"Never give up. That's the key. That's it. Just remember that if you get rejected, wait awhile. They'll get fired. They rotate the rascals."

    About This Interview

    In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Stanley Ralph Ross (1935-2000) talks in detail about writing for television shows, including Mr. Roberts, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Batman, The Monkees, Columbo, Wonder Woman, and All in the Family. He discusses winning an Emmy award for writing an episode of All in the Family. Ross also speaks about the creation of The Electric Company. He recounts writing several made-for-television movies, such as Coffee, Tea, or Me, as well as appearing in the 1976 true-crime drama about Charles Manson, Helter Skelter. Dan Pasternack conducted the interview on February 11, 1998 in Beverly Hills, CA.

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

    Stanley Ralph Ross on being a creative consultant for Helter Skelter

    05:10
    Thumbnail of Stanley Ralph Ross

    Stanley Ralph Ross on having trouble with ABC Standards & Practices over a Batman script involving "Catwoman," then played by Eartha Kitt

    01:17
    Thumbnail of Stanley Ralph Ross

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the catchphrases of Batman

    03:39
    Thumbnail of Stanley Ralph Ross

    Stanley Ralph Ross on his early experience with television, and on Milton Berle

    02:59
    Thumbnail of Stanley Ralph Ross

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the stage musical "Chaplin," starring Anthony Newley

    02:10
    Thumbnail of Stanley Ralph Ross

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Bob Arbogast

    03:14
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on his early interest in books; on his early experience with television, and on Milton Berle

    10:39

    On his early interest in music, and on working along side Sammy Davis, Jr.; on meeting Ernie Kovacs, and on what he wanted to do after he graduated from high school

    07:39

    On moving to Los Angeles in 1956 and working at the post office; on making a record with Bob Arbogast

    09:52

    Chapter 2

    On working as a copywriter for various ad agencies in Los Angeles; on being a tour guide for Universal Studios; on writing promotional copy for the ABC series Combat!, and on the experience of being at ABC studios

    06:29

    On being hired to write for the comedy series Mister Roberts, and later for Batman; on starting a music publishing company; on becoming in-demand as a writer after being hired to write for Batman

    10:02

    On writing the Batman episode "The Lady and the Tiger,", which introduced "Catwoman"; on having trouble with ABC Standards & Practices over a Batman script involving "Catwoman"; on the campy tone of Batman

    05:33

    On the producers of Batman, including Bill Dozier; on Adam West as "Batman" and Burt Ward as "Robin" on Batman, and on the guest villains of the show; on the regular supporting cast of Batman

    05:47

    Chapter 3

    On the catchphrases of Batman; on the process of creating an episode of Batman; on writing the "Catwoman" episodes of Batman, and on Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt as "Catwoman"

    08:28

    On actors making script suggestions; on multiple actors playing the same villain on Batman, and on Frank Sinatra wanting to play "The Joker"; on various characters he created for Batman, including "The Siren," played by Joan Collins

    07:42

    On the directors of Batman; on being on the set of Batman, and on the scheduling of the show; on Batman going from airing twice a week to once a week

    06:35

    On the Batman episode "Come Back, Shame"; on writing an episode of That Girl; on the popularity of Batman

    05:22

    Chapter 4

    On the development of The Electric Company; on writing an episode of All in the Family for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award, and on working with Norman Lear; on writing Columbo, and on working with Peter Falk as "Columbo"

    12:23

    On writing for and appearing on Banacek; on writing for a The Mod Squad episode guest-starring Louis Gossett, Jr.; on writing for Love, American Style, and on juggling writing for several shows at once

    06:35

    On working on Bill Cosby's show Cos; on writing for That's My Mama, starring Clifton Davis; on writing the third pilot for Wonder Woman, starring Lynda Carter and Lyle Wagonner

    09:28

    Chapter 5

    On deciding to leave shows after he writes the pilot; on developing Monster Squad and Challenge of the Sexes; on providing voiceover for Super Friends at the behest of Joseph Barbera

    09:23

    On the process of doing voiceover; on providing voiceover for Superman, Rambo, and Inspector Gadget; on being a creative consultant for Helter Skelter

    11:08

    On creating The Kallikaks; on having an issue with one of the actors and Standards & Practices on The Kallikaks

    05:55

    Chapter 6

    On writing Three on a Date, directed by Bill Bixby; on writing Murder at the Mardi Gras, starring David Groh and Didi Conn; on writing the movie Coffee, Tea, or Me?

    11:05

    On writing Sky Heist and producing For the Love of It, directed by Hal Kanter; on writing the stage musical "Chaplin," starring Anthony Newley; on writing "The Motion Picture Guide"

    09:27

    On his then-current projects; on career highlights and regrets; on advice to aspiring writers; on the then-future of television

    07:11

    Chapter 7

    On various personalities he's worked with throughout his career, including Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, and Sheldon Leonard

    14:59

    On various personalities he's worked with throughout his career, including Norman Lear and Della Reese

    11:35

    Chapter 8

    On b-roll pictures from his career- in a recording studio at age 22; with Bob Arbogast; at the house where he grew up in Coney Island; with Joseph Barbera and William Hanna; with Brenda Vacarro; with Milton Berle; in a sound booth doing "Babe II"; at his daughter's wedding

    04:25

    All in the Family

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing an episode of All in the Family for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award, and on working with Norman Lear

    05:55

    Banacek

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for and appearing on Banacek

    03:20

    Batman

    Stanley Ralph Ross on being hired to write for the comedy series Mister Roberts, and later for Batman

    05:47

    Stanley Ralph Ross on becoming in-demand as a writer after being hired to write for Batman

    03:19

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the Batman episode "The Lady and the Tiger," which introduced "Catwoman"

    02:15

    Stanley Ralph Ross on having trouble with ABC Standards & Practices over a Batman script involving "Catwoman," then played by Eartha Kitt

    01:17

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the campy tone of Batman

    02:01

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the producers of Batman, including Bill Dozier

    01:05

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Adam West as "Batman" and Burt Ward as "Robin" on Batman

    01:00

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the guest villains on Batman

    01:31

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the regular supporting cast of Batman

    02:11

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the catchphrases of Batman

    03:39

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the process of creating an episode of Batman

    02:24

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the "Catwoman" episodes of Batman, and on Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt as "Catwoman"

    02:25

    Stanley Ralph Ross on multiple actors playing the same villain on Batman, and on Frank Sinatra wanting to play "The Joker"

    02:44

    Stanley Ralph Ross on various characters he created for Batman, including "The Siren," played by Joan Collins

    01:12

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the directors of Batman

    01:57

    Stanley Ralph Ross on being on the set of Batman, and on the scheduling of the show

    02:56

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Batman going from airing twice a week to once a week

    01:42

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the Batman episode "Come Back, Shame"

    01:37

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the popularity of Batman

    01:36

    Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes

    Stanley Ralph Ross on developing Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes

    02:08

    Coffee, Tea, or Me?

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the movie Coffee, Tea, or Me?

    02:16

    Columbo

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Columbo, and on working with Peter Falk as "Columbo"

    04:29

    Combat!

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing promotional copy for the ABC series Combat!, and on the experience of being at ABC studios

    02:33

    Cos

    Stanley Ralph Ross on working on Bill Cosby's show Cos

    01:35

    Electric Company, The

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the development of The Electric Company

    01:59

    For the Love of It

    Stanley Ralph Ross on looping Tom Bosley's voice for For the Love of It

    01:47

    Helter Skelter

    Stanley Ralph Ross on being a creative consultant for and appearing in Helter Skelter

    05:10

    Inspector Gadget

    Stanley Ralph Ross on providing voiceover for Superman, Rambo, and Inspector Gadget

    02:02

    Kallikaks, The

    Stanley Ralph Ross on creating The Kallikaks

    01:56

    Stanley Ralph Ross on having an issue with one of the actors and Standards & Practices on The Kallikaks

    03:59

    Love, American Style

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for Love, American Style, and on juggling writing for several shows at once

    01:51

    Mod Squad, The

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for a The Mod Squad episode guest-starring Louis Gossett, Jr.

    01:24

    Monster Squad

    Stanley Ralph Ross on developing Monster Squad

    02:51

    Murder at the Mardi Gras

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Murder at the Mardi Gras, starring David Groh and Didi Conn

    05:24

    Sky Heist

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Sky Heist and producing For the Love of It, directed by Hal Kanter

    03:29

    Super Friends

    Stanley Ralph Ross on providing voiceover for Super Friends at the behest of Joe Barbera

    02:04

    That Girl

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing an episode of That Girl

    02:09

    That's My Mama

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for That's My Mama, starring Clifton Davis

    03:13

    Three on a Date

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Three on a Date, directed by Bill Bixby

    03:25

    Wonder Woman

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the third pilot for Wonder Woman, starring Lynda Carter and Lyle Wagonner

    03:18

    Advice

    Stanley Ralph Ross on advice to aspiring writers

    00:57

    Censorship / Standards & Practices

    Stanley Ralph Ross on having trouble with ABC Standards & Practices over a Batman script involving "Catwoman," then played by Eartha Kitt

    01:17

    Stanley Ralph Ross on having an issue with one of the actors and Standards & Practices on The Kallikaks

    03:59

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Adam West as "Batman" and Burt Ward as "Robin" on Batman

    01:00

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the Batman episode "The Lady and the Tiger," which introduced "Catwoman"

    02:15

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the catch phrases of Batman

    03:39

    Emmy Awards

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing an episode of All in the Family for which he was nominated for an Emmy, and on working with Norman Lear

    05:55

    First Big Break

    Stanley Ralph Ross on becoming in-demand as a writer after being hired to write for Batman

    03:19

    Pivotal Career Moments

    Stanley Ralph Ross on becoming in-demand as a writer after being hired to write for Batman

    03:19

    Pop Culture

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Adam West as "Batman" and Burt Ward as "Robin" on Batman

    01:00

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the Batman episode "The Lady and the Tiger," which introduced "Catwoman"

    02:15

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the catch phrases of Batman

    03:39

    Television Industry

    Stanley Ralph Ross on having trouble with ABC Standards & Practices over a Batman script involving "Catwoman," then played by Eartha Kitt

    01:17

    Stanley Ralph Ross on having an issue with one of the actors and Standards & Practices on The Kallikaks

    03:59

    Stanley Ralph Ross on advice to aspiring writers

    00:57

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the then-future of television

    02:21

    Actor

    Stanley Ralph Ross on actors making script suggestions

    03:46

    Performers

    Stanley Ralph Ross on actors making script suggestions

    03:46

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the process of doing voiceover

    03:56

    Voiceover

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the process of doing voiceover

    03:56

    Writers

    Stanley Ralph Ross on his career as a freelance writer

    01:22

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing pilots

    00:38

    Stanley Ralph Ross on deciding to leave shows after he writes the pilot

    00:33

    Stanley Ralph Ross on advice to aspiring writers

    00:57

    Adventure/Espionage Series

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the third pilot for Wonder Woman

    03:18

    Children's Programming

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the development of The Electric Company

    01:59

    Stanley Ralph Ross on providing voiceover for Super Friends

    02:04

    Stanley Ralph Ross on providing voiceover for Superman, Rambo, and Inspector Gadget

    02:02

    Comedy Series

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for Batman

    16:34

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for Batman

    28:07

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing an episode of That Girl

    02:09

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing an episode of All in the Family for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award

    05:55

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for Love, American Style

    01:52

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for Cos

    01:35

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for That's My Mama

    03:13

    Stanley Ralph Ross on developing Monster Squad

    02:51

    Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Columbo

    04:29

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for and appearing on Banacek

    03:20

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for a The Mod Squad episode guest-starring Louis Gossett, Jr.

    01:24

    Game Shows

    Stanley Ralph Ross on developing Challenge of the Sexes

    02:08

    TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

    Stanley Ralph Ross on being a creative consultant for and appearing in Helter Skelter

    05:10

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Three on a Date, directed by Bill Bixby

    03:25

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Murder at the Mardi Gras, starring David Groh and Didi Conn

    05:24

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Sky Heist and producing For the Love of It, directed by Hal Kanter

    03:29

    Danny Arnold

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Danny Arnold

    01:30

    William Asher

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing songs for Allan Sherman, and on writing the feature "Beach Party," directed by William Asher

    02:14

    Joseph Barbera

    Stanley Ralph Ross on providing voiceover for Super Friends at the behest of Joseph Barbera

    02:04

    Milton Berle

    Stanley Ralph Ross on his friendship with Milton Berle

    01:01

    Stanley Ralph Ross on working with Milton Berle

    01:19

    Bill Bixby

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Three on a Date, directed by Bill Bixby

    03:25

    Lynda Carter

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the third pilot for Wonder Woman, starring Lynda Carter and Lyle Wagonner

    03:18

    Joan Collins

    Stanley Ralph Ross on various characters he created for Batman, including "The Siren" played by Joan Collins

    01:11

    Bill Cosby

    Stanley Ralph Ross on working on Bill Cosby's show Cos

    01:35

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Bill Cosby

    01:12

    Bob Cummings

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Bob Cummings

    00:51

    Bill Dozier

    Stanley Ralph Ross on the producers of Batman, including Bill Dozier

    01:05

    Peter Falk

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Columbo, and on working with Peter Falk as "Columbo"

    04:29

    Louis Gossett, Jr.

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing for a The Mod Squad episode guest-starring Louis Gossett, Jr.

    04:44

    Hal Kanter

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing Sky Heist and producing For the Love of It, directed by Hal Kanter

    03:29

    Eartha Kitt

    Stanley Ralph Ross on having trouble with ABC Standards & Practices over a Batman script involving "Catwoman," then played by Eartha Kitt

    01:17

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the "Catwoman" episodes of Batman and on Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt as "Catwoman"

    02:25

    James Komack

    Stanley Ralph Ross on James Komack

    01:18

    Ernie Kovacs

    Stanley Ralph Ross on meeting Ernie Kovacs, and on what he wanted to do after he graduated high school

    01:46

    Norman Lear

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing an episode of All in the Family for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award, and on working with Norman Lear

    05:55

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Norman Lear

    00:58

    Sheldon Leonard

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Sheldon Leonard

    00:42

    Julie Newmar

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing the "Catwoman" episodes of Batman, and on Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt as "Catwoman"

    02:25

    Don Nicholl

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Don Nicholl

    00:47

    Carroll O'Connor

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Carroll O'Connor

    01:15

    Della Reese

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Della Reese

    01:29

    Debbie Reynolds

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Debbie Reynolds

    00:56

    Allan Sherman

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing songs for Allan Sherman, and on writing the feature "Beach Party," directed by William Asher

    02:14

    Frank Sinatra

    Stanley Ralph Ross on multiple actors playing the same villain on Batman, and on Frank Sinatra wanting to play "The Joker"

    02:44

    Danny Thomas

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Danny Thomas

    04:06

    Marlo Thomas

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Marlo Thomas

    00:32

    Jonathan Winters

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Jonathan Winters

    02:52

    Jane Wyman

    Stanley Ralph Ross on Jane Wyman

    01:28

    All Interviews

    Loading Interviews...