Stories
Jean Stapleton thought about leaving All in the Family to pursue musical comedy
The actress valued her contract but knew musical comedy was something she'd like to take seriously.
Jackie Gleason fought to get Art Carney more money
Gleason used his pull for his pal.
Florence Henderson on why the Bradys couldn't have babies
Should Carol Brady have had more children? Here’s what Florence Henderson had to say!
Henry Winkler locked himself in his apartment for 24 hours after The Fonz became popular
Winkler dealt with his success in an unusual way.
Here's the real reason why Lucille Ball dyed her hair that iconic red color
The look is legendary, but the steps taken to get there are shrouded in rumors.
Taxi's Marilu Henner hailed a cab and rode it all the way to success
Henner would receive high praise, gifts and even a special license from Taxi drivers all over the country.
Norman Lear based Archie Bunker off of his own father
The writer borrowed from his life.
Dick Van Dyke on new love in old age: ''It's not too late!''
He also says you should exercise!
Here's the reason Paul Fusco believed everyone loved ALF
ALF took the world by storm, and he wasn’t even from this planet!
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.
Night Court's Harry Anderson had a tough start to his success
A little magic goes a long way.
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.
Gomer Pyle's Frank Sutton said he was a ''killer turned to comic''
From drama to comedy: Here's how Sutton made the switch to the funny side.
The Beverly Hillbillies' Nancy Kulp found her humor through the series
Kulp found a way to turn a laugh into a legacy.
Early in his television career, Norman Lear admitted he wasn't being honest with himself
"If we couldn't make a story entertaining, we would not do the story. But I didn't feel the obligation was to make an audience laugh only.
Compared to My Three Sons, Fred MacMurray said being a father was harder at home
Fatherhood was so much easier for MacMurray when it was written out in My Three Sons.
Robert Reed wasn't afraid to speak up about his Brady Bunch criticisms
Reed had a few opinions about the writing on The Brady Bunch.
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.
Harvey Korman wanted to stay relevant for as long as he could
Comedy may not have been easy, but Korman made it look that way.
Barry Williams on the disastrous Brady Kids concert costumes
Polyester! Bellbottoms! Fringe! Oh my!
Henry Winkler used some of his popularity as The Fonz to teach kids about Shakespeare
What a duo: The Bard and The Fonz!
Jean Stapleton knew that Edith Bunker wasn't stupid
"Edith is the power."
These candid photos show the messy aftermath of I Love Lucy’s famous grape stomping scene
The iconic moment looks hilarious on camera but was perilous to film.
In the '60s, Carol Burnett and Jim Nabors went on the road together
They were as good of friends offstage as they were comedians onstage together.
Bob Denver and Dawn Wells said Gilligan's Island wasn't just for kids
It didn't matter if you were a kid or an adult, getting stranded on Gilligan's Island was an easy thing to do.
Vicki Lawrence was busy bouncing between game show and sitcom sets in the '80s
Vicki Lawrence was a big fan of Mama's Family and game shows. She was even a contestant on a game show in the sitcom.
Irene Ryan was worried she would have tomatoes thrown at her during live performances
Stage fright? No way. Fears of being famous? Nope. Flying tomatoes? Irene Ryan was always looking out for them.
Vicki Lawrence put the meaning of family in Mama's Family
Burnett helped inspire the family members of Mama's Family, and Lawrence wasn't sure she was ready to be head of the household.
Robert Reed struggled to make his character ''believable'' on The Brady Bunch
"For me, the biggest fight was to make the character seem real," Reed 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.
This was the trait that Lucille Ball said that actors would be better without
"Even in my early days in movies, I resented roles where looks were all-important," said the actor.
Don Grady said his My Three Sons fan mail was a work of ''modern art''
His character was so dreamy, it had girls dreaming about him.
Marion Ross loved the similarities between her Happy Days family and her real one
Marion Ross loved her own family just as much as Marion Cunningham loved Richie and Joanie.
Here's how Betty White described the feeling of leaving Hot in Cleveland behind
Saying goodbye was hard for the hottest trio in Cleveland!
Carroll O'Connor's nine-year-old son responded to a hate letter his father received
O'Connor didn't even know about the letter until he found a copy of his son's reply.
Cindy Williams had experience with two decades: Shirley's and her own
Her character resonated with audiences of all generations!
Marlo Thomas was determined to prove critics wrong about her series, That Girl
Thomas said that even if she didn't become a big star, she knew That Girl would be a big hit.
The cast of Taxi had mixed reactions when the series moved to NBC
When Taxi switched networks, its stars were hoping it would drive higher ratings home.
Robert Reed had a very sensible reason as to why he'd never recommend acting as a career
The actor was stern, but fair.
Norman Lear explained the difference between television in the seventies and the eighties
"I think most people are nostalgic for something they've never known."
Despite earning millions, Jackie Gleason didn't care about money
Money couldn't buy happiness or The Honeymooners star.
That Girl's Marlo Thomas was tired of talking about her dad in interviews
Her famous father wasn’t her only acting inspiration!
Harvey Korman had a ton of ideas but said no format fit his style
"I have a million ideas, but am still looking for a good format," Korman said.
The Love Boat bartender picked up some mixology skills for the role
Ted Lange was known for making drinks on The Love Boat, but he could make a mean martini off-screen too.
Lucille Ball explained why the Ricardo family lived an average life
“I...didn’t want us to be a typical Hollywood couple, whatever that is,” said Ball.
Vicki Lawrence fought for better scripts on Mama's Family
Having worked under Burnett, she knew not to settle.
Sammy Davis Jr. gave Archie Bunker the kiss of a lifetime on All in the Family
Archie Bunker doesn't kiss and tell, but his reaction is worth a thousand words.
There was a time when no one knew what Ozzie's career was on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
He was family first and questions later. Can anyone recall what Ozzie did for a living in his series?
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.
Vicki Lawrence wanted Mama to mellow out by season two
Originally, critics slammed the series by saying that Mama was too harsh.
Fred MacMurray tried to keep My Three Sons as fresh as possible
MacMurray and his three sons were no strangers to change.
Here's what Lucille Ball had to say about staying young and beautiful
The Lucille Ball method: Castor oil, humor and perfume.
Sally Struthers thought Gloria should have had a job on All in the Family
Sally Struthers had a few ideas for her character on All in the Family. Including one idea that came true.
Wives saved The Dick Van Dyke Show from cancellation
The Dick Van Dyke Show received assistance from an unlikely source.
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.
A bald head helped Richard Moll get his part in Night Court
Night Court producers loved Moll's bald-headed look. Richard Moll? Maybe not so much.
Susan Olsen had some interesting feelings about her Brady brothers
She tells a Florence Henderson story, too!
The Love Boat's Lauren Tewes was said to be the next Mary Tyler Moore
Lauren Tewes had a few things in common with Mary Tyler Moore, including her love for acting.
Sebastian Cabot said he developed a ''motherly image'' while on Family Affair
For a character who was all about family, the series became highly rated among families at home.
Cindy Williams would reenact childhood memories during episodes of Laverne & Shirley
Williams called her acting career "a love affair."
Norman Lear revealed how Edith was able to tune Archie out
Edith loved Archie but didn't agree with him.
From son to father: Don Grady on growing up with My Three Sons
One of the sons from My Three Sons became a father himself—of three boys!
Here’s why Carol Burnett thought rain brought good luck
It’s raining, it’s pouring—Carol Burnett’s career was soaring.
Anson Williams wanted to use television to speak to an audience
Williams saw the medium as a platform.
How Carl Reiner kept The Dick Van Dyke Show relevant years after it aired
The series star argued that the show became so successful because of the cast's chemistry.
All in the Family got rid of ''live laughs'' and the live studio audience
The show changed for its ninth season. Apparently, people in the live audience didn't enjoy the jokes.
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!
Gavin MacLeod believed that The Love Boat was an escape for viewers
It wasn't just a cruise ship and show; it was happiness for many.
Vivian Vance once vowed to never work in television again
Don't worry. She didn't mean it.
Harvey Korman saved Mama's Family from a dark place
Korman really brought the family together — and lead them to success.
Jean Stapleton reflected on what it was like when Norman Lear left All in the Family
No Norman Lear? No problem. Jean Stapleton knew how to be head of the household on All in the Family.
Fans would stop Marlo Thomas on the street just to call her ''That Girl''
She was "that girl" on TV and "that girl" on the streets.
During his career in comedy, Tim Conway found hope in his failures
Conway looked back at his career and his many failures in both television and in real life.
The Brady Bunch creator wanted to offer viewers a ''people comedy''
What did a stranded island, a family of eight and a housekeeper all have in common? Sherwood Schwartz.
Carroll O'Connor gave the best advice for aspiring actors
The Emmy award-winning actor was all for following your dreams but said it would not come easy.
Danny DeVito's character on Taxi was made just for him
DeVito hatched a plan in order to get the part of Louie on Taxi.
Here’s what Bernie Kopell had to say about starring on The Love Boat
"I work steadily...What could be wrong with that?”
Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall had two very different reactions to fame and success
Finding success was one of the best—and most confusing—days of their lives.
Archie and Edith reminded Jean Stapleton of her own parents
Stapleton saw her family in the Bunkers.
8 of the best questions, answers and interactions from the Q+A sessions on The Carol Burnett Show
Burnett's quick-wit and situational comedy abilities made the Q+A sessions a must-watch for any fan of her variety show.
Kathy Garver wanted her character on Family Affair to grow up
Garver was all grown up and just wanted her character to catch up.
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.
George Wendt enjoyed being ''large'' for a living
Wendt was living large and liked it that way.
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.
Please enjoy this pep talk from Florence Henderson
Feeling down? Take a dose of Carol Brady.