About
"I did the 'Steve Allen Show' playing a bloke who couldn't remember his own name. The next day, the nation knew of my work. Guys in cabs would drive by and see me and yell, 'Hey, hey, dummy!' So that's how powerful 'The Steve Allen Show' was as far as recognition was concerned."
In his two-hour interview, Tom Poston (1921-2007) talks about his first television appearances, including his stint as a regular on Hawkins Falls and Population 6200, which originated in Chicago. He chronicles his work on a local New York daytime show, which led to appearances as a regular on The Steve Allen Show in the "Man on the Street" sketches with Don Knotts and Louis Nye. He discusses his work with colleague Bob Newhart, including his recurring role on The Bob Newhart Show, and his regular role as handyman "George Utley" on Newhart. Other topics he discusses include his original consideration for the lead in Get Smart (before the project changed networks, nullifying his contract), his regular role on Mork & Mindy, and his relationship and marriage to actress Suzanne Pleshette. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on February 9, 2006 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights
Tom Poston on working with Louis Nye on The Steve Allen Show
Tom Poston on acting as a panelist on To Tell the Truth and other Goodson-Todman game shows
Tom Poston on playing "Franklin Delano Bickley" on Mork & Mindy
Tom Poston on the final episode of Newhart
Tom Poston on guest starring on Murphy Brown
Tom Poston on advice to an aspiring actor
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on getting into show business; on his first jobs in show business
On his service in World War II; on appearing on various live television shows; on the Hollywood Blacklist
Chapter 2
On being cast on The Steve Allen Show; on working with the cast of The Steve Allen Show
On appearing as a panelist on the Goodson-Todman game shows; on almost playing "Maxwell Smart" on Get Smart and appearing on various variety shows; on his recurring role on The Bob Newhart Show
Chapter 3
On appearing on Mork & Mindy; on being cast as "George Utley" on Newhart; on the cast of Newhart
On the final episode of Newhart; on guest-starring on numerous shows including ER, Home Improvement, That '70s Show, Bob and others
Chapter 4
On acting on the series Committed; on his longevity
On career highlights and regrets; on advice to aspiring actors; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Bob
Tom Poston on guest-starring on Bob
Bob Newhart Show, The (1972-78)
Tom Poston on his recurring role on The Bob Newhart Show
Coach
Tom Poston on guest-starring on Coach
ER
Tom Poston on guest-starring on ER
Get Smart
Tom Poston on almost being cast as "Maxwell Smart" in Get Smart
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Tom Poston on acting on a production of "The Tempest" on Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hawkins Falls
Tom Poston on appearing on Hawkins Falls
Home Improvement
Tom Poston on guest-starring on Home Improvement
Match Game
Tom Poston on acting as a panelist on To Tell the Truth and other Goodson-Todman game shows
Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz aka Stump the Stars
Tom Poston on acting as a panelist on To Tell the Truth and other Goodson-Todman game shows
Mork & Mindy
Tom Poston on playing "Franklin Delano Bickley" on Mork & Mindy
Tom Poston on working with Robin Williams and the cast of Mork & Mindy
Murphy Brown
Tom Poston on guest starring on Murphy Brown
Newhart
Tom Poston on being cast on Newhart
Tom Poston on his Newhart character "George Utley"
Tom Poston on working with the cast of Newhart
Tom Poston on the final episode of Newhart
Newhart: "The Last Newhart"
Tom Poston on the final episode of Newhart
Password
Tom Poston on acting as a panelist on To Tell the Truth and other Goodson-Todman game shows
Phil Silvers Show, The aka You'll Never Get Rich aka Sergeant Bilko
Tom Poston on appearing on The Phil Silvers Show
Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Tom Poston on appearing on the Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse production of "Cyrano de Bergerac"
Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)
Tom Poston on being cast on The Steve Allen Show
Tom Poston on differences between Steve Allen's Tonight and The Steve Allen Show
Tom Poston on working with Louis Nye on The Steve Allen Show
Tom Poston on working with Don Knotts on The Steve Allen Show
Tom Poston on working with Bill Dana on The Steve Allen Show
That '70s Show
Tom Poston on guest-starring on That '70s Show
To Tell the Truth
Tom Poston on acting as a panelist on To Tell the Truth and other Goodson-Todman game shows
Tom Corbett, Space Cadet
Tom Poston on appearing on Tom Corbett, Space Cadet
Tonight
Tom Poston on differences between Steve Allen's Tonight and The Steve Allen Show
What's My Line?
Tom Poston on acting as a panelist on To Tell the Truth and other Goodson-Todman game shows
Topics
Advice
Tom Poston on advice to an aspiring actor
Classic TV Series Episodes
Tom Poston on the final episode of Newhart
Comedy
Tom Poston on the final episode of Newhart
Historic Events and Social Change
Tom Poston on his service in World War II
Hollywood Blacklist
Tom Poston on the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Tom Poston on the Hollywood Blacklist
Memorable Moments on Television
Tom Poston on the final episode of Newhart
Pop Culture
Tom Poston on the final episode of Newhart
Television Industry
Tom Poston on the Hollywood Blacklist
Tom Poston on advice to an aspiring actor
War
Tom Poston on his service in World War II
We Laughed
Tom Poston on the final episode of Newhart
World War II
Tom Poston on his service in World War II
Professions
Actor
Tom Poston on advice to an aspiring actor
Performers
Tom Poston on advice to an aspiring actor
Genres
Comedy Series
Tom Poston on his recurring role on The Bob Newhart Show
Tom Poston on playing Franklin Delano Bickley on Mork & Mindy
Tom Poston on playing "George Utley" on Newhart
Talk Shows
Tom Poston on being a regular player on The Steve Allen Show
People
Bill Dana
Tom Poston on working with Bill Dana on The Steve Allen Show
Pam Dawber
Tom Poston on working with Robin Williams and the cast of Mork & Mindy: Pam Dawber
Julia Duffy
Tom Poston on working with the cast of Newhart: Julia Duffy
Mary Frann
Tom Poston on working with the cast of Newhart: Mary Frann
Mark Goodson
Tom Poston on acting as a panelist on To Tell the Truth and other Goodson-Todman game shows
Conrad Janis
Tom Poston on working with Robin Williams and the cast of Mork & Mindy: Conrad Janis
Don Knotts
Tom Poston on working with Don Knotts on The Steve Allen Show
Bob Newhart
Tom Poston on his recurring role on The Bob Newhart Show
Tom Poston on working with the cast of Newhart: Bob Newhart
Louis Nye with Emerson College
Tom Poston on working with Louis Nye on The Steve Allen Show
Suzanne Pleshette
Tom Poston on his recurring role on The Bob Newhart Show
Tom Poston on his wife Suzanne Pleshette
William Sanderson
Tom Poston on working with the cast of Newhart: William Sanderson
Peter Scolari
Tom Poston on working with the cast of Newhart: Peter Scolari
Phil Silvers
Tom Poston on appearing on The Phil Silvers Show
Bill Todman
Tom Poston on acting as a panelist on To Tell the Truth and other Goodson-Todman game shows
Robin Williams
Tom Poston on playing "Franklin Delano Bickley" on Mork & Mindy
Tom Poston on working with Robin Williams and the cast of Mork & Mindy
Jonathan Winters
Tom Poston on working with Robin Williams and the cast of Mork & Mindy: Jonathan Winters