Latest News from The Interviews

Celebrate TV Legend Sheldon Leonard's Centennial

 Thu, 02/22/2007 The Archive celebrates the 100-year anniversary of Sheldon Leonard's birth today. Sheldon Leonard (1907-97) was one of the first people interviewed when the Archive of American Television began its pilot project in 1996. Although his interview is not yet online, here's a preview of part 3 of Sheldon's Leonard's Archive of American Television interview. In this portion, Dick Van Dyke Show writer-producer Sam Denoff interviews Leonard about The Dick Van Dyke Show and I Spy . PRESS THE PLAY ARROW...

Quinn Martin Fans: Check Out this Book

 Tue, 02/20/2007 We're always on the lookout for the latest and greatest TV books, recently a 2003 publication we had missed, crossed our desks.... Quinn Martin, Producer: A Behind-the-Scenes History of QM Productions and Its Founder by Jonathan Etter ( ISBN 0-7864-1501-0, 232 pages, $39.95) gives a brief personal history of Quinn Martin (nee Irwin Martin Cohn) (1922-1987) and then provides full chapters on many of his most memorable series including: T he Fugitive, The FBI, The Invaders, Dan August, Barnaby...

Oscar®-winning Songwriter Ray Evans Has Died

 Fri, 02/16/2007 Ray Evans (left), interviewer Jon Burlingame (center), Jay Livingston (right) prior to the Archive interview. Ray Evans, who co-wrote such popular television theme songs as "Mister Ed" and who won an Oscar for the song "Buttons and Bows" has died at the age of 92. The Archive of American Television interviewed both Evans and his late partner Jay Livingston (1915-2001) on February 8, 2000. Their interview can be viewed at Television Academy Headquarters. Interview description: Ray Evans and his...

Co-Inventor of Wireless Television Remote Control, Dr. Robert Adler Has Died

 Fri, 02/16/2007 Dr. Robert Adler, who died at age 93, was interviewed by the Archive of American Television on October 11, 2004. His two-and-a-half hour oral history interview can be viewed at Television Academy Headquarters in North Hollywood. Interview description: Dr. Adler spoke in great detail about his pioneering work as the developer of the first practical wireless television remote control (co-invented with fellow Zenith engineer Eugene Polley). Adler talked about his long association with Zenith,...

Birthday Wishes to Harvey Korman Who Turns 80 Today

 Thu, 02/15/2007 Harvey Korman— Carol Burnett Show regular, Mel Brooks films ensemble player, and The Flintstones ' Great Gazoo— turns 80 years old today. The Archive asks: What are your favorite comedy moments from Harvey Korman's career? Click here to access the Archive of American Television Interview with Harvey Korman. Click here to access the Archive of American Television Interview with Harvey Korman and Tim Conway discussing their work together.

Archive Interviewee Peter Ellenshaw, Disney's Legendary Matte Artist, Has Died

 Wed, 02/14/2007 Peter Ellenshaw, a matte artist whose work was seen in many projects for Walt Disney, has died at age 93. Mr. Ellenshaw's interview can be viewed at Television Academy headquarters in North Hollywood. Interview description: Mr. Ellenshaw described his long association with the Walt Disney Studios where he became a preeminent matte artist. He discussed the craft of the matte artist and how a matte is incorporated into a film. He talked about Disney’s foray into television with the Disneyland...

Glen & Les Charles' Archive Interview Is Now Online!

 Thu, 02/08/2007 Glen & Les Charles (along with James Burrows ) are best known for creating the classic sitcom Cheers . Their 8-part Archive of American Televison Interview is now available for viewing online. The Charles brothers were interviewed separately about their early years and influences and jointly about their contributions to television as writer-producers. "Take a break from all your worries" and click here to access their complete interview. Interview description: The writing-partner brothers...

Reminder: Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship Deadline is Coming Up

 Mon, 02/05/2007 Entry deadline is February 15, 2007. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation (which runs the Archive of American Television), in association with Ernst & Young LLP, is offering two scholarships in honor of Fred Rogers, the creator and host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood . The scholarships are intended to support and encourage aspiring upper division or graduate students to pursue careers in children’s media and further the values and principles of Fred Rogers’ work. To see...

David Pressman's Archive of American Television Interview Is Now Online!

 Fri, 02/02/2007 Director David Pressman was one of the key directors on the early anthology series Actors Studio which was the first dramatic series awarded the Peabody Award. Actors Studio featured many of the young "method" actors who would come to prominence in later years including Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, and Julie Harris. Pressman himself appeared as an actor in the series very first production— Tennessee Williams' "Portrait of a Madonna" starring Jessica Tandy and directed by Hume Cronyn. Click here...

"I Dream of Jeannie" and "Patty Duke Show" Creator Sidney Sheldon Dies at 89

 Wed, 01/31/2007 Sidney Sheldon, best-selling author, Oscar ® -winner, and writer of classic television series died yesterday. The Archive of American Television interviewed Sidney Sheldon on March 30, 2000. Interview description: Sidney Sheldon was interviewed for two-and-a-half hours in Beverly Hills, CA. Sheldon recalled his early years in Hollywood as a screenwriter for feature films, and the success he achieved in that field, culminating in his win of the Academy Award for The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer...