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Harvey Korman

Actor

"I'm getting more mail now than I ever have. That I really have impacted people's lives, that I have made people happier. That I have brought families together. That I have made a difference in their lives. I think that's maybe the most important."

About This Interview

Harvey Korman (1927-2008) was interviewed for three hours in Beverly Hills, CA, consisting of two parts: one-and-a-half hours with comedy partner Tim Conway, and one-and-a-half hours alone. Korman spoke about studying under actress Uta Hagen and talked about some of his earliest television roles.  He spoke thoughtfully about working with several legendary comics including Danny Kaye, Lucille Ball, and Jack Benny.  He and Tim Conway spoke in great detail about their years on The Carol Burnett Show, including descriptions of famous characters and sketches.  They also talked about their work in recent years touring the country with their two-man stage show.  Korman talked about headlining several short-lived series and his thoughts on being better suited as a second banana.  Additionally he spoke about his work as a voice actor, playing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones, and his feature film collaborations with Mel Brooks and Blake Edwards.  The interview was conducted by Jennifer Howard on April 20, 2004.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
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Shows

  • Alice in Wonderland (1985)
  • Bloopers and Practical Jokes
  • Bud and Lou
  • Carol & Company
  • Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-1978)
  • Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-1978): "Went with the Wind!" Sketch
  • Carol Burnett Special… Carol, Carl, Whoopi, & Robin, A
  • Danny Kaye Show The
  • Donna Reed Show, The
  • Dr. Kildare
  • Eunice
  • Flintstones, The
  • Golden Palace
  • Harvey Korman Show, The
  • Jack Benny Program, The
  • Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills
  • Love Boat, The
  • Lucy Show, The aka Here's Lucy
  • Mama's Family
  • Munsters, The
  • Muppet Show, The
  • Star Wars Holiday Special, The
  • Steve Allen Comedy Hour, The
  • Tim Conway Special, The

People

  • Steve Allen
  • Beatrice Arthur
  • Lucille Ball
  • Carol Burnett
  • Richard Chamberlain
  • Dick Clark
  • Tim Conway
  • Harvey Korman
  • Perry Lafferty
  • Vicki Lawrence
  • Bob Mackie
  • Carl Reiner
  • Sherwood Schwartz
  • Fred Silverman
  • Dick Van Dyke
  • Betty White

Topics

  • Characters & Catchphrases
  • Emmy Awards
  • Memorable Moments on Television
  • We Laughed

Professions

  • Performers

Resources

Tim Conway & Harvey Korman DVD

DVD: This Archive interview is available on DVD.

Tim Conway & Harvey Korman Archive of American Television Interview

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Highlights

  • Harvey Korman on the highlight of his career - working with Tim Conway <br/>Harvey Korman on the highlight of his career - working with Tim Conway
    Clip begins at: 10:45, Duration: 00m 48s
  • Harvey Korman on studying acting with Uta HagenHarvey Korman on studying acting with Uta Hagen
    Clip begins at: 11:40, Duration: 02m 20s
  • Harvey Korman on how he'd like to be remembered <br/>Harvey Korman on how he'd like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 12:01, Duration: 01m 06s
  • Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on <i>The Flintstones</i>Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones
    Clip begins at: 19:05, Duration: 03m 32s
  • Harvey Korman on joining <i>The Danny Kaye Show <br/></i>Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show
    Clip begins at: 22:37, Duration: 04m 48s

Interview

  • Part 1
  • On his early influences; on being an introverted child; on his childhood in Chicago; on his early interest in vaudeville performers; on wanting to be an actor; on his recollections of the Chicago School of Television; on moving to New York City; on studying acting with Uta Hagen; on doing a play written by Sherwood Schwartz
    Clip begins at: 0:17
  • On his first time on television; on appearing on The Donna Reed Show and on Dr. Kildare; on The Blacklist; on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones; on joining The Danny Kaye Show; on Carol Burnett; on the format of The Danny Kaye Show;
    Clip begins at: 16:06
  • Part 2
  • On working with Danny Kaye and Red Skelton; on The Jack Benny Program; on working on The Lucy Show, The Munsters, and directing some of The Steve Allen Comedy Hour; on working with Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles; on Madeline Kahn
    Clip begins at: 0:17
  • On The Love Boat; on The Harvey Korman Show; on the TV Movie Bud and Lou; on The Star Wars Holiday Special; on working on Pink Panthe r films with Blake Edwards
    Clip begins at: 17:02
  • Part 3
  • On playing the White King in Alice in Wonderland; on Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills; on working with Cloris Leachman on The Nutt House; on the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin
    Clip begins at: 0:5
  • On touring with Tim Conway; on the longevity of his career; on the highlight of his career; on his first impression of Tim Conway; on how he'd like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 07:24
  • Part 4
  • START OF JOINT INTERVIEW with Tim Conway and Harvey Korman: On how the pair first met; on a "Harvey Korman-type" - a straight man; on Korman's first appearance on The Carol Burnett Show; on the atmosphere Carol Burnett created on set; on the evolution of the show
    Clip begins at: 0:41
  • On a production week on The Carol Burnett Show; on out-takes from the show; on a sketch that bombed; on the show's audience; on how Tim Conway became a regular on the show; on Conway writing sketches for Korman; on Conway's improvisations; on audiences loving when Korman breaks up
    Clip begins at: 08:12
  • On a successful detective sketch; on a vasectomy sketch; on Carol Burnett's "Judy Garland sketch;" on their contributions to sketches; on the show's writers; on the importance of music on the show; on Bob Mackie; on Carol Burnett and her husband Joe Hamilton
    Clip begins at: 19:16
  • Part 5
  • On the cast and guest stars of The Carol Burnett Show; on becoming a comedy team; on famous characters they've portrayed - "Mr. Tudball"; on the dentist sketch; on "Carol and Sis," "F. Lee Bunny;" on "The Old Man" and Conway's physical comedy talents
    Clip begins at: 0:15
  • On working with directors on the show; on their spoofs of movies and shows; on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show; on The Little Foxes sketch; on the show's writing; on Korman leaving the show; on not being "stars;"
    Clip begins at: 17:29
  • Part 6
  • On the end of The Carol Burnett Show; on the final episode; on Korman returning for the last show; on Carol & Company; on the first reunion special of The Carol Burnett Show; on the legacy of The Carol Burnett Show; on directing Eunice; on Mama's Family; on The Tim Conway Special
    Clip begins at: 0:17
  • On Dorf's Family Stump; on Tim and Harvey in the Great Outdoors; on guest appearances on Golden Palace; on their live comedy show; on their success as a comedy team; on being inducted into the TV Hall of Fame; on winning an Emmy and Conway not being present at the ceremony; on stories about Harvey Korman; on Bloopers and Practical Jokes
    Clip begins at: 13:24

Shows

  • Alice in Wonderland (1985)
    • Harvey Korman on playing the White King in Alice in Wonderland
      Clip begins at: 00:05, Duration: 01m 35s
  • Bloopers and Practical Jokes
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Korman getting tricked on Bloopers and Practical Jokes
      Clip begins at: 25:18, Duration: 04m 41s
  • Bud and Lou
    • Harvey Korman on the TV Movie Bud and Lou
      Clip begins at: 20:15, Duration: 04m 18s
  • Carol & Company
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Carol & Company
      Clip begins at: 04:08, Duration: 00m 46s
  • Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-1978)
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 02:34, Duration: 00m 15s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on their first appearances on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 02:49, Duration: 27m 02s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast and guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 00:15, Duration: 04m 24s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on some memorable characters they created
      Clip begins at: 10:32, Duration: 09m 12s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the end of The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 00:17, Duration: 03m 51s
  • Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-1978): "Went with the Wind!" Sketch
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 19:44, Duration: 00m 55s
  • Carol Burnett Special… Carol, Carl, Whoopi, & Robin, A
    • Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin
      Clip begins at: 05:37, Duration: 01m 47s
  • Danny Kaye Show The
    • Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show
      Clip begins at: 22:37, Duration: 04m 48s
    • Harvey Korman on the format of The Danny Kaye Show
      Clip begins at: 27:25, Duration: 01m 14s
    • Harvey Korman on being a "second banana" to Danny Kaye
      Clip begins at: 00:17, Duration: 02m 33s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on how they met - on The Danny Kaye Show
      Clip begins at: 01:09, Duration: 01m 25s
  • Donna Reed Show, The
    • Harvey Korman on his first TV appearance, on The Donna Reed Show
      Clip begins at: 16:06, Duration: 01m 29s
  • Dr. Kildare
    • Harvey Korman on appearing on Dr. Kildare
      Clip begins at: 17:52, Duration: 00m 41s
  • Eunice
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on directing Eunice
      Clip begins at: 07:42, Duration: 00m 49s
  • Flintstones, The
    • Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones
      Clip begins at: 19:05, Duration: 03m 32s
  • Golden Palace
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on appearing on Golden Palace
      Clip begins at: 14:53, Duration: 00m 54s
  • Harvey Korman Show, The
    • Harvey Korman on The Harvey Korman Show
      Clip begins at: 18:38, Duration: 01m 37s
  • Jack Benny Program, The
    • Harvey Korman on working on The Jack Benny Program
      Clip begins at: 03:19, Duration: 02m 13s
  • Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills
    • Harvey Korman on Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills
      Clip begins at: 01:40, Duration: 01m 46s
  • Love Boat, The
    • Harvey Korman on the pilot of The Love Boat
      Clip begins at: 17:02, Duration: 01m 36s
  • Lucy Show, The aka Here's Lucy
    • Harvey Korman on working on The Lucy Show
      Clip begins at: 05:32, Duration: 03m 23s
  • Mama's Family
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Mama's Family
      Clip begins at: 08:31, Duration: 01m 38s
  • Munsters, The
    • Harvey Korman on working on The Munsters
      Clip begins at: 08:55, Duration: 01m 28s
  • Muppet Show, The
    • Harvey Korman on guesting on The Muppet Show
      Clip begins at: 25:48, Duration: 00m 16s
  • Star Wars Holiday Special, The
    • Harvey Korman on The Star Wars Holiday Special
      Clip begins at: 24:33, Duration: 00m 38s
  • Steve Allen Comedy Hour, The
    • Harvey Korman on working on The Steve Allen Comedy Hour
      Clip begins at: 10:23, Duration: 02m 01s
  • Tim Conway Special, The
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Tim Conway Special
      Clip begins at: 10:09, Duration: 03m 15s

People

  • Steve Allen
    • Harvey Korman on working on The Steve Allen Comedy Hour
      Clip begins at: 10:23, Duration: 02m 01s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Steve Allen Show
      Clip begins at: 11:51, Duration: 00m 40s
  • Beatrice Arthur
    • Harvey Korman on The Star Wars Holiday Special with Bea Arthur
      Clip begins at: 24:33, Duration: 00m 38s
  • Lucille Ball
    • Harvey Korman on working on The Lucy Show
      Clip begins at: 05:32, Duration: 03m 23s
  • Jack Benny
    • Harvey Korman on working with Jack Benny
      Clip begins at: 03:19, Duration: 02m 13s
  • Jeff Bridges
    • Harvey Korman on Cloris Leachman
      Clip begins at: 04:18, Duration: 01m 19s
  • Mel Brooks
    • Harvey Korman on working with Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles
      Clip begins at: 12:36, Duration: 02m 38s
  • Carol Burnett
    • Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin
      Clip begins at: 05:37, Duration: 01m 47s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on their first appearances on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 02:49, Duration: 27m 02s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton
      Clip begins at: 27:22, Duration: 01m 34s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on how difficult it was to break up Carol Burnett
      Clip begins at: 08:51, Duration: 01m 41s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the end of The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 00:17, Duration: 03m 51s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Mama's Family
      Clip begins at: 08:31, Duration: 01m 38s
    • Harvey Korman on Carol Burnett wanting Korman for her new show
      Clip begins at: 24:24, Duration: 03m 01s
  • Richard Chamberlain
    • Harvey Korman on appearing on Dr. Kildare
      Clip begins at: 17:52, Duration: 00m 41s
  • Dick Clark
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Korman getting tricked on Bloopers and Practical Jokes
      Clip begins at: 25:18, Duration: 04m 41s
  • Tim Conway
    • Harvey Korman on touring with Tim Conway and the joy of working with him
      Clip begins at: 08:07, Duration: 03m 54s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on how Tim Conway became a regular on the show
      Clip begins at: 15:15, Duration: 00m 43s
  • Jackie Coogan
    • Harvey Korman on doing a play written by Sherwood Schwartz
      Clip begins at: 14:00, Duration: 02m 06s
  • Blake Edwards
    • Harvey Korman on working on Pink Panthe r films with Blake Edwards
      Clip begins at: 25:11, Duration: 03m 47s
  • Whoopi Goldberg
    • Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin
      Clip begins at: 05:37, Duration: 01m 47s
  • Fred Gwynne
    • Harvey Korman on working on The Munsters
      Clip begins at: 08:55, Duration: 01m 28s
  • Buddy Hackett
    • Harvey Korman on the TV Movie Bud and Lou
      Clip begins at: 20:15, Duration: 04m 18s
  • Uta Hagen
    • Harvey Korman on studying acting with Uta Hagen
      Clip begins at: 11:40, Duration: 02m 20s
  • Joe Hamilton
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on a sketch that bombed on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 11:54, Duration: 00m 53s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton
      Clip begins at: 27:22, Duration: 01m 34s
  • Rock Hudson
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 04:31, Duration: 00m 08s
  • Madeline Kahn
    • Harvey Korman on working with Madeline Kahn
      Clip begins at: 15:14, Duration: 01m 48s
  • Danny Kaye
    • Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show
      Clip begins at: 22:37, Duration: 01m 47s
    • Harvey Korman on being a "second banana" to Danny Kaye
      Clip begins at: 00:17, Duration: 02m 33s
  • Alan King
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on a sketch that bombed on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 11:54, Duration: 00m 53s
  • Harvey Korman
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on what is "a Harvey Korman type"
      Clip begins at: 01:09, Duration: 01m 25s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Korman leaving the show, and not being a "star"
      Clip begins at: 25:39, Duration: 03m 28s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Conway's favorite Korman story - the pair are like Jack Benny and George Burns
      Clip begins at: 22:44, Duration: 02m 34s
  • Perry Lafferty
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Tim Conway Special
      Clip begins at: 10:09, Duration: 01m 42s
  • Vicki Lawrence
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast of The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 00:15, Duration: 01m 42s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on "Carol and Sis"
      Clip begins at: 14:01, Duration: 00m 39s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Mama's Family
      Clip begins at: 08:31, Duration: 01m 38s
  • Cloris Leachman
    • Harvey Korman on working with Cloris Leachman on The Nutt House
      Clip begins at: 02:45, Duration: 02m 52s
  • Bob Mackie
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Bob Mackie's amazing clothes he created for The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 26:17, Duration: 01m 05s
  • Steve Martin
    • Harvey Korman on Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills
      Clip begins at: 01:40, Duration: 01m 46s
  • Roddy McDowall
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 02:37, Duration: 00m 25s
  • Dave Powers
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on working with directors on the show
      Clip begins at: 17:29, Duration: 00m 53s
  • Carl Reiner
    • Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin
      Clip begins at: 05:37, Duration: 01m 47s
  • Sherwood Schwartz
    • Harvey Korman on doing a play written by Sherwood Schwartz
      Clip begins at: 14:00, Duration: 02m 06s
  • Fred Silverman
    • Harvey Korman on The Harvey Korman Show
      Clip begins at: 18:38, Duration: 01m 37s
  • Red Skelton
    • Harvey Korman on working with Red Skelton
      Clip begins at: 02:50, Duration: 00m 29s
  • Dick Van Dyke
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on Dick Van Dyke on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 28:00, Duration: 01m 07s
  • Lyle Waggoner
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast of The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 01:57, Duration: 00m 20s
  • Betty White
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 03:02, Duration: 00m 41s
  • Robin Williams
    • Harvey Korman on co-directing the Carol Burnett Special Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin
      Clip begins at: 05:37, Duration: 01m 47s

Topics

  • Emmy Awards
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on being inducted into the TV Hall of Fame and winning Emmys
      Clip begins at: 18:49, Duration: 03m 55s
  • Memorable Moments on Television
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on "Carol and Sis" on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 14:01, Duration: 00m 39s
  • Memorable Moments on Television > We Laughed
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 19:44, Duration: 00m 55s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the dentist sketch on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 10:32, Duration: 03m 06s
  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones
      Clip begins at: 19:05, Duration: 03m 32s

Genres

  • Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
    • Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show
      Clip begins at: 22:37, Duration: 04m 48s
    • Harvey Korman on being a "second banana" to Danny Kaye
      Clip begins at: 00:17, Duration: 02m 33s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on their first appearances on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 02:49, Duration: 27m 02s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 00:15, Duration: 28m 52s
    • Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the end of The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 00:17, Duration: 03m 51s
  • TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
    • Harvey Korman on the TV Movie Bud and Lou
      Clip begins at: 20:15, Duration: 04m 18s

Professions

  • Performers > Actor
    • Harvey Korman on wanting to be an actor
      Clip begins at: 06:52, Duration: 01m 14s
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Submitted by UltraSexy911 on Sun, 2011-07-17 15:11.

A pure legend!

Submitted by longfootbuddy on Mon, 2011-05-30 03:08.

harvey, crawling out

Submitted by longfootbuddy on Mon, 2011-05-30 02:25.

ye, i noticed alot of comedians get upset if someones getting more laughs than they.. i saw will ferrel on a talk show once, and the host was upstaging him, and he obviously got mad , and didnt say one damn funny thing the whole time

Submitted by bradleyc79 on Thu, 2011-04-21 21:06.

wow

Submitted by MrNj201 on Thu, 2011-04-21 16:16.

this man is and was amazing.... him and tim conway ... very funny and very attractive in there time ... 2 hotties on the carol burnett show

Submitted by hkfle44 on Tue, 2011-02-15 21:20.

he was the best rest in peace

Submitted by johnnyjolijt on Tue, 2010-09-14 21:01.

He played with a lot of redheads!

Submitted by timhere64 on Mon, 2010-08-16 20:42.

... GREAT ENTERTAINER..

Submitted by JeanneRousseau on Wed, 2010-08-04 21:40.

Nobody made the 70s a happier time! Rest in peace, Harvey. We miss you!

Submitted by TVLEGENDS on Wed, 2010-07-21 16:11.

@emikiwi Yes, that was Tim! (He came in during the third part.) Wish we had a camera on him silently cutting up as he watched Harvey's interview.

Submitted by emikiwi on Wed, 2010-07-21 09:56.

Is that Tim Conway clapping in the background at the end? Hilarious!

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