Happy Father's Day

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences celebrated TV Dads on Thursday June 18th and the Archive of American Television was there to catch a few of the "adored and endeared" fathers on the press line. Among the beloved patriarchs present were Stephen Collins, Bryan Cranston, Jon Cryer, Patrick Duffy, Michael Gross, Bill Paxton, Dick Van Dyke, Dick Van Patten, and Reginald VelJohnson.

Below, the Archive talks with Big Love's Bill Paxton on how his character fits in with the TV dads of earlier eras and Family's Ties' Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter talk about the family values of their show and the fun they had on the set.

Dick Martin Dies at the Age of 86-- Archive Interview Segment Online

Comedian Dick Martin, best known as the co-host with Dan Rowan of television's Laugh-In (1968-73) has died (click here for his obituary on Newsday.com). The Archive interviewed Martin in 2002. His complete three-and-a-half hour interview will be available online soon and can also be viewed at Academy headquarters.

For Laugh-In's 40th anniversary in January of this year, the Archive posted a lengthy segment of his interview, which can be viewed here.


Interview description:
Martin spoke about his lifelong ambition to work in the entertainment industry, and his early career steps in Hollywood. He described his first encounter with Dan Rowan, and their subsequent partnership. He remembered with great detail their years on the road working in nightclubs around the country, and their early forays into television. Next, he spoke about working with Lucille Ball as an occasional performer on her CBS series The Lucy Show. Mr. Martin spoke at length about their renowned variety series Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, and talked about working with his well-known co-stars. Finally, he discussed his second career as a director for television, on programs including The Bob Newhart Show, Flo, Family Ties, Mama’s Family, The Bradys, and Newhart.