Interview Kevin Bright In his three-hour interview, Kevin Bright discusses his childhood in New York City, and his father, Vaudeville comedian turned talent manager, Jackie Bright. He talks about attending Emerson College, and, after graduation, working for producers Joseph and Gilbert Cate and producing David...
Interview Diane English In her two-and-a-half hour Archive interview, Diane English discusses her upbringing in Buffalo, New York, where she first worked as an English and drama teacher before moving to New York City to pursue a career in playwriting. She describes how she instead landed her first industry job at public...
Interview Hugh Hefner with Emerson College In his forty-five minute interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Hugh Hefner talks about his connection to humor, and his friendships with comedians like Lenny Bruce and Don Adams. He describes having comedians on his early talk show Playboy’s Penthouse , as well as breaking...
Interview Pat Harrington, Jr. with Emerson College In his ninety-minute interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Pat Harrington, Jr. (1929-2016) talks about his father Pat Harrington, and his career on stage. He recalls meeting Jonathan Winters, which led to several shots on Tonight Starring Jack Paar . He talks about...
Interview Shelley Berman with Emerson College In his two-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Shelley Berman (1925-2017) talks about his early career, and recording his first comedy album, “Inside Shelley Berman.” He describes learning how to deal with an audience as a stand-up comedian, and the tools of their...
Interview Dick Gregory with Emerson College In his two-and-a-half-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Dick Gregory (1932-2017) talks extensively about the history of racism in America, and on his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement. He recalls his groundbreaking appearances on Tonight Starring Jack Paar...
Interview Doug Herzog with Emerson College In his one-hour-and-ten-minute interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Doug Herzog talks about his time at Emerson College, and the early influence of Saturday Night Live . He describes his early career working at CNN on the daily talk series People Now , as well as...
Interview Ed Begley, Jr. with Emerson College In his one-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Ed Begley, Jr. talks about being cast on St. Elsewhere , and recalls his father, Ed Begley, Sr. allowing him to make the choice to be an actor. He recounts realizing he had a flair for comedy at a young age, as well as...
Interview Gary Owens with Emerson College In his two-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Gary Owens (1934-2015) talks about his early career beginning on radio and later drawing a comic strip. He describes working on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In , and working with that cast including Lily Tomlin and Goldie...
Interview Jack Riley with Emerson College In his one-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Jack Riley (1924-2016) talks about his early years and performing sketches in college. He recalls his first job in television, as a writer for The Don Rickles Show , and how he has dealt with managers and agents over his...