Harvey Korman
Actor
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.
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Resources
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
(00m 48s)
Harvey Korman on studying acting with Uta Hagen (02m 20s)- Harvey Korman on how he'd like to be remembered
(01m 06s) - Harvey Korman on voicing "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones (03m 32s)
- Harvey Korman on joining The Danny Kaye Show
(04m 48s)
Chapters
- Chapter 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
- 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;
- Chapter 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
- 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
- Chapter 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
- 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
- Chapter 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
- 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
- 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
- Chapter 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
- 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;"
- Chapter 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
- 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
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A pure legend!
harvey, crawling out
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
wow
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
he was the best rest in peace
He played with a lot of redheads!
... GREAT ENTERTAINER..
Nobody made the 70s a happier time! Rest in peace, Harvey. We miss you!
@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.
Is that Tim Conway clapping in the background at the end? Hilarious!
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