Interviews | Posted by TV Time Machine 13.06.11
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In this edition of TV Time Machine, host Jim Benson interviews Karen Herman and Jenni Matz of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Archive of American Television.

A division of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, The Archive of American Television website, located at www.emmytvlegends.org has been preserving the memories, knowledge, and insights of television’s legends and luminaries, in the form of hundreds of priceless video interviews.

On this edition of our program, we are pleased to welcome Karen Herman and Jenni Matz of The Archive of American Television. Ms. Herman has been the archive director since 1999, and Ms. Matz is manager of digital projects and business development for the archive, and co-founded, with legendary comedian Bill Dana, the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College.

Over the next few audio segments, Karen, Jenni and I crack open just a few of the more than 600 interviews conducted by the archive, featuring TV legends ranging from Vanna White to Betty White. Again, for those of you intrepid enough to step out of your stretch limo, feel free to put on your cummerbund, as we slip from the restraints of the present, and award you with television’s past!

And now…ladies and gentlemen…please welcome Karen Herman and Jenni Matz!

Archive of American Television Audio Segment One

In this segment, TV Time Machine host Jim Benson talks to Archive of American Television director Karen Herman and Projects Manager Jenni Matz about the genesis, mission, and functions of the Archive and interviews with such TV luminaries as Barbara Walters (who talks about her childhood nickname), and Bob Newhart (who discusses the brilliant writing on The Bob Newhart Show). Karen and Jenni also discuss some of the interesting responses they’ve received from their questions, and some the unique sensibilities of classic TV comedians.

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Archive of American Television Audio Segment Two

For the second segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Karen Herman and Jenni Matz, some of the most memorable Archive interviews, including legendary TV producer Leonard Stern, who discusses the origins of the classic 1960’s spy spoof Get Smart; Phyllis Diller, who talks about her philosophy of stand-up comedy; Tammy Faye Bakker, whose interview took place while she was in midst of battling cancer, and Ernest Borgnine, who tells the story of how he decided to enter the world of television after years of establishing himself in feature films.

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Archive of American Television Audio Segment Three

For the final segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Karen Herman and Jenni Matz, interviews they conducted with William Shatner (who talks about his early relationship with the television camera), comedian George Carlin (who really let his hair down in a very candid interview with the Archive), and Dan Castellenata, the voice of Homer Simpson on The Simpsons, who discusses the origins of Homer’s classic “D’Oh!”

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