Tucker Wiard

Editor
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his three-hour interview, Tucker Wiard (1941-2022) discusses his interest in technology and television from a young age. He recalls the advancements that occurred in TV editing from his time in the army through working for CBS broadcasting. He shares what attracted him to TV editing and elaborates on editing technologies and techniques he used throughout his career - including the use of electronic editing and the development of SMPTE time codes. He then details his work on the iconic series The Carol Burnett Show and Murphy Brown. He reflects on the key role that editing played in the success of each show, and recalls his Emmy wins for episodes from both series. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on May 11, 2011 in North Hollywood, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"That's the goal: to try to become invisible as an editor."

People Talking About ...
Tucker Wiard
Highlights
Tucker Wiard on editing the memorable Carol Burnett episode "Went With the Wind"
02:11
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy Award for editing on The Carol Burnett Show
03:00
Tucker Wiard on cutting the last episode of Murphy Brown
00:40
Tucker Wiard on the key to comic timing from an editor's standpoint
02:49
Tucker Wiard on how the technology of editing has affected storytelling in television
01:36
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on studying Broadcasting and Radio and Television in college; on his introduction to TV technology while in the Army
On working for a sports broadcasting station in Detroit; on his introduction to editing at a CBS broadcasting station in Los Angeles
On what attracted him to editing; on challenges of editing; on a mentor he learned from in the early days of his editing career; on working on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
On advances in editing technology developed during his time at CBS -  SMPTE time code, and electronic editing

Chapter 2
On the Spectra editing system; on when the transition from 2" to 1" tape occurred; on when he first started using computers in editing
On the technical revolution of computer-driven non-linear editing and the use of the AVID editing system; on how the technology of editing has affected storytelling in television; on what the role of an editor is
On differences for an editor working on a television show versus a feature film; on how editing can be used to affect the pace and rhythm of storytelling; on the editing process for a weekly show 
On editing the pilot for Good Times and working on other Norman Lear shows; on creative freedom as an editor on Murphy Brown; on the key to comic timing from an editor's standpoint; on challenges of editing with a laugh track
On editing comedy shows with dramatic story lines; on what he learned working at CBS; on working on The Carol Burnett Show and winning an Emmy for editing the show

Chapter 3
On editing the memorable Carol Burnett Show episode "Went With the Wind;" on challenges, bloopers, and winning an Emmy Award for the final episode of The Carol Burnett Show; on the staying power of the show over the years
On working with Diane English on My Sister Sam and Murphy Brown; on the differences between editing film and video tape; on winning an Emmy for Murphy Brown; on the key elements for editing an ensemble show like Murphy Brown
On editing techniques for aiding the pacing of Murphy Brown; on the impact and influence of the show within society; on favorite episodes and cutting the last episode of Murphy Brown; on the legacy of the show
On winning an Emmy for the mini-series The Scarlett Letter; on working on Diane English's last TV series Living in Captivity; on dealing with network interference and censorship; on advice he would give to aspiring editors; on how he would like to be remembered
Shows

All in the Family

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Tucker Wiard on working on Good Times, All in the Family, Maude and One day at a Time
02:35

American Bandstand

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Tucker Wiard on his memories of watching favorite tv shows like American Bandstand
00:27

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)

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Tucker Wiard on working on The Carol Burnett Show
08:25
Tucker Wiard on hilarious bloopers from The Carol Burnett Show
02:02
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy Award for the final episode of The Carol Burnett Show
01:55
Tucker Wiard on the staying power of The Carol Burnett Show
00:40
Tucker Wiard on why the visual quality of The Carol Burnett Show has held up over the years
04:23

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78): "Went with the Wind!" Sketch

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Tucker Wiard on working on the memorable Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
02:11

Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The

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Tucker Wiard on working on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
00:49

Good Times

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Tucker Wiard on when 2" tape was first used on the TV show Good Times
01:19
Tucker Wiard on editing the pilot for Good Times
05:28
Tucker Wiard on working on Good Times, All in the Family, Maude and One day at a Time
02:35

Living in Captivity

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Tucker Wiard on working on Diane English's last TV series Living in Captivity
02:43

Maude

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Tucker Wiard on working on Good Times, All in the Family, Maude and One day at a Time
02:35

Mickey Mouse Club, The

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Tucker Wiard on his memories of watching favorite tv shows like The Mickey Mouse Club
00:27

Murphy Brown

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Tucker Wiard on creative freedom as an editor on Murphy Brown
00:26
Tucker Wiard on working with Diane English on My Sister Sam and Murphy Brown
01:36
Tucker Wiard on the differences between editing film and video tape on Murphy Brown
03:09
Tucker Wiard on favorite episodes of Murphy Brown including "On a Plane"
01:44
Tucker Wiard on cutting the last episode of Murphy Brown
00:40
Tucker Wiard on the legacy of Murphy Brown
01:30
Tucker Wiard on his contribution to Murphy Brown
02:52

My Sister Sam

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Tucker Wiard on working with Diane English on My Sister Sam and Murphy Brown
01:36

One Day at a Time (1975-84)

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Tucker Wiard on working on Good Times, All in the Family, Maude and One day at a Time
02:35

Red Skelton Show, The

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Tucker Wiard on working on The Red Skeleton Show
01:17
Tucker Wiard on a mentor he learned from on The Red Skeleton Show, in the early days of his editing career
00:36
Tucker Wiard on the use of computers for editing on The Red Skeleton Show
04:16
Topics

Bloopers

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Tucker Wiard on bloopers from The Carol Burnett Show
02:02

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Tucker Wiard on dealing with network interference and censorship
00:52

Characters & Catchphrases

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Tucker Wiard on Dan Quayle's comment about the character of "Murphy Brown"
03:42

Classic TV Series Episodes

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Tucker Wiard on the famous Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
02:11

Comedy

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Tucker Wiard on the famous Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
02:11

Emmy Awards

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Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy for editing on The Carol Burnett Show
02:59
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy for the final episode of The Carol Burnett Show
01:55
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy for Murphy Brown
01:04
Tucker Wiard on favorite episodes of Murphy Brown including the Emmy-winning, "On a Plane"
01:44
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy for the miniseries The Scarlett Letter
01:55

Industry Crossroads

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Tucker Wiard on the strike in Hollywood and how that affected his work on Murphy Brown
03:09

Industry Strikes

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Tucker Wiard on the strike in Hollywood and how that affected his work on Murphy Brown
03:09

Memorable Moments on Television

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Tucker Wiard on funny moments on The Carol Burnett Show
02:02
Tucker Wiard on Dan Quayle's comment about the character of "Murphy Brown"
03:42

Pop Culture

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Tucker Wiard on the famous Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
02:11
Tucker Wiard on Dan Quayle's comment about the character of "Murphy Brown"
03:42

Representation on Television

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Tucker Wiard on fond memories working on The Carol Burnett Show
14:24

Technological Innovation

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Tucker Wiard on editing technology developed and used by CBS
09:17
Tucker Wiard on the technical revolution of computer-driven non-linear editing and the use of the AVID editing system
04:26
Tucker Wiard on the differences between editing film and video tape on Murphy Brown
03:09
Tucker Wiard on why the visual quality of The Carol Burnett Show has held up over the years
04:23

Television Industry

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Tucker Wiard on the strike in Hollywood and how that affected his work on Murphy Brown
03:09
Tucker Wiard on dealing with network interference and censorship
00:52

We Laughed

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Tucker Wiard on funny moments on The Carol Burnett Show
02:02

Women

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Tucker Wiard on fond memories working on The Carol Burnett Show
14:24
Professions

Editor

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Tucker Wiard on physically splicing videotape
08:07
Tucker Wiard on the editing process for a weekly show
02:27
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy Award for editing on The Carol Burnett Show
02:59
Tucker Wiard on the differences between editing film and video tape on Murphy Brown
03:09
Tucker Wiard on why the visual quality of The Carol Burnett Show has held up over the years
04:23
Genres

Comedy Series

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Tucker Wiard on working on The Red Skeleton Show
01:17
Tucker Wiard on working on the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
00:49
Tucker Wiard on the rhythm of editing comedy shows
01:46
Tucker Wiard on working on the memorable Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
02:11
Tucker Wiard on favorite episodes of Murphy Brown including "On a Plane"
01:44

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

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Tucker Wiard on working on The Carol Burnett Show
08:25
People

Barnet Kellman

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Tucker Wiard on the editing and approval process and working with Barnet Kellman and Diane English on Murphy Brown
08:27

Candice Bergen

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Tucker Wiard on Candice Bergen's affinity for Mo-town and the music selection for Murphy Brown
02:09

Carol Burnett

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Tucker Wiard on editing The Carol Burnett Show
08:25
Tucker Wiard on the famous Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
02:11

Dave Powers

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Tucker Wiard on working with director Dave Powers on The Carol Burnett Show
00:20

Diane English

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Tucker Wiard on working with Diane English on My Sister Sam and Murphy Brown
01:36
Tucker Wiard on the editing and approval process and working with Barnet Kellman and Diane English on Murphy Brown
08:27
Tucker Wiard on Diane English's departure from Murphy Brown
01:34
Tucker Wiard on working on Diane English's last TV series Living in Captivity
02:43
Tucker Wiard on the highlight of his career - working with Diane English
00:45

Norman Lear

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Tucker Wiard on working on the Norman Lear show, Good Times and other Norman Lear shows
16:04

Red Skelton

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Tucker Wiard on working on The Red Skeleton Show
01:17
Tucker Wiard on a mentor he learned from in the early days of his editing career
00:36

Tim Conway

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Tucker Wiard on the wit and genius comedy of Tim Conway
01:21

All Interviews

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