Sam Denoff

In his four-hour interview, Sam Denoff (1928-2011) describes his work in radio at WNEW in New York and his move to Los Angeles to work in television, starting with The Steve Allen Show. He talks about working on The Andy Williams Show before landing a job with writing partner Bill Persky on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Denoff discusses his work as a writer and producer on this classic sitcom, for which he co-wrote memorable episodes such as "Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth" and "That's My Boy?" Denoff details the production of the landmark series That Girl, starring Marlo Thomas, which he and Persky co-created and co-produced, as well as the series Good Morning World. He recalls other series he created, which include The Funny Side, Big Eddie, On Our Own, and Turnabout. Denoff describes specials he worked on, including The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special (1967), The Bill Cosby Special (1968), Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman (1969) and Hallmark Hall of Fame's "The Man Who Came to Dinner," with Orson Welles (1972). Denoff also touches on writing for the American Comedy Awards and working as a consultant for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Bill Freiberger conducted the interview on March 9, 2000 in Brentwood, CA.