Latest News from The Interviews

Longtime CBS publicist George Faber has died

 Thu, 03/17/2011 Sorry to report that longtime CBS publicity executive George Faber passed away on March 11, 2011 at the age of 89. He was interviewed by the Archive of American Television in 2001. In his two-hour Archive interview , Faber talked about his early years breaking into the business in local television in Chicago, where he notably worked at the NBC and later CBS affiliates as a news writer. He described in detail one of his most dramatic news stories, a fire at Our Lady of Angeles School, a tragedy...

"I Love Lucy" Writer Madelyn Pugh Davis is 90

 Tue, 03/15/2011 Happy Birthday to Archive Interviewee Madelyn Pugh Davis! Born March 15, 921, Madelyn became known in the 1950s for her work writing on the I Love Lucy television series, alongside partner Bob Carroll. Watch the complete interview with Bob and Madelyn here. About This Interview Bob Carroll, Jr. (1918-2007) and writing partner Madelyn Pugh Davis, were interviewed for three hours in Los Angeles, CA. Davis and Carroll speak of their 50-year writing relationship that included writing for Steve...

7 pieces of comic wisdom from Phyllis Diller

 Fri, 03/11/2011 Phyllis Diller was interviewed for the Archive of American Television in 2000 about her long career in comedy, both on TV and the stage. Her trademark cigarette, fright wig, and of course, that iconic laugh were all discussed during her three-hour interview by Fred Wostbrock. We've selected some short clips from Phyllis about her tricks of the trade, and advice to young comics (not "comediennes", she prefers "comic"!) and just how the heck to be funny after all these years. Phyllis Diller's...

2011 UCLA Festival of Preservation

Fri, 03/11/2011 UCLA FIlm & Television Archive is presenting its annual festival celebrating restored classics from film and television. In addition to their film selections, UCLA will present three episodes of Ralph Edwards’ This is Your Life (March 13), two television musical specials starring Gene Kelly (March 26), and Play of the Week : "Waiting for Godot" starring Burgess Meredith and Zero Mostel (March 13). For more information and the complete schedule, visit UCLA's website at http://www.cinema.ucla...

James Hong Interview Now Online

 Thu, 03/10/2011 Interview Description: In his Archive interview, James Hong talks about his career as one of the most recognizable Asian-American character actors, discussing his experiences appearing in such TV series as: The New Adventures of Charlie Chan , Kung Fu , Hawaii Five-O , Seinfeld , and The Big Bang Theory . Additionally, he speaks about his featured role in the film Blade Runner (“I just do eyes”), how he came to write the story for an episode of Bachelor Father , and how his casting on the...

Nichelle Nichols Interview now Online!

 Thu, 03/10/2011 Interview Description : In her Archive interview, Nichelle Nichols talks about her work as a cast member on the original Star Trek (NBC, 1966-69) playing “Lieutenant Uhura.” Nichols discusses how this role broke many barriers, including portraying the first African-American woman as a high-ranking official and the first interracial kiss on television (with "Captain Kirk's" William Shatner). She reveals how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. influenced her decision to remain on the show. She talks...

10 things you may not know about "Star Trek"

 Wed, 03/02/2011 The Archive of American Television has interviewed many actors, visual effects artists, directors, stuntmen, writers, and others involved in the production of NBC's Star Trek (1966-1969) as well as its spin-offs. Below are a few gems from the archive's collection featuring stories you may not have heard before about the series and its cast. From Mr. Spock ( Leonard Nimoy ) to Lt. La Forge ( LeVar Burton ), check out the full interviews with each of these TV legends in the videos and links below...

TV Writer & Historian Max Wilk Has Died

 Sat, 02/26/2011 Max Wilk, who wrote for and about the "Golden Age of Television," has died at the age of 90. Wilk contributed to such early TV series as Philco TV Playhouse , Starring Boris Karloff , and Mama . Max Wilk's Archive Interview was conducted on November 15, 2000. Interview Description: Max Wilk (1920-2011) was interviewed for two-and-a-half hours in Westport, CT. Wilk briefly described his beginnings as a writer in radio, touring with Irving Berlin’s “This Is the Army” during World War II, and his...

M*A*S*H's "The Interview" Aired 35 Years Ago Today

 Thu, 02/24/2011 On February 24, 1976, one of M*A*S*H 's most well known episodes aired, "The Interview." In "The Interview," TV journalist Clete Roberts guest-starred as a newsman who visits the 4077 M*A*S*H unit where he conducts interviews with the "cast" about their wartime experiences. This episode was presented in black-and-white to emphasize its documentary style; the use of black-and-white turned out to be apropos when it became an instant classic. The inspiration for the show came from legendary...