The Archive of American Television

November 11, 2008 4:32 PM

The Archive of American Television "produces extensive video oral history interviews with television legends of all professions and makes them available online. To date, the Archive has completed over 2000 hours of videotaped conversations with over 570 Actors, Producers, Writers, Newscasters, Executives, Directors, Craftspersons, and more. ... The interviews are conducted by reviewing the subject's life and career chronologically. They discuss their childhood, early influences, how their career began, and thoroughly cover their television careers, ending with their thoughts on the industry and legacy."*
posted by not_on_display (9 comments total)

Best thing ever. Dive in. Julia Child! Andy! Barney! Opie! Sid! Buffalo Bob! Big Bird! Delightful!
posted by Freedomboy at 4:58 PM on November 11, 2008

Yeah, so many awesome subjects! I started trying to give examples on the FPP itself, but I couldn't choose from so many. I discovered this while helping my son research George Carlin for his National History Day project at school.
posted by not_on_display at 5:06 PM on November 11, 2008

Excellent find!
posted by bjgeiger at 5:46 PM on November 11, 2008

An awesome treasure trove of interviews not_on_display. From Mr. Rogers to Ron Howard, a huge selection. I found this YouTube page easier to scroll through the archive videos.

Would you believe? How Agent 99 was cast in "Get Smart"
posted by nickyskye at 6:29 PM on November 11, 2008

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman.
posted by not_on_display at 6:57 PM on November 11, 2008

i suspect that, in order to get these people to look at the camera, they must have to take all the mirrors out of the room.
posted by kitchenrat at 7:01 PM on November 11, 2008

kitchenrat: i suspect that, in order to get these people to look at the camera, they must have to take all the mirrors out of the room.

Anyone worth interviewing, or anyone that agrees to be interviewed, is a narcissist, then?

"There are stories behind what we see on the screen -- crucial eyewitness accounts of world-changing events, pop culture origins, technological innovations and artistic insights."

I see this much more as a historical chronicling than a self-congratulation.
posted by not_on_display at 7:28 PM on November 11, 2008

What's with the pool balls on the Don Knotts interview? It's like eight ball but they are pointing the wrong way. Is there a game I don't know about?
posted by robtf3 at 8:33 PM on November 11, 2008

previously

The Fred Rogers interview is indeed great.
posted by carsonb at 9:50 PM on November 11, 2008 [1 favorite]