Latest News from The Interviews

Saw It Then: Murrow's "See It Now" Turns 60

 Fri, 11/18/2011 On November 18, 1951, journalist Edward R. Murrow united the states of America. On the premiere episode of See it Now , Murrow showcased technology made possible by the recently completed transcontinental coaxial cable, which linked the East and West Coasts of the United States and made live video transmission between the two possible. As Murrow sat in CBS' New York City Studio 41, director Don Hewitt brought up live video feeds of the Brooklyn and Golden Gate bridges on side-by-side monitors...

A Curtain Rod on a Sassy Broad: Burnett's "Went with the Wind!" Turns 35

 Sun, 11/13/2011 "I saw it in the window and I just couldn't resist it." That plush green velvet, those stringy gold tassels, that sturdy curtain rod... "Starlet O'Hara's" make-shift drapery dress is one of THE most recognizable ensembles in all of television. And Starlet sashaying down the grand staircase, proud as punch of her outfit, garnered one of TV's biggest laughs. The Carol Burnett Show 's "Went with the Wind!" sketch turns 35 today, first airing on November 13, 1976 on CBS. The skit starred Carol...

Legendary Comedy Writer Hal Kanter Dies at 92

 Tue, 11/08/2011 The Archive of American Television is sad to report that writer/producer Hal Kanter passed away on Sunday, November 6th of complications from pneumonia. He was 92 years old. Kanter started in radio as a comedy writer and transitioned to television writing for The Ed Wynn Show . He wrote for The George Gobel Show and created 1968's groundbreaking show Julia , the first sitcom to star an African-American actress in a professional role. Here are some selections from Kanter's three-hour interview:...

Remembering Andy Rooney

 Sat, 11/05/2011 CBS News has announced that legendary journalist Andy Rooney died today, November 5th, at the age of 92. He had recently suffered complications from a "minor surgery" done shortly after he stepped down from 60 Minutes last month. The Archive of American Television interviewed Andy Rooney in 1999. When we asked him how he’d like to be remembered, he said: “I’d like to be remembered as a good writer, [but] I won’t be, I’ll be remembered as Andy Rooney, the guy who does those little things at the...

Meet the Man Behind Elmo

 Fri, 11/04/2011 "Always have fun and try to make everyone laugh." - Elmo Wise words from an adorable red Muppet. Elmo made a special guest appearance at the Archive's 2004 interview with puppeteer Kevin Clash , greeting everyone and offering the above as advice for aspiring Muppets. Not a bad piece of advice for us all. Kevin Clash, better known to many as the man behind Sesame Street 's Elmo, spoke to the Archive for two hours about his early interest in puppetry and how he got involved with shows like...

"The Garner Files" - Straight-Shooter James Garner Publishes his Memoir

 Tue, 11/01/2011 According to early reviews, Archive Interviewee James Garner doesn't hold back in his new memoir, The Garner Files . Television's "Maverick " and star of The Rockford Files takes a keen look back at his personal life and career in this autobiography, co-authored by Jon Winokur. Garner shares childhood experiences, production tales of TV series on which he's worked, and even critiques every movie he's ever made. Some of his own reviews are far from kind. Of 1966's Mr. Buddwing Garner states, "...

Legendary "Academy Awards" Producer Gil Cates, Dies at 77

 Tue, 11/01/2011 The Archive of American Television is sad to report that director/producer Gilbert Cates passed away suddenly on Monday, October 31st at the age of 77. He started in early television as an associate producer on game shows, and later produced variety shows and television movies. He served two terms as President of the Directors Guild of America , but was best known as the long-time producer of the Academy Awards (The Oscars). The Archive interviewed Gil in 2007. Here are some excerpts from the 2...

20 Years Later - Is Seinfeld Still Stuck in that Parking Garage?

 Sun, 10/30/2011 "The problem with the mall garage is that everything looks the same. They try to differentiate between levels. They put up different colors, different numbers, different letters. What they need to do is name the levels, like, 'Your mother's a whore.' You would remember that." So proclaimed Jerry Seinfeld in the "Parking Garage" episode of Seinfeld , which first aired on NBC twenty years ago today, on October 30, 1991. This 23rd episode of the series where Jerry, Kramer, George and Elaine wander...

TV Builds Character: "America in Primetime" Premieres Sunday on PBS

Sat, 10/29/2011 Since its inception, television has served as a lens on American society, and in the expansive world of modern TV, today’s heroes and villains have come a long way from their predecessors. America in Primetime showcases this iconic American art form, which has both reflected and shaped our national character. The four-part series premieres Sundays, October 30 through November 20, 2011, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings). America in Primetime is a production of WETA Washington, D.C...

"The Electric Company" Turns F-O-R-T-Y

Tue, 10/25/2011 You gotta love a show with a character named "Easy Reader." Morgan Freeman portrayed him, a laid back Easy Rider -esque guy who loved reading on PBS' The Electric Company . Bill Cosby and Rita Moreno joined Freeman on the program - the first show from The Children's Television Workshop (CTW) after the hugely successful Sesame Street. In her Archive Interview, CTW co-founder Joan Ganz Cooney discusses the creation of The Electric Company , a show geared towards seven to nine-year-olds that...