Aaron Ruben
Writer/ Producer/ Director
About This Interview
Aaron Ruben (1914-2010) was interviewed for four-and-a-half hours in Beverly Hills, CA. Ruben discussed his start as a radio writer for many popular stars including Dinah Shore, Burns and Allen, Fred Allen, Henry Morgan, and Milton Berle. He talked about the first time he worked in television on The Sam Levenson Show with writer Selma Diamond, and his television directorial debut on The Phil Silvers Show. In 1960, he produced his first television show, The Andy Griffith Show. Mr. Ruben talked about other television shows he produced including Gomer Pyle, USMC (which he also created), CPO Sharkey, Sanford and Son, and his work writing for Matlock. He also discussed his long-time philanthropic work with at-risk children. The interview was conducted by Morrie Gelman on February 25, 1999.
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Embeddable video clip: Aaron Ruben on his proudest achievement -- giving structure to The Andy Griffith Show
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Highlights
Aaron Ruben on his proudest career achievemet -- structuring The Andy Griffith Show
Clip begins at: 05:30, Duration: 00m 54s- Aaron Ruben on the legacy of The Andy Griffith Show and on his favorite episode "Opie the Birdman"
Clip begins at: 26:15, Duration: 04m 01s 
Aaron Ruben on the multi-faceted skills of a good producer, what makes a good story "is a good story"
Clip begins at: 20:28, Duration: 01m 47s- Aaron Ruben on first seeing Don Knotts' "nervous man" routine; how important he was for The Andy Griffith Show as Barney Fife
Clip begins at: 22:33, Duration: 03m 16s 
Aaron Ruben on why "Gomer Pyle" didn't go to Vietnam and why there were no African-American's in Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show
Clip begins at: 21:02, Duration: 02m 07s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his early years and education growing up in Chicago; on his interest in acting and comedy
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On beginning his career in radio; writing for Wally Brown, Burns & Allen, and Fred Allen
Clip begins at: 18:08 - Part 2
- On writing for Fred Allen's radio show
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On writing for Milton Berle's radio show
Clip begins at: 12:00 - On his first TV writing job for The Sam Levenson Show
Clip begins at: 19:43 - On transitioning to television writing from radio
Clip begins at: 22:42 - Part 3
- On working with Selma Diamond; on working on Caesar's Hour with Sid Caesar, other writers on that show
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On the Blacklist and being subpoenaed to testify
Clip begins at: 13:24 - On working on The Phil Silvers Show with Nat Hiken
Clip begins at: 17:58 - Part 4
- On working on with Neil Simon
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On first joining The Andy Griffith Show, which he saw as a pilot; on executive producer Sheldon Leonard; on first meeting Andy Griffith; on Don Knotts; on Ron Howard; on Jim Nabors
Clip begins at: 01:54 - Part 5
- On casting Jim Nabors on The Andy Griffith Show; the production of The Andy Griffith Show and its sponsors; on the legacy of The Andy Griffith Show
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On creating and producing Gomer Pyle, USMC
Clip begins at: 10:25 - On his one feature film The Comic; on starting on Sanford and Son
Clip begins at: 24:35 - Part 6
- On developing, casting, and producing Sanford & Son
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On various projects for television
Clip begins at: 19:39 - On creating and producing CPO Sharkey starring Don Rickles
Clip begins at: 25:12 - Part 7
- On CPO Sharkey; on dealing with networks; on Don Rickles
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On various short-lived programs he worked on
Clip begins at: 04:05 - On producing The Ted Knight Show (Too Close for Comfort after it went to syndication); and Ted Knight's death
Clip begins at: 16:23 - On writing for Matlock; looking back at the CBS "rural purge" when Mayberry was canceled; starting to volunteer with children
Clip begins at: 18:45 - Part 8
- On his charitable work; on his last pilot pitch
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his proudest achievement; on the changes in television since he began; his advice to aspiring writers; on his favorite episode of The Andy Grifith Show
Clip begins at: 05:18 - Part 9
- On "Opie the Birdman" (cont.); on how he'd like to be remembered; on helping children; on television writing as it was done on The Andy Griffith Show
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On some of the people he worked with throughout his career including George Burns (and his genius at being a straight man), Ed Wynn, Dick Van Dyke, and others
Clip begins at: 13:15 - Part 10
- On his family
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On some photos illustrating various highlights in his career
Clip begins at: 06:11
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I would really appreciate the efforts you all have made here to make this page more informative. Thanks again. That is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied.
They have a strong understanding of the format and are devoted to the production process. They review scripts and take directions from stage managers and producers. -Arthur van der Vant
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