News

Writer Mel Tolkin Dies at 94 - Archive Interview Online

We're sad to report that comedy writer Mel Tolkin passed away yesterday, November 26th, at his home in Century City. Mel Tolkin was interviewed for the Archive of American Television for four hours

Archive of American Television interview with producer Robert Halmi, Sr., featured in Emmy magazine

The latest issue of Emmy magazine (Issue No. 5, 2007, with Cane's Jimmy Smits on the cover) includes selections from our Archive of American Television interview with producer (nearly 200 television

I Love Lucy: The Complete Series DVD Set Released

Just released: The I Love Lucy: The Complete Series collection is a definitive compact, 34-disc set that includes hours of bonus material from the previously released individual complete season sets

Archive Celebrates Fran Allison's Centennial

The Archive celebrates the centennial of Fran Allison (1907-89), born on November 20. Fran Allison was the host of the classic television series Kukla, Fran, and Ollie (in photo with puppeteer Burr

"Mary Kay and Johnny," American Network TV's First Sitcom, Celebrates its 60th Anniversary! Archive Interviews Now Online

Mary Kay and Johnny was a live domestic comedy that centered around a young couple that lived in Greenwich Village: he worked at a bank and she was a homemaker. It debuted on November 18, 1947. Mary

Director Delbert Mann Dies at the Age of 87 -- Archive Interview Online

Delbert Mann who helmed "Marty" for television and film died on Sunday. Mann won an Academy Award for the feature film adaptation of Marty (1955) that originated as a "live" television presentation

"Meet the Press" Celebrates 60 Years on Television

Network television's oldest show, Meet the Press, debuted on NBC on November 6, 1947. The guest on this first show was James A. Farley, former postmaster general under Franklin D. Roosevelt and

Sidney Lumet's Interview Is Now Online

With Sidney Lumet's critically praised film "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" now in theaters, the Archive of American Television has posted his three-hour interview online in which he discusses

AAT Staff Spotted Again!

Every Halloween we let theAAT Vault Wizard out. Look who else"came 'on down"! HOPE YOUR HALLOWEEN WAS FUN, TOO!

Happy Hitchcock Halloween!

On April 13, 1958 Alfred Hitchcock Presents aired "Lamb to the Slaughter," which would become one of the series' classic shows, featured on the newly released Season Three DVD. Listen to producer

60 Years Ago — October 20, 1947 — The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Began Its Probe That Resulted in The Hollywood Blacklist

“Television Responds to the Red Scare” By Gary Rutkowski American television production, halted in its infancy before World War II, continued full-force with the four networks— ABC, CBS, NBC, and

Composer Mike Post's Archive of American Television Interview is Online!

Mike Post, who composed the theme songs for Hill Street Blues, The Greatest American Hero, and L. A. Law, and many others spoke about his long and distinguished career in music composition. Post was

"Leave it to Beaver" Celebrates 50 Years

Here's a note we received from Archive interviewee Jerry Mathers regarding Leave it to Beaver's 50th Anniversary -- which is October 4th! From Jerry Mathers: Leave it to Beaver is celebrating it's

"Playhouse 90" Producer Martin Manulis has Died -- His Full Archive Interview is Online

Martin Manulis, one of the legendary producers who exemplified the "Golden Age" of television by seeking and nurturing both on-camera and behind-the scenes talent, died Friday at the age of 92. The

"Radio Days" Ended 45 Years Ago

The last chapter of network dramatic radio programming came to pass with the final broadcasts of both “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar” and “Suspense” on September 30, 1962. Many series have kept the art