Latest News from The Interviews

Noted TV director Charles Dubin, best known for his work on M*A*S*H, dies at 92

 Wed, 09/07/2011 Sad news: noted director Charles Dubin passed away on September 5th at the age of 92. Dubin began his career as an actor, and transitioned to television as an assistant director at ABC in 1950. He directed many productions including episodes of Omnibus featuring Leonard Bernstein and Agnes DeMille. He also worked with Bernstein on his Young People's Concerts . He briefly worked as a director on the quiz show series Twenty-One , which became the epicenter of TV's quiz show scandals -- although...

Get ready for Emmy!

 Wed, 09/07/2011 The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards will be given out September 10 and 18, 2011 in Los Angeles. The Archive of American Television congratulates all of this year's nominees! Below are some excerpts from the Archive's nominated interviewees: Dan Castellaneta , Nominated for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance (As "Homer Simpson" on The Simpsons ) David Crane , Nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series ( Episodes ) Louis J. Horvitz , Nominated for Outstanding Directing for a a Variety,...

International TV Executive Donald Taffner, Sr. dies at 80

 Tue, 09/06/2011 We're sad to report the passing of Donald Taffner, Sr., who died early this morning. Don founded DLT Entertainment in 1963 -- specializing in international television distribution. DLT was responsible for bringing Three's Company (adapted from Man About the House), Too Close for Comfort (adapted from Keep it in the Family), and The Benny Hill Show to American audiences. DLT Entertainment continues to be engaged in television distribution and production worldwide. The Archive of American...

Jonathan Winters gets serious

Tue, 09/06/2011 " Never say goodbye to your day job or any job. Seriously, I'm not one to discourage anybody.. I would say this- if you're going to go into this business, you should go into it. But know this going in: your chances of just making a decent living it's tough, it's really hard. You've got to study. You must be an observer. You must look at everything around you, and if you're in doubt about characters- take your car, take the bus, or walk to the closest terminal. Just sit there, in a beat-up old...

Legendary blacklisted director David Pressman dies at 97

 Wed, 08/31/2011 "David Pressman (with Robert S. Woods) as "Bernie" on One Life to Live" We're sad to report that director David Pressman passed away on August 29, 2011 at the age of 97. He was known as an "actor's director," who began his television career on early anthology series. His rising career was halted by the Blacklist; but he continued to work as a coach and, astonishingly, was able to "secretly" direct an anthology series during that time. He later went on to direct One Life to Live for 28 years...

Bid Now: TV Academy Foundation Online Auction Ends Today!

 Fri, 08/26/2011 Time is running out -- Here’s your chance to own and treasure a unique television memento, or have an amazing TV-related experience, all while supporting a great cause! The online auction ends this evening, so remember to bid soon. AUCTION ITEMS INCLUDE: • Enjoy Red Carpet Seating for 2 at the Preimtime Emmys • VIP Seating for 2 at a taping of TV Land's Hot in Clveland • Iconic Fedora from USA's White Collar autographed by Matt Bomer • Dinner for 4 at LA Market prepared by Hells Kitchen season...

Q: Who holds the world record for the most hours on television?

 Thu, 08/25/2011 Is "REGIS PHILBIN" your final answer? Correct! Regis Philbin , often called the hardest-working man in show-business, turns 80 years young today. The former host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire , Live With Regis and Kathie Lee , and Live with Regis and Kelly has been working in television since 1955 (as an usher on Steve Allen's Tonight Show). He worked on Coke Time with Eddie Fisher before hosting his own syndicated series The Regis Philbin Show in 1964. He later became the sidekick on the...

Behind door number three... it's Monty Hall!

 Thu, 08/25/2011 The Archive wishes a very happy 90th birthday to Monty Hall! Best known for hosting Let’s Make a Dea l , Hall has also made memorable guest appearances on shows like The Odd Couple, That Girl , and The Flip Wilson Show . He’s raised over $800 million for charities, and did you know that he’s the inspiration for a famous math problem? Here it is: There are 3 closed doors. Behind one of the doors is a car; behind the other two are goats. Monty Hall knows what is behind each door. He asks you to...

Noted Director Reza Badiyi Dies at 81

 Mon, 08/22/2011 We're sad to report that director and main title visualizer Reza Badiyi has passed away on August 20th at age 81. The Archive interviewed him in 2003. Badiyi began his career in Iran, where he won awards for documentary filmmaking. He came to the United States to assist with low budget films, including those directed by a young Robert Altman. He then began his own television directing career, helming episodes of such series as Get Smart , Mission: Impossible , and Cagney & Lacey. He was...

Valerie Harper on "Rhoda", "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" & more!

 Mon, 08/22/2011 Wishing a very happy 72nd birthday to actress Valerie Harper! In her Archive interview, Harper describes starting her career as a dancer in New York, moving to Los Angeles, and getting her big break on The Mary Tyler Moore Show . She reminisces about Rhoda and Valerie and shares that she was once a member of the Writers Guild of America and co-wrote an episode of a popular 1969-74 sitcom. Watch below to find out which show! Enjoy Valerie Harper’s interview in its entirety here: http://www...