a moment with Sir Laurence Olivier at the Academy Awards
01:13

Lawrence K. Grossman

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, featuring the famous "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie
04:58

Louise Lasser

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on playing at a nightclub with Louise Lasser
00:41

Lyle Waggoner

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Tim Conway breaking up Lyle Waggoner
00:34
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Lyle Waggoner
01:40

Max Mutchnick

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on his son David Kohan teaming with Max Mutchnick to create Will & Grace
00:26

Michael Jackson

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on meeting Michael Jackson and working with The Jackson 5; on writing songs with Michael Jackson and with and for other artists
08:27
Buz Kohan on convincing Michael Jackson to perform the song "You Were There" at Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
07:07

Mickey Rooney

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on memorable guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show - Mickey Rooney
00:07

Mikhail Baryshnikov

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
03:56

Milton Berle

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on seeing Milton Berle's legendary appendage
01:28

Nick Vanoff

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on Nick Vanoff asking him to write a pilot for The King Family Show
00:34

Pearl Bailey

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Pearl Bailey
01:21

Perry Como

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on why he was a good fit for writing for Perry Como Specials
03:30
Buz Kohan on the Perry Como Special right after JFK's assassination, with guests Diahann Carroll and Jimmy Durante
00:55
Buz Kohan on working with Perry Como, who played it mostly safe on his shows
00:40
Buz Kohan on Sammy Davis, Jr. not appearing on The Perry Como Show, as scheduled
01:32

Peter Falk

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on accompanying Peter Falk on musical auditions
00:27

Pierre Cossette

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on working on award shows with producer Pierre Cossette
01:53

Robert Precht

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working on The Beatles at Shea Stadium, to which Ed Sullivan secured the rights
04:13

Rock Hudson

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on learning of Rock Hudson's musical talents in preparation for the TV special Carol Burnett and Friends
02:39

Roone Arledge

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working on Hi, Mom, produced by Roone Arledge
01:00
Buz Kohan on working with the Muppets and being introduced to Jim Henson by Roone Arledge

Sam Denoff

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on Bill Persky and Sam Denoff being part of The Ten Scribes
04:49

Sammy Davis, Jr.

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on writing material for Sammy Davis, Jr.
00:17
Buz Kohan on writing for several Sammy Davis, Jr. TV specials
00:25
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on his TV specials and series and on he and Bill Angelos becoming head writers on The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show (at the same time they were writing Perry Como's TV specials)
18:41
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. after the end of The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
04:56
Buz Kohan on working with Sammy Davis, Jr. on his 60th Anniversary Celebration 
12:10

Saul Turteltaub

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on Saul Turteltaub being part of The Ten Scribes
04:49

Shari Lewis

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working on Hi, Mom with Shari Lewis
01:10

Shirley MacLaine

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Shirley MacLaine on several TV specials
02:30
Buz Kohan on writing for Baryshnikov in Hollywood
02:58
Buz Kohan on working with Gregory Peck and Shirley MacLaine on Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration
01:24

Sophia Loren

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on a moment with Sophia Loren at the Academy Awards
00:51

Steve Lawrence

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on memorable guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show - Steve Lawrence
00:21

Steve Martin

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working with Steve Martin when he hosted the Academy Awards
00:35

Suzanne Pleshette

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on playing at a nightclub with Suzanne Pleshette
00:19

Sydney Pollack

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on his son David Kohan once being Sydney Pollock's executive assistant
00:53

Tim Conway

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Tim Conway
03:10

Vicki Lawrence

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on working with the cast of The Carol Burnett Show: Vicki Lawrence
01:57

Wayne Brady

View Person Page
Buz Kohan on working on the pilot for The Wayne Brady Show
01:56

Whoopi Goldberg

View Interview Page
Buz Kohan on Whoopi Goldberg as host of the Academy Awards
01:38

All Interviews

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWYZ
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z