Norman Lear with Emerson College

Writer / Producer / Director


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his one-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Norman Lear (1922-2023) talks about his early years at Emerson College and his time in the television business, and recalls some significant lessons and memories throughout his career. He talks in depth about the healing power of laughter and about how comedy is an excellent vehicle for social change. He discusses some of his career highs and lows, and talks about his experience working on shows such as All in the Family, The Colgate Comedy Hour, and The Martha Raye Show. He also gives advice on how to maintain creative integrity in the business-savvy television industry, and comments on the rarity of true talent. Lear speaks about how a sense of humor can be sharpened but not acquired, and talks about how he gets inspiration for the comedy in his shows and characters. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on May 26, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA. 

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

"Laughter is an intravenous -- instead of sticking it in the vein, causing people to think while they're laughing, it's the intravenous of messaging through laughter."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
03:46
Norman Lear on how a storyline on Good Times came about and how television can be a teaching tool
00:53
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
03:53
Norman Lear on comedy as a tool for survival and laughter as a way to get messages across
01:43
Norman Lear on why he decided to pursue a career in television and the joys of working in television
01:41
Norman Lear on advice to those getting into comedy
01:56
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On attending Emerson College; on where he was on December 7, 1941 and on his time in the army; on comedy as a tool for survival and laughter as a way to get messages across; on why he decided to pursue a career in television and the joys of working in TV; on spreading messages in the television he's done and on not speaking up about something on The Colgate Comedy Hour; on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs; on he and Bill Dana's early years getting to know each other, socializing with Imogene Coca and others; on Danny Thomas and David Susskind being instrumental to the start of his career
On he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue; on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show; on the importance of knowing comedy legends who came before you; on a party the night The Colgate Comedy Hour concluded in New York; on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana; on maintaining creative integrity while navigating the business of television; on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family; on crafting who the characters were in All in the Family; on comparisons between a controversial kiss on The Martha Raye Show and the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family
On his creative process; on the healing power of comedy and laughter; on the incident that led to Norman Cousins writing Anatomy of an Illness; on exploring tough themes through comedy and contributing to PSAs about voting
On the business of show business; on whether good writing can be taught; on advice to those getting into comedy; on what makes people laugh; on being happy with his career -- and it was worth it; on needing more laughter today; on what he's most proud of; on a piece of wisdom - the jacket with two pockets
Shows

All in the Family

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Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
03:46
Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family
01:20
Norman Lear on crafting who the characters were in All in the Family
01:01
Norman Lear on comparisons between a controversial kiss on The Martha Raye Show and the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family
00:32
Norman Lear on educational tools learned when exploring the storyline of Edith Bunker's almost-rape on All in the Family
00:30

All in the Family: "Sammy's Visit"

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Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
03:46
Norman Lear on comparisons between a controversial kiss on The Martha Raye Show and the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family
00:32

Colgate Comedy Hour, The

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Norman Lear on spreading messages in the television he's done and on not speaking up about something on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:39
Norman Lear on a party the night The Colgate Comedy Hour concluded in New York
02:00
Norman Lear on originally being unhappy when Jerry Lewis broke the fourth wall on The Colgate Comedy Hour
01:42

Ford Star Revue

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Norman Lear on he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue
00:56

Good Times

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Norman Lear on how a storyline on Good Times came about and how television can be a teaching tool
00:53

Martha Raye Show, The

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Norman Lear on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs
01:05
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
03:53
Norman Lear on comparisons between a controversial kiss on The Martha Raye Show and the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family
00:32
Topics

Advertising and Sponsorship

View Topic
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
03:53
Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family
01:20

Advice

View Topic
Norman Lear on advice to those getting into comedy
01:56

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family
01:20

Emmy Awards

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Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
03:46

First Big Break

View Topic
Norman Lear on he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue
00:56

Historic Events and Social Change

View Topic
Norman Lear on where he was on December 7, 1941 and on his time in the army
03:10

Memorable Moments on Television

View Topic
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
03:46

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Norman Lear on he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue
00:56

Television Industry

View Topic
Norman Lear on why he decided to pursue a career in television and the joys of working in television
01:41
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
03:53
Norman Lear on maintaining creative integrity while navigating the business of television
02:49
Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family
01:20
Norman Lear on the business of show business
03:24
Norman Lear on advice to those getting into comedy
01:56

War

View Topic
Norman Lear on where he was on December 7, 1941 and on his time in the army
03:10

We Laughed

View Topic
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
03:46

World War II

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Norman Lear on where he was on December 7, 1941 and on his time in the army
03:10
Professions

Writers

View Profession
Norman Lear on his creative process
05:22
Norman Lear on whether good writing can be taught
01:41
Norman Lear on advice to those getting into comedy
01:55
Norman Lear on what makes people laugh
00:58
Genres

Comedy Series

View Genre
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
03:46
Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family and on crafting the characters
02:21
Norman Lear on how storylines on Good Times and All in the Family came about and how television can be a teaching tool
01:23

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Norman Lear on spreading messages in the television he's done and on not speaking up about something on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:39
Norman Lear on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs
01:05
Norman Lear on he and Ed Simmons beginning their career writing for Ford Star Revue
00:56
Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show and why the show got canceled
03:53
Norman Lear on originally being unhappy when Jerry Lewis broke the fourth wall on The Colgate Comedy Hour
01:42
People

Bill Dana

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Norman Lear on Bill Dana running errands for The Martha Raye Show and on Dana and Lear's early years getting to know each other
05:35
Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
03:47

Bud Yorkin

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Norman Lear on a party the night The Colgate Comedy Hour concluded in New York
02:00

Charles Revson

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Norman Lear on controversial television moments on The Martha Raye Show
03:53

Danny Thomas

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Norman Lear on Danny Thomas and David Susskind being instrumental to the start of his career
00:52

David Geffen

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Norman Lear on a story David Geffen told him
00:25

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr

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Norman Lear on a controversial moment on The Martha Raye Show
02:32

Ed Simmons

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Norman Lear on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs
01:05

Imogene Coca

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Norman Lear on he and Bill Dana's early years getting to know each other, socializing with Imogene Coca and others
04:14

Jerry Lewis

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Norman Lear on spreading messages in the television he's done and on not speaking up about something on The Colgate Comedy Hour
02:39

Jerry Perenchio

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Norman Lear on the business of show business
02:10
Norman Lear on the business of show business and the creativity of Jerry Perenchio
00:49

John Rich

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Norman Lear on a party the night The Colgate Comedy Hour concluded in New York
02:00

Martha Raye

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Norman Lear on controversial moments on The Martha Raye Show
03:53

Neil Simon

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Norman Lear on the writing teams on early television and early writing staffs
01:05

Norman Cousins

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Norman Lear and Bill Dana on the incident that led to Norman Cousins writing Anatomy of an Illness
01:29

Sammy Davis, Jr.

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Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana
03:47

Sid Caesar

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Norman Lear on tense moments between Nick Condos and Sid Caesar
02:44

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