Mary Lynn Gottfried
Talent Executive
About This Interview
In her one-and-a-half hour interview for The Archive of American Television, Talent Executive Mary Lynn Gottfried describes how she got her start in the entertainment industry as a receptionist and production secretary on The Ed Sullivan Show. She speaks about the program in great detail and reminisces about many of the personalities who appeared on the show, including Petula Clark, Bing Crosby, and Peggy Lee. Gottfried also discusses her later work, as a talent coordinator/ executive on The Kraft Music Hall and on Hollywood Squares. B-roll consists of photos from her days on The Ed Sullivan Show, a photo of the plaque commemorating the naming of “The Ed Sullivan Theater,” and a page of Ed Sullivan's introductory lines to the 1968 season premiere of the program, in his own handwriting. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman in Beverly Hills, CA on November 15, 2003.
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Highlights
On the legacy of The Ed Sullivan Show
Clip begins at: 25:06, Duration: 00m 55s
On advice for an aspiring talent executive
Clip begins at: 22:19, Duration: 01m 52s- On her greatest achievement
Clip begins at: 24:56, Duration: 01m 23s - On writing questions for game shows, including Card Sharks
Clip begins at: 04:47, Duration: 01m 31s
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On photos and mementos from The Ed Sullivan Show
Clip begins at: 0:28 - On her childhood and early influences
Clip begins at: 03:34 - On getting her start in the entertainment industry - first as a receptionist in an agent's office, then in the CBS local broadcast center, WCBS, in New York
Clip begins at: 07:53 - On working as a receptionist for The Ed Sullivan Show; on answering fan mail and "The Girls"
Clip begins at: 10:58 - On Ed Sullivan; on creating scripts for The Ed Sullivan Show over the weekend; on rehearsals
Clip begins at: 17:54 - On the excitement of the live broadcasts and last minute changes to the scripts
Clip begins at: 24:32 - Chapter 2
- On the control room of The Ed Sullivan Show and the excitement of live television; on booking talent
Clip begins at: 0:20 - On the after-taping, staff ritual every Sunday night; on the comraderie of the staff
Clip begins at: 10:21 - On set design, costumes and hair and makeup
Clip begins at: 11:51 - On being a "color girl" on the program; on the stage for The Ed Sullivan Show
Clip begins at: 15:09 - On a typical Ed Sullivan Show with comedians, singers and bands, and animal acts
Clip begins at: 16:24 - On guests of The Ed Sullivan Show
Clip begins at: 20:00 - On the legacy of The Ed Sullivan Show and what she learned on the show
Clip begins at: 25:06 - Chapter 3
- On leaving The Ed Sullivan Show for talent booking on Kraft Music Hall
Clip begins at: 0:18 - On working on specials for Alan King; on writing questions for game shows
Clip begins at: 03:47 - On managing daytime programs at CBS; on working for Lifetime and becoming a talent executive; on being Director of Current Programming for NBC and moving over to CBS
Clip begins at: 06:18 - On booking talent for Hollywood Squares
Clip begins at: 13:20 - On Barbie's 40th birthday; on CBS pilots she developed; on current projects
Clip begins at: 17:36 - On advice for an aspiring talent executive; on agism in the industry
Clip begins at: 22:19 - On her greatest achievement
Clip begins at: 24:56
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