Marty Ingels, co-star of the 1962 slapstick sitcom I’m Dickens He’s Fenster, is interviewed by TV Time Machine host Jim Benson about playing construction worker Arch Fenster on the ABC-TV series, and his life and career in television.
In this edition of TV Time Machine, we are proud to welcome an entertainment legend, actor, comedian, and businessman extraordinaire, Marty Ingels. For over fifty years, Mr. Ingels’ comic gifts have tickled the funny bones of millions of television viewers, particularly as Arch Fenster, in the sweet and slapsticky 1960’s sitcom about two bumbling construction crew buddies, I’m Dickens He’s Fenster. Our guest is also a talented voice artist, and is probably best known for being the voice behind the 1980’s animated TV classic, Pac Man. 
Over these audio segments, the hilarious Marty Ingels helps us explore virtually every aspect of I’m Dickens He’s Fenster, and also discusses what it’s like having to sign his name on hundreds of tiny little postcards! Again, for those of you intrepid enough to apply for a building permit, feel free to grab your hammer and shovel, as we slip from the restraints of the present, and enter a ground-breaking past!
Listen to the Interview Below
Marty Ingels audio interview Segment One
In this segment, host Jim Benson chats with I’m Dickens He’s Fenster co-star Marty Ingels about growing up in Brooklyn, New York, how he competed with his older brother for attention early on in life, and his philosophy about comedy. Mr. Ingels also tells the story of how he was discovered by Carl Reiner and Sheldon Leonard in a pancake house, being cast as Arch Fenster on I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster, and working with co-stars John Astin, Emmaline Henry, creator/producer Leonard Stern, and director Arthur Hiller.
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Marty Ingels audio interview Segment Two
For the second segment, host Jim Benson and Marty Ingels discuss the classic I’m Dickens He’s Fenster episode “The Joke,” supporting cast members Dave Ketchum, Henry Beckman and Noam Pitlik, and the origins of the Dickens & Fenster episode, “The Bet.” Mr. Ingels also talks about the episode “The Great Valenciaga,” why he doesn’t particularly like practical jokes, and how, in real-life, he dissuaded a biker from doing bodily harm to him in a grocery store.
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Marty Ingels audio interview Segment Three
For the final segment, host Jim Benson and multi-talented Marty Ingels discuss how a sandwich revealed the sad news that I’m Dickens He’s Fenster had been cancelled, how Marty dating Doris Day wasn’t such a hot idea, his brief stint on Phyllis Diller’s ill fated show, The Pruitts of Southampton, and becoming the voice of the classic animated character, Pac Man. Finally, Mr. Ingels adroitly and with great aplomb, handles Mr. Benson’s penultimate question.
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Maurice Laferte
