About
"Everything that appears on this network shall be what it purports to be."
In his two-and-a-half-hour interview, William Tankersley (1918-2016) discusses his start in CBS promotions and merchandising and his rise to head of Standards & Practices. He recalls CBS' rules about violence, drug use, and political views in television programs. He outlines specific problems Standards & Practices had with The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, All in the Family, and Route 66. Tankersley talks of the differences between his positions in New York and Los Angeles, explains the intricacies of working with program sponsors and advertisers, and comments on what he believes the government's role in broadcasting should be. He talks about what he looked for in his editing staff, recounts working with fellow CBS executives Frank Stanton and Jim Aubrey, and shares stories of some of his favorite entertainers, including Red Skelton and Dick Van Dyke. Don Carleton conducted the interview on May 17, 2001 in Wharton, VA.
Highlights
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled pregnancy storylines on TV shows in the 1950s
William Tankersley on William S. Paley's 1948 raid to bring NBC talent to CBS
William Tankersley on the incidences of violence in The Wild, Wild West
William Tankersley on the Nixon White House's suggestions for storylines in TV shows
William Tankersley on his involvement with the CBS loyalty oath and the Hollywood Blacklist
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on growing up during the Depression; on moving to Arizona
On attending the Radio Arts Academy in Los Angeles; on re-vamping radio station KLO in Ogden, Utah and getting fired from KDYL in Salt Lake City
On working for KALL; on announcing baseball games for radio; on moving to Hollywood and getting a job at CBS in promotions and merchandising
On William S. Paley's 1948 raid to bring NBC talent to CBS; on Jack Benny's TV show going over the allotted time and causing problems
On problems with the TV version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show; on the radio and TV versions of Amos 'N' Andy
On his early memories of television
Chapter 2
On William S. Paley being reluctant to get into television; on serving as Manager of Program Operations in the early 1950s, then becoming the Director of Program Practices at CBS Television City
On how CBS Program Practices handled pregnancy storylines and Civil Rights on TV shows in the 1950s
On Washington D.C.'s interest in violence on television; on dealing with an AFTRA strike; on how CBS Program Practices handled religious storylines and storylines involving drugs on TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s
Chapter 3
On the Nixon White House's suggestions for storylines in TV shows; on CBS' expected limitations of violence on television; on the CBS loyalty oath and the Hollywood Blacklist
On CBS Standards & Practices not having many issues with daytime soap operas; on dealings with Paul Henning and Sheldon Leonard
On CBS Standards & Practices having issues with shows paying for commercial plugs; on working with early TV sponsors
Chapter 4
On problems getting a sponsor for a Simon & Garfunkel TV special; on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Playhouse 90 and The Twilight Zone
On how the Quiz Show scandals affected CBS Standards & Practices
On being promoted to Vice President of Program Practices at CBS, moving to New York, and dealing with advertisers
On differences between the work culture in Los Angeles and New York
On CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Norman Lear on All In The Family
Chapter 5
On CBS Standards & Practices work with All In The Family, and The Carol Burnett Show; on his editing staff
On CBS Standards & Practices' work with Hawaii Five-O; on support from CBS President Jim Aubrey
On CBS Standards & Practices' problems with The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour
On CBS Standards & Practices' interactions with news programs, M*A*S*H, and Route 66; on why he left CBS
Chapter 6
On the role government should play in broadcasting; on how the public's perception of network integrity has changed; on peers whom he respected
On people he mentored; on how he'd like to be remembered; on his favorite entertainers
Shows
$64,000 Question
William Tankersley on not being aware of the scandal on the $64,000 Question
60 Minutes
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' interactions with news programs
All in the Family
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Norman Lear on All In The Family
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Norman Lear on All In The Family, (contd.)
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Norman Lear on specific topics on All In The Family, (contd.)
Amos 'N' Andy
William Tankersley on the radio and TV versions of Amos 'N' Andy
Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with The Carol Burnett Show
Dick Van Dyke Show, The
William Tankersley on Standards & Practices issues on The Dick Van Dyke Show
George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The
William Tankersley on problems with the TV version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Carnation on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Hawaii Five-O
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Hawaii Five-O
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Hawaii Five-O
Jack Benny Program, The
William Tankersley on Jack Benny's TV show going over the allotted time and causing problems
William Tankersley on Jack Benny's show plugging various products
M*A*S*H
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with M*A*S*H
Playhouse 90
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Rod Serling on Playhouse 90
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Martin Manulis on Playhouse 90
Rawhide
William Tankersley on Standards & Practices issues on Rawhide
Route 66
William Tankersley on Standards & Practices issues on Route 66
William Tankersley on a scene deemed too violent in Route 66
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Route 66
Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' problems with The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour
Twilight Zone, The
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Rod Serling on The Twilight Zone
Wild Wild West, The
William Tankersley on the incidences of violence in The Wild, Wild West
Topics
Advertising and Sponsorship
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices having issues with shows paying for commercial plugs
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with early TV sponsors
William Tankersley on being promoted to Vice President of Program Practices at CBS and dealing with advertisers
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' problems with advertisers' competitive complaints and false advertising
Censorship / Standards & Practices
William Tankersley on becoming the Director of Program Practices at CBS Television City
William Tankersley on his process as Director of Program Practices at CBS Television City
William Tankersley on Frank Stanton and William Paley's input on Program Practices at CBS Television City
William Tankersley on Program Practices' involvement with table reads
William Tankersley on instances when shows went against the advice of CBS Program Practices
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled pregnancy storylines on TV shows in the 1950s
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled personal hygiene commercials and storylines on TV shows in the 1950s and '60s
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled Civil Rights storylines on TV shows in the 1950s
William Tankersley on Washington D.C.'s interest in violence on television and dealing with an AFTRA strike
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled religious storylines on TV shows in the 1950s
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled storylines involving drugs on TV shows in the 1960s
William Tankersley on CBS' expected limitations of violence on television
William Tankersley on CBS' guidelines for current affairs and politics on TV in the 1950s
William Tankersley on his involvement with the CBS loyalty oath and the Hollywood Blacklist
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices not having many issues with daytime soap operas
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices having issues with shows paying for commercial plugs
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with early TV sponsors
William Tankersley on how the Quiz Show scandals (which started with NBC shows) affected CBS Standards & Practices
William Tankersley on being promoted to Vice President of Program Practices at CBS and dealing with advertisers
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' problems with advertisers' competitive complaints and false advertising
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Playhouse 90 and The Twilight Zone
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' problems with The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' interactions with news programs
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices work with Norman Lear on All In The Family, (contd.)
Creative Influences and Inspiration
William Tankersley on peers whom he respected
Criticism of TV
William Tankersley on CBS' expected limitations of violence on television
Historic Events and Social Change
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled Civil Rights storylines on TV shows in the 1950s and '60s
Hollywood Blacklist
William Tankersley on his involvement with the CBS loyalty oath and the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
William Tankersley on his involvement with the CBS loyalty oath and the Hollywood Blacklist
William Tankersley on how the Quiz Show scandals (which started with NBC shows) affected CBS Standards & Practices
Media Consolidation
William Tankersley on how media consolidation has affected the industry
Pivotal Career Moments
William Tankersley on peers whom he respected
Quiz Show Scandals
William Tankersley on how the Quiz Show scandals (which started with NBC shows) affected CBS Standards & Practices
Representation on Television
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled Civil Rights storylines on TV shows in the 1950s
Richard M. Nixon
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled storylines involving drugs on TV shows in the 1960s
William Tankersley on the Nixon White House's suggestions for storylines in TV shows
Sex & Violence
William Tankersley on CBS' expected limitations of violence on television
Television and the Presidency
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled storylines involving drugs on TV shows in the 1960s
William Tankersley on the Nixon White House's suggestions for storylines in TV shows
Television Industry
William Tankersley on becoming the Director of Program Practices at CBS Television City
William Tankersley on his process as Director of Program Practices at CBS Television City
William Tankersley on Frank Stanton and William Paley's input on Program Practices at CBS Television City
William Tankersley on Program Practices' involvement with table reads
William Tankersley on instances when shows went against the advice of CBS Program Practices
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled pregnancy storylines on TV shows in the 1950s
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled personal hygiene commercials and storylines on TV shows in the 1950s
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled Civil Rights storylines on TV shows in the 1950s and '60s
William Tankersley on Washington D.C.'s interest in violence on television and dealing with an AFTRA strike
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled religious storylines on TV shows in the 1950s
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled storylines involving drugs on TV shows in the 1960s
William Tankersley on CBS' expected limitations of violence on television
William Tankersley on CBS' expected limitations of violence on television
William Tankersley on CBS' guidelines for current affairs and politics on TV in the 1950s
William Tankersley on his involvement with the CBS loyalty oath and the Hollywood Blacklist
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices not having many issues with daytime soap operas
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices having issues with shows paying for commercial plugs
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with early TV sponsors
William Tankersley on how the Quiz Show scandals (which started with NBC shows) affected CBS Standards & Practices
William Tankersley on being promoted to Vice President of Program Practices at CBS and dealing with advertisers
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' problems with advertisers' competitive complaints and false advertising
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Playhouse 90 and The Twilight Zone
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' problems with The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' interactions with news programs
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices work with Norman Lear on All In The Family, (contd.)
William Tankersley on the role government should play in broadcasting and how cable affected the industry
William Tankersley on how media consolidation has affected the industry
William Tankersley on what represents the best of television
Underrepresented Voices
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled Civil Rights storylines on TV shows in the 1950s
Professions
Executives
William Tankersley on becoming the Director of Program Practices at CBS Television City
William Tankersley on being promoted to Vice President of Program Practices at CBS, moving to New York, and dealing with advertisers
Television Executive
William Tankersley on becoming the Director of Program Practices at CBS Television City
William Tankersley on being promoted to Vice President of Program Practices at CBS, moving to New York, and dealing with advertisers
Genres
Daytime/Primetime Serials
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices not having many issues with daytime soap operas
Game Shows
William Tankersley on how the Quiz Show scandals (which started with NBC shows) affected CBS Standards & Practices
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' problems with The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour
People
Desi Arnaz
William Tankersley on stories about Desi Arnaz
James T. Aubrey
William Tankersley on support from CBS President Jim Aubrey
William Tankersley on peers whom he respected
Jack Barry
William Tankersley on how the Quiz Show scandals (which started with NBC shows) affected CBS Standards & Practices
Jack Benny
William Tankersley on Jack Benny's TV show going over the allotted time and causing problems
William Tankersley on Jack Benny's show plugging various products
Herbert Brodkin
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Herbert Brodkin on Playhouse 90
Fred Brogger
William Tankersley on members of his staff of editors- Fred Brogger
Carol Burnett
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with The Carol Burnett Show
Michael Dann
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Norman Lear on All In The Family, (contd.)
Bill Dozier
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Bill Dozier on Playhouse 90
Art Garfunkel
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' issues with a Simon & Garfunkel television special
William Tankersley on problems getting a sponsor for a Simon & Garfunkel TV special
Jackie Gleason
William Tankersley on Jackie Gleason
Paul Henning
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices not having many issues with The Beverly Hillbillies
Don Hewitt
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' interactions with news programs
Norman Lear
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Norman Lear on All In The Family
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Norman Lear on All In The Family, (contd.)
Sheldon Leonard
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Sheldon Leonard
Martin Manulis
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Martin Manulis on Playhouse 90
Richard M. Nixon
William Tankersley on how CBS Program Practices handled storylines involving drugs on TV shows in the 1960s
William Tankersley on the Nixon White House's suggestions for storylines in TV shows
William S. Paley
William Tankersley on William S. Paley's 1948 raid to bring NBC talent to CBS
William Tankersley on William S. Paley being reluctant to get into television
William Tankersley on Frank Stanton and William Paley's input on Program Practices at CBS Television City
Irna Phillips
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices not having many issues with daytime soap operas
Robert Precht
William Tankersley on one of his favorite entertainers, Ed Sullivan, and working with Sullivan's son-in-law, Robert Precht
Carl Reiner
William Tankersley on Standards & Practices issues on The Dick Van Dyke Show
Rod Serling
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Rod Serling on Playhouse 90 and The Twilight Zone
Paul Simon
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' issues with a Simon & Garfunkel television special
William Tankersley on problems getting a sponsor for a Simon & Garfunkel TV special
Red Skelton
William Tankersley on one of his favorite entertainers, Red Skelton
Tom Smothers
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' problems with The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour
Frank Stanton
William Tankersley on William S. Paley being reluctant to get into television and Paley's relationship with Frank Stanton
William Tankersley on Frank Stanton and William Paley's input on Program Practices at CBS Television City
William Tankersley on Frank Stanton advocating First Amendment freedoms
William Tankersley on how the Quiz Show scandals (which started with NBC shows) affected CBS Standards & Practices, and how canned laughter could be used
William Tankersley on peers whom he respected
Ed Sullivan
William Tankersley on one of his favorite entertainers, Ed Sullivan, and working with Sullivan's son-in-law, Robert Precht
Danny Thomas
William Tankersley on how the Quiz Show scandals (which started with NBC shows) affected CBS Standards & Practices, and how canned laughter could be used
Robert D. Wood
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Norman Lear on All In The Family, (contd.)
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' interactions with news programs