Jack LaLanne

Fitness Show Host
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his two-hour interview, Jack LaLanne (1914-2011) speaks about his youth as a gawky teenager, and how his interest in bodybuilding transformed him into an internationally-known fitness guru. He chronicles the founding of his gym and the creation and development of his syndicated Jack LaLanne Show. He talks about the production and format of the long-running show as well as the origins of many of its signature elements and marketing promotions. LaLanne also discusses his guest appearances on other series including The Ed Sullivan Show and You Bet Your Life. B-roll consists of a personal tour of his home gym as well as some of the first bodybuilding machines he invented. Also included on the b-roll is a short stand-up interview with his wife (and co-producer) Elaine LaLanne. Karen Herman conducted the interview on September 12, 2003 in Morro Bay, CA.

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

"When I'm serious, I get very serious. When I live, I live for keeps.  I tear the grass in great big heaps. Hey, to that person out there, pull your gut in! Straighten up!"

People Talking About ...
Jack LaLanne
Highlights
Jack LaLanne on his childhood sugar addiction and learning about nutrition
03:42
Jack LaLanne on the success of his power juicer
02:15
Jack LaLanne on censorship on The Jack LaLanne Show and words he could not say; on how standards have changed over the years
02:11
Jack LaLanne on his wardrobe on The Jack LaLanne Show
00:36
Jack LaLanne on doing a voiceover on The Simpsons
00:37
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On his early years and influences; on his sugar addiction as a child; on his early interest in physical fitness and his plan to be a doctor
On his early television appearances; on starting his gym, Jack LaLanne Physical Culture Studio, in the 1930s and recruiting student clients
On developing his first TV series in San Francisco; on moving to Hollywood to go national

Chapter 2
On starting his television show in 1951; on developing his own products; on music and censorship on The Jack LaLanne Show
On production, wardrobe, and syndication of The Jack LaLanne Show

Chapter 3
On his show going off the air in 1985; on his guest appearances on other series; on the success of his power juicer and filming infomercials
On being a television spokesperson for the Dorr Arthritis Institute; on watching television
On his advice to fitness professionals; on how he'd like to be remembered
On photos illustrating his career; with his wife Elaine in their gym at home

Chapter 4
Jack and Elaine LaLanne give a tour of their gym; on working out and their work together; on machines he invented
Elaine LaLanne on her duties on The Jack LaLanne Show; on her favorite Jack LaLanne story
Shows

Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

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Jack LaLanne on appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show
00:17

Here's Lucy

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Jack LaLanne on appearing on Here's Lucy with Lucille Ball
01:00

Jack LaLanne Show, The

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Jack LaLanne on the start of The Jack LaLanne Show in 1951
02:34
Jack LaLanne on developing his own products and promoting them on The Jack LaLanne Show
02:20
Jack LaLanne on the music on The Jack LaLanne Show and keeping the show entertaining and interesting
02:40
Jack LaLanne on censorship on The Jack LaLanne Show and words he could not say; on how standards have changed over the years
02:11
Jack LaLanne on the opening of The Jack LaLanne Show and what the announcer said
01:26
Jack LaLanne on the importance of faith on The Jack LaLanne Show
02:33
Jack LaLanne on having dogs and children on The Jack LaLanne Show
01:30
Jack LaLanne on television critics' and viewer responses to The Jack LaLanne Show
00:42
Jack LaLanne on the production of The Jack LaLanne Show
01:09
Jack LaLanne on his wardrobe on The Jack LaLanne Show
00:36
Jack LaLanne on the first broadcast of The Jack LaLanne Show  
01:56
Jack LaLanne on wanting to help and motivate people through The Jack LaLanne Show
05:02
Jack LaLanne on live TV mishaps and working on live TV with The Jack LaLanne Show
00:27
Jack LaLanne on syndicating The Jack LaLanne Show
03:14
Jack LaLanne on The Jack LaLanne Show going off the air in 1985
00:44
Jack LaLanne on a photo of him on The Jack LaLanne Show
00:15
Elaine LaLanne on her duties on The Jack LaLanne Show
04:43

Simpsons, The

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Jack LaLanne on doing a voiceover on The Simpsons
00:37

You Asked For It

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Jack LaLanne on appearing on You Asked For It after breaking the world record for push-ups
00:24

You Bet Your Life

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Jack LaLanne on appearing on You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx
00:41
Topics

Advice

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Jack LaLanne on his advice to aspiring television fitness professionals
02:07

Bloopers

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Jack LaLanne on live TV mishaps and working on live TV with The Jack LaLanne Show
00:27

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Jack LaLanne on censorship on The Jack LaLanne Show and words he could not say; on how standards have changed over the years
02:11

Criticism of TV

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Jack LaLanne on television critics' and viewer responses to The Jack LaLanne Show
00:42

Television Industry

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Jack LaLanne on syndicating The Jack LaLanne Show
03:14
Jack LaLanne on censorship on The Jack LaLanne Show and words he could not say; on how standards have changed over the years
02:11
Jack LaLanne on television critics' and viewer responses to The Jack LaLanne Show
00:42
Jack LaLanne on his advice to aspiring television fitness professionals
02:07
Genres

Service Shows

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Jack LaLanne on the early years of The Jack LaLanne Show
28:29
People

Arnold Schwarzenegger

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Jack LaLanne on friend and fellow fitness enthusiast Arnold Schwarzenegger
00:22

Bonnie Hunt

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Jack LaLanne on appearing on Life With Bonnie
00:17

Groucho Marx

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Jack LaLanne on appearing on You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx
00:41

Jack LaLanne

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Elaine LaLanne on her favorite Jack LaLanne story
01:57

Lucille Ball

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Jack LaLanne on appearing on Here's Lucy with Lucille Ball
01:00
Jack LaLanne on a photo with Lucille Ball
00:27

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