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Allison Janney on memorization's place in acting

Allison Janney on her role in Alan Ball's film "American Beauty"

Allison Janney on her West Wing character, "C.J. Cregg"

Allison Janney on working with The West Wing creator, Aaron Sorkin

Allison Janney on auditioning for The West Wing

Allison Janney on her early days on The West Wing and the show taking off

Allison Janney on her knowledge of politics when cast on The West Wing

Allison Janney on getting invested in her West Wing character, "C.J. Cregg" 

Allison Janney on her West Wing character, "C.J. Cregg", and what she brought to the role

Allison Janney on her West Wing character, "C.J. Cregg's" backstory and strengths 

Allison Janney on working with The West Wing creator, Aaron Sorkin

Allison Janney on working with The West Wing director, Thomas Schlamme

Allison Janney on her West Wing character, "C.J. Cregg, and what she brought to the role

Allison Janney on her West Wing character, "C.J. Cregg, and what she brought to the role

Allison Janney on her West Wing character, "C.J. Cregg"

Allison Janney on her West Wing character, "C.J. Cregg"

On her childhood and early influences; on the influence that TV had upon her at a young age, including The Ed Sullivan Show; on her first professional job as a dancer; on moving to New York; on her Tony nomination for "West Side Story"; on winning a Drama Desk Award

On her education at Howard University; on her first television role on Good Times; on working on children's show, Captain Kangaroo; on being cast as "Nan" in Roots: The Next Generations; on her role in the movie Fame; on the transition to her role on the TV show of the same name; on her character "Lydia Grant" in Fame; on how the TV show version of Fame differed from the film; on the craft of choreography for television, stage and film; on doing the choreography for the TV show, Fame; on the shooting schedule and locations for the show

On a typical week filming Fame; on juggling her various roles on the show; on the dance numbers in Fame each week; on challenging episodes of Fame; on the various talents of the cast of Fame; on the link between the shows Fame and Glee; on how her life changed as Fame became more popular; on restrictions and taboo subjects on Fame; on subjects covered on Fame including the "60's" episode and the homage to Hair

On when she started directing Fame for the episode "Lisa's Ghost"; on being the first African-American woman to direct scripted prime time television; on dealing with discrimination and sexism working as a choreographer and director; on becoming co-executive producer on Fame; on why the show ended; on the impact of the show; on the reality show based on Fame; on her role and impressions of the re-make of the film Fame; on why Fame still resonates with people three decades later; on her influence over arts programs in schools and the creation of performing arts schools around the world

On becoming a producer and director of A Different World; on how she made the show relevant to the times

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Debbie Allen on working on Good Times, her first television role

Debbie Allen on working on Captain Kangaroo

Debbie Allen on the impact of Roots; on being cast as "Nan" in Roots: The Next Generations

Debbie Allen on being cast in the TV show Fame

Debbie Allen on the link between TV shows, Fame and Glee

Debbie Allen on producing and directing A Different World