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Creative Influences and Inspiration

Archive interviewees discuss their creative influences and inspirations.

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Featured Content

"Archie's chair on All in the Family was my dad's.  My dad had a red leather chair that he commanded." - Norman Lear, Series Developer & Executive Producer

Who Talked About This Topic

  • Andy Ackerman
  • Alan Alda
  • Kay Alden
  • Steve Allen
  • Army Archerd
  • Reza Badiyi
  • Rick Baker
  • Joe Behar
  • Bruce Bilson
  • William Blinn
  • Steven Bochco
  • Ed Bradley
  • Eric Braeden
  • Mark Burnett
  • Allan Burns
  • Ken Burns
  • Sid Caesar
  • George Carlin
  • Glen Charles
  • Les Charles
  • Nick Clooney
  • Richard Coogan
  • Joan Ganz Cooney
  • Judith Crist
  • Bill Daily
  • Bill Dana
  • Sam Denoff
  • Diane English
  • Patricia Field
  • Dorothy Fontana
  • Michael J. Fox
  • Fred Foy
  • John Frankenheimer
  • Lowell Ganz
  • Larry Gelbart
  • Sharon Gless
  • Leonard H. Goldenson
  • Walter E. Grauman
  • Earl Hamner, Jr.
  • Jonathan Harris
  • Jeffrey Hayden
  • Monica Horan
  • Ron Howard
  • Lucy Jarvis
  • Barry Kemp
  • Larry King
  • Mario Kreutzberger
  • Susan Lacy
  • Norman Lear
  • David Lee
  • Stan Lee
  • Jerry Lewis
  • Bob Mackie
  • Ann Marcus
  • Richard Matheson
  • John Moffitt
  • Michael Moye
  • Hal Needham
  • Leonard Nimoy
  • Agnes Nixon
  • Carroll O'Connor
  • Carl Reiner
  • Hank Rieger
  • Geraldo Rivera
  • Fred Rogers
  • Andy Rooney
  • Barney Rosenzweig
  • Jay Sandrich
  • Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf
  • William Shatner
  • John Silva
  • Treva Silverman
  • Dick Smith
  • Sid Smith
  • Tom Smothers
  • Dick Smothers
  • Jean Stapleton
  • Jerry Stiller
  • Howard Storm
  • Charles Strouse
  • George Sunga
  • Dick Van Dyke
  • Ellen M. Violett
  • Matthew Weiner
  • Susan Whiting
  • Fred Willard
  • Henry Winkler
  • David Wolper
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  • Highlights
  • All Interviewee clips on this topic

Highlights

  • Leonard Nimoy on being influenced in his <i>Star Trek</i>"Mr. Spock" characterization by something he saw Harry Belafonte do on stage circa the 1950sLeonard Nimoy on being influenced in his Star Trek"Mr. Spock" characterization by something he saw Harry Belafonte do on stage circa the 1950s
    Clip begins at: 20:15, Duration: 01m 45s
  • Bob Mackie on finding inspiration for costume designing on televisionBob Mackie on finding inspiration for costume designing on television
    Clip begins at: 26:21, Duration: 00m 39s
  • Henry Winkler on his mentors and advice to actors entering the businessHenry Winkler on his mentors and advice to actors entering the business
    Clip begins at: 26:34, Duration: 03m 02s
  • Michael J. Fox on how his brother was his inspiration for "Alex P. Keaton" on <i>Family Ties</i>Michael J. Fox on how his brother was his inspiration for "Alex P. Keaton" on Family Ties
    Clip begins at: 11:22, Duration: 00m 48s
  • Dick Van Dyke on being influenced by the physical comedy of Laurel &amp; Hardy; and Buster KeatonDick Van Dyke on being influenced by the physical comedy of Laurel & Hardy; and Buster Keaton
    Clip begins at: 05:20, Duration: 01m 12s
  • Matthew Weiner on being inspired by creators who continue to have success like David Chase, Larry Gelbart, Mike NicholsMatthew Weiner on being inspired by creators who continue to have success like David Chase, Larry Gelbart, Mike Nichols
    Clip begins at: 03:38, Duration: 06m 51s
  • Larry King on his advice to anyone who wants to become an interviewer "you never learn a thing when you're talking"; on being interviewedLarry King on his advice to anyone who wants to become an interviewer "you never learn a thing when you're talking"; on being interviewed
    Clip begins at: 20:04, Duration: 01m 24s

All Interviewee clips on this topic

  • Andy Ackerman
    • Andy Ackerman on being a stage manager/assistant director for a high school production and learning a lot from his teacher
      Clip begins at: 09:40, Duration: 01m 42s
  • Alan Alda
    • Alan Alda on his adoration for the early radio comedians and talk show hosts such as Arthur Godfrey and Steve Allen
      Clip begins at: 24:33, Duration: 04m 19s
    • Alan Alda on how the burlesque comics and vaudeville influenced him at an early age
      Clip begins at: 10:19, Duration: 02m 45s
    • Alan Alda talks about learning from other performers and actors by standing in the wings, literally, to see the tricks behind their craft
      Clip begins at: 15:54, Duration: 57m 46s
    • Alan Alda describes working with and being influenced by actor Burgess Meredith with Naked City
      Clip begins at: 16:59, Duration: 03m 32s
    • Alan Alda on writing the M*A*S*H episode "Dear Sigmund"
      Clip begins at: 23:53, Duration: 01m 34s
    • Alan Alda on the craft of writing
      Clip begins at: 28:03, Duration: 00m 42s
  • Kay Alden
    • Kay Alden on working with William Bell on The Young and the Restless
      Clip begins at: 15:33, Duration: 05m 58s
  • Steve Allen
    • Steve Allen on role model Orson Welles
      Clip begins at: 28:13, Duration: 00m 36s
  • Army Archerd
    • Army Archerd on his mentor, Harrison Carroll
      Clip begins at: 21:11, Duration: 01m 38s
  • Reza Badiyi
  • Rick Baker
    • Rick Baker on working on Michael Jackson's Thriller video
      Clip begins at: 02:49, Duration: 09m 54s
  • Joe Behar
    • Joe Behar on his directing style and his hero, John Frankenheimer
      Clip begins at: 17:26, Duration: 01m 57s
  • Bruce Bilson
    • Bruce Bilson on important skills you need as a director and his mentor Bob Sweeney
      Clip begins at: 45:44, Duration: 01m 30s
  • William Blinn
    • William Blinn on the first time he saw television and the impact it made on him
      Clip begins at: 14:42
  • Steven Bochco
    • Steven Bochco on the creation of Hill Street Blues and his fight for creative control
      Clip begins at: 23:52, Duration: 05m 47s
  • Ed Bradley
    • Ed Bradley on discovering his calling after meeting a Philadelphia disc jockey when Bradley was enrolled at a teacher training college
      Clip begins at: 09:07, Duration: 02m 15s
    • Ed Bradley on 60 Minutes executive producer Don Hewitt's beneficial influence on Bradley's work, and on his influence on television news programs in general
      Clip begins at: 10:27, Duration: 02m 29s
    • Ed Bradley on his mentor Del Shields, from WDAS radio in Philadelphia
      Clip begins at: 17:19, Duration: 01m 33s
  • Eric Braeden
    • Eric Braeden on his interest in theater and classical texts, and actors who made an impression on him
      Clip begins at: 23:09, Duration: 02m 42s
  • Mark Burnett
    • Mark Burnett on his creative influences and inspiration from his mother
      Clip begins at: 00:15, Duration: 08m 59s
  • Allan Burns
    • Allan Burns on how living in Hawaii developed his creativity
      Clip begins at: 16:26, Duration: 04m 27s
  • Ken Burns
    • Documentarian Ken Burns on developing his approach to using photographs in documentaries during the development of Brooklyn Bridge
      Clip begins at: 23:54, Duration: 02m 12s
  • Sid Caesar
    • Sid Caesar on his influences and the importance of being "prepared" for when your break comes along
      Clip begins at: 15:05, Duration: 00m 42s
  • George Carlin
    • George Carlin on the genesis of much of his material
      Clip begins at: 18:57, Duration: 01m 40s
    • George Carlin on his creative process
      Clip begins at: 22:43, Duration: 03m 22s
    • George Carlin on preparing for his newest (and posthumous) HBO special It's Bad for Ya
      Clip begins at: 29:03, Duration: 00m 14s
  • Glen Charles
    • Glen Charles on being inspired by the book and movie version of "From Here to Eternity"; on his literary influences
      Clip begins at: 07:30, Duration: 01m 46s
    • Glen and Les Charles on their mentors
      Clip begins at: 07:48, Duration: 00m 54s
  • Les Charles
    • Les Charles on being influenced by Charles Dickens; on his literary influences
      Clip begins at: 06:12, Duration: 01m 36s
    • Glen and Les Charles on their mentors
      Clip begins at: 07:48, Duration: 00m 54s
  • Nick Clooney
    • Nick Clooney on his early mentors
      Clip begins at: 16:56, Duration: 00m 47s
  • Richard Coogan
    • Richard Coogan on his mentor
      Clip begins at: 04:20, Duration: 03m 23s
  • Joan Ganz Cooney
    • Joan Ganz Cooney on her high school teachers that influenced her
      Clip begins at: 12:43, Duration: 05m 26s
  • Judith Crist
    • Judith Crist on Roger Ebert telling her she was his inspiration
      Clip begins at: 22:39, Duration: 01m 02s
  • Bill Daily
    • Bill Daily on his comedic idols
      Clip begins at: 05:34, Duration: 00m 58s
  • Bill Dana
    • Bill Dana on being influenced by Danny Kaye and music in general
      Clip begins at: 12:27
  • Sam Denoff
    • Sam Denoff on how television changed the world; how early TV influenced him
      Clip begins at: 15:47, Duration: 02m 35s
  • Diane English
    • Diane English on her childhood and early influences; on her talent for writing
      Clip begins at: 03:20, Duration: 09m 12s
  • Patricia Field
    • Patricia Field on how being in New York City her whole life has affected her style and taste
      Clip begins at: 37:23, Duration: 01m 27s
  • Dorothy Fontana
    • Dorothy Fontana on being mentored in television writing by Samuel Peeples
      Clip begins at: 09:04, Duration: 01m 11s
    • Dorothy Fontana on updating the 1960s Star Trek worldview when making Star Trek: The Next Generation
      Clip begins at: 03:59, Duration: 01m 34s
  • Michael J. Fox
    • Michael J. Fox on his childhood influences
      Clip begins at: 00:43, Duration: 09m 44s
    • Michael J. Fox on how his brother was his inspiration for "Alex P. Keaton" on Family Ties
      Clip begins at: 11:22, Duration: 00m 48s
  • Fred Foy
    • Fred Foy on the advent of radio in the early 20th century; and the influences shows such as "The Shadow" had on him as a youth
      Clip begins at: 03:35, Duration: 01m 20s
  • John Frankenheimer
    • John Frankenheimer on directing tips from mentor David O. Selznick
      Clip begins at: 24:45, Duration: 03m 49s
    • John Frankenheimer on the influence of movie directors on him
      Clip begins at: 22:13, Duration: 01m 08s
  • Lowell Ganz
    • Lowell Ganz on his early interest in television and the influence of The Dick Van Dyke Show
      Clip begins at: 02:24, Duration: 04m 11s
  • Larry Gelbart
    • Larry Gelbart on working with Ed Garnder on Duffy's Tavern on the radio as a young writer; learning to have fun with language, the biggest lesson he took from Ed
      Clip begins at: 17:58, Duration: 03m 32s
  • Sharon Gless
    • Sharon Gless on advice she cherishes from Cagney & Lacey co-star John Karlen, who played "Harvey Lacey"
      Clip begins at: 19:23, Duration: 00m 55s
    • Sharon Gless on using Judi Dench's autobiography to inspire her villainous guest starring role on Nip/Tuck
      Clip begins at: 04:16, Duration: 02m 02s
  • Leonard H. Goldenson
    • Leonard Goldenson on seeing television for the first time at the 1939 World's Fair
      Clip begins at: 16:20, Duration: 00m 34s
  • Walter E. Grauman
    • Director Walter Grauman on how Blake Edwards (ironically) advised him on not making artistic compromises on Peter Gunn
      Clip begins at: 27:40, Duration: 00m 59s
  • Earl Hamner, Jr.
    • Earl Hamner on inspiration for episodes he wrote of The Twilight Zone
      Clip begins at: 25:49, Duration: 03m 10s
    • Earl Hamner on the inspiration for The Waltons
      Clip begins at: 09:45, Duration: 07m 46s
  • Jonathan Harris
    • Jonathan Harris on advice to aspiring actors
      Clip begins at: 18:27
  • Jeffrey Hayden
    • Director Jeffrey Hayden on how he and the cast would work on new ideas for their current scripts at lunch on 77 Sunset Strip
      Clip begins at: 14:43, Duration: 01m 49s
  • Monica Horan
    • Monica Horan on her response to seeing aspects of her own life that have been written into episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond
      Clip begins at: 05:29, Duration: 02m 43s
  • Ron Howard
    • Ron Howard on the first acting lesson his father taught him
      Clip begins at: 12:55, Duration: 00m 41s
    • Ron Howard on the inspiration for his trademark laugh from Happy Days
      Clip begins at: 13:06, Duration: 00m 13s
    • Ron Howard on his struggle to gain the acceptance of Bette Davis, while directing her in the TV movie Skyward
      Clip begins at: 07:27, Duration: 03m 58s
    • Ron Howard on how actors should always consider television as a source of good roles
      Clip begins at: 23:02, Duration: 00m 52s
  • Lucy Jarvis
    • Lucy Jarvis on her mentors
      Clip begins at: 13:10, Duration: 01m 35s
  • Barry Kemp
    • Barry Kemp on being inspired by Dick Van Dyke's character on The Dick Van Dyke Show
      Clip begins at: 02:15, Duration: 00m 33s
  • Larry King
    • Larry King on his advice to anyone who wants to become an interviewer "you never learn a thing when you're talking"; on being interviewed
      Clip begins at: 20:04, Duration: 01m 24s
  • Mario Kreutzberger
    • Mario Kreutzberger on being influenced by early television hosts Jack Paar, Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, and Art Linkletter and how they influenced his Spanish-language show Sabato Gigante
      Clip begins at: 02:53
  • Susan Lacy
    • Susan Lacy on passion and committment (with American Masters) and why it's so essential for artists to have both 
      Clip begins at: 08:38
  • Norman Lear
    • Norman Lear explains how his own parents were the inspiration for the lead characters on All in the Family
      Clip begins at: 13:11, Duration: 00m 50s
  • David Lee
    • David Lee on his role as Supervising Producer on Cheers and his relationship with the creative staff of Cheers
      Clip begins at: 09:34, Duration: 05m 32s
  • Stan Lee
    • Stan Lee on comic strips he read as a child
      Clip begins at: 07:53, Duration: 01m 33s
    • Stan Lee on wanting to be an actor when he was young
      Clip begins at: 09:26, Duration: 01m 03s
  • Jerry Lewis
    • Jerry Lewis on his father and grandmother
      Clip begins at: 06:13, Duration: 02m 29s
    • Jerry Lewis on his father's influence on his career
      Clip begins at: 11:52, Duration: 01m 35s
  • Bob Mackie
    • Bob Mackie on finding inspiration for costume designing on television
      Clip begins at: 26:21, Duration: 00m 39s
    • Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett "Went With the Wind", a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 27:11, Duration: 02m 17s
  • Ann Marcus
    • Ann Marcus on her mentors
      Clip begins at: 06:15, Duration: 01m 31s
  • Richard Matheson
    • Richard Matheson on the movies influencing and inspiring his writing, and the letter he wrote to producer Val Lewton praising his work
      Clip begins at: 07:10, Duration: 02m 01s
    • Richard Matheson on the Twilight Zone episode "Little Girl Lost" and how real life inspired the story
      Clip begins at: 22:13, Duration: 01m 06s
    • Richard Matheson on the seed idea for Duel
      Clip begins at: 23:19, Duration: 00m 57s
    • Richard Matheson on coming up with the idea for the story of Dying Room Only
      Clip begins at: 15:52, Duration: 00m 47s
  • John Moffitt
    • John Moffitt on admiring Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin 
      Clip begins at: 08:03, Duration: 00m 26s
  • Michael Moye
    • Michael Moye on Laurel and Hardy being his favorite comedians as a youngster
      Clip begins at: 12:00, Duration: 00m 51s
  • Hal Needham
    • Hal Needham on his mentor Chuck Roberson
      Clip begins at: 22:52, Duration: 02m 37s
  • Leonard Nimoy
    • Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek producer Gene Roddenberry's description of "Spock" and Nimoy's admiration for Lon Chaney in immersing himself into characters
      Clip begins at: 27:21, Duration: 00m 59s
    • Leonard Nimoy on being influenced in his Star Trek "Mr. Spock" characterization by something he saw Harry Belafonte do on stage circa the 1950s
      Clip begins at: 20:15, Duration: 01m 45s
  • Agnes Nixon
    • Agnes Nixon on her literary influences
      Clip begins at: 01:47, Duration: 00m 50s
  • Carroll O'Connor
    • Carroll O'Connor on learning how to play comedy from Micheál MacLiammóir, at the Gate Theatre, which he later used in his characterization of Archie Bunker in All in the Family
      Clip begins at: 08:37, Duration: 02m 29s
  • Carl Reiner
    • Carl Reiner on his love of radio and film comedies
      Clip begins at: 06:33, Duration: 03m 12s
  • Hank Rieger
    • Hank Rieger on how his uncle's job as a journalist inspired him
      Clip begins at: 04:36, Duration: 02m 27s
  • Geraldo Rivera
    • Geraldo Rivera on mentor Fred Friendly, the "architect" of his career
      Clip begins at: 30:27, Duration: 05m 27s
  • Fred Rogers
    • Fred Rogers on the origin of his trademark sweaters and his love of music
      Clip begins at: 03:29, Duration: 04m 14s
  • Andy Rooney
    • Andy Rooney on being in on the ground-floor of television and the wonders of the modern pace of innovation
      Clip begins at: 07:16, Duration: 03m 35s
  • Barney Rosenzweig
    • Barney Rosenzweig on being influenced by the themes of "Easy Rider"
      Clip begins at: 40:21, Duration: 02m 44s
  • Jay Sandrich
    • Clip 1 : Creative Influences and Inspiration
      Clip begins at: 25:41
    • Jay Sandrich on learning a valuable lesson about directing from actor Dick Benjamin
      Clip begins at: 20:44, Duration: 01m 13s
  • Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf
    • Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on the hardest part of writing comedy: coming up with a good story
      Clip begins at: 04:03
  • William Shatner
    • William Shatner on his rationale for "breaking the fourth wall" while playing "Denny Crane" on Boston Legal
      Clip begins at: 24:37, Duration: 01m 32s
  • John Silva
    • John Silva on first learning about television and knowing he wanted to work in it
      Clip begins at: 04:35, Duration: 01m 25s
  • Treva Silverman
    • Treva Silverman on advice to aspiring comedy writers
      Clip begins at: 21:17
  • Dick Smith
    • Dick Smith on getting makeup inspiration from 1939's The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Charles Laughton and putting his knowledge to use scaring dormmates
      Clip begins at: 13:56, Duration: 02m 58s
  • Sid Smith
    • Sid Smith on his mentor, Clark Jones, on Eddie Condon's Floor Show
      Clip begins at: 23:00, Duration: 00m 26s
  • Dick Smothers
    • Tom and Dick Smothers on the variety show genre and  working with CBS executives on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
      Clip begins at: 09:58, Duration: 04m 03s
  • Tom Smothers
    • Tom and Dick Smothers on the variety show genre and  working with CBS executives on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
      Clip begins at: 09:58, Duration: 04m 03s
  • Jean Stapleton
    • Jean Stapleton on advice to aspiring actors
      Clip begins at: 15:36, Duration: 01m 21s
  • Jerry Stiller
    • Jerry Stiller on being influenced by Eddie Cantor, Jack Benny, George Burns
      Clip begins at: 05:09, Duration: 04m 22s
  • Howard Storm
    • Howard Storm on the advice director Jay Sandrich gave him "wear comfortable shoes"; and take responsibility
      Clip begins at: 20:49
  • Charles Strouse
    • Charles Strouse on influential teachers at music school
      Clip begins at: 09:02, Duration: 02m 35s
  • George Sunga
    • George Sunga on mentoring 
      Clip begins at: 15:50, Duration: 01m 11s
  • Dick Van Dyke
    • Dick Van Dyke on being influenced by the physical comedy of Laurel & Hardy; and Buster Keaton
      Clip begins at: 05:20, Duration: 01m 12s
  • Ellen M. Violett
    • Ellen M. Violett on writers who influenced her early in life
      Clip begins at: 09:16, Duration: 02m 38s
  • Matthew Weiner
    • Matthew Weiner on being inspired by creators who continue to have success like David Chase, Larry Gelbart, Mike Nichols
      Clip begins at: 03:38, Duration: 06m 51s
  • Susan Whiting
    • Susan Whiting on her mentors
      Clip begins at: 33:50, Duration: 01m 45s
  • Fred Willard
    • Fred Willard on his comedic influences
      Clip begins at: 24:35, Duration: 01m 10s
  • Henry Winkler
    • Henry Winkler on his mentors and advice to actors entering the business
      Clip begins at: 26:34, Duration: 03m 02s
  • David Wolper
    • David Wolper on seeing television for the first time at the 1939 Worlds Fair
      Clip begins at: 04:47, Duration: 01m 16s
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Submitted by galimex on Fri, 2012-11-16 11:27.

I love your site.I always find out something new.Thanks for the informations!

Submitted by rahan parte on Wed, 2012-09-19 11:24.

Jamey Johnson sums it up best with his song .."The last cowboy" on his cd That Lonesome Song..Is kind of like George Jones' song "Who's gonna fill their shoes" but in a cowboy text..Great song!

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2012-07-16 22:48.

I have always admired Leonard Nimoy, particularly like him playing Dr Bell in Fringe.

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