New Book Highlights the History of Television Taboos

From the July 14th, 2006 Issue of Entertainment Weekly:

Ten Things We Love This Week

BOOKS

3. 'THEY'LL NEVER PUT THAT ON THE AIR,' BY ALLAN NEUWIRTH From All in the Family to Seinfeld: Sharp analysis and firsthand anecdotes illuminate the stories behind TV's most taboo-busting comedies.

The book is a fun oral history of the behind-the-scenes machinations of those who fought to break down television taboos. Nobably, writer (and Archive interviewer) Allan Neuwirth used excerpts from three Archive interviews in the book and also interviewed some Archive alums on his own. Check it out.

Mort Lachman's Archive of American Television Interview Is Now Online

Comedy Writer/Producer Mort Lachman's 3-hour Archive of American Television interview has been added to the online collection at Google Video.

Interview Description:

Lachman begins by talking about his early years becoming a writer in network radio for Eddie Cantor and Bob Hope. He describes in detail working as a writer, and later head writer/ director/ producer on the Bob Hope Television Specials. He vividly describes Bob Hope’s topical humor and gift for ad libbing. He speaks about his work as a writer for several Ralph Edwards series. He also describes his work as a producer and writer on All in the Family [for which he won an Emmy Award], Archie Bunker’s Place, One Day at a Time, Sanford, Gimme a Break, Kate & Allie, and Bagdad Café. The interview, part of the Archive Comedy Collection Sponsored by Bob Hope, was conducted by Jeff Abraham on January 24, 2004 in Los Angeles, CA.

Click here to access all Mort Lachman interview segments.

Remember, if you'd like to watch the interview in the order in which it was conducted, select the parts in order (1,2,3...).