"I remember one time somebody told me that they were in a meeting and they said, 'that Winfred Hervey has a mind of her own.' And I thought that was so hilarious because I didn't know what was wrong with that."

    About This Interview

    In her three-hour-plus interview, Winifred Hervey talks about her early interest in theater and writing. She describes getting a Television Academy internship on the show Rhoda, and getting accepted to the Warner Bros. Writing Workshop based on a spec script of Rhoda. She speaks of interning on Laverne & Shirley, and later being hired as a staff writer on the program. She outlines tensions on the show, and how she came to write for another Garry Marshall production, Mork & Mindy. Hervey then speaks of becoming story editor for The New Odd Couple, and writing for Benson and The Cosby Show. She explains why she was fired from The Cosby Show, and shares how much she enjoyed writing for The Golden Girls (and for Bea Arthur in particular). She also recalls her time as executive producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and recounts creating In the House and The Steve Harvey Show. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on August 8, 2013 in North Hollywood, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Winifred Hervey

    Winifred Hervey on working with Garry Marshall on Laverne & Shirley and "going to Camp Marshall-mount"

    01:38
    Thumbnail of Winifred Hervey

    Winifred Hervey on enjoying writing for Bea Arthur on The Golden Girls

    02:12
    Thumbnail of Winifred Hervey

    Winifred Hervey on being the only female writer on The Cosby Show

    01:52
    Thumbnail of Winifred Hervey

    Winifred Hervey on the Los Angeles riots breaking out when she was Executive Producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and how the riots were incorporated into the show

    04:19
    Thumbnail of Winifred Hervey

    Winifred Hervey on what she likes about writing

    01:05
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On her childhood and early influences; on her love of reading, writing, and theater; on studying Communication Arts in college and writing comedy

    07:52

    On becoming an intern on Rhoda through a Television Academy internship; on writing a script for Rhoda that got her into the Warner Bros. Writing Workshop

    07:22

    On becoming an intern and then staff writer on Laverne & Shirley; on tensions on set and the camaraderie amongst the staff of Garry Marshall's TV shows

    09:40

    On writing for Mork & Mindy; on whether Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters stayed on script

    04:12

    On becoming story editor for The New Odd Couple; on problems with the show and the rotating producers

    04:22

    On writing for Benson; on learning about post-production and learning from the show's producers

    08:36

    On leaving Benson to write for The Cosby Show; on Bill Cosby's involvement with scripts; on being the only female writer on staff

    09:45

    On the educational value of The Cosby Show storylines; on writing for the kids on the show; on her favorite episodes

    07:14

    Chapter 2

    On storylines on The Cosby Show; on the show's legacy and being fired from the program

    04:50

    On writing for The Golden Girls; on censorship on the show and writing for each of the characters

    14:37

    On the writers' room on The Golden Girls; on her favorite episodes of the show and winning her first Emmy for The Golden Girls; on the legacy of the show

    08:37

    On producing and writing for Baby Boom; on the show's cancellation

    10:17

    On writing the failed pilot for Five Up, Two Down

    04:47

    On becoming Executive Producer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; on disagreements with Will Smith; on what she brought to the show

    14:57

    Chapter 3

    On the Los Angeles riots breaking out when she was Executive Producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and how the riots were incorporated into the show; on dealing with heavy issues on the program

    08:23

    On the hip-hop culture represented on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; on why she left the show

    05:11

    On creating In the House; on working with Debbie Allen and LL Cool J; on not being asked back by the network; on writing the pilot for The World According to Noah  

    08:35

    On creating The Steve Harvey Show; on working with Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer; on 9/11; on her favorite episodes and storylines on The Steve Harvey Show

    22:02

    On writing for Home of the Brave, an Aaron Spelling production; on consulting for Half and Half; on her process for writing pilots

    10:43

    On the pilot for Saving Jason

    02:47

    Chapter 4

    On her early work on The Six O' Clock Follies; on her then-current (2013) projects; on her writing process and what she likes about writing

    07:25

    On her biggest challenge in the business - being female and a minority; on the representation of African-Americans on television; on opportunities for women and minority writers

    04:38

    On advice to aspiring writers and producers; on her proudest achievement and her biggest regret; on where she sees herself in ten years

    03:38

    Benson

    Winifred Hervey on writing for Benson and meeting Robert Guillaume

    01:32

    Winifred Hervey on her role as story editor on Benson and adjusting to the tone of the show after working on Garry Marshall productions for many years

    01:13

    Winifred Hervey on efforts made to diversify the writing staff of Benson  

    01:16

    Winifred Hervey on working with Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas, and other producers on Benson

    01:03

    Winifred Hervey on gaining confidence from working on Mork & Mindy, applying it to Benson, and her writing strengths

    01:22

    Winifred Hervey on working with Susan Harris on Benson and learning about post-production

    02:10

    Cosby Show, The

    Winifred Hervey on leaving Benson to write for The Cosby Show

    01:27

    Winifred Hervey on the dynamic between "The Huxtables" on The Cosby Show and the dynamic between the actors and director Jay Sandrich

    02:16

    Winifred Hervey on actors going off-script on The Cosby Show and logistics on the show

    01:58

    Winifred Hervey on Bill Cosby's involvement with scripts on The Cosby Show

    02:12

    Winifred Hervey on being the only female writer on The Cosby Show

    01:52

    Winifred Hervey on Bill Cosby wanting The Cosby Show storylines to have educational value

    01:12

    Winifred Hervey on writing the "Claire's Case" episode of The Cosby Show

    02:25

    Winifred Hervey on the lack of censorship on The Cosby Show

    00:15

    Winifred Hervey on how The Cosby Show differed from other sitcoms of the day and "The Huxtables" as a TV family

    01:54

    Winifred Hervey on writing for the kids on The Cosby Show

    00:39

    Winifred Hervey on her favorite episodes of The Cosby Show

    00:45

    Winifred Hervey on storylines on The Cosby Show not coming from her own life; on her favorite storylines

    01:47

    Winifred Hervey on the legacy of The Cosby Show

    01:00

    Winifred Hervey on being fired from The Cosby Show

    02:03

    Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The

    Winifred Hervey on becoming Executive Producer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    03:36

    Winifred Hervey on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as a star vehicle for Will Smith

    03:56

    Winifred Hervey on disagreements with Will Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    04:46

    Winifred Hervey on working with the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    02:39

    Winifred Hervey on the Los Angeles riots breaking out when she was Executive Producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    04:19

    Winifred Hervey on not loving to do "issues shows" on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    02:59

    Winifred Hervey on the female roles on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    00:56

    Winifred Hervey on the hip-hop culture represented on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    02:50

    Winifred Hervey on her favorite episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    01:07

    Winifred Hervey on why she left The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    01:14

    Golden Girls, The

    Winifred Hervey on writing for The Golden Girls

    00:51

    Winifred Hervey on the pilot episode of The Golden Girls

    00:21

    Winifred Hervey on being story editor/story consultant on The Golden Girls

    01:29

    Winifred Hervey on the diversity of the staff on The Golden Girls

    00:25

    Winifred Hervey on the development of the characters on The Golden Girls

    00:45

    Winifred Hervey on her creative freedom on The Golden Girls

    00:53

    Winifred Hervey on the cast of The Golden Girls and writing for the characters

    01:28

    Winifred Hervey on censorship on The Golden Girls

    01:06

    Winifred Hervey on storylines on The Golden Girls and the relationship between actors and writers

    01:48

    Winifred Hervey on writing for each character on The Golden Girls

    01:08

    Winifred Hervey on enjoying writing for Bea Arthur on The Golden Girls

    02:12

    Winifred Hervey on working with Susan Harris on The Golden Girls

    02:12

    Winifred Hervey on the writers' room of The Golden Girls

    02:09

    Winifred Hervey on her favorite episodes of The Golden Girls

    02:58

    Winifred Hervey on winning her first Emmy for The Golden Girls

    01:27

    Winifred Hervey on the legacy of The Golden Girls

    01:00

    Winifred Hervey on leaving The Golden Girls

    01:03

    Laverne & Shirley

    Winifred Hervey on becoming an intern on Laverne & Shirley

    01:28

    Winifred Hervey on becoming a staff writer on Laverne & Shirley

    02:28

    Winifred Hervey on writing physical comedy bits on Laverne & Shirley

    01:08

    Winifred Hervey on tension on the set of Laverne & Shirley

    00:50

    Winifred Hervey on working with Garry Marshall on Laverne & Shirley

    01:38

    Winifred Hervey on why she was hired as a staff writer on Laverne & Shirley

    00:50

    Mork & Mindy

    Winifred Hervey on becoming a writer on Mork & Mindy and writing her first solo script

    02:20

    Winifred Hervey on writing for Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters on Mork & Mindy

    01:12

    Winifred Hervey on the writing process and guidelines for Mork & Mindy

    00:40

    New Odd Couple, The

    Winifred Hervey on becoming story editor for The New Odd Couple and rewriting original scripts from The Odd Couple to tailor them to African-American performers

    02:27

    Winifred Hervey on working with the stars of The New Odd Couple

    01:55

    Rhoda

    Winifred Hervey on becoming an intern on Rhoda through a Television Academy internship

    03:36

    Winifred Hervey on writing a script for Rhoda that got her into the Warner Bros. Writing Workshop

    00:58

    Steve Harvey Show, The

    Winifred Hervey on creating The Steve Harvey Show

    03:07

    Winifred Hervey on working with director Stan Lathan, stars Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer, and the rest of the cast on The Steve Harvey Show

    09:05

    Winifred Hervey on the audience for The Steve Harvey Show

    00:35

    Winifred Hervey on the music and songs on The Steve Harvey Show

    01:04

    Winifred Hervey on working with the WB on The Steve Harvey Show

    01:31

    Winifred Hervey on her favorite episodes and storylines on The Steve Harvey Show

    02:56

    Winifred Hervey on the end of The Steve Harvey Show

    02:15

    9/11

    Winifred Hervey on her recollections of 9/11

    01:29

    Advice

    Winifred Hervey on advice to aspiring writers and producers

    01:15

    Censorship / Standards & Practices

    Winifred Hervey on censorship on The Golden Girls

    01:06

    Emmy Awards

    Winifred Hervey on winning her first Emmy for The Golden Girls

    02:28

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Winifred Hervey on her recollections of 9/11

    01:29

    Representation on Television

    Winifred Hervey on getting accepted to the Warner Bros. Writing Workshop

    02:12

    Winifred Hervey on becoming story editor for The New Odd Couple and rewriting original scripts from The Odd Couple to tailor them to African-American performers

    01:20

    Winifred Hervey on efforts made to diversify the writing staff of Benson  

    00:20

    Winifred Hervey on being the only female writer on The Cosby Show

    01:52

    Winifred Hervey on the writers' room of The Golden Girls

    02:09

    Winifred Hervey on not loving to do "issues shows" on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    02:59

    Winifred Hervey on her biggest challenge in the business - being female and a minority

    02:07

    Winifred Hervey on the representation of African-Americans on television

    05:41

    Winifred Hervey on opportunities for women and minorities in writing

    00:40

    Television Industry

    Winifred Hervey on censorship on The Golden Girls

    01:06

    Winifred Hervey on her biggest challenge in the business - being female and a minority

    02:07

    Winifred Hervey on advice to aspiring writers and producers

    01:15

    Underrepresented Voices

    Winifred Hervey on getting accepted to the Warner Bros. Writing Workshop

    02:12

    Winifred Hervey on becoming story editor for The New Odd Couple and rewriting original scripts from The Odd Couple to tailor them to African-American performers

    01:19

    Winifred Hervey on efforts made to diversify the writing staff of Benson  

    00:20

    Winifred Hervey on not loving to do "issues shows" on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    02:59

    Winifred Hervey on her biggest challenge in the business - being female and a minority

    02:07

    Winifred Hervey on the representation of African-Americans on television

    01:51

    Winifred Hervey on opportunities for women and minorities in writing

    00:40

    Women

    Winifred Hervey on getting accepted to the Warner Bros. Writing Workshop

    02:12

    Winifred Hervey on being the only female writer on The Cosby Show

    01:52

    Winifred Hervey on the writers' room of The Golden Girls

    02:09

    Winifred Hervey on her biggest challenge in the business - being female and a minority

    02:07

    Winifred Hervey on opportunities for women and minorities in writing

    00:40

    Producers

    Winifred Hervey on her role as Executive Producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    02:47

    Winifred Hervey on tips for being an Executive Producer

    01:54

    Winifred Hervey on advice to aspiring writers and producers

    01:15

    Writers

    Winifred Hervey on her writing strengths on Benson

    00:50

    Winifred Hervey on the difficulty of having her writing disregarded or thrown out

    00:57

    Winifred Hervey on the writers' room of The Golden Girls

    02:09

    Winifred Hervey on differences between writing for multi-camera and single camera shows

    01:02

    Winifred Hervey on her process for writing pilot episodes

    03:52

    Winifred Hervey on her writing process

    03:17

    Winifred Hervey on what she likes about writing

    01:05

    Winifred Hervey on advice to aspiring writers and producers

    01:15

    Comedy Series

    Winifred Hervey on becoming an intern on Rhoda through a Television Academy internship; on writing a script for Rhoda that got her into the Warner Bros. Writing Workshop

    07:22

    Winifred Hervey on becoming an intern and then staff writer on Laverne & Shirley; on tensions on set and the camaraderie amongst the staff of Garry Marshall's TV shows

    09:40

    Winifred Hervey on writing for Mork & Mindy; on whether Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters stayed on script

    04:12

    Winifred Hervey on becoming story editor for The New Odd Couple; on problems with the show and the rotating producers

    04:22

    Winifred Hervey on writing for Benson; on learning about post-production and learning from the show's producers

    08:36

    Winifred Hervey on writing for The Cosby Show; on Bill Cosby's involvement with scripts; on being the only female writer on staff, and her favorite episodes of the show

    16:59

    Winifred Hervey on writing for The Golden Girls; on censorship on the show and writing for each of the characters

    23:14

    Winifred Hervey on becoming Executive Producer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; on disagreements with Will Smith; on what she brought to the show

    14:57

    Winifred Hervey on dealing with heavy issues on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the hip-hop culture represented on the show

    13:34

    Winifred Hervey on creating The Steve Harvey Show; on working with Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer; on 9/11; on her favorite episodes and storylines on The Steve Harvey Show

    22:02

    Debbie Allen

    Winifred Hervey on creating and executive producing In the House and working with Debbie Allen

    01:51

    Beatrice Arthur

    Winifred Hervey on the cast of The Golden Girls and writing for the characters

    01:28

    Winifred Hervey on enjoying writing for Bea Arthur on The Golden Girls

    02:12

    Bill Cosby

    Winifred Hervey on the dynamic between the actors and director Jay Sandrich on The Cosby Show

    02:16

    Winifred Hervey on Bill Cosby's involvement with scripts on The Cosby Show

    02:12

    Winifred Hervey on Bill Cosby wanting The Cosby Show storylines to have educational value

    01:12

    Lowell Ganz

    Winifred Hervey on not working with Lowell Ganz on Laverne & Shirley

    00:22

    Estelle Getty

    Winifred Hervey on the cast of The Golden Girls and writing for the characters

    01:28

    Ron Glass

    Winifred Hervey on working with the stars of The New Odd Couple - Ron Glass and Demond Wilson

    01:55

    Robert Guillaume

    Winifred Hervey on writing for Benson and meeting Robert Guillaume

    01:32

    Susan Harris

    Winifred Hervey on working with Susan Harris on Benson

    00:42

    Winifred Hervey on working with Susan Harris on The Golden Girls

    02:12

    Steve Harvey

    Winifred Hervey on creating The Steve Harvey Show and working with Steve Harvey

    05:02

    LL Cool J

    Winifred Hervey on creating and executive producing In the House and working with LL Cool J

    01:33

    Brian Levant

    Winifred Hervey on working with Brian Levant on Mork & Mindy

    00:32

    Garry Marshall

    Winifred Hervey on working with Garry Marshall on Laverne & Shirley

    01:37

    Rue McClanahan

    Winifred Hervey on the cast of The Golden Girls and writing for the characters

    01:28

    Jay Sandrich

    Winifred Hervey on the dynamic between the actors and director Jay Sandrich on The Cosby Show

    02:16

    Will Smith

    Winifred Hervey on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as a star vehicle for Will Smith

    03:56

    Winifred Hervey on disagreements with Will Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    04:46

    Winifred Hervey on the hip-hop culture represented on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

    02:50

    Aaron Spelling

    Winifred Hervey on writing for Home of the Brave, an Aaron Spelling production

    02:11

    Brandon Tartikoff

    Winifred Hervey on the cancellation of Baby Boom

    03:08

    Tony Thomas

    Winifred Hervey on working with Paul Junger Witt and Tony Thomas on Benson

    00:58

    Betty White

    Winifred Hervey on the cast of The Golden Girls and writing for the characters

    01:28

    Robin Williams

    Winifred Hervey on writing for Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters on Mork & Mindy

    01:12

    Demond Wilson

    Winifred Hervey on working with the stars of The New Odd Couple - Demond Wilson and Ron Glass

    01:41

    Jonathan Winters

    Winifred Hervey on writing for Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters on Mork & Mindy

    01:12

    Paul Junger Witt

    Winifred Hervey on working with Paul Junger Witt and Tony Thomas on Benson

    00:48

    All Interviews

    Loading Interviews...