If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get your personal finances in order, you won’t want to miss this insightful interview with finance guru Suze Orman!
The Archive of American Television recently sat down with Suze Orman (television host, financial adviser, and yes, former roommate of John Belushi) for a three-hour interview, discussing everything from her family motto, “An Orman never gives up”, to suing Merrill Lynch; from becoming Vice President of Investments at Prudential Bache Securities, to creating The Suze Orman Show on CNBC.
Below are just a few highlights from the interview:
It could be argued that Letterman’s “Stupid Human Tricks”, sketches with Rupert from the deli across from The Late Show studio, and Leno’s “Jaywalking” segment can all be traced back to Mr. Steve Allen. Allen was, after all, the original host of The Tonight Show, the nationally-networked show born out of the locally-produced Steve Allen Show that Allen started in 1953. The Tonight Show, or Tonight! as it was originally titled, was America’s first foray into national, late-night programming, and Steve Allen’s gift for ad-libbing and performing were perfectly matched for the setting and the time period.
Allen left The Tonight Show in 1957 to concentrate on his prime-time program, again called The Steve Allen Show, which he had hosted since 1956 (that’s the show on which Elvis performed “Hound Dog”). In 1961 the show went from NBC to ABC, retitled as The New Steve Allen Show, and lasted one final season. He then hosted a syndicated program that aired in late-night, The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show, which was a particular favorite of a young David Letterman during his college years. The program ran from 1962-64, and was by Allen’s account, “the wildest talk show ever done.” It was on The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show that Allen’s pranks and sketches, some of which he developed on his earlier programs, really blossomed.
In his 1997 Archive Interview, Allen recalls the origins of The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show:
Describes a memorable elephant tug-of-war sketch:
Discusses the giant tea-tank bit (later recreated by David Letterman):
And details how he began his prank/funny phone calls:
Late-night today is infused with the legacy of Allen’s sketches. Who’s got a “Stupid Pet Trick” to show off?
Happy birthday, Roger Ebert! Ebert has enjoyed a long and impressive career as one of America’s leading film critics, beginning with his role as critic for the Chicago-Sun Times and subsequently as co-host of a local Chicago TV show reviewing movies with fellow critic Gene Siskel (a show which became the nationally syndicated Siskel & Ebert at the Movies). After the death of Gene Siskel, Ebert co-hosted another review show, Ebert & Roeper at the Movies with Richard Roeper. Ebert has written over a dozen books, won a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (the first ever awarded to a film critic), and survived several near-brushes with death for the treatment and after-effects of thyroid cancer. He’s persevered through the many ups and downs, and today is still reviewing films, puts on a yearly film festival, Ebertfest, and is quite the social media guru, with a popular blog and entertaining daily Tweets.
Siskel and Ebert coined one of the most memorable terms in all of media criticism. In his 2005 Archive interview, Ebert details the importance of film criticism and reveals how the pair came up with their catchphrase “two thumbs up”:
The Archive remembers Richard Dawson today, who passed away on Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 at the age of 79. Dawson was the long-time host of the game-show Family Feud, where he coined the famous phrase “survey says,” and from 1965-1971 played “Corporal Peter Newkirk” on Hogan’s Heroes.
Here are some selections from Dawson’s 2010 Archive Interview:
On how he got into show business:
On the beginnings of Family Feud:
On kissing the contestants on Family Feud:
On the cancellation of Family Feud:
On Corporal Newkirk’s accent on Hogan’s Heroes:
Watch Richard Dawson’s full Archive interview here.
A very special someone celebrates a birthday today. The honorable King Friday XIII, ruler of Calendarland in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, is the birthday boy not only today, but every Friday the 13th! King Friday paid us a visit during our 1999 interview with Mr. Rogers and we learned how the King got his name:
Happy birthday, King Friday!!
Watch Fred Rogers’ full Archive interview for more in-depth looks at some of your favorite childhood puppets.
Today was the grand opening of PETA’s Bob Barker building, the new West Coast headquarters for the organization. The Sunset Boulevard building will house the youth outreach, media, marketing, and campaign departments.
Barker, who for decades recommended to viewers at the end of each Price is Right episode that they have their pets spayed and neutered, is a longtime supporter of animal rights. He donated $2.5 million dollars to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals for renovation of the new headquarters, the opening of which was touted today with a “red carpet, all vegan, dog-friendly” celebration which Barker attended.
In his Archive interview Barker discusses his dedication to animal rights and how he started his Price is Right plea to help control the pet population:
Watch Barker discuss his love of animals in his full Archive interview and learn more about today’s grand opening of the Bob Barker building here.
Presenters at tonight’s ceremony include: Gail Berman presenting to Mary-Ellis Bunim & Jonathan Murray, Garry Marshall presenting to Michael Eisner, Sofia Vergara presenting to Mario Kreutzberger, Walter Miller presenting to Bill Klages, Peter Roth presenting to Chuck Lorre, Doris Singleton presenting to Vivian Vance, and Barry & Stan Livingston presenting to William Frawley. Mary-Ellis Bunim, Vivian Vance and William Frawley will be inducted posthumously.
The Archive of American Television has conducted interviews with several of the new honorees, and with many of their colleagues. Below enjoy selections from Archive interviews with or touting this year’s Hall of Fame inductees:
Congratulations to all of the honorees!
More from our Featured Story on the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Inductees.
The Archive offers congratulations to America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh, who will receive the Governors Award at this Saturday’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The award honors “an individual, company or organization that has made a substantial impact and demonstrated the extraordinary use of television.” Walsh’s efforts are indeed exceptional: tips from viewers of America’s Most Wanted have led to the capture of over 1150 fugitives. Interviewed by The Archive of American Television in 2008, Walsh shares why he decided to host America’s Most Wanted after the kidnapping and unsolved murder of his young son, Adam:
In his Archive interview, John Walsh discusses his start in the hotel business and speaks openly about the kidnapping of his son, Adam. Walsh shares how he was approached by producers Linda Otto and Alan Landsburg to be involved with a television movie, Adam, based on Adam’s kidnapping and murder. The overwhelming, positive response to the movie led to a sequel, Adam: His Song Continues, and to Walsh and his wife becoming active in getting legislation passed to aid in the recovery of missing children. Walsh discusses his initial reluctance to hosting America’s Most Wanted, on the fledgling FOX network, but soon saw the huge potential of the show to assist in the capture of fugitives. He also briefly hosted a daytime talk show, The John Walsh Show, and continues to fight for the creation of a national DNA Database. Melody Chen conducted the one-hour interview on October 28, 2008 in North Hollywood, CA.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on why her show “Ask Dr. Ruth” was groundbreaking
Dr. Ruth Westheimer on why she avoided euphemisms on her shows
Full Interview description:
In her Archive interview, Dr. Ruth Westheimer 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. Dr. Ruth Westheimer was interviewed in New York, NY on June 14, 2010; Allan Neuwirth conducted the nearly two-hour interview.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get your personal finances in order, you won’t want to miss this insightful interview with finance guru Suze Orman!
