Dr. Ruth Westheimer

Host


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

Tab

About
About this interview

In her nearly two-hour interview, Dr. Ruth Westheimer (1928-2024) talks about her early years growing up in Germany until the start of World War II. She discusses her eventual move to the United States, where she studied sociology and soon developed a strong interest in studying sexuality. She recalls her first foray into radio, which led to her own series, and her television work on such series as Good Sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer/The Dr. Ruth Show, and Ask Dr. Ruth. Allan Neuwirth conducted the interview on June 14, 2010 in New York, NY.

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

"I said to Johnny Carson: 'Mr. Carson, you are responsible for the problems Americans have in their bedroom.' And Johnny Carson said, 'me?  How come?' I said 'because they stay up to watch you and then they are too tired!"

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on being a guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; on crediting her popularity with college students to David Letterman
01:06
Dr Ruth Westheimer on her start in television hosting; on how she came to be called "Dr. Ruth"
02:40
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her series Good Sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer; on the language she chose to use in her work; on how sex is perceived in various cultures
11:51
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her legacy
01:00
Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1

Introduction
On her early years growing up in Germany; on the start of World War II and her experiences during the Holocaust; on living in an orphanage in Switzerland; on her education; on moving to Israel and working as a teacher
On emigrating to the United States; on her marriage to Fred Westheimer
On getting her masters in sociology and beginning her work at Planned Parenthood where she developed an interest in sex as a research subject; on receiving her doctorate from Columbia University; on the state of sex education at the time; on working with noted sex researcher Helen Singer Kaplan
On her start in radio (as the host of Sexually Speaking); on her philosophy on sex education
On her start in television hosting; on how she came to be called "Dr. Ruth"

Chapter 2

On being a guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; on crediting her popularity with college students to David Letterman; on starring in the 1990 unsold comedy pilot Dr. Ruth's House  
On her series Dr. Ruth; on her books; on the AIDS epidemic; on some of the controversy around her teachings
On her series Good Sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer; on the language she chose to use in her work; on how sex is perceived in various cultures
On You're on the Air with Dr. Ruth Westheimer; on her guest appearance on Quantum Leap; on her other television appearances; on her legacy
On her then-current documentary projects; on her non-television work and her personal passions
Shows

Dr. Ruth

View Show Page
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her series Dr. Ruth
03:35

Dr. Ruth's House

View Show Page
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on starring in the 1990 unsold comedy pilot Dr. Ruth's House 
01:39

Good Sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer

View Show Page
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her series Good Sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer; on the language she chose to use in her work; on how sex is perceived in various cultures
11:51

Late Night with David Letterman

View Show Page
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on being a guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; on crediting her popularity with college students to David Letterman
01:06

Quantum Leap

View Show Page
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her guest appearance on Quantum Leap
00:43

Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

View Show Page
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on being a guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; on crediting her popularity with college students to David Letterman
01:06

You're On the Air With Dr. Ruth Westheimer

View Show Page
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her series You're On the Air With Dr. Ruth Westheimer
02:58
Topics

Characters & Catchphrases

View Topic
Dr Ruth Westheimer on her start in television hosting; on how she came to be called "Dr. Ruth"
02:40
Genres

Service Shows

View Genre
Dr Ruth Westheimer on her start in television hosting; on how she came to be called "Dr. Ruth"
02:40
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on her series Good Sex with Dr. Ruth Westheimer; on the language she chose to use in her work; on how sex is perceived in various cultures
11:51
People

Fred Silverman

View Interview Page
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on starring in the 1990 unsold comedy pilot Dr. Ruth's House 
01:59

Johnny Carson

View Person Page
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on being a guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; on crediting her popularity with college students to David Letterman
01:06

All Interviews

S