"It’s not brain surgery, but it’s complex and if it goes wrong, it screws the whole network up. Being an assistant director can be a complicated operation."

    About This Interview

    In his four-hour interview, Robert Caminiti (1937-2025) talks about his early years and being hired by NBC. He recalls becoming a stage manager for NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, where he worked on game shows, including Concentration, Winning Streak, and Jeopardy!, as well as the daytime serial The Doctors. He discusses working with news anchor Edwin Newman at NBC News, and outlines some of his own political stances. He chronicles his years working at Tomorrow with Tom Snyder, and relates how that show’s cancellation led to him becoming an assistant director for Saturday Night Live. Caminiti details his many years at Saturday Night Live, including his collaboration with the various directors of the show, his relationship with producer Lorne Michaels, and the various interactions he’s had with the cast over the years. He concludes with a discussion about the Directors Guild of America, and addresses the prospect of retiring in the then-near future. Jenni Matz conducted the interview on December 13, 2018 in Harrington Park, NJ.

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

    Robert Caminiti on becoming a stage manager for NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and why that job interested him

    03:13
    Thumbnail of Robert Caminiti

    Robert Caminiti on covering the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago with Edwin Newman

    10:01
    Thumbnail of Robert Caminiti

    Robert Caminiti on working Dick Ebersol and Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live, and on what made working as an assistant director on that show different from other shows

    04:57
    Thumbnail of Robert Caminiti

    Robert Caminiti on the Directors Guild of America

    06:48
    Thumbnail of Robert Caminiti

    Robert Caminiti on how Saturday Night Live dealt with 9/11

    05:39
    Thumbnail of Robert Caminiti

    Robert Caminiti on working with Beth McCarthy-Miller when she was the director of Saturday Night Live

    02:51
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his childhood experiences, World War II and witnessing anti-semitism as a kid in New York City; on his earliest memories of watching television with his family

    11:20

    On being hired by NBC; on working in various departments at NBC in the 1950s and early 1960s; on becoming a stage manager for NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and why that job interested him

    13:18

    On his duties as stage manager on Concentration, and on the Quiz Show Scandals; on working with producer Bob Stewart on Winning Streak; on the fast pacing and structured environment of being part of a crew on a game show

    07:56

    On working with Concentration host Hugh Downs and working with director Lynwood King; on stage managing for Goodson-Todman Productions' game shows; on learning to become a stage manager on the daytime drama The Doctors

    05:08

    On learning to work with actors on The Doctors; on his various duties as stage manager on The Doctors; on stage managing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on working at 30 Rockefeller Plaza

    11:04

    On assistant directing for Jeopardy!, and on working with producer Robert Rubin; on the difference between stage managing and being an assistant director; on what he enjoyed about working on game shows, particularly What's My Line?

    09:11

    On wanting to speak to Harvey Keitel when he hosted Saturday Night Live; on working on a couple of feature films, including "Quiz Show"; on Saturday Night Live director Dave Wilson, and on directing a drug raid for NBC News

    11:29

    Chapter 2

    On his experiences working for NBC News and his lifelong interest in politics; on covering the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago with Edwin Newman

    17:17

    On NBC News head Reuven Frank; on assistant directors editing footage; on doing "complex edits" as an assistant director on Saturday Night Live, and on working with Lorne Michaels

    07:13

    On working with Don Pardo on various shows, including Saturday Night Live; on working on Wimbledon for NBC Sports; on assistant directing on Tomorrow with Tom Snyder

    15:12

    On Tom Snyder interviewing Charles Manson on Tomorrow; on Tom Snyder's professionalism on Tomorrow, and on Rona Barrett on the show; on his day-to-day duties on Tomorrow with Tom Snyder

    13:42

    On filling in as assistant director on Saturday Night Live before he was hired by them; on the end of Tomorrow; on being hired as assistant director on Saturday Night Live, and on why he was hired

    07:41

    On working Dick Ebersol and Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live and on what made working as an assistant director on that show different from other shows; on the pace and production schedule of working on Saturday Night Live

    15:37

    Chapter 3

    On his collaboration with Saturday Night Live director Dave Wilson during the broadcast of the live show; on his state of mind during broadcasts of Saturday Night Live

    14:06

    On working with Beth McCarthy-Miller when she was the director of Saturday Night Live; on Don Roy King directing Saturday Night Live; on leaving his assistant directing position and becoming an editor on Saturday Night Live

    09:43

    On how Saturday Night Live dealt with 9/11; on making suggestions for sketches for Saturday Night Live, and on Don Pardo keeping all the Jeopardy! cards; on the Don Pardo bicycle story

    10:54

    On the behind the scenes employees staying with Saturday Night Live for years, and on working for Lorne Michaels; on his involvement in the first episode of Saturday Night Live; on the politics of Saturday Night Live

    06:34

    On working on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; on how technology has impacted Saturday Night Live and the job of assistant director; on censoring John Belushi on Saturday Night Live, and on his favorite cast members

    12:23

    On producer Bob Stewart; on working on Another World and working for producer Paul Rauch; on advice for aspiring television production professionals

    10:04

    On various people with whom he worked in his career; on career achievements and awards; on the Directors Guild of America

    12:04

    On advice for aspiring assistant directors; on how he would like to be remembered; on people who helped him in his career

    12:46

    Another World

    Robert Caminiti on working on Another World and working for producer Paul Rauch

    04:52

    Concentration

    Robert Caminiti on his duties as stage manager on Concentration, and on the Quiz Show Scandals

    02:56

    Robert Caminiti on working with Concentration host Hugh Downs and working with director Lynwood King

    02:01

    Doctors, The

    Robert Caminiti on learning to become a stage manager on the daytime drama The Doctors

    01:34

    Robert Caminiti on learning to work with actors on The Doctors

    03:01

    Robert Caminiti on his various duties as stage manager on The Doctors

    06:52

    Jeopardy!

    Robert Caminiti on assistant directing for Jeopardy!, and on working with producer Robert Rubin

    02:20

    Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

    Robert Caminiti on working on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

    04:33

    NBC News

    Robert Caminiti on Saturday Night Live director Dave Wilson, and on directing a drug raid for NBC News

    02:23

    Robert Caminiti on his experiences working for NBC News and his lifelong interest in politics

    07:16

    Robert Caminiti on NBC News head Reuven Frank

    01:33

    Saturday Night Live

    Robert Caminiti on wanting to speak to Harvey Keitel when he hosted Saturday Night Live

    05:10

    Robert Caminiti on Saturday Night Live director Dave Wilson, and on directing a drug raid for NBC News

    02:23

    Robert Caminiti on doing "complex edits" as an assistant director on Saturday Night Live, and on working with Lorne Michaels

    04:27

    Robert Caminiti on filling in as assistant director on Saturday Night Live before he was hired by them

    01:12

    Robert Caminiti on being hired as assistant director on Saturday Night Live, and on why he was hired

    04:38

    Robert Caminiti on working Dick Ebersol and Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live, and on what made working as an assistant director on that show different from other shows

    04:57

    Robert Caminiti on the pace and production schedule of working on Saturday Night Live

    10:38

    Robert Caminiti on his collaboration with Saturday Night Live director Dave Wilson during the broadcast of the live show

    07:48

    Robert Caminiti on his state of mind during broadcasts of Saturday Night Live

    06:18

    Robert Caminiti on working with Beth McCarthy-Miller when she was the director of Saturday Night Live

    02:51

    Robert Caminiti on Don Roy King directing Saturday Night Live

    01:52

    Robert Caminiti on leaving his assistant directing position and becoming an editor on Saturday Night Live

    04:59

    Robert Caminiti on how Saturday Night Live dealt with 9/11

    05:39

    Robert Caminiti on making suggestions for sketches for Saturday Night Live, and on Don Pardo keeping all the Jeopardy! cards

    02:32

    Robert Caminiti on the behind the scenes employees staying with Saturday Night Live for years, and on working for Lorne Michaels

    02:58

    Robert Caminiti on his involvement in the first episode of Saturday Night Live

    01:47

    Robert Caminiti on the politics of Saturday Night Live

    01:49

    Tomorrow (1973-82)

    Robert Caminiti on assistant directing on Tomorrow with Tom Snyder

    01:33

    Robert Caminiti on Tom Snyder interviewing Charles Manson on Tomorrow

    06:41

    Robert Caminiti on Tom Snyder's professionalism on Tomorrow, and on Rona Barrett on the show

    02:31

    Robert Caminiti on his day-to-day duties on Tomorrow with Tom Snyder, including filling in as director

    04:30

    Robert Caminiti on the end of Tomorrow

    01:51

    Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

    Robert Caminiti on stage managing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on working at 30 Rockefeller Plaza

    01:11

    What's My Line?

    Robert Caminiti on what he enjoyed about working on game shows, particularly What's My Line?

    01:53

    Winning Streak

    Robert Caminiti on working with producer Bob Stewart on Winning Streak

    04:05

    9/11

    Robert Caminiti on how Saturday Night Live dealt with 9/11

    05:39

    Advice

    Robert Caminiti on advice for aspiring assistant directors

    03:50

    Classic TV Series Episodes

    Robert Caminiti on his involvement in the first episode of Saturday Night Live

    01:47

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Robert Caminiti on his childhood experiences, World War II and witnessing anti-semitism as a kid in New York City

    02:15

    Robert Caminiti on how Saturday Night Live dealt with 9/11

    05:39

    Industry Crossroads

    Robert Caminiti on his duties as stage manager on Concentration, and on the Quiz Show Scandals

    02:56

    Pop Culture

    Robert Caminiti on his involvement in the first episode of Saturday Night Live

    01:47

    Quiz Show Scandals

    Robert Caminiti on his duties as stage manager on Concentration, and on the Quiz Show Scandals

    02:59

    Television and the Presidency

    Robert Caminiti on covering the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago with Edwin Newman

    10:01

    Television Industry

    Robert Caminiti on his duties as stage manager on Concentration, and on the Quiz Show Scandals

    02:56

    Robert Caminiti on advice for aspiring assistant directors

    03:50

    War

    Robert Caminiti on his childhood experiences, World War II and witnessing anti-semitism as a kid in New York City

    02:15

    World War II

    Robert Caminiti on his childhood experiences, World War II and witnessing anti-semitism as a kid in New York City

    02:15

    Assistant Director

    Robert Caminiti on the difference between stage managing and being an assistant director

    04:56

    Robert Caminiti on assistant directors editing footage

    01:14

    Robert Caminiti on how technology has impacted Saturday Night Live and the job of assistant director

    02:09

    Robert Caminiti on advice for aspiring television production professionals

    04:05

    Robert Caminiti on advice for aspiring assistant directors

    03:50

    Production Professionals

    Robert Caminiti on the difference between stage managing and being an assistant director

    04:56

    Robert Caminiti on assistant directors editing footage

    01:14

    Robert Caminiti on how technology has impacted Saturday Night Live and the job of assistant director

    02:09

    Robert Caminiti on advice for aspiring television production professionals

    04:05

    Robert Caminiti on advice for aspiring assistant directors

    03:50

    Stage Manager

    Robert Caminiti on the difference between stage managing and being an assistant director

    04:56

    Comedy Series

    Robert Caminiti on assistant directing on Saturday Night Live

    23:18

    Daytime/Primetime Serials

    Robert Caminiti on stage managing for The Doctors

    11:27

    Robert Caminiti on working on Another World

    04:52

    Game Shows

    Robert Caminiti on the fast pacing and structured environment of being part of a crew on a game show

    00:55

    Robert Caminiti on stage managing for Goodson-Todman Productions' game shows

    01:32

    Robert Caminiti on what he enjoyed about working on game shows, particularly What's My Line?

    01:54

    Robert Caminiti on stage managing for various game shows including Concentration, Jeopardy! and Winning Streak

    11:30

    Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

    Robert Caminiti on working on Saturday Night Live

    53:40

    News and Documentary

    Robert Caminiti on his experiences working for NBC News and his lifelong interest in politics

    18:50

    Sports

    Robert Caminiti on working on Wimbledon for NBC Sports

    04:05

    Talk Shows

    Robert Caminiti on assistant directing on Tomorrow with Tom Snyder

    15:15

    John Belushi

    Robert Caminitti on censoring John Belushi on Saturday Night Live, and on his favorite cast members

    05:41

    Hugh Downs

    Robert Caminiti on working with Concentration host Hugh Downs

    00:29

    Dick Ebersol

    Robert Caminiti on working Dick Ebersol and Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live, and on what made working as an assistant director on that show different from other shows

    04:57

    Reuven Frank

    Robert Caminiti on NBC News head Reuven Frank

    01:33

    Don Roy King

    Robert Caminiti on Don Roy King directing Saturday Night Live

    01:52

    Lynwood King

    Robert Caminiti on working with Concentration director Lynwood King

    01:33

    Charles Manson

    Robert Caminiti on Tom Snyder interviewing Charles Manson on Tomorrow

    06:41

    Beth McCarthy-Miller

    Robert Caminiti on working with Beth McCarthy-Miller when she was the director of Saturday Night Live

    02:51

    Lorne Michaels

    Robert Caminiti on working Dick Ebersol and Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live, and on what made working as an assistant director on that show different from other shows

    04:57

    Edwin Newman

    Robert Caminiti on covering the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago with Edwin Newman

    10:01

    Don Pardo

    Robert Caminiti on working with Don Pardo on various shows, including Saturday Night Live

    09:34

    Robert Caminitti on the Don Pardo bicycle story

    02:41

    Paul Rauch

    Robert Caminiti on working on Another World and working for producer Paul Rauch

    04:52

    Tom Snyder

    Robert Caminiti on assistant directing on Tomorrow with Tom Snyder

    15:15

    Bob Stewart

    Robert Caminiti on working with producer Bob Stewart on Winning Streak

    03:51

    Robert Caminitti on producer Bob Stewart

    01:03

    All Interviews

    Loading Interviews...