On this edition of TV Time Machine, we are honored to welcome an extraordinary gentleman whose television, stage and movie career has reached heights few are privileged to experience: Emmy and Tony Award Winner Hal Holbrook. It is no exaggeration to say Mr. Holbrook’s distinguished acting career is a part of Americana, and is woven into the fabric of our nation’s artistic history in much the same fashion as the towering American figures he recreates on stage and screen. Best known for his definitive portrayal of Mark Twain, and filling the shoes of such giants as Abraham Lincoln and John Adams, Mr. Holbrook has also created a multitude of memorable fictional characters over a nearly sixty year career.

In these three audio segments, Hal Holbrook not only helps us explore virtually every aspect of his remarkable contribution to television, but also discusses his poignant and personal autobiography, Harold: The Boy Who Became Mark Twain. For those of you intrepid enough to ride a steamboat of memories, feel free to light up a cigar, as we slip from the restraints of the present, and honor a most American past!

Listen to the Interview Below

Hal Holbrook audio interview Segment One

In this segment, host Jim Benson talks to Hal Holbrook about writing his autobiography, Harold: The Boy Who Became Mark Twain, and the book’s remarkable honesty. Mr. Holbrook recalls his lonely and difficult years growing up, his attraction to the arts, and the impostant people in his life who helped inspire him to claim his goals in life. The legendary actor also discusses the genesis of his one-man stage performance playing Mark Twain, and the 1950′s TV soap opera that launched his career, The Brighter Day.

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Hal Holbrook audio interview Segment Two

For the second segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Hal Holbrook the impact of his ground-breaking 1967 TV special Mark Twain Tonight, what made Mark Twain tick, and why the world has always embraced the legendary writer and his work. Mr. Holbrook also discusses his 1970 Emmy Award-winning TV series The Bold Ones, and how his rotating segment on the series (entitled The Senator), manifested both critical acclaim–and political controversy.

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Hal Holbrook audio interview Segment Three

For the final segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Hal Holbrook his remarkable performance in the 1973 TV-Movie Pueblo, based on the real-life incident of the crew of a Navy vessel taken hostage by the North Korean military in 1968. Mr. Holbrook talks about his portrayal of Captain Lloyd “Pete” Bucher, the real-life relationship he forged in later years with the commander, and the injustices surrounding the incident. In closing, Hal Holbrook sums up his thoughts and feelings about his remarkable life and career—to this point.

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In this edition of TV Time Machine, we are honored to welcome Barbara Eden, a television legend whose extraordinary talents extend far beyond her ornate bottle: singer, dancer, actress, comedienne…and author of Jeannie Out of The Bottle. Miss Eden’s remarkable career spans over fifty years, and includes literally hundreds of TV and movie roles and appearances. However, Barbara Eden is certainly best known for creating a character that has transcended generations and has entertained millions of people around the world: the legendary and iconic Jeannie in the bottle, on the classic TV series, I Dream of Jeannie.

Over these three audio segments, the remarkable Barbara Eden explores virtually every aspect of her television career and also discusses her entertaining, enlightening and touching memoir, Jeannie Out of The Bottle. Again, for those of you intrepid enough to open up your bottle, feel free to fold your arms and blink, as we slip from the restraints of the present, and enter a rather magical past!

Listen to the Interview Below

Barbara Eden audio interview Segment One

In this segment, host Jim Benson talks to Barbara Eden about her years growing up in San Francisco, ultimately moving to Los Angeles, and breaking into television in the middle 1950′s. Miss Eden also discusses her joyous experience working with Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy, landing a co-starring role on the TV series How to Marry a Millionaire, co-starring in a film with Elvis Presley, and her extraordinary meeting with Marilyn Monroe, shortly before the legendary actress’s death in 1962.

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Barbara Eden audio interview Segment Two

For the second segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Barbara Eden the genesis of I Dream of Jeannie, working with co-star Larry Hagman, creator Sidney Sheldon, director Claudio Guzman, and Hayden Rourke, who played Dr. Bellows. Miss Eden also reminisces about working with Bob Hope on his USO concert tours, and starring in the classic 1967 TV special Kismet.

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Barbara Eden audio interview Segment Three

For the final segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Barbara Eden the cancellation of I Dream of Jeannie in 1970, starring in the sleeper hit film Harper Valley PTA and the subsequent TV series, starring once again with Larry Hagman on the hit TV series Dallas in 1990, and her thoughts about how television has changed–both good and bad–over the last fifty years.

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In this edition of TV Time Machine, we are proud to welcome a gentleman whose remarkable chronicles of American history are forever now part of television history, Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Over a nearly twenty-year span, Mr. Burns has made full use of the medium’s potential to edify and enlighten, turning a vast wasteland into a vast garden of lyrical masterpieces documenting the American and human experience. The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The War and The National Parks, are among the more than twenty extraordinary films Mr. Burns has brought to both the small and large screens.

Over the next few segments, Ken Burns will not only help us explore virtually every aspect of his remarkable contribution to television, but will also delve into his brand-new documentary, premiering Sunday, October 2nd on PBS, Prohibition. Again, for those of you intrepid enough to belly up to the bar, feel free to open up a tab, as we slip from the restraints of the present, and make a toast to a rather spirited, past!

Listen to the Interview Below

Ken Burns audio interview Segment One

In this segment, host Jim Benson talks to filmmaker Ken Burns about his early years growing up, attending Hamphire College in Massachusetts and studying under the tutelage of photographer Jerome Liebling. Mr. Burns also discusses his concern about the nation’s alarming ignorance of history, the genesis of his classic documentary masterpiece The Civil War, and the poetic and legendary letter featured on The Civil War, written by soldier Sullivan Ballou to his beloved wife, Sarah.

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Ken Burns audio interview Segment Two

For the second segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Emmy-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, Mr. Burns’ PBS documentary from 1994, Baseball, the importance of the sport on culture and society, and the gambling and steroids scandals that have bedeviled the game. Ken Burns then talks about his latest PBS documentary, Prohibition, the women’s temperance movement that preceeded it, and modern day parallels including race, immigration, taxes, and polarized political discourse that sharply mirror the issues of the past, that ultimately led to the passage of Prohibition.

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Ken Burns audio interview Segment Three

For the final segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Ken Burns the impact that legendary criminals such as Al Capone had on society during the darkest days of Prohibition, the rapant hypocracy that the new law manifested, and how The Great Depression served as a death knell for the failing law. Mr. Burns also talks about the special features included on the Prohibition DVD, and his upcoming documentary projects for PBS, including a documentary chronicling the Vietman War.

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In 2007, Peter Falk gave one his most comprehensive interviews ever on TV Time Machine, discussing his nearly fifty-years in television and movies. Joined by author Mark Dawidziak (The Columbo Phile), Mr. Falk spoke extensively about his two Academy Award-nominated roles in Pocketful of Miracles and Murder Inc., and his most famous role of all–the seemingly dim-bulb LAPD homicide detective named Lt. Columbo.

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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Jim Benson discusses Britain’s Got Talent and the amazing audition of 35 year-old drama teacher Edward Reid with Mark Dawidziak, TV critic for the Cleveland Plain Dealer Newspaper, and Cleveland.Com.

Edward Reid wowed the Britain’s Got Talent audience and judges David Hasselhoff, Amanda Holden, and Michael McIntyre, performing a medley of nursery rhymes including Old MacDonald Had a Farm and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, in a fashion that is both humorous and touching.

So take a listen as we say, Edward Reid’s Got Talent!

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Jim Benson and Mark Dawidziak Edward Reid Topic Interview

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On this voyage of the TV Time Machine, we take a little detour with our magical transport, and explore a unique family love story. We, all of us, would not be here were it not for our beloved Mothers. However, sometimes a Mother’s love can manifest itself in such ineffable possessiveness; it can only be understood by reading our very special guest’s book.  

Climbing on board the TV Time Machine is Adam Chester, entertainer, composer, singer/songwriter, and author of the new book S’Mother, The Story of a Man, His Mom, and the Thousands of Altogether Insane Letters She’s Mailed Him. Mr. Chester has provided his musical talents to a wide variety of media, and is the official “Surrogate Elton John,” sitting in as the great musician while rehearsing the Elton John Band for various concerts and appearances.   

Over the next few segments, Adam and I pore over thirty years of his mothers’ loving, but insane letters, which provided the inspiration for his hilarious new book, not to mention the need for ever more intense therapy. Again, for those of you intrepid enough to dry the dishes, feel free to get a tetanus shot, as we slip from the restraints of the present, and enter a smothering past!

Adam Chester Audio Segment One-

In this segment, TV Time Machine host Jim Benson talks to Adam Chester about his early years growing up in New Jersey and Florida, his trek to sunny California, breaking into show business, his stint as musical director on What’s My Line? Live on Stage, and blowing away legendary musician Paul Williams, with a single song.

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Adam Chester Audio Segment Two-

For the second segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Adam Chester his role as the official “Surrogate Elton John,” sitting in as the great musician while rehearsing the Elton John Band for various concerts and appearances.  Jim and Adam then respond to Adam’s Mother’s letters (read by the legendary Mrs. Chester in her own voice), including Mom’s admonishments to Adam to make sure to dry his dishes, not to clean toilets in college with a toothbrush, what will happen financially if Adam’s Mom’s plane crashes, and the most important thing to do with Savings Bonds. 

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Adam Chester Audio Segment Three-

For the final segment, host Jim Benson and Musician Adam Chester discuss the momentous events in his life that took place in his life during the 2000′s, and how 9/11 impacted his impending marriage to his beloved fiancee’, Maria. In the meantime, Mom reads her letters to Adam including missives regarding  wills, insurance policies, and the perfect Mothers Day gift for maria and family. Finally, Adam runs down a rather long list of terrible things that NEVER happened to him!

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In this edition of TV Time Machine, host Jim Benson discusses the hiring of Ted Williams by Kraft Foods and helps showcase some of TV’s greatest commercials with two top Madison Avenue Advertising veterans.

 Although some view these ubiquitous vignettes as an excuse to make a sandwich, let the dog out, make a phone call, check e-mail, wash a few dishes or visit the water closet—we will spend the next hour in celebration, playing peerless presentations of perfectly persuasive pitches both past and present.

On this edition of TV Time Machine, Jim Benson welcomes two of the best mad men and women in the ad game, Bruce Arendash and Lisa Rothstein. Mr. Arendash has served as Senior Vice President and Creative director at Lintas Worldwide and Grey Advertising, and Ms. Rothstein has served as Vice President and Creative Director at firms such as Young and Rubicam, Lintas Worldwide and Lowe Paris.  

In these audio segments, Lisa and Bruce  not only explore the best TV commercials over the past five decades, but they pierce the advertising veil, giving  a behind-the scenes look at the type of creativity that helped conceive our cornucopia of classic commercials. They also discuss Kraft Foods decision to hire former homeless citizen Ted “Golden Throat” Williams for their latest Kraft Macaroni & Cheese television advertising campaign. Again, for those of you intrepid enough to squeeze the Charmin, feel free to challenge your short attention span, as we slip from the restraints of the present and enter a… but-wait-there’s-more… past!

Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash Audio Segment One-

In this segment, TV Time Machine host Jim Benson invites advertising executives Bruce Arendash and Lisa Rothstein to talk about working together at the prestigious advertising firm Lintas New York (now Lowe), the creative process that they employed during those years, and the behind-the-scenes machinations of how the ad game really works. The dynamic advertising duo also talk about product branding, and the way consumers are persuaded through certain advertising principals and selling techniques.

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Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash Audio Segment Two-

For the second segment, host Jim Benson can’t believe his guests ate the whole thing, as Madison Avenue masters Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash consume a cadre of classic commercials. The persuasive pair discuss the Clio-winning classic Alka Seltzer commercial from 1972, the American Express campaign featuring the classic slogan, “Don’t Leave Home Without It,” and the legendary McDonald’s jingle, “Two All Beef Patties Special Sauce Lettuce Cheese Pickles Onions on a Sesame Seed Bun.”

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Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash Audio Segment Three-

For the final segment, ad veterans Lisa Rothstein and Bruce Arendash take a few shots at the Frito Bandito, while also taking aim at several classic controversial commercials. The talented twosome examine how certain TV commercial characters have evolved beyond stereotype, how changing mores and attitudes impact the bottom line, and the limits of what is acceptable in advertising. The creative couple also explore the controversial 2010 Super Bowl Audi commercial featuring The Green Police, and discuss the hiring of former homeless citizen Ted Williams by Kraft Foods, to perform the voiceover for their latest Kraft Macaroni and Cheese campaign.

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In this interview, Professor Thompson covers the shows, characters, and happenings that changed TV forever, including America’s love of Lucy, Ralph Kramden’s bluster, and Archie Bunker’s bigotry. Host Jim Benson and the good professor also take a crash course in the social and political impact of television, including the medium’s coverage of such landmark events as JFK’s assassination, Apollo 11′s landing on the moon, and the Watergate scandal.

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Professor Thompson Audio Segment One-

In this segment, host Jim Benson and Syracuse University Professor Robert J. Thompson discuss the influence I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners had on all future situation comedies. The Professor also talks about the courage and integrity of journalist and newscaster Edward R. Murrow, who nearly single-handedly brought down the powerful anti-communist Senator Joseph McCarthy.

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