About
"Good things happen when you stand up for things."
In his two-hour interview, Steve Binder talks about his early work at Los Angeles' KABC, and directing The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show in the early 1960s. He discusses at length writing and directing his breakthrough rock documentary, The T.A.M.I. Show, which showcased such stars as The Supremes, The Rolling Stones, and James Brown. He also discusses many other programs he worked on including Hullabaloo, The Danny Kaye Show, Gilligan's Island, Diana Ross in Central Park, and Lucy in London, a CBS special starring Lucille Ball. He talks at length about producing and directing NBC's Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special, which relaunched Elvis Presley's career and set the bar for music specials. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview in a joint venture with ULCA for the Living Television Collection on March 4, 2004 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Steve Binder on his greatest achievements
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 1)
Steve Binder on The T.A.M.I. Show
Steve Binder on producing and directing Jane Fonda's Complete Workout direct-to-video tapes
Steve Binder on his advice to aspiring directors
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early years and influences
On first seeing TV, his military service, and his work as a radio announcer and film narrator
On working at the Blue Danube Network in Austria as a radio announcer
On transitioning to television at ABC in the mailroom and then as Operations Director (OD) at KABC in Los Angeles
On getting his first directing job Hank Weaver, Chucko the Clown, Soupy Sales
On directing The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
Chapter 2
On The T.A.M.I. Show and other theatrical film shows
Steve Binder on Shindig and Hullabaloo
On directing episodes of Gilligan's Island and working with Lucille Ball in Lucy in London
On producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 1)
Chapter 3
On producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 2)
On co-producing and directiing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special
On working on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
On producing the variety show featuring mimes Shields and Yarnell
On producing and directing The Barry Manilow Special (1977)
On directing four Primetime Emmy Awards telecasts
Chapter 4
On producing the Emmy Awards telecast from 1984 to 1987
On producing Pee-Wee's Playhouse
On producing Jane Fonda's Complete Workout videos and The Chevy Chase Show
On directing Diana Ross in Central Park (1985) and VH1's Divas 2000
On how television has changed since he began in the business; on his producing and directing style; on some of the people he's worked with; how he would like to be remembered
Shows
Barry Manilow Specials
Steve Binder on producing and directing 1977's The Barry Manilow Special
Chevy Chase Show, The
Steve Binder on producing the short-lived The Chevy Chase Show
Diana Ross: Live in Central Park
Steve Binder on directing Diana Ross in Central Park during a rainstorm
Steve Binder on directing Diana Ross in Central Park
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Steve Binder on producing Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special aka Singer Presents Elvis
Steve Binder on producing and directiing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Steve Binder on producing the Primetime Emmy Awards for four years (1983-1987)
Steve Binder on producing the Primetime Emmy Awards in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
Gilligan's Island
Steve Binder on directing "Don't Bug The Mosquitoes" (1965) episode of Gilligan's Island
Hullabaloo
Steve Binder on Shindig and Hullabaloo
Jazz Scene USA
Steve Binder on directing the syndicated show Jazz Scene U.S.A.
Lucy in London
Steve Binder on directing Lucy in London
Pee-Wee's Playhouse
Steve Binder on producing Pee-Wee's Playhouse
Petula
Steve Binder on producing Petula and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 1)
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 2)
Shields & Yarnell
Steve Binder on producing Shields & Yarnell
Soupy Sales Show, The
Steve Binder on directing The Soupy Sales Show in L.A. before it went to network
Steve Allen Westinghouse Show, The
Steve Binder on directing the Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
VH1 Divas 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross
Steve Binder on directing VH1's Divas 2000
Topics
Memorable Moments on Television
Steve Binder on directing Diana Ross in Central Park (1985)
Pop Culture
Steve Binder on producing The T.A.M.I. Show
Steve Binder on Shindig and Hullabaloo
Steve Binder on producing and directing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special
Representation on Television
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 1)
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 2)
Rock 'n' Roll on TV (1950s & '60s)
Steve Binder on producing The T.A.M.I. Show
Steve Binder on Shindig and Hullabaloo
Steve Binder on producing and directing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special
Underrepresented Voices
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 1)
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 2)
Professions
Directors
Steve Binder on his early directing style on the Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
Steve Binder on producing and directiing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special
Steve Binder on his advice to aspiring directors
Genres
Late Night
Steve Binder on watching early late night host Jerry Lester
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Steve Binder on Shindig and Hullabaloo
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 1)
Steve Binder on producing and directing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special
Steve Binder on producing and directing 1977's The Barry Manilow Special
Steve Binder on directing Diana Ross in Central Park (1985)
People
Lucille Ball
Steve Binder on directing Lucy in London
Bob Banner
Steve Binder on Bob Banner (briefly)
Harry Belafonte
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 1)
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 2)
Chevy Chase
Steve Binder on producing the short-lived The Chevy Chase Show
Petula Clark
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 1)
Steve Binder on producing Petula, and the controversy surrounding a segment of it (part 2)
Nat King Cole
Steve Binder on The T.A.M.I. Show
Mac Davis
Steve Binder on Mac Davis (briefly)
Bob Finkel
Steve Binder on producing and directiing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special
Jane Fonda
Steve Binder on producing and directing Jane Fonda's Complete Workout direct-to-video tapes
Dwight Hemion
Steve Binder on Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion
Michael Jackson
Steve Binder on Michael Jackson (briefly)
Danny Kaye
Steve Binder on Danny Kaye (briefly)
Sid Krofft
Steve Binder on Sid and Marty Krofft
Burt Lancaster
Steve Binder on The T.A.M.I. Show
Jerry Lester
Steve Binder on watching early late night host Jerry Lester
Jerry Lewis
Steve Binder on directing the Steve Allen Westinghouse Show where Jerry Lewis was a guest
Tina Louise
Steve Binder on directing "Don't Bug The Mosquitoes" (1965) episode of Gilligan's Island
Barry Manilow
Steve Binder on producing and directing 1977's The Barry Manilow Special
Olivia Newton-John
Steve Binder on Olivia Newton-John (briefly)
Jack Paar
Steve Binder on Jack Paar
Tom Parker
Steve Binder on producing and directiing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special
Elvis Presley
Steve Binder on producing and directiing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special
Paul Reubens
Steve Binder on producing Pee-Wee's Playhouse
Diana Ross
Steve Binder on directing Diana Ross in Central Park
Steve Binder on directing VH1's Divas 2000
Soupy Sales
Steve Binder on Soupy Sales (briefly)
Gary Smith
Steve Binder on Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion