Grant Tinker

Executive / Producer
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About
About this interview

In his five-hour interview, legendary television executive Grant Tinker (1926-2016) describes his first encounter with NBC, as one of the company's first interns back in 1949, and recounts his work as part of NBC radio. He comments on his move to advertising agencies McCann-Erickson and Benton & Bowles, where he served as an executive working with television programs. Tinker recalls his involvement with The Danny Thomas Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show, among others, and discusses working with Sheldon Leonard. He talks of meeting Mary Tyler Moore, whom he would later marry, and outlines co-founding MTM Enterprises, a successful production company known for the critically acclaimed programs The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Lou Grant, The White Shadow, Hill Street Blues, and St. Elsewhere. He also discusses his return to and rise at NBC television, to the position of chairman and CEO, and shares a bit of trivia about the NBC chimes. Morrie Gelman conducted the interview on April 8, 1998 in Bel Air, CA.

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

"That was the boutique aspect of MTM. There was nothing we HAD to do because we had thousands of people on the payroll. We just did the things that appealed to us, some of which didn't appeal to others, so they became failed pilots or whatever."

People Talking About ...
Grant Tinker
Highlights
Grant Tinker on the creation of MTM
02:34
Grant Tinker on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show
06:00
Grant Tinker on creating the environment of MTM
00:27
Grant Tinker on the NBC chimes
00:24
Grant Tinker on his soothing effect on colleagues at NBC and "first be best, then be first"
01:09
Grant Tinker on his affinity for multi-camera shows
01:04
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On his early years and education; on growing up during the Great Depression; on how his mother being deaf impacted him; on loving books and listening to the radio; on Darthmouth and the Air Corps; on wanting to work in publishing after graduation
On his start in broadcasting at NBC radio as the first trainee; on working at Radio Free Europe; on returning to the U.S. and heading West; on meeting Allen Ludden and creating College Quiz Bowl for radio; on starting in television

Chapter 2
On working in radio and developing New Talent USA; on leaving radio to become Vice President of Program Development at McCann Erickson; on agencies' involvement in television series; on Revlon and the Quiz Show Scandals; on working for ad agency Warwick & Legler; on Charles Revson of Revlon
On working for Benton & Bowles advertising; on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show; on his divorce from his first wife and his second marriage to Mary Tyler Moore; on heading West Coast Programming at NBC

Chapter 3
On how the Quiz Show Scandals changed the relationship between advertising agencies and television shows; on shared advertising on The Dick Van Dyke Show; on ad agencies breeding future television executives; on his relationships with multiple television shows while at Benton & Bowles advertising agency
On Mort Werner bringing Tinker back to NBC after his time at Benton & Bowles; on NBC and shows he was associated with in the 1960s; on David Wolper's contributions to syndication

Chapter 4
On his colleagues at NBC; on how NBC got Get Smart; on turning down Bewitched for NBC; on the MCA-Universal-NBC link; on developing movies for television
On NBC's The Name of the Game; on his allegiance to The Dick Van Dyke Show; on the TV business landscape at the time of The Dick Van Dyke Show; on his transfer to New York and breaking his contract to return to California; on working for Universal

Chapter 5
On leaving Universal and working for William Self, head of 20th Century Fox Television; on the creation of MTM and the development of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
On casting The Mary Tyler Moore Show; on fighting Mike Dann to get The Mary Tyler Moore Show on the air; on the pilot testing poorly; on CBS and NBC executives and Paul Klein's least objectionable programming

Chapter 6
On establishing MTM Productions; on network executives he worked with while he was at MTM - Bob Wood, Mike Dann and Fred Silverman; on The Mary Tyler Moore Show garnering numerous Emmys and the end of the series
On Lou Grant and its cancellation after four years; on Steven Bochco and Bruce Paltrow; on MTM being known for comedies during its early years

Chapter 7
On running MTM Productions with his staff: Arthur Price, Stu Irwin and Mel Blumenthal; on the end of his marriage to Mary Tyler Moore, but continued friendship with her; on returning to NBC in 1981 and his regrets about leaving MTM; on working with Brandon Tartikoff; on the shows that saved NBC
On 1983's record number of Emmy nominations for NBC; on his controversy with TV Guide; on speaking at Harvard University; on firing Howard Stern; on his confrontation with Judd Hirsch at the Emmys; on his Chairman's council; on his soothing effect on colleagues at NBC and "first be best, then be first"

Chapter 8
On his team that resuscitated NBC; on leaving NBC in September 1986 to return to TV production on the West Coast, just as GE bought RCA; on Jack Welch naming Bob Wright President of NBC; on his theory on broadcasting
On life after leaving NBC and how the economy of the business had changed; on GTG and GNET; on making a deal with CBS; on his shows WILU and TV 101; on industry affairs and ageism
On the key to programming success; on the future of commercial networks 

Chapter 9
On the future of independent production companies; on advertising; on cable and the 500-channel universe; on the role of network executives; on his time at MTM
On some of the individuals he has worked with over the years; on "Hill Street Station"

Chapter 10
On some of the individuals he's worked with during his career; on the three wonderful women that have been a part of his life
Shows

90 Bristol Court

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Grant Tinker on NBC's 90 Bristol Court
01:20

Andy Williams Show, The

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Grant Tinker on representing The Andy Williams Show while at Benton & Bowles
00:45

Bewitched

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Grant Tinker on turning down Bewitched for NBC 
05:23

Bob Newhart Show, The (1972-78)

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Grant Tinker on the creation of The Bob Newhart Show at MTM
00:37

Cheers

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Grant Tinker on Les Charles and Glen Charles - creators of Cheers
01:48

Dean Martin Show, The

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Grant Tinker on Greg Garrison producing The Dean Martin Show
00:38

Dick Van Dyke Show, The

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Grant Tinker on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show
06:00
Grant Tinker on CBS' James T. Aubrey canceling The Dick Van Dyke Show after its first season and Sheldon Leonard's reaction
04:37
Grant Tinker on Mary Tyler Moore getting cast on The Dick Van Dyke Show and shared advertising on the show
03:30
Grant Tinker on his allegiance to The Dick Van Dyke Show
04:26

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Grant Tinker on his confrontation with Judd Hirsch at the Emmys
01:49

Get Smart

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Grant Tinker on how NBC got Get Smart
01:38

Hill Street Blues

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Grant Tinker on Hill Street Blues
03:57

I Spy

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Grant Tinker on Sheldon Leonard wanting to do I Spy
01:51

Lou Grant

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Grant Tinker on MTM's Lou Grant
09:03

Mary Tyler Moore Show, The

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Grant Tinker on the creation of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:49
Grant Tinker on the development of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
18:55
Grant Tinker on The Mary Tyler Moore Show garnering numerous Emmys (29 total); on the end of the series
03:32

Name of the Game, The

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Grant Tinker on NBC's The Name of the Game
00:45

Paris

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Grant Tinker on Bruce Paltrow and Steven Bochco's shows before MTM's successes
00:39

Room 222

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Grant Tinker on meeting James L. Brooks and Allan Burns via leaving Universal for Fox
10:08

Taxi

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Grant Tinker on his confrontation with Judd Hirsch at the Emmys
01:49

White Shadow, The

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Grant Tinker on the success of MTM's The White Shadow
01:33
Topics

Advertising and Sponsorship

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Grant Tinker on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show
04:08

Emmy Awards

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Grant Tinker on The Mary Tyler Moore Show garnering numerous Emmys (29 total) - the most for one show, ever
01:51
Grant Tinker on his confrontation with Judd Hirsch at the Emmys
01:49

Historic Events and Social Change

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Grant Tinker on diversity on television in the 1960s
01:51
Grant Tinker on the lack of diversity in television
00:42

Industry Crossroads

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Grant Tinker on Revlon and the Quiz Show Scandals
00:44
Grant Tinker on how the Quiz Show Scandals changed the relationship between advertising agencies and television shows
02:45

Media Consolidation

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Grant Tinker on Jack Welch buying RCA
11:05

Quiz Show Scandals

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Grant Tinker on Revlon and the Quiz Show Scandals
00:44
Grant Tinker on how the Quiz Show Scandals changed the relationship between advertising agencies and television shows
02:45

Representation on Television

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Grant Tinker on diversity on television in the 1960s
01:51
Grant Tinker on the lack of diversity in television
00:42

Technological Innovation

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Grant Tinker on NBC moving to color television
00:51

Television Industry

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Grant Tinker on Revlon and the Quiz Show Scandals
00:44
Grant Tinker on how the Quiz Show Scandals changed the relationship between advertising agencies and television shows
02:45
Grant Tinker on Jack Welch buying RCA
11:05

Underrepresented Voices

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Grant Tinker on diversity on television in the 1960s
01:51
Grant Tinker on the lack of diversity in television
00:42

Women

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Grant Tinker on the lack of diversity in television
02:35
Professions

Executives

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Grant Tinker on ad agencies breeding future television executives
01:28
Grant Tinker on leaving MTM to become Chairman of NBC
22:24
Grant Tinker on his theory on broadcasting
01:04

Producers

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Grant Tinker on the creation of MTM
02:34

Television Executive

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Grant Tinker on ad agencies breeding future television executives
01:28
Grant Tinker on leaving MTM to become Chairman of NBC
22:24
Grant Tinker on his theory on broadcasting
01:04
Genres

Comedy Series

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Grant Tinker on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show
06:00
Grant Tinker on CBS' James T. Aubrey canceling The Dick Van Dyke Show after its first season and Sheldon Leonard's reaction
04:37
Grant Tinker on how NBC got Get Smart
01:38
Grant Tinker on the development of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
18:55
Grant Tinker on Les Charles and Glen Charles - creators of Cheers
01:48

Drama Series

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Grant Tinker on Lou Grant
09:03
Grant Tinker on Hill Street Blues
03:57
People

Allan Burns

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Grant Tinker on the development of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
18:55

Allen Ludden

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Grant Tinker on meeting Allen Ludden and creating College Quiz Bowl for radio
06:33
Grant Tinker on friend and colleague Allen Ludden
01:49

Arthur Price

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Grant Tinker on his number two at MTM Enterprises, Arthur Price
03:02

Bill Lawrence

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Grant Tinker on the success of Bill Lawrence
01:07

Bob Elliott

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Grant Tinker on working for Bob and Ray's agent, John Moses
01:32

Bob Finkel

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Grant Tinker on producer Bob Finkel
01:10

Bob Newhart

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Grant Tinker on stars wanting to work within the environment of MTM
00:56

Bob Wright

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Grant Tinker on Jack Welch's decision to make Bob Wright President of NBC after Tinker's departure
05:15

Brandon Tartikoff

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Grant Tinker on NBC executive and friend, Brandon Tartikoff
03:16

Bruce Paltrow

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Grant Tinker on Bruce Paltrow
02:50

Buck Henry

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Grant Tinker on how NBC got Get Smart
01:38

Carl Reiner

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Grant Tinker on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show
06:00

Charles Revson

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Grant Tinker on meetings with Charles Revson of Revlon
01:10

Charlotte Brown

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Grant Tinker on writer Charlotte Brown
02:35

Cloris Leachman

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Grant Tinker on the family setting of The Mary Tyler Moore Show  
01:53

Dan Curtis

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Grant Tinker on Dan Curtis
00:15

Danny Thomas

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Grant Tinker on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show
05:07
Grant Tinker on Mary Tyler Moore getting cast on The Dick Van Dyke Show
01:36

Dave Davis

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Grant Tinker on MTM staff - Dave Davis
00:50

David Adams

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Grant Tinker on NBC's David Adams
01:35

David L. Wolper

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Grant Tinker on David Wolper's contributions to syndication
03:04

Dick Van Dyke

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Grant Tinker on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show
04:18

Don Adams

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Grant Tinker on how NBC got Get Smart
01:38

Ed. Weinberger

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Grant Tinker on Ed. Weinberger
00:44

Edward Asner

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Grant Tinker on casting The Mary Tyler Moore Show
04:17
Grant Tinker on Lou Grant's Ed Asner
09:03
Grant Tinker on Ed Asner
00:24

Ethel Winant

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Grant Tinker on casting agent Ethel Winant
01:12

Frank Stanton

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Grant Tinker on CBS executive Frank Stanton
00:46

Fred Silverman

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Grant Tinker on CBS executive Fred Silverman
02:16
Grant Tinker on CBS executive Fred Silverman
05:15
Grant Tinker on NBC executives Brandon Tartikoff and Fred Silverman
00:13

Gary David Goldberg

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Grant Tinker on Gary David Goldberg
01:41

Gene Reynolds

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Grant Tinker on Lou Grant producer Gene Reynolds
09:03

Glen Charles

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Grant Tinker on Les Charles and Glen Charles
01:48

Glenn Gordon Caron

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Grant Tinker on Glenn Gordon Caron
00:29

Greg Garrison

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Grant Tinker on Greg Garrison producing The Dean Martin Show
00:38

Herbert S. Schlosser

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Grant Tinker on working with Herb Schlosser at NBC
01:03

Howard Stern

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Grant Tinker on firing Howard Stern
02:41

Irwin Segelstein

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Grant Tinker on meeting Irwin Segelstein at Benton & Bowles and supervising shows
01:44
Grant Tinker on Irwin Segelstein
01:12

Jack Welch

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Grant Tinker on Jack Welch buying RCA
11:05

James L. Brooks

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Grant Tinker on the development of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
18:55

James T. Aubrey

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Grant Tinker on CBS' James T. Aubrey canceling The Dick Van Dyke Show after its first season, and Sheldon Leonard's reaction
04:37

Jay Sandrich

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Grant Tinker on casting and crewing up for The Mary Tyler Moore Show
04:17

Jay Tarses

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Grant Tinker on Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses
00:44

Jennings Lang

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Grant Tinker on MCA's head of television, Jennings Lang, inventor of movies for television
04:38
Grant Tinker on running into Jennings Lang and going to work for Universal
03:46

Joan Bennett

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Grant Tinker on MCA's head of television, Jennings Lang
01:21

John Mitchell

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Grant Tinker on turning down Bewitched for NBC; on his friendship with John Mitchell
03:46

John Moses

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Grant Tinker on agent John Moses
00:38

Judd Hirsch

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Grant Tinker on his confrontation with Judd Hirsch at the Emmys
01:49

Jules Stein

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Grant Tinker on Jules Stein and Lew Wasserman
01:59

Julian Goodman

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Grant Tinker on mixed feelings Julian Goodman, former NBC News President
00:45

Lawrence K. Grossman

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Grant Tinker on Larry Grossman, former NBC News President
01:11

Lee Rich

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Grant Tinker on meeting Lee Rich at Benton & Bowles and supervising shows
02:48
Grant Tinker on Lee Rich fighting networks 
00:30
Grant Tinker on paying tribute to Mort Werner
02:33
Grant Tinker on paying tribute to Mort Werner
02:33

Leonard H. Goldenson

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Grant Tinker on Leonard Goldenson's part in the industry moving West
00:54
Grant Tinker on Leonard H. Goldenson
01:00

Les Charles

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Grant Tinker on Les Charles and Glen Charles
01:48

Lew Wasserman

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Grant Tinker on Lew Wasserman giving up MCA and keeping Universal Studios
02:32
Grant Tinker on Jules Stein and Lew Wasserman
01:59

Lorenzo Music

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Grant Tinker on Lorenzo Music
00:21

Marcy Carsey

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Grant Tinker on the success of Carsey Werner productions
01:27

Mary Tyler Moore

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Grant Tinker on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show
04:18
Grant Tinker on Mary Tyler Moore getting cast on The Dick Van Dyke Show
01:36
Grant Tinker on the development of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
10:08
Grant Tinker on the family setting of The Mary Tyler Moore Show  
01:53
Grant Tinker on stars wanting to work within the environment of MTM
00:56
Grant Tinker on the end of his marriage to Mary Tyler Moore, but continued friendship with her
02:45

Mel Brooks

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Grant Tinker on how NBC got Get Smart
01:38

Michael Dann

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Grant Tinker on paying tribute to Mort Werner
02:33
Grant Tinker on Mike Dann's reaction to The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:34
Grant Tinker on CBS executive Mike Dann
00:50

Michael Kozoll

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Grant Tinker on Michael Kozoll
02:56

Mort Werner

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Grant Tinker on Mort Werner bringing him back to NBC after Benton & Bowles; on Werner's death; on his role at NBC
04:06
Grant Tinker on how NBC got Get Smart
01:38

Norman Felton

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Grant Tinker on Norman Felton bringing shows from MGM
00:11
Grant Tinker on Norman Felton
01:14

Paul King

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Grant Tinker on Paul King
02:01

Ray Goulding

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Grant Tinker on working for Bob and Ray's agent, John Moses
01:32

Ray Timothy

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Grant Tinker on Ray Timothy
00:47

Robert Butler

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Grant Tinker on Robert Butler, the director of the Hill Street Bluespilot who was crucial to the show's success
02:56

Robert D. Wood

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Grant Tinker on CBS executive Robert D. Wood canceling the rural comedies on CBS to take on what would become historically important shows
01:27
Grant Tinker on executives he worked with while he was at MTM
03:13

Robert E. Kintner

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Grant Tinker on turning down Bewitched for NBC
05:23

Robert Sarnoff

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Grant Tinker on Robert Sarnoff
01:56

Sheldon Leonard

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Grant Tinker on the development and sponsorship of The Dick Van Dyke Show
06:00
Grant Tinker on CBS' James T. Aubrey canceling The Dick Van Dyke Show after its first season and Sheldon Leonard's reaction
04:37
Grant Tinker on first meeting Sheldon Leonard; on casting Mary Tyler Moore in The Dick Van Dyke Show
02:34
Grant Tinker on Sheldon Leonard wanting to do I Spy
01:51

Sid Sheinberg

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Grant Tinker on MCA's lawyer, Sid Sheinberg
02:03

Stan Daniels

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Grant Tinker on Stan Daniels
00:29

Steven Bochco

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Grant Tinker on Steven Bochco
02:50
Grant Tinker on Steven Bochco
02:56

Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver

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Grant Tinker on paying tribute to Mort Werner
02:33
Grant Tinker on Pat Weaver
00:39

Ted Knight

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Grant Tinker on the family setting of The Mary Tyler Moore Show  
01:53

Thomas W. Sarnoff

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Grant Tinker on Lew Wasserman's deal with Thomas Sarnoff at NBC
02:32
Grant Tinker on Tom Sarnoff
00:23

Tom Patchett

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Grant Tinker on Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses
00:44

Tom Werner

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Grant Tinker on the success of Carsey Werner productions
01:27

Valerie Harper

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Grant Tinker on casting The Mary Tyler Moore Show
04:17
Grant Tinker on the family setting of The Mary Tyler Moore Show  
01:53
Grant Tinker on Valerie Harper
01:01

William S. Paley

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Grant Tinker on CBS founder Bill Paley
00:46

William Self

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Grant Tinker on working for William Self, head of 20th Century Fox Television
03:06

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