Richard Frank

In his nearly three-and-a-half-hour interview, Richard Frank discusses his early years working in advertising. He talks about his stint in local Los Angeles television, at both KTLA and KCOP, and speaks of developing the Operation Prime Time consortium, which brought programming (including the made-for-television films Sadat and A Woman Called Golda) to local independent stations around the country. He recounts his transition to Paramount Television, where he oversaw the creation of Entertainment Tonight, and attempted to launch the ill-fated Paramount Television Service. He discusses at length his time as president of the Paramount Television Group, where he oversaw the production of Happy Days and developed Cheers, and outlines his transition over to Disney Television, where along with Michael Eisner, he developed such hits as The Golden Girls and Empty Nest. Frank talks about the importance of executives adjusting to the new media landscape, and comments on his then-current work at his production company, Prospect Park. Jim McKairnes conducted the interview on June 29, 2012 in Beverly Hills, CA.