Interviews | Posted by TV Time Machine 26.04.12
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Buck Henry, co-creator of Get Smart and writer of the classic films The Graduate and Catch 22, is interviewed by host Jim Benson about his remarkable TV and movie career.

For this journey of TV Time Machine, we are honored to welcome an entertainment legend, writer, director, producer, and actor, Buck Henry. Mr. Henry’s stellar career knows no boundaries, spanning the media globe with the constant variety of entertainment. Frequently both satirical and subversive, our sensational scribe is responsible for such ground-breaking movies as The Graduate and Catch 22, and on the television side of the equation, our guest is the co-creator with Mel Brooks, of the classic 1960’s spy spoof, Get Smart

Over these audio segments, the remarkable Buck Henry not only helps us explore virtually every aspect of his television career but also discusses what it’s like being struck in the head by a samurai sword. Again, for those of you intrepid enough to enter our cone of communication, feel free to fly in your pajamas, as we slip from the restraints of the present, and enter a really nice past!

Listen to the Interview Below

Buck Henry audio interview Segment One

In this segment, host Jim Benson talks to Buck Henry about his early years growing up in New York with his father (Air Force General Zuckerman) and mother (Silent Screen star Ruth Taylor). Mr. Henry discusses his early years as a writer for his Dartmouth College humor magazine and how he became involved in a nationwide prank centering around a non-existent society (S.I.N.A.–The Society for Indecency to Naked Animals). Our scribe also explores the personality of TV legend Steve Allen, the importance of parody and satire in society, and working on the ground-breaking 1960’s topical satire-comedy TV program, That Was The Week That Was.

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Buck Henry audio interview Segment Two

For the second segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Buck Henry the genesis of Get Smart, how political-correctness has stifled the type of humor seen on Get Smart, and the creation of signature elements of the series, including the Cone of Silence. Mr. Henry also talks about the creation of his 1960’s TV superhero parody Captain Nice and star William Daniels, whom Mr. Henry also worked with in his classic 1967 film, The Graduate.

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Buck Henry audio interview Segment Three

For the final segment, host Jim Benson discusses with Buck Henry his remarkable relationship with Saturday Night Live (including hosting the show ten times), working with John Belushi in the classic Samurai sketches, and what it was like being struck in the head by Belushi’s Samurai sword. Our wonderful writer also explores the deep space comedy of his 1970’s TV creation Quark, and what causes writers to resist, through procrastination and other means, the act of sitting down and actually writing.

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