Harvey Korman

Actor

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In the one-and-a-half-hour solo portion of his interview, Harvey Korman (1927-2008) speaks about studying under actress Uta Hagen and talks about some of his earliest television roles. He recalls working with several legendary comics including Danny Kaye, Lucille Ball, and Jack Benny. Korman describes headlining several short-lived series and his thoughts on being better suited as a second banana. Additionally, he speaks about his work as a voice actor, playing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones and his feature film collaborations with Mel Brooks and Blake Edwards. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on April 20, 2004 in Beverly Hills, CA.

In the one-and-a-half-hour joint portion of their interview, Harvey Korman and Tim Conway (1933-2019) speak in great detail about their years on The Carol Burnett Show, including descriptions of famous characters and sketches. They also talk about their work in then-recent years touring the country with their two-man stage show. Karen Herman conducted the interview on April 20, 2004 in Beverly Hills, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I'm getting more mail now than I ever have. That I really have impacted people's lives, that I have made people happier. That I have brought families together. That I have made a difference in their lives. I think that's maybe the most important."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Harvey Korman on the highlight of his career - working with Tim Conway

00:48

Harvey Korman on studying acting with Uta Hagen

02:20

Harvey Korman on how he'd like to be remembered

01:06

Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones

03:32

Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show

04:48

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early influences; on being an introverted child; on his childhood in Chicago; on his early interest in vaudeville performers; on wanting to be an actor; on his recollections of the Chicago School of Television; on moving to New York City; on studying acting with Uta Hagen; on doing a play written by Sherwood Schwartz

On his first time on television; on appearing on The Donna Reed Show and on Dr. Kildare; on The Blacklist; on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones; on joining The Danny Kaye Show; on Carol Burnett; on the format of The Danny Kaye Show;

Chapter 2

On working with Danny Kaye and Red Skelton; on The Jack Benny Program; on working on The Lucy Show, The Munsters, and directing some of The Steve Allen Comedy Hour; on working with Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles; on Madeline Kahn

On The Love Boat; on The Harvey Korman Show; on the TV Movie Bud and Lou; on The Star Wars Holiday Special; on working on Pink Panthe r films with Blake Edwards

Chapter 3

On playing the White King in Alice in Wonderland; on Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills; on working with Cloris Leachman on The Nutt House; on the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

On touring with Tim Conway; on the longevity of his career; on the highlight of his career; on his first impression of Tim Conway; on how he'd like to be remembered

Chapter 4

START OF JOINT INTERVIEW with Tim Conway and Harvey Korman: On how the pair first met; on a "Harvey Korman-type" - a straight man; on Korman's first appearance on The Carol Burnett Show; on the atmosphere Carol Burnett created on set; on the evolution of the show

On a production week on The Carol Burnett Show; on out-takes from the show; on a sketch that bombed; on the show's audience; on how Tim Conway became a regular on the show; on Conway writing sketches for Korman; on Conway's improvisations; on audiences loving when Korman breaks up

On a successful detective sketch; on a vasectomy sketch; on Carol Burnett's "Judy Garland sketch;" on their contributions to sketches; on the show's writers; on the importance of music on the show; on Bob Mackie; on Carol Burnett and her husband Joe Hamilton

Chapter 5

On the cast and guest stars of The Carol Burnett Show; on becoming a comedy team; on famous characters they've portrayed - "Mr. Tudball"; on the dentist sketch; on "Carol and Sis," "F. Lee Bunny;" on "The Old Man" and Conway's physical comedy talents

On working with directors on the show; on their spoofs of movies and shows; on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show; on The Little Foxes sketch; on the show's writing; on Korman leaving the show; on not being "stars;"

Chapter 6

On the end of The Carol Burnett Show; on the final episode; on Korman returning for the last show; on Carol & Company; on the first reunion special of The Carol Burnett Show; on the legacy of The Carol Burnett Show; on directing Eunice; on Mama's Family; on The Tim Conway Special

On Dorf's Family Stump; on Tim and Harvey in the Great Outdoors; on guest appearances on Golden Palace; on their live comedy show; on their success as a comedy team; on being inducted into the TV Hall of Fame; on winning an Emmy and Conway not being present at the ceremony; on stories about Harvey Korman; on Bloopers and Practical Jokes

Shows

Alice in Wonderland (1985)

Harvey Korman on playing the White King in Alice in Wonderland

01:35

Bud and Lou

Harvey Korman on the TV Movie Bud and Lou

04:18

Carol & Company

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Carol & Company

00:46

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show

00:15

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on their first appearances on The Carol Burnett Show

27:02

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast and guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show

04:24

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on some memorable characters they created

09:12

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the end of The Carol Burnett Show

03:51

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78): "Went with the Wind!" Sketch

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show

00:55

Carol, Carl, Whoopi, & Robin

Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

01:47

Danny Kaye Show, The

Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show

04:48

Harvey Korman on the format of The Danny Kaye Show

01:14

Harvey Korman on being a "second banana" to Danny Kaye

02:33

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on how they met - on The Danny Kaye Show

01:25

Donna Reed Show, The

Harvey Korman on his first TV appearance, on The Donna Reed Show

01:29

Dr. Kildare

Harvey Korman on appearing on Dr. Kildare

00:41

Eunice

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on directing Eunice

00:49

Flintstones, The

Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones

03:32

Golden Palace, The

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on appearing on The Golden Palace

00:54

Harvey Korman Show, The

Harvey Korman on The Harvey Korman Show

01:37

Jack Benny Program, The

Harvey Korman on working on The Jack Benny Program

02:13

Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills

Harvey Korman on Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills

01:46

Love Boat, The

Harvey Korman on the pilot of The Love Boat

01:36

Lucy Show, The

Harvey Korman on working on The Lucy Show

03:23

Mama's Family

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Mama's Family

01:38

Munsters, The

Harvey Korman on working on The Munsters

01:28

Muppet Show, The

Harvey Korman on guesting on The Muppet Show

00:16

Star Wars Holiday Special, The

Harvey Korman on The Star Wars Holiday Special

00:38

Steve Allen Comedy Hour, The

Harvey Korman on working on The Steve Allen Comedy Hour

02:01

TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Korman getting tricked on Bloopers and Practical Jokes

04:41

Tim Conway Special, The

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Tim Conway Special

03:15

Topics

Characters & Catchphrases

Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones

03:32

Emmy Awards

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on being inducted into the TV Hall of Fame and winning Emmys

03:55

Memorable Moments on Television

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on "Carol and Sis" on The Carol Burnett Show

00:39

We Laughed

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show

00:55

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the dentist sketch on The Carol Burnett Show

03:06

Professions

Actor

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Harvey Korman on wanting to be an actor

01:14

Genres

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show

04:48

Harvey Korman on being a "second banana" to Danny Kaye

02:33

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on their first appearances on The Carol Burnett Show

27:02

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show

28:52

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the end of The Carol Burnett Show

03:51

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

Harvey Korman on the TV Movie Bud and Lou

04:18

People

Alan King

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on a sketch that bombed on The Carol Burnett Show

00:53

Beatrice Arthur

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Harvey Korman on The Star Wars Holiday Special with Bea Arthur

00:38

Betty White

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show

00:41

Blake Edwards

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Harvey Korman on working on Pink Panthe r films with Blake Edwards

03:47

Bob Mackie

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Bob Mackie's amazing clothes he created for The Carol Burnett Show

01:05

Buddy Hackett

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Harvey Korman on the TV Movie Bud and Lou

04:18

Carl Reiner

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Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

01:47

Carol Burnett

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Harvey Korman on Carol Burnett wanting Korman for her new show

03:01

Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

01:47

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on their first appearances on The Carol Burnett Show

27:02

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton

01:34

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on how difficult it was to break up Carol Burnett

01:41

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the end of The Carol Burnett Show

03:51

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Mama's Family

01:38

Cloris Leachman

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Harvey Korman on working with Cloris Leachman on The Nutt House

02:52

Danny Kaye

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Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show

01:47

Harvey Korman on being a "second banana" to Danny Kaye

02:33

Dave Powers

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on working with directors on the show

00:53

Dick Clark

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Korman getting tricked on Bloopers and Practical Jokes

04:41

Dick Van Dyke

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Dick Van Dyke on The Carol Burnett Show

01:07

Fred Gwynne

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Harvey Korman on working on The Munsters

01:28

Fred Silverman

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Harvey Korman on The Harvey Korman Show

01:37

Harvey Korman

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on what is "a Harvey Korman type"

01:25

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Korman leaving the show, and not being a "star"

03:28

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Conway's favorite Korman story - the pair are like Jack Benny and George Burns

02:34

Jack Benny

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Harvey Korman on working with Jack Benny

02:13

Jackie Coogan

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Harvey Korman on doing a play written by Sherwood Schwartz

02:06

Jeff Bridges

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Harvey Korman on Cloris Leachman

01:19

Joe Hamilton

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on a sketch that bombed on The Carol Burnett Show

00:53

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton

01:34

Lucille Ball

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Harvey Korman on working on The Lucy Show

03:23

Lyle Waggoner

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast of The Carol Burnett Show

00:20

Madeline Kahn

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Harvey Korman on working with Madeline Kahn

01:48

Mel Brooks

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Harvey Korman on working with Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles

02:38

Perry Lafferty

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Tim Conway Special

01:42

Red Skelton

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Harvey Korman on working with Red Skelton

00:29

Richard Chamberlain

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Harvey Korman on appearing on Dr. Kildare

00:41

Robin Williams

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Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

01:47

Rock Hudson

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show

00:08

Roddy McDowall

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show

00:25

Sherwood Schwartz

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Harvey Korman on doing a play written by Sherwood Schwartz

02:06

Steve Allen

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Harvey Korman on working on The Steve Allen Comedy Hour

02:01

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Steve Allen Show

00:40

Steve Martin

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Harvey Korman on Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills

01:46

Tim Conway

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Harvey Korman on touring with Tim Conway and the joy of working with him

03:54

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on how Tim Conway became a regular on the show

00:43

Uta Hagen

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Harvey Korman on studying acting with Uta Hagen

02:20

Vicki Lawrence

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Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast of The Carol Burnett Show

01:42

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on "Carol and Sis"

00:39

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Mama's Family

01:38

Whoopi Goldberg

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Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin

01:47