Latest News from The Interviews

Uncovering CSI: Creator Anthony E. Zuiker's Interview is Now Online

 Tue, 09/20/2011 The Archive of American Television "interrogated" CSI creator Anthony E. Zuiker in 2010. His full interview is now online. See some video excerpts, below: Anthony Zuiker wrote the pilot in two days CSI was one of those scripts where I did research for three days. I wrote the teleplay in two days. I think I changed five words in it. And every writer who’s had some success, knows that there are those that just kind of channel down from the heavens, that you’re just the typist. And that’s what “...

Matthew Weiner on "Mad Men"

 Fri, 09/16/2011 Matthew Weiner , Nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, was interviewed for four hours about his entire career to-date by the Archive of American Television in 2010. He discussed the creation and development of Mad Men (also nominated for Outstanding Drama Series) in great detail, including decisions about the style and costuming of the show, the direction, the editing, and casting of the main characters and storylines. See Matthew Weiner’s full interview here . On the philosophy...

Exactly WHO are they talking to? Christopher Lloyd on "Modern Family" & more

 Fri, 09/16/2011 Writer/producer and 8-time Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd was interviewed by the Archive in 2010. He discussed writing for The Golden Girls , Frasier, and in great detail about the Emmy-winning comedy series Modern Family (nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series again this year!) which Lloyd co-created with Steven Levitan. He also talked about the influence his father, comedy writer David Lloyd ( The Mary Tyler Moore Show ) had on him. Watch the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards this Sunday, September...

Emmy-nominated director Timothy Van Patten on "Boardwalk Empire" & more

 Thu, 09/15/2011 "I think my life experience informs my directing much more than my acting skills. I think I know how to put an actor at ease, I don’t know the language, if there is a language, but I think every actor comes to the set with their own needs and then you have to handle them accordingly." - Tim Van Patten, on his directing style Director Timothy Van Patten is nominated for his 9th Emmy this year for Oustanding Direction for a Drama Series ( Game of Thrones ) ! In his Archive interview, he discussed...

The one where "Friends" creators tell their story: Marta Kauffman & David Crane's interview now online

 Wed, 09/14/2011 The writers and co-creators of Friends and Dream On shared their story with the Archive in 2010. The longtime writing partners were interviewed together, and individually about their past and current projects. David Crane was recently nominated for and Emmy for Outstanding Writing for Episodes , which he briefly discusses. Their complete interview is now online at emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/david-crane-and-marta-kauffman On the effect Friends had on American pop culture: "At a certain...

The Secret Word is: 25! Twenty-five Years of Being Cuckoo at Pee-Wee's Playhouse!

Tue, 09/13/2011 Chairy, Jambi, Pterri, Randy… on September 13, 1986, Pee-Wee's Playhouse introduced dozens of lovable characters to millions of viewers on Saturday mornings. Expanded from a live stage show into a children's program by Paul Reubens, Pee-Wee's Playhouse was a smashing success that featured Reubens as Pee-Wee Herman, a kid at heart who enjoyed the company of his fanciful Puppetland friends. Steve Binder , producer of Pee-Wee's Playhouse , talks about the early days of the program and the decision...

Welcome Back, Monday Night Football!!

 Mon, 09/12/2011 Yesterday marked the return of Monday Night Football as the New England Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins at 7pm EST! Archive interviewees Al Michaels and Curt Gowdy (1919-2006) are legends when it comes to announcing football games. Watch below to see how Al Michaels believes Monday Night Football changed sports and to learn how Curt Gowdy prepared for broadcasting football games: Watch Al Michaels' full interview online: http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/al-michaels Watch Curt...

Actor Cliff Robertson dies at 88

 Sun, 09/11/2011 Legendary actor Cliff Robertson passed away on September 10th, one day after his 88th birthday. The Archive of American Television interviewed him about his television work in 2005 . Here are some excerpts from the interview: On his proudest career achievement I would have to say, survived. I have survived. I’m not sure I’m proud, but I recognize that the dear Lord has helped. Whether it’s surviving these airplane mishaps that I didn’t get on that crashed or whatever, whatever it is, he’s given...

If you like it then you shouldn't put a ring on it: THAT GIRL turns 45!

 Thu, 09/08/2011 Before Carrie Bradshaw, before Murphy Brown, even before Mary Richards, it was That Girl ’s Ann Marie who first showed American television viewers that it was okay to pursue a career instead of a man. Fondly known as a pioneer in the portrayal of television’s leading ladies, That Girl certainly earned its place in television’s history books. It was a ratings hit, lovely to work on (according to cast and crew), and left a blueprint for the Carrie Bradshaws of the world on how to be a fashion...

"America's Most Wanted's" John Walsh to Receive Governors Award at this year's Primetime Creative Arts Emmys

 Thu, 09/08/2011 The Archive offers congratulations to America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh , who will receive the Governors Award at this Saturday’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards . The award honors “an individual, company or organization that has made a substantial impact and demonstrated the extraordinary use of television.” Walsh’s efforts are indeed exceptional: tips from viewers of America’s Most Wanted have led to the capture of over 1150 fugitives. Interviewed by The Archive of American Television in 2008,...