About
"That's the goal: to try to become invisible as an editor."
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.
Highlights
Tucker Wiard on editing the memorable Carol Burnett episode "Went With the Wind"
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy Award for editing on The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on cutting the last episode of Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on the key to comic timing from an editor's standpoint
Tucker Wiard on how the technology of editing has affected storytelling in television
Full Interview
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
Tucker Wiard on working on Good Times, All in the Family, Maude and One day at a Time
American Bandstand
Tucker Wiard on his memories of watching favorite tv shows like American Bandstand
Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)
Tucker Wiard on working on The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on hilarious bloopers from The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy Award for the final episode of The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on the staying power of The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on why the visual quality of The Carol Burnett Show has held up over the years
Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78): "Went with the Wind!" Sketch
Tucker Wiard on working on the memorable Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The
Tucker Wiard on working on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
Good Times
Tucker Wiard on when 2" tape was first used on the TV show Good Times
Tucker Wiard on editing the pilot for Good Times
Tucker Wiard on working on Good Times, All in the Family, Maude and One day at a Time
Living in Captivity
Tucker Wiard on working on Diane English's last TV series Living in Captivity
Maude
Tucker Wiard on working on Good Times, All in the Family, Maude and One day at a Time
Mickey Mouse Club, The
Tucker Wiard on his memories of watching favorite tv shows like The Mickey Mouse Club
Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on creative freedom as an editor on Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on working with Diane English on My Sister Sam and Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on the differences between editing film and video tape on Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on favorite episodes of Murphy Brown including "On a Plane"
Tucker Wiard on cutting the last episode of Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on the legacy of Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on his contribution to Murphy Brown
My Sister Sam
Tucker Wiard on working with Diane English on My Sister Sam and Murphy Brown
One Day at a Time (1975-84)
Tucker Wiard on working on Good Times, All in the Family, Maude and One day at a Time
Red Skelton Show, The
Tucker Wiard on working on The Red Skeleton Show
Tucker Wiard on a mentor he learned from on The Red Skeleton Show, in the early days of his editing career
Tucker Wiard on the use of computers for editing on The Red Skeleton Show
Topics
Bloopers
Tucker Wiard on bloopers from The Carol Burnett Show
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Tucker Wiard on dealing with network interference and censorship
Characters & Catchphrases
Tucker Wiard on Dan Quayle's comment about the character of "Murphy Brown"
Classic TV Series Episodes
Tucker Wiard on the famous Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
Comedy
Tucker Wiard on the famous Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
Emmy Awards
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy for editing on The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy for the final episode of The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy for Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on favorite episodes of Murphy Brown including the Emmy-winning, "On a Plane"
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy for the miniseries The Scarlett Letter
Industry Crossroads
Tucker Wiard on the strike in Hollywood and how that affected his work on Murphy Brown
Industry Strikes
Tucker Wiard on the strike in Hollywood and how that affected his work on Murphy Brown
Memorable Moments on Television
Tucker Wiard on funny moments on The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on Dan Quayle's comment about the character of "Murphy Brown"
Pop Culture
Tucker Wiard on the famous Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
Tucker Wiard on Dan Quayle's comment about the character of "Murphy Brown"
Representation on Television
Tucker Wiard on fond memories working on The Carol Burnett Show
Technological Innovation
Tucker Wiard on editing technology developed and used by CBS
Tucker Wiard on the technical revolution of computer-driven non-linear editing and the use of the AVID editing system
Tucker Wiard on the differences between editing film and video tape on Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on why the visual quality of The Carol Burnett Show has held up over the years
Television Industry
Tucker Wiard on the strike in Hollywood and how that affected his work on Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on dealing with network interference and censorship
We Laughed
Tucker Wiard on funny moments on The Carol Burnett Show
Women
Tucker Wiard on fond memories working on The Carol Burnett Show
Professions
Editor
Tucker Wiard on physically splicing videotape
Tucker Wiard on the editing process for a weekly show
Tucker Wiard on winning an Emmy Award for editing on The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on the differences between editing film and video tape on Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on why the visual quality of The Carol Burnett Show has held up over the years
Genres
Comedy Series
Tucker Wiard on working on The Red Skeleton Show
Tucker Wiard on working on the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
Tucker Wiard on the rhythm of editing comedy shows
Tucker Wiard on working on the memorable Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
Tucker Wiard on favorite episodes of Murphy Brown including "On a Plane"
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Tucker Wiard on working on The Carol Burnett Show
People
Candice Bergen
Tucker Wiard on Candice Bergen's affinity for Mo-town and the music selection for Murphy Brown
Carol Burnett
Tucker Wiard on editing The Carol Burnett Show
Tucker Wiard on the famous Carol Burnett Show sketch "Went With the Wind"
Tim Conway
Tucker Wiard on the wit and genius comedy of Tim Conway
Diane English
Tucker Wiard on working with Diane English on My Sister Sam and Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on the editing and approval process and working with Barnet Kellman and Diane English on Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on Diane English's departure from Murphy Brown
Tucker Wiard on working on Diane English's last TV series Living in Captivity
Tucker Wiard on the highlight of his career - working with Diane English
Barnet Kellman
Tucker Wiard on the editing and approval process and working with Barnet Kellman and Diane English on Murphy Brown
Norman Lear
Tucker Wiard on working on the Norman Lear show, Good Times and other Norman Lear shows
Dave Powers
Tucker Wiard on working with director Dave Powers on The Carol Burnett Show
Red Skelton
Tucker Wiard on working on The Red Skeleton Show
Tucker Wiard on a mentor he learned from in the early days of his editing career