Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf

Bob Weiskopf was interviewed along with longtime collaborator Bob Schiller for four hours in Santa Monica, CA, consisting of two parts: three hours together and a half-hour with each alone. Individually, they each explained how they got their respective starts in the entertainment industry, and about the many famed radio shows and performers that they were associated with in their early careers, including "Duffy’s Tavern" (Schiller) and "The Fred Allen Show" (Weiskopf). Together, they remembered how they came to form their partnership, and the many early television projects for which they wrote. The duo spent a great deal of time recalling their years as staff writers on I Love Lucy (later The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour), and their collaboration on that show with Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, as well as the show’s stars. They looked back on the writing process for the show, and the events that took place behind the scenes each week.  Next, they talked about their work on such programs as The Lucy Show, The Red Skelton Show, The Carol Burnett Show  and The Flip Wilson Show. They recalled in detail their collaboration with producer Norman Lear on Maude, and the balance that was often required of them as writer/producers to find humor in dramatic situations. Later, they talked about their work on other Lear shows, including All in the Family, Archie Bunker’s Place, Sanford and Son   and Checking In.  Finally, they discussed their most recent work on various television projects and pilots, and their honor at being awarded the Writers Guild of America’s Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Achievement in 1988. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on April 4, 2000.