Stories
Norman Lear based Archie Bunker off of his own father
The writer borrowed from his life.
Richard Moll didn't have a lot in common with his character on Night Court
This incredible actor looked like he would "bite the heads off of chickens." His words, not ours.
Sarah Jessica Parker hoped everyone could identify with Square Pegs
Parker identified with her "Square Pegs" character and hoped that you would do the same.
Lucille Ball enjoyed The Lucy Show because her fictional husband wasn't involved
No husband? No problem. Everyone already loved Lucy.
Bob Denver said that he and Alan Hale Jr. were like Laurel and Hardy during Gilligan's Island
The actors were two peas in a pod.
Tom Bosley shared a lot in common with his Happy Days character
Bosley built a career on being a dad.
Cindy Williams would reenact childhood memories during episodes of Laverne & Shirley
Williams called her acting career "a love affair."
Barry Williams really did wipe out while surfing in Hawaii on The Brady Bunch
A memorable scene in The Brady Bunch was actually one of Barry Williams's most embarrassing moments.
When she wasn't filming, Vicki Lawrence was a real 'Mama' at home
Not only did Vicki Lawrence play a full-time Mama on Mama's Family, but she also played a full-time mom at home.
Sally Struthers was worried about how her fame would affect her daughter
"I hate to leave her even for a moment."
10 behind-the-scenes photos of Christmas on classic TV to get you in the holiday spirit
Get into the holiday spirit with your favorite classic TV stars!
The Love Boat helped Bernie Kopell wash away his previous roles
Love Boat fans knew of Adam Bricker, but no one knew the name of the actor who played him.
Vicki Lawrence is proof that you don't have to act your age to be successful
In real life Vicki Lawrence was only in her 30s when Mama's Family premiered, but her character on the show was in her 60s.
At first, Norman Lear was against Sammy Davis Jr. appearing in All in the Family
The popular episode that almost never was.
Esther Rolle wanted Good Times writers to eliminate some of J.J. Evans' ''foolishness''
"Rather than get rid of Jimmie, I would like to see them eliminate some of the flippant things he does and make the character responsible."
Theresa Merritt based her That's My Mama character on her aunt
Mama Curtis always felt like a real person. Turns out, it's because Mama Curtis was actually Aunt Gertie.
Theresa Merritt faced an identity crisis during her time on That's My Mama
She was Mama Curtis to everyone, even in real life.
Jimmie Walker didn't want people to identify him with his Good Times character
Walker wanted to be a comedian and playing J.J. Evans gave him the needed exposure.
Ted Lange used That's My Mama as a chance to prove himself
Before he boarded The Love Boat, he was just trying to stay afloat on That's My Mama.
Ja'Net DuBois sometimes felt insecure in her role on Good Times
Anyone can feel insecure standing next to a seasoned actress like Esther Rolle.
Jimmie Walker said he was nothing like J.J. on Good Times
He was more of a loner in real life than his "Dy-no-mite!" character!
Ja'Net DuBois had big love for her small role on Good Times
Somebody’s got to play the small parts, and DuBois was at peace with that.
Marlo Thomas was a girl who just wanted her privacy
She liked to keep her guard up at all times — sometimes quite literally — as she often had issues with the press.
New York City ''sewer rats'' became an important part of Art Carney's career
Carney loved the New York City sewer system just as much as the real "rats" in the city did.
Sally Struthers had a crush on Rob Reiner during filming of All in the Family
Were sparks flying off-camera?
Tim Conway said that this was one of the most important element of good comedy
The comedy legend shared this secret tip.
Sherwood Schwartz kept an upbeat attitude in the face of poor Gilligan's Island ratings
"All I want is for everybody to have a little fun," said Schwartz.
Ann B. Davis loved to dust on the set of The Brady Bunch
Ann B. Davis never wanted to play a leading lady on 'The Brady Bunch,' she was content with dusting.
Jean Stapleton vetoed this plot point and changed an All in the Family script
The actress worked hard to shape her character.
Gavin MacLeod went from playing villains to being considered a comedy hero
When Gavin MacLeod lost his hair, he started getting typecasted as the big, bald, bad guy.
This Square Pegs character was based on a real nerd
The Square Pegs producer turned her most memorable high school moments into gold.
Ja'Net DuBois admitted that John Amos' departure from Good Times ''left such a big hole''
Fans weren't the only ones who felt the pain of James Evans' scripted passing.
Anson Williams wanted to use television to speak to an audience
Williams saw the medium as a platform.
Tim Conway didn't take a technical approach to comedy
Conway was an off-the-cuff comedian.
The essential role the parents played on Everybody Loves Raymond
There was a lot of love underneath the banter and battling of the Barones.
Mama's Family gave Harvey Korman the chance to be a director
He put family first on Mama’s Family and fully embraced the shift from acting to directing.
LaWanda Page was scared to make mistakes when she first appeared on Sanford and Son
The actress didn't want to disappoint her mom, Redd Foxx and viewers.
Jill Whelan on the realities of growing up on television
"In every situation, in everything I do, each decision must be the right one," said the actor.
Bob Newhart did comedy to ''keep him from crying''
"I guess I laugh to keep from crying," Newhart said.
Everybody Loves Raymond's Doris Roberts broke TV's age barrier
She could steal a scene, even when the spotlight wasn’t on her.
The stars of ''Everybody Loves Raymond'' pick their favorite episodes
Plus, series creator Phil Rosenthal chimes in!
Ray Romano: ''I need to be a loser.''
Romano demonstrated that sometimes, losing can feel like a big win.
Penny Marshall enjoyed drinking milk and Pepsi as a child, long before she starred on Laverne & Shirley
Laverne and Penny shared a drink of choice.
Jimmie Walker was a stand-up comedian before becoming a star on Good Times
Before Jimmie Walker was cracking jokes on television, he told them onstage as a struggling stand-up comedian.
Harvey Korman considered himself a variety show survivor
Harvey Korman was one of the many talented actors to be affected by both the rise and decline of variety shows.
No actors were fighting for superiority on the set of Everybody Loves Raymond
“It’s a joy to come to work in the morning," said actor Doris Roberts.
Cindy Williams loved playing the role of Shirley on Laverne & Shirley
Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall were surprised when Laverne & Shirley became one of the most-watched TV series in the country.
Mike Lookinland loved talking about The Brady Bunch with fans
"People call up all the time and ask if I'm Bobby Brady," said the actor.
Danny Thomas said he worked with ''Hollywood's finest child actor'' on The Danny Thomas Show
The fictional father-son duo kept up the act even after the cameras quit rolling.
Lauren Tewes credited her Love Boat co-stars with helping her adjust to The Love Boat
"I'm surrounded by a wonderful professional cast," said the actor.
Vivian Vance's acting career had a parallel in mental health
She was much more than just Ethel Mertz.
Harry Anderson was essentially playing himself on Night Court
Harry Anderson's acting journey started with a little magic.
In 1966, Bob Denver gave advice on how to be funny
Bob Denver knew how to be funny, and he wanted you to know how too.
Jean Stapleton said that the cast of All in the Family were invited to add their own ideas to the script
During the episode read-through, the actors were encouraged to share their thoughts on the script.
Bob Saget loved working with kids for his role on Full House
He had a daughter in real life and three on the series – that's one busy dad!
Yes, that was actually Henry Winkler water skiing in Happy Days
Winkler was a talented actor and an adept skier!
LaWanda Page said Redd Foxx rehearsed with her so she wouldn't get fired
When producers wanted to replace Page, Foxx stood up for his longtime friend and rehearsed lines with her.
Before landing her role on Good Times Bern Nadette Stanis wanted to be a dancer
Her role on Good Times was so sudden that it took her out of her classes at Juilliard!
Art Carney on the realism of The Honeymooners
"People accepted us that way," said the actor.
The younger cast members of Happy Days would often go to Tom Bosley for advice
Bosley's costars often turned to the actor for wisdom.
Carol Burnett, Buddy Hackett, Lucille Ball and other stars gave up their privacy for fame
Stars, like everyone else, just want some peace and quiet from time to time.
The death of Redd Foxx was devastating for The Royal Family cast
"He has been my friend for 40 years and I always abided by his decisions, and since he was ready to go, I have to abide by that."
Dick Van Dyke is so humble that his friends had to remind him that he was a star
Van Dyke was so talented that Carl Reiner called him "sickening."
Redd Foxx loved his life inside and outside of Sanford and Son
Redd Foxx was both a nightclub comic and a TV star. In the '70s, succeeding in both at the same time was rare.
Here's why Ted Bessell of That Girl wanted to leave the series
There was a lot of pressure being the guy to That Girl on the hit 1966 series.
Gavin MacLeod addresses rumors that the Love Boat cast didn't get along
This is your captain speaking.
LaWanda Page didn't allow her success on Sanford and Son to spoil her
LaWanda Page didn't care about fame, cars or money; She just wanted to play the part of Aunt Esther.
Redd Foxx's connection to Sanford and Son went beyond acting
I love Sanford because that's me. That's just Redd Foxx fifteen years from now," he added.
Redd Foxx said the key to Sanford and Son's success was honesty
The actor and legendary comedian had faith in the power of humor, and along with honesty, that made the show popular.
How Vivian Vance became a big Hollywood star by accident
Vivian Vance had the audition of a lifetime in front of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz – and she had no idea.
Penny Marshall was afraid of stardom during her time on Laverne & Shirley
Penny Marshall dealt with different degrees of pressure during her time on the show. One of those pressures came from herself.
George Wendt enjoyed being ''large'' for a living
Wendt was living large and liked it that way.
John Larroquette said there was ''nothing quite like Night Court''
Order in the court! Here’s why Night Court ruled TV.
Marion Ross on balancing family and career: ''I'm about 50/50''
It was all happy days for the Happy Days star.
Jean Stapleton considered herself an introvert
Offstage, she was much more reserved.
Barry Williams chose The Brady Bunch over his social life
Barry Williams didn't need a girlfriend as a young man, he was already in love with The Brady Bunch.
Jim Backus felt stifled by television during his time on Gilligan's Island
Backus paid a price for fame.
Vicki Lawrence fought for better scripts on Mama's Family
Having worked under Burnett, she knew not to settle.
Here's how Happy Days helped Ron Howard mature
All Ron Howard wanted was to act his age.
The Love Boat gave Bernie Kopell an unexpected romantic image
He was the underdog of romance until he became the type everyone wanted.
Norman Lear had a special message hidden inside Sanford and Son and All in the Family
Norman Lear did what he wanted and didn't care who saw — even if it was thousands of TV viewers.
Marlo Thomas was an inspiration to strong, independent women
Marlo Thomas stood on business.
Bob Saget used to compare Full House to Happy Days
"We kid that I'm Richie Cunningham and we're doing Happy Days," Saget said.
In 1992, Cheers star John Ratzenberger saluted the Cliff Clavins of the world
Ratzenberger said everyone needed a friend like Cliff Clavin in their life.
Carol Burnett's Tarzan yell got her into trouble after she frightened a security guard at a department store
Burnett's iconic shout got her into some hot water.