Latest News from The Interviews

TV Land and the Archive of American Television Celebrate Elvis Presley

 Thu, 08/16/2007 Thirty years ago today, Elvis Presley died but his popularity never faded. His career was highlighted by several landmark television appearances. The Archive of American Television interviewed several of the behind-the-scenes professionals behind these shows and their stories are being highlighted on TV Land and its website. Performer and host Milton Berle talks about his first meeting with Elvis that occurred when his manager wanted Berle to audition him. Agent Larry Auerbach described booking...

"Make Room For Daddy" and "My World and Welcome To It" Creator Melville Shavelson Has Died— Archive Interview Online

 Thu, 08/09/2007 Mel Shavelson, who wrote for such comedians as Bob Hope and Danny Kaye, has died at the age of 90. He created the classic sitcom Make Room for Daddy , starring Danny Thomas. He also wrote and directed for the movies and is a two-time Oscar nominee (for The Seven Little Foys and Houseboat [for original screenplay, shared with partner Jack Rose]). He was also a former President of the Writers Guild of America, west and most currently served on the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences...

Sheldon Leonard's Full Archive Interview is Now Online!

 Mon, 08/06/2007 Television legend Sheldon Leonard (1907-97) was one of the first people interviewed when the Archive of American Television began its pilot project in 1996. PRESS THE PLAY ARROW IN THE PLAYER ABOVE TO WATCH THE SEGMENT NOW. Leonard was the executive producer of such classic television series as The Danny Thomas Show / Make Room for Daddy , The Andy Griffith Show , The Dick Van Dyke Show , and I Spy . He won two Emmy Awards— as director of Make Room for Daddy in 1961 and as producer of My World...

Director Robert Butler's Archive Interview is Now Online!

 Fri, 08/03/2007 Director Robert Butler was responsible for creating the look and feel for many classic television series in a career that spanned five decades. His full Archive of American Television interview is now available online, including detailed accounts of directing the first episodes of Batman, Moonlighting (pilot telefilm) and Hill Street Blues. Click here to access Robert Butler's entire five-hour interview. Interview description: Butler began by describing his early years breaking into the...

Prolific Writer David Shaw Dies -- Archive Interview Online

 Mon, 07/30/2007 David Shaw has died at the age of 90. Shaw was one of the most prolific writers during television's "Golden Age," nominated for an Emmy Award for his adaptation of "Our Town" for Producers Showcase . He was interviewed by the Archive of American Television on August 31, 2004. Writer David Shaw's five-part interview is available for viewing on Google Video. Click here to access David Shaw's entire interview. In part 2 of his interview, David Shaw talks about his work as a writer on Philco-...

"The Simpsons" Hits the Big Screen

 Thu, 07/26/2007 After years and years of gossip and teasers about a Simpsons feature film, the time has come! This weekend marks the opening of The Simpsons Movie -- marking the iconic television series' transition to the big screen. In 2003, the Archive of American Television interviewed James L. Brooks, the executive producer of The Simpsons . In the interview parts 9 and 10 , he speaks in-depth about the creation of The Simpsons . Click here to access James L. Brooks 11-part interview. Interview description...

Former Televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker Messner Has Died -- Archive Interview is Online

 Sun, 07/22/2007 Tammy Faye Messner lost her battle with lung cancer and died on July 20th at the age of 65 ( story on CNN.com ). Messner and then-husband Jim Bakker founded the PTL Club in 1974 and later expanded it into a network; the two co-hosted the PTL Club from 1976-87. The PTL Club ended in scandal and Tammy Faye divorced Jim Bakker in its wake. Since then she remarried, hosted The Jim J. and Tammy Faye Show (with Jim J. Bullock), and appeared on the reality television series The Surreal Life . The...

2006-07 Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations Announced

 Thu, 07/19/2007 Nominations for the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were announced today. With this year's nominations, ER has become the most-nominated television series of all time with 120 nominations ( Cheers has 117). Sally Field, who was first nominated for an Emmy in 1977 for Sybil (she won), received her seventh career nomination and her first as a regular in a series, for Brothers & Sisters . Another Emmy perennial, Edward Asner has received his 16th Emmy nomination. Asner holds the record for...

Archive Interviewee Phyllis Diller is 90!

 Tue, 07/17/2007 The ever-popular Phyllis Diller is 90 years old today. Ms. Diller has been seen on Boston Legal this season and does the voice of Peter's Mom on Family Guy . In the last few years, she's released a book of memoirs (pictured above) and has seen several DVD releases of her comedy work . Phyllis Diller was interviewed by the Archive of American Television on March 8, 2000. Click here to watch Phyllis Diller's entire seven-part interview. Interview Description: Ms. Diller spoke of her beginnings as...

Books: A Memoir by Archive Interviewee John Rich

 Wed, 07/11/2007 A recent book, Warm up the Snake: A Hollywood Memoir (The University of Michigan Press), recounts Archive interviewee John Rich's life in the trenches as one of television's premier directors and producers. Rich boldly recounts his work on many classic series (and episodes) including The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gilligan's Island, All in the Family and MacGyver as well as his longtime involvement in the Directors Guild of America. It's a humerous, no-holds-barred look behind the scenes at some of...