Tim Conway
Performer
About This Interview
Tim Conway was interviewed for two-and-a-half hours in Beverly Hills, CA. The interview consists of two parts: one hour solo, and one-and-a-half hours with comedy partner Harvey Korman. In his solo interview, Conway talks about his early years in local television at Cleveland’s WJW, where he was discovered by Rose Marie. He discusses his appearances on The New Steve Allen Show and describes his role as “Ensign Charles Parker” on McHale’s Navy. He also speaks of the notorious variety flop Turn-On, which was canceled after one airing. Conway talks about his work in feature films such as The Apple Dumpling Gang and The Shaggy D.A, and details his work on The Carol Burnett Show in his joint interview with Harvey Korman. Karen Herman conducted the interview on April 20, 2004.
Related To This Video
Resources
DVD: This Archive interview is available on DVD.
Tim Conway & Harvey Korman Archive of American Television Interview
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Highlights
Tim Conway on his favorite sketches on The Carol Burnett Show
(00m 49s)- Tim Conway on his 10 year guest appearance on The Carol Burnett Show
(02m 20s) 
Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on not being "stars"- Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the cast and guest stars on The Carol Burnett Show
- Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the "Went with the Wind!" sketch spoofing Gone with the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on three teachers who had a great impact on him; on wanting to be a jockey; on having dyslexia; on majoring in speech and dramatics in college; on volunteering for the Army after college
- On his start in show business doing stand-up comedy at a Seattle club; on his first work as a television director; on early appearances on The Steve Allen Show; on working with Ernest Borgnine on McHale's Navy; on McHale's Navy producer Ed Montagne; on appearing on numerous variety shows
- On starring in Rango; on hosting the notoriously short-lived show (it was canceled during its premiere) Turn-On; on doing an after school special
- Chapter 2
- On the show Uncle Tim Wants You with Bernadette Peters; on working in variety on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In and The Flip Wilson Show; on writing sketches; on Disney films The Apple Dumpling Gang and The Shaggy D.A.; on writing the movie Billion Dollar Hobo; on starring in Ace Crawford, Private Eye
- On Dorf; on writing; on Tim Conway's Fun With America; on his guest appearances on Newhart, Married... With Children, Coach, Cosby, Ellen, Clueless, and Mad About You; on acting and writing on The Carol Burnett Show; on his current projects - Yes, Dea r; on working with Vicki Lawrence
- On entertaining; on how people react when they meet him; on advice to aspiring comedians; on his philosophy of comedy; on the highlight of his career and career regrets; on how he'd like to be remembered
- Chapter 3
- 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 4
- 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 5
- 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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@theoceanave Not quite true. I am going to see him tonight in Windsor, Ontario. He is doing a show at the Casino. :)
What a cool guy he is. Down to earth, relaxed.
Anyone happen to know what he's doing nowadays, now that Harvey and Don Knotts are gone? I imagine he still does voiceovers and the rare TV/film appearance, but i'm guessing he's not on the road anymore with live shows.
Glad that Tim is still alive, what a great guy. Sad that Harvey Korman has passed.
Tim seems like a decent person in real life, a good man.
Excellent interview
Excellent interview
This guy just goes from one flopping "joke" to the next...thats his routine...stringing one attempt at humor to another attempt. lol
Got to shake his hand in '67.A regional track meet at Chagrin Falls,Oh. He was sitting in the stands with a couple friends. I'll always remember that moment.
@visor109 Not a serious bone in the guys body. Absolutely seemless too, doesn't even break a smile. HILARIOUS!
@losemothergoose Are you positive your going to Heaven?
Even in this interview, he made me laugh out loud several times. Huge talent.
He and other actors on McHale's Navy would work in their actual home towns into the scripts.
What a talented guy.
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