Jack Shea

Director

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his four-and-a-half-hour interview, Jack Shea (1928-2013) recalls his early years in New York, working as a stage manager and assistant director at NBC. He talks about his move to NBC in Los Angeles, where he became began a director on Bob Hope's television specials, including his many programs overseas. He also discusses directing Jerry Lewis' specials for television. Shea describes his experiences as a director on several series, including The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The Waltons, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons (on which he was also a producer), Good Times, The Ropers, Silver Spoons, and Designing Women. He then details his take on the craft of directing for television and outlines his many years of service in the Directors Guild of America, including his stint as president of the organization. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on December 9, 2002 in Studio City, CA.

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

"It's very tough to get somebody to give you a job as a director because there's so much at stake. Everybody's afraid that if they pick you to be a director and the thing fails, they're going to take the rap for it."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Jack Shea on directing The Golden Girls and working with the ensemble of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty

02:35

Jack Shea on "George Jefferson's" walk on The Jeffersons

00:39

Jack Shea on directing Leonardo DiCaprio on Growing Pains

00:33

Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA

01:01

Jack Shea on the most important role a director fulfills on the set of sitcoms

00:44

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on growing up during The Great Depression; on wanting to be an actor; on radio programs he enjoyed as a boy; on his high school years

On his college years at Fordham University; on the beginning of his interest in directing; on his early memories of watching television; on his first job out of college - as an assistant director at NBC; on working as a stage manager at NBC; on mishaps during the era of live television

On the tension on set before live shows; on early television equipment; on the early NBC television studios and sets; on injuries on-set

Chapter 2

On live studio audiences; on meeting Pat Weaver; on his co-workers in early television; on working on live anthology dramas; on entering the Army in 1952 and making training films; on moving to California

On working for NBC in Los Angeles; on the new NBC studios in Burbank and shows he worked on as an assistant director

On directing Truth or Consequences and working with Ralph Edwards; on the Hollywood Blacklist

On directing the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" at NBC

Chapter 3

On the producers, writers, and musicians on Bob Hope's television specials; on entertaining troops at USO shows; on Bob Hope's legacy

On directing Jerry Lewis' television specials; on leaving NBC

On directing The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour; on the music and format of the show; on also serving as a producer on the program

On the challenges of directing Hawaii Five-O

Chapter 4

On the joys of directing The Waltons; on directing What's Happening!

On directing Sanford and Son; on producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin; on Redd Foxx's comedy style and relationship with the cast of Sanford and Son; on Redd Foxx falling ill on the set of The Royal Family

On diversity on television and taboo topics during the era of Sanford and Son; on the cast of and production on the show

Chapter 5

On directing The Jeffersons; on the show's premise, characters, stars, and producers; on why he left The Jeffersons; on directing The Jeffersons' spin-off Checking In starring Marla Gibbs

On directing Good Times; on the show's cast; on directing a few episodes of Maude

On his first impressions of being on a television set and the craft of directing

Chapter 6

On the craft of directing and inventing techniques; on how stage managers, assistant directors, and directors work together on set; on preparations for a day of filming and working with actors

On how involved he is with editing; on how the invention of color TV changed his work; on the relationship between producers and directors; on producers he wanted to work for

On how he selected projects; on his approach to directing actors; on setting the tone and pace on set; on his directing style

On directing The Ropers

Chapter 7

On the stars of The Ropers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley; on directing Silver Spoons and working with Rick Schroeder; on the premise, cast, and producers of the show; on writing an episode of Silver Spoons with his wife; on why he left the show

On directing Designing Women; on the show's premise and stars; on the producers of Designing Women - Linda Blooodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason; on the show's Southern sensibility

On directing Punky Brewster; on directing The Golden Girls and working with the ensemble of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty

On directing The Cavanaughs and Full House; on directing The Hogan Family and Growing Pains

Chapter 8

On directing The Royal Family starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese; on directing 704 Hauser, Sister, Sister, and Good Behavior

On on his involvement with the Directors Guild of America; on The Radio, Television Directors Guild (RTDG) and network response to the guilds; on the merger of the RTDG and the Screen Directors Guild into the Directors Guild of America (DGA); on the workings of and diversity within the DGA

On the credits issues between the WGA and the DGA; on runaway production; on low budget agreements; on the status of film versus TV directors and directors-for-hire; on his tenure as President of the DGA

On then-current projects

Chapter 9

On his experience directing pilots; on his religious beliefs and how they intertwined with the syndicated program Insight; on co-founding the organization Catholics and Media Associates

On advice to aspiring directors; on mentoring young directors; on the highlight of his career; on career regrets and how he'd like to be remembered

On people with whom he's worked over the years; on his wife

Shows

704 Hauser

Jack Shea on directing 704 Hauser starring John Amos

01:04

All in the Family

Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons and their origin on All in the Family

00:47

Bert Parks Show, The

Jack Shea on live studio audiences at The Bert Parks Show

01:06

Bob Hope Specials

Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff

07:21

Jack Shea on how involved Bob Hope was in his TV specials

02:25

Jack Shea on producers and writers on Bob Hope's television specials

01:46

Checking In

Jack Shea on directing The Jeffersons' spin-off Checking In starring Marla Gibbs and why he felt it was not given the chance to succeed

01:30

Designing Women

Jack Shea on directing Designing Women - on the cast, premise, and producers

08:47

Full House

Jack Shea on directing Full House

00:56

Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The

Jack Shea on directing The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and working with Glen Campbell and his parents

05:10

Golden Girls, The

Jack Shea on directing The Golden Girls and working with the ensemble of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty

02:35

Good Times

Jack Shea on directing Good Times

04:13

Growing Pains

Jack Shea on directing Growing Pains

00:57

Hawaii Five-O

Jack Shea on the challenges of directing Hawaii Five-O

01:32

Hogan Family, The aka Valerie

Jack Shea on directing The Hogan Family

01:36

Insight

Jack Shea on his religious beliefs and how they intertwined with the syndicated program Insight

05:02

Jeffersons, The

Jack Shea on directing The Jeffersons, and the popularity and premise of the show

02:09

Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons

01:10

Jack Shea on the cast of and producers on The Jeffersons

11:28

Jack Shea on why he left The Jeffersons

Jerry Lewis Specials

Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff

03:37

Jack Shea on directing Jerry Lewis' television specials; on the format of the show

05:08

Maude

Jack Shea on Esther Rolle's Good Times character "Florida's" origins on Maude

00:49

Jack Shea on directing Bea Arthur on Maude

01:33

Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse

Jack Shea on working on live anthology dramas like Philco Television Playhouse

01:03

Jack Shea on his admiration for Delbert Mann, who he worked with when he started out as a stage manager on Philco Television Playhouse

00:46

Punky Brewster

Jack Shea on directing Punky Brewster and how he directs kids

01:55

Ropers, The

Jack Shea on directing The Ropers

02:19

Jack Shea on the stars of The Ropers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley

01:17

Royal Family, The

Jack Shea on Redd Foxx falling ill on the set of The Royal Family

02:54

Jack Shea on directing The Royal Family starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese

01:21

Sanford and Son

Jack Shea on the audience reaction to Redd Foxx (and some of his off-screen antics) on Sanford and Son

01:16

Jack Shea on directing Sanford and Son; on the show's producers, premise and working with Redd Foxx

06:17

Jack Shea on diversity on television and taboo topics during the era of Sanford and Son

01:53

Jack Shea on the cast of and production on Sanford and Son

07:31

Silver Spoons

Jack Shea on directing Silver Spoons

08:40

Jack Shea on writing an episode of Silver Spoons with his wife and directing his own work

01:11

Sister, Sister

Jack Shea on directing Sister, Sister

00:31

Three's Company

Jack Shea on the origin of the characters on The Ropers (from Three's Company)

00:35

Truth or Consequences

Jack Shea on working on Truth or Consequences, one of the first shows he directed

03:16

Waltons, The

Jack Shea on the collaborative and careful work that made The Waltons such a rewarding experience for him; on the premise and cast of the show

09:12

What's Happening!!

Jack Shea on directing What's Happening!

00:56

Topics

Anthology Drama

Jack Shea on working on live anthology dramas like Philco Television Playhouse

01:03

Bloopers

Jack Shea on mishaps during the era of live television

01:28

Characters & Catchphrases

Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons

01:10

Historic Events and Social Change

Jack Shea on entering the Army in 1952 and making training films

01:56

Jack Shea on editing Bob Hope's USO shows

03:19

Jack Shea on music director of Bob Hope's television specials, Les Brown, and entertaining troops at USO shows

05:42

Hollywood Blacklist

Jack Shea on the Hollywood Blacklist

02:28

Industry Crossroads

Jack Shea on the Hollywood Blacklist

02:28

Jack Shea on the DGA and runaway production

01:36

Korean War

Jack Shea on entering the Army in 1952 and making training films

01:56

Memorable Moments on Television

Jack Shea on "George Jefferson's" walk on The Jeffersons

00:39

Jack Shea on directing Leonardo DiCaprio on Growing Pains

00:33

Pop Culture

Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons

01:10

Representation on Television

Jack Shea on diversity on television during the era of Sanford and Son

00:53

Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA

01:01

Runaway Production

Jack Shea on the DGA and runaway production

01:36

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

Jack Shea on working on live anthology dramas like Philco Television Playhouse

01:03

Technological Innovation

Jack Shea on early television equipment

01:59

Jack Shea on how early TV programs were transmitted from California to New York

01:09

Jack Shea on how color TV changed his work

01:14

Television Industry

Jack Shea on the Hollywood Blacklist

02:28

Jack Shea on the DGA and runaway production

01:36

Underrepresented Voices

Jack Shea on diversity on television during the era of Sanford and Son

00:53

Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA

01:01

War

Jack Shea on entering the Army in 1952 and making training films

01:56

Jack Shea on editing Bob Hope's USO shows

03:19

Jack Shea on music director of Bob Hope's television specials, Les Brown, and entertaining troops at USO shows

05:42

We Laughed

Jack Shea on "George Jefferson's" walk on The Jeffersons

00:39

Women

Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA

01:01

Professions

Directors

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Jack Shea on the beginning of his interest in directing

01:24

Jack Shea on how stage managers and assistant directors assist the director

03:01

Jack Shea on being promoted to director at NBC

01:56

Jack Shea on his first impressions of being on a television set and the craft of directing

03:21

Jack Shea on the craft of directing and inventing techniques, and how stage managers, assistant directors, and directors work together on set

03:39

Jack Shea on the differences between assistant directors and directors

01:28

Jack Shea on preparations for a day of filming and working with actors

06:45

Jack Shea on how involved he is with editing

02:30

Jack Shea on the relationship between producers and directors

01:43

Jack Shea on his approach to directing actors

01:17

Jack Shea on setting the tone and on set

01:54

Jack Shea on the most important role a director fulfills on the set of sitcoms

00:44

Jack Shea on his directing style

00:43

Jack Shea on how he directs kids

00:42

Jack Shea on his involvement with the Directors Guild of America (DGA)

01:32

Jack Shea on The Radio, Television Directors Guild (RTDG) and network response to the guilds

03:20

Jack Shea on the merger of the RTDG and the Screen Directors Guild into the Directors Guild of America (DGA)

01:48

Jack Shea on who can be a member of the DGA and the role of the organization in the industry; on the international profile of the DGA

04:02

Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA

01:01

Director Jack Shea on the credits issues between the WGA and the DGA

01:04

Jack Shea on the DGA and runaway production

01:36

Jack Shea on the DGA and low budget agreements

00:56

Jack Shea on the status of film versus TV directors and directors-for-hire

01:45

Jack Shea on his tenure as President of the DGA and the importance of the guild and on why he's stayed involved for 50 years

06:10

Producers

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Jack Shea on his role as a producer on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour

02:10

Genres

Comedy Series

Jack Shea on the cast of and production on Sanford and Son

07:31

Jack Shea on directing Sanford and Son and on the show's producers, premise and working with Redd Foxx

06:17

Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons

01:10

Jack Shea on the cast of and producers on The Jeffersons

11:28

Jack Shea on the most important role a director fulfills on the set of sitcoms

01:44

Jack Shea on directing Silver Spoons

08:40

Jack Shea on directing Designing Women

08:47

Jack Shea on directing Golden Girls

02:35

Game Shows

Jack Shea on working on Truth or Consequences, one of the first shows he directed

03:16

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff

07:21

Jack Shea on directing The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and working with Glen Campbell and his parents

03:40

People

Agnes Moorehead

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Jack Shea on working with Agnes Moorehead

00:39

Alan Alda

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Jack Shea on working with Alan Alda

00:20

Anne Meara

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Jack Shea on working with Anne Meara

00:12

Annie Potts

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Jack Shea on the stars of Designing Women - Annie Potts

00:35

Art Carney

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Jack Shea on working with Art Carney on The Cavanaughs

00:35

Audra Lindley

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Jack Shea on directing The Ropers

02:04

Jack Shea on the stars of The Ropers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley

01:17

Barney McNulty

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Jack Shea on working with Barney McNulty

00:45

Beatrice Arthur

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Jack Shea on directing Bea Arthur in the title role of Maude

01:33

Jack Shea on working with the ensemble of The Golden Girls: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty

01:59

Bernard West

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' producing team of Don Nichols, Michael Ross, and Bernard West

00:34

Betty White

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Jack Shea on working with the ensemble of The Golden Girls: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty

01:59

Bob Hope

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Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff

07:21

Jack Shea on producers and writers on Bob Hope's television specials

01:46

Jack Shea on music director of Bob Hope's television specials, Les Brown, and entertaining troops at USO shows

02:36

Jack Shea on editing Bob Hope's USO shows

03:19

Jack Shea on Bob Hope's legacy

01:08

Bob Schiller

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Jack Shea on working with writers Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf

00:46

Bob Weiskopf

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Jack Shea on working with writers Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf

00:46

Bud Yorkin

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Jack Shea on his co-workers in early television

01:42

Jack Shea on Sanford and Son producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin

01:04

Burgess Meredith

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Jack Shea on working with Burgess Meredith

00:42

Delbert Mann

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Jack Shea on his admiration for Delbert Mann, who he worked with when he started out as a stage manager on Philco Television Playhouse

00:44

Della Reese

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Jack Shea on directing The Royal Family starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese

01:21

Delta Burke

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Jack Shea on the stars of Designing Women - Delta Burke

00:27

Demond Wilson

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Jack Shea on the cast of Sanford and Son - Demond Wilson

00:59

Dixie Carter

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Jack Shea on the stars of Designing Women - Dixie Carter

00:34

Don Nicholl

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' producing team of Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, and Bernard West

01:19

E. Duke Vincent

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Jack Shea on working with E. Duke Vincent

00:28

Earl Hamner, Jr.

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Jack Shea on working with Lee Rich and Earl Hamner, Jr. on The Waltons

03:06

Ellen Corby

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Jack Shea on working with the cast of The Waltons - Ellen Corby

00:37

Ernest D. Glucksman

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Jack Shea on the producer of Jerry Lewis' television specials, Ernest Glucksman

01:01

Estelle Getty

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Jack Shea on working with the ensemble of The Golden Girls: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty

01:59

Esther Rolle

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Jack Shea on the cast of Good Times - Esther Rolle

01:12

Jack Shea on the cast of Good Times - Esther Rolle

01:39

Franklin Cover

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Franklin Cover ("Tom Willis")

01:25

George Sunga

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' producer George Sunga

00:39

Glen Campbell

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Jack Shea on directing The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and working with Glen Campbell and his parents

01:35

Hal Holbrook

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Jack Shea on working with Hal Holbrook on Designing Women

00:25

Harry Thomason

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Jack Shea on the producers of Designing Women - Linda Blooodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason

03:51

Imogene Coca

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Jack Shea on working with Imogene Coca

00:21

Isabel Sanford

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Isabel Sanford ("Louise Jefferson")

00:33

Jack Lord

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Jack Shea on the challenges of directing Hawaii Five-O

00:43

Jean Smart

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Jack Shea on the stars of Designing Women - Jean Smart

00:39

Jennifer Aniston

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Jack Shea on working with Jennifer Aniston

00:28

Jerry Lewis

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Jack Shea on being hired for the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" and on Jerry Lewis' personality and Bob Hope's interest in the quality of the writing staff

03:37

Jack Shea on directing Jerry Lewis' television specials and Lewis wanting to direct

03:25

Jimmie Walker

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Jack Shea on the cast of Good Times - Jimmie Walker

00:37

Jodie Foster

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Jack Shea on working with Jodie Foster

00:16

Joel Higgins

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Jack Shea on working with Joel Higgins on Silver Spoons

00:50

John Amos

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Jack Shea on the cast of Good Times - John Amos

00:52

Jack Shea on directing 704 Hauser starring John Amos, produced by Norman Lear

01:04

John Houseman

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Jack Shea on working with John Houseman on Silver Spoons

01:24

John Rich

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Jack Shea on his co-workers in early television

01:24

Lee Rich

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Jack Shea on working with Lee Rich and Earl Hamner, Jr. on The Waltons

01:09

Leonardo DiCaprio

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Jack Shea on directing Leonardo DiCaprio on Growing Pains

00:33

Les Brown

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Jack Shea on music director of Bob Hope's television specials, Les Brown, and entertaining troops at USO shows

06:22

Leslie Nielsen

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Jack Shea on working with Leslie Nielsen

00:35

Linda Bloodworth Thomason

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Jack Shea on the producers of Designing Women - Linda Blooodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason

03:51

Marla Gibbs

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Marla Gibbs ("Florence Johnston")

01:17

Jack Shea on directing The Jeffersons' spin-off Checking In starring Marla Gibbs and why he felt it was not given the chance to succeed

01:30

McLean Stevenson

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Jack Shea on working with McLean Stevenson

00:22

Michael Learned

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Jack Shea on working with the cast of The Waltons - Michael Learned

00:23

Michael Ross

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' producing team of Don Nichols, Michael Ross, and Bernard West

00:34

Mike Evans

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Mike Evans ("Lionel Jefferson")

00:49

Mort Lachman

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Jack Shea on producers and writers on Bob Hope's television specials

01:46

Jack Shea on editing Bob Hope's USO shows

03:19

Ned Wertimer

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Ned Wertimer ("Ralph, the doorman")

01:12

Noam Pitlik

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Jack Shea on the cast of Sanford and Son - Noam Pitlik

00:26

Norman Fell

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Jack Shea on directing The Ropers

02:19

Jack Shea on the stars of The Ropers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley

01:17

Norman Lear

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Jack Shea on Sanford and Son producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin

01:04

Jack Shea on how he got involved with directing The Jeffersons

01:40

Jack Shea on directing 704 Hauser starring John Amos, produced by Norman Lear

01:04

Pat Morita

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Jack Shea on the cast of Sanford and Son - Pat Morita

00:21

Paul Benedict

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Paul Benedict ("Harry Bentley")

01:03

Ralph Edwards

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Jack Shea on working with Ralph Edwards on Truth or Consequences

02:11

Redd Foxx

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Jack Shea on the audience reaction to Redd Foxx (and some of his off-screen antics) on Sanford and Son

01:16

Jack Shea on problems between Redd Foxx and producers on Sanford and Son

01:51

Director Jack Shea on Redd Foxx and his comedy style and relationship with the cast of Sanford and Son

03:22

Jack Shea on Redd Foxx falling ill on the set of The Royal Family

02:54

Jack Shea on directing The Royal Family starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese

01:21

Richard Thomas

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Jack Shea on working with the cast of The Waltons - Richard Thomas

00:49

Rick Schroder

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Jack Shea on working with Rick Schroeder on Silver Spoons

01:39

Roxie Roker

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Roxie Roker ("Helen Willis")

00:32

Rue McClanahan

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Jack Shea on working with the ensemble of The Golden Girls: Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty

01:59

Sandy Duncan

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Jack Shea on working with Sandy Duncan on The Hogan Family

00:16

Sherman Hemsley

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Jack Shea The Jeffersons' Sherman Hemsley ("George Jefferson")

00:41

Jack Shea on directing Good Behavior starring Sherman Hemsley

00:54

Sherwood Schwartz

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Jack Shea on working with Sherwood Schwartz

00:17

Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver

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Jack Shea on meeting Pat Weaver

00:34

Whitman Mayo

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Jack Shea on the cast of Sanford and Son - Whitman Mayo

00:40

Will Geer

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Jack Shea on working with the cast of The Waltons - Will Geer

01:17

Zara Cully

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Jack Shea on The Jeffersons' Zara Cully ("Mother Jefferson")

00:55