"Editing and using close-ups can really punch up comedy. I think that really good comedy is very musical, and that a reason why sometimes comedy works or a joke works, is because of the rhythm of it. And once you upset that rhythm, you're upsetting the humor. I think that people just naturally are very musical and that's what they're responding to in a lot of comedy."

    About This Interview

    In her three-hour interview, Janet Ashikaga discusses her career cutting some of television's most beloved programs. She begins with tales of editing the cult classic Sledge Hammer! and several The Incredible Hulk TV movies. Ashikaga then describes her years as the sole editor of Seinfeld. She comments on her favorite episode, "The Chinese Restaurant," and shares behind-the-scenes tidbits of "The Big Salad" and "The Subway" episodes, among others. She talks of her respect for writer and comedy great Larry David, and for writer Aaron Sorkin -- the creator of two other critically acclaimed shows on which she worked: Sports Night and The West Wing. Ashikaga also edited Ink, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and the pilot of My Name is Earl. She describes her preferences for certain methods of editing, what it's like to be a female editor, and details her theory on the musicality of editing. Dan Wingate conducted the interview on August 25, 2010 in Van Nuys, CA.

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

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on how she inspired "The Big Salad" episode of Seinfeld

    01:23
    Thumbnail of Janet Ashikaga

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on her favorite episode of Seinfeld, "The Chinese Restaurant"

    00:33
    Thumbnail of Janet Ashikaga

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on the rhythm of great showrunners 

    00:21
    Thumbnail of Janet Ashikaga

    On acting with the eyes and how that influences editing

    00:34
    Thumbnail of Janet Ashikaga

    On editing styles

    01:38
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On her childhood and early influences

    04:48

    On moving to California and her first job in Los Angeles assisting an editor; on enjoying editing and working on the cult show Sledge Hammer!

    18:04

    On editing TV movies of The Incredible Hulk and working with director Bill Bixby

    14:04

    On editing Seinfeld

    20:20

    Chapter 2

    On editing Seinfeld

    16:20

    On the popularity of Seinfeld

    02:44

    On specific episodes of Seinfeld

    22:56

    On the cast and characters of Seinfeld; On the impact of Seinfeld on other comedies

    05:41

    On leaving Seinfeld when Larry David left the show and moving on to Ink and Sports Night

    10:00

    Chapter 3

    On editing Sports Night

    11:04

    On working on The West Wing

    17:12

    On editing Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Frasier, My Name is Earl, Medium, Scoundrels, and Criminal Intent: Suspect Behavior

    10:52

    On how the editing field has changed over the years; on film versus video and digital editing

    07:07

    On advice for young editors and on editing today; on her proudest achievement and legacy

    04:58

    Bob Patterson

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on leaving The West Win g to edit Bob Patterson

    00:24

    Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior

    00:17

    Curb Your Enthusiasm

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on Larry David's persona as who he is on Curb Your Enthusiasm

    02:37

    Frasier

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing the pilot of Frasier

    02:35

    Ink

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working on Ink

    05:14

    Medium

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Medium

    01:15

    My Name Is Earl

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing the pilot of My Name is Earl

    02:27

    Scoundrels

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Scoundrels for ABC

    01:38

    Seinfeld

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on getting hired on Seinfeld

    20:20

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on her favorite episode of Seinfeld, "The Chinese Restaurant"

    00:33

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Seinfeld director Tom Cherones on "The Parking Garage"

    01:57

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on "The Subway" episode of Seinfeld

    00:36

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on how she inspired "The Big Salad" episode of Seinfeld

    01:23

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Seinfeld

    52:37

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Parking Garage" episode of Seinfeld

    00:54

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Subway" episode of Seinfeld

    04:28

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Bubble Boy" episode of Seinfeld

    00:52

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Contest" episode of Seinfeld

    02:59

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Pick" episode of Seinfeld

    05:18

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Junior Mint" episode of Seinfeld

    04:24

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Pilot" episode of Seinfeld

    01:57

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Cheever Letters" episode of Seinfeld

    00:51

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Opposite" episode of Seinfeld

    00:29

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Hamptons" episode of Seinfeld

    03:06

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Big Salad" episode of Seinfeld

    00:46

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Race" episode of Seinfeld

    01:07

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Soup Nazi" episode of Seinfeld

    02:52

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Secret Code" episode of Seinfeld

    01:29

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Rye" episode of Seinfeld

    01:23

    Seinfeld: "The Big Salad"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on how she inspired "The Big Salad" episode of Seinfeld

    01:23

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Big Salad" episode of Seinfeld

    00:46

    Seinfeld: "The Bubble Boy"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Bubble Boy" episode of Seinfeld

    00:52

    Seinfeld: "The Cheever Letters"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Cheever Letters" episode of Seinfeld

    00:51

    Seinfeld: "The Chinese Restaurant"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on her favorite episode of Seinfeld, "The Chinese Restaurant"

    00:33

    Seinfeld: "The Contest"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Contest" episode of Seinfeld

    02:59

    Seinfeld: "The Hamptons"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Hamptons" episode of Seinfeld

    01:29

    Seinfeld: "The Junior Mint"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Junior Mint" episode of Seinfeld

    00:55

    Seinfeld: "The Opposite"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Opposite" episode of Seinfeld

    00:29

    Seinfeld: "The Parking Garage"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Seinfeld director Tom Cherones on "The Parking Garage"

    01:57

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Parking Garage" episode of Seinfeld

    00:54

    Seinfeld: "The Pick"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Pick" episode of Seinfeld

    01:00

    Seinfeld: "The Pilot"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Pilot" episode of Seinfeld

    01:57

    Seinfeld: "The Race"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Race" episode of Seinfeld

    01:07

    Seinfeld: "The Rye"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Rye" episode of Seinfeld

    01:23

    Seinfeld: "The Secret Code"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Secret Code" episode of Seinfeld

    01:29

    Seinfeld: "The Soup Nazi"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Soup Nazi" episode of Seinfeld

    01:42

    Seinfeld: "The Subway"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on "The Subway" episode of Seinfeld

    00:36

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing "The Subway" episode of Seinfeld

    04:28

    Sledge Hammer!

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Sledge Hammer!

    08:32

    Sports Night

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Sports Night - an Aaron Sorkin show 

    03:49

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Sports Night

    11:04

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on the highlight of her career - editing Sports Night

    00:12

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on winning an Emmy for the "Small Town" episode of Sports Night  and wanting Aaron Sorkin to win for writing

    08:47

    Sports Night: "Small Town"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on winning an Emmy for the "Small Town" episode of Sports Night  and wanting Aaron Sorkin to win for writing

    08:47

    Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

    02:25

    This is the Life

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on her role editing This is the Life

    01:53

    West Wing, The

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing and no longer being a sole editor

    17:12

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing episode "Evidence of Things Not Seen"

    00:46

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing episode "Twenty Five" - Aaron Sorkin's last episode

    00:36

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing episode, "The Birnam Wood," in which John Spencer has a heart attack

    02:21

    West Wing, The: "Evidence of Things Not Seen"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing episode "Evidence of Things Not Seen"

    00:46

    West Wing, The: "The Birnam Wood"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing episode, "The Birnam Wood," in which John Spencer has a heart attack

    02:21

    West Wing, The: "Twenty Five"

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing episode "Twenty Five" - Aaron Sorkin's last episode

    00:36

    Censorship / Standards & Practices

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on whether advertisers and Standards & Practices took issue with "The Contest" episode of Seinfeld

    02:59

    Emmy Awards

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on winning the Emmy for cutting "The Subway" episode of Seinfeld

    02:34

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on winning an Emmy for the "Small Town" episode of Sports Night

    00:48

    Technological Innovation

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on farming out special effects 

    01:01

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on different editing systems

    01:10

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on film versus video

    01:15

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on how computers and digital formats have changed editing

    02:58

    Women

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on women in the editing field and on knowing particular editing systems

    03:57

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on women in the editing field and on knowing particular editing systems

    01:29

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on being a female editor

    01:34

    Editor

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on being drawn to editing

    00:30

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on her training as an editor

    00:33

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing with the Ediflex system

    01:20

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on the editing style of Seinfeld

    01:18

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editors as part of production, not post-production

    01:38

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on "the walk and talk" style of Sports Night

    00:26

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing

    09:22

    Comedy Series

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Seinfeld

    20:20

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Seinfeld

    52:37

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Sports Night

    11:04

    Drama Series

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing

    09:22

    TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing the TV movies of The Incredible Hulk

    08:25

    Jason Alexander

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Jason Alexander

    02:36

    Bill Bixby

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on meeting and working with director Bill Bixby

    00:54

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on meeting and working with director Bill Bixby and working with him on TV movies

    09:01

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on meeting and working with director Bill Bixby and working with him on TV movies

    01:00

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on Bill Bixby falling ill and on his legacy

    01:48

    Glenn Gordon Caron

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Glenn Gordon Caron on Medium

    00:28

    Larry Charles

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on a difficult question Seinfeld writer Larry Charles asked her

    00:32

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Seinfeld with writers Larry Charles and Larry David

    01:30

    Tom Cherones

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Seinfeld director Tom Cherones on "The Parking Garage"

    01:57

    Ted Danson

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Ted Danson on Ink

    00:40

    Larry David

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on meeting Larry David

    01:04

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing Seinfeld with writers Larry Charles and Larry David

    01:30

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Larry David and his personality

    11:33

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on how Seinfeld writers were involved in editing and what Larry David taught her about comedy

    03:18

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on Larry David using real life for storylines and extending an episode of Seinfeld to one hour

    02:59

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on Larry David's ideas

    29:04

    Diane English

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Diane English on Ink

    05:14

    Lou Ferrigno

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on "The Hulk" Lou Ferrigno

    00:26

    Robert Guillaume

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working on Aaron Sorkin's Sports Night with actor Robert Guillaume

    00:33

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on Sports Night actor Robert Guillaume's stroke

    01:39

    Felicity Huffman

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working on Aaron Sorkin's Sports Night with actress Felicity Huffman

    00:33

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on Felicity Huffman's acting ability

    01:21

    Peter Krause

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working on Aaron Sorkin's Sports Night with actor Peter Krause

    00:33

    Warren Littlefield

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on learning about the budget for the Seinfeld pilot from Warren Littlefield

    01:27

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on extending an episode of Seinfeld to one hour

    02:00

    David Rasche

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on David Rasche in Sledge Hammer!

    01:56

    Michael Richards

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Michael Richards

    01:43

    Richard Schiff

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on advice from actor Richard Schiff

    01:01

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on The West Wing  actor Richard Schiff

    01:00

    Thomas Schlamme

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working on Aaron Sorkin's Sports Night with director Tommy Schlamme

    03:49

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on Sports Night director Thomas Schlamme

    01:39

    Jerry Seinfeld

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on meeting Jerry Seinfeld

    00:20

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Jerry Seinfeld

    01:18

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on extending an episode of Seinfeld to one hour

    02:07

    Aaron Sorkin

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on showrunner Aaron Sorkin's rhythm 

    00:30

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working on Aaron Sorkin's Sports Night with Tommy Schlamme

    03:49

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Aaron Sorkin

    02:42

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on winning an Emmy for the "Small Town" episode of Sports Night and wanting Aaron Sorkin to win for writing

    02:28

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on Aaron Sorkin doing comedy and drama

    00:26

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing based on Aaron Sorkin's schedule

    02:01

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on interpreting Aaron Sorkin's words

    00:39

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing episode "Twenty Five" - Aaron Sorkin's last episode; on Sorkin's departure

    03:12

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on Aaron Sorkin's role in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

    02:02

    John Spencer

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on The West Wing actor John Spencer

    00:39

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on editing The West Wing episode, "The Birnam Wood," in which John Spencer has a heart attack

    02:21

    Mary Steenburgen

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with Mary Steenburgen on Ink

    00:40

    John Wells

    Editor Janet Ashikaga on working with showrunner John Wells after Aaron Sorkin left The West Wing

    00:50

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