Bob Elliott

In his one-hour-and-forty-five-minute interview, Bob Elliott (1923-2016) talks about his early experiences in radio in the wake of World War II and working for radio station WHDH in Boston. He recalls meeting Ray Goulding at the radio station and developing their "Bob and Ray" act, which was quickly translated to local, and later, national television. He outlines Bob and Ray's hugely successful Peil's Beer television and radio advertising campaign, which led to dozens of other commercial endorsements over the years. He discusses "Bob and Ray's" Broadway show, in which many of their most famous characters were honed, and speaks of his and Goulding's multiple TV talk show appearances, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and Late Night with David Letterman (on which his son Chris Elliott worked as a writer and on-air talent). Elliott discusses how he worked and developed his act with Ray Goulding, and recalls appearing on Newhart, Happy Days, and Trapper John, M.D. He talks about being a regular on his son Chris Elliott's groundbreaking cult sitcom, Get a Life, and recalls the longevity of the comedy of "Bob and Ray." Karen Herman conducted the interview on June 19, 2011 in Harrisville, ME.