Stories
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.
Ted Knight's character on The Mary Tyler Moore Show was a lot like him
There were some days Ted Knight would look in the mirror and only see Ted Baxter.
Ted Lange loved the perks that came along with The Love Boat
Ted Lange fell in love with The Love Boat and all the perks that came with working on a cruise ship.
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 Odd Couple changed Tony Randall's outlook on life
He quickly became one of the most successful neat freaks on television!
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.
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.
Vicki Lawrence fought for better scripts on Mama's Family
Having worked under Burnett, she knew not to settle.
Harvey Korman saved Mama's Family from a dark place
Korman really brought the family together — and lead them to success.
Vicki Lawrence wanted Mama to mellow out by season two
Originally, critics slammed the series by saying that Mama was too harsh.
Betty White loved her ''adopted'' family on Mama's Family
Mama's family became a bit more full whenever Betty White came to town!
How syndication saved Vicki Lawrence and Mama's Family
Syndication saved Mama's Family.
Lauren Tewes on the similarities between herself and her character on The Love Boat
"There's a lot of me in her, but there's really none of her in me."
Jean Stapleton knew that Edith Bunker wasn't stupid
"Edith is the power."
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.
At first, Henry Winkler didn't know the impact The Fonz would have on TV
In the hearts of classic TV fans, he’ll always be The Fonz.
Tim Conway thought more comedy was needed in TV and film
This funny guy on TV wanted to be a funny guy in the movies, too!
Tina Louise would have picked Manhattan over Gilligan's Island
Oops! Looks like Tina Louise would have rather been stranded somewhere else.
Robert Reed lived in half of a mansion during The Brady Bunch
Robert Reed lived in a giant mansion in the early '70s! Well, he lived in half of one actually.
How Russell Johnson’s WWII experience made Gilligan’s Island more realistic
Before playing the Professor on Gilligan’s Island, Russell Johnson flew 46 combat missions and used that real-life experience to correct a major onscreen mistake!
Jean Stapleton was a Hollywood star, but she lived in rural Pennsylvania
Stapleton was a real-life Hollywood Hillbilly. From Los Angeles to Pennsylvania, she liked living two different lifestyles.
This was Jill Whelan's real opinion on her on-screen father, Gavin MacLeod
"It's a great show to work on," said Whelan.
Sally Field hated being called cute during her time on The Flying Nun
Many words could be used to describe Field and her career, but "cute" is not one of them.
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.
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.
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.
Here was Danny Thomas' advice to his daughter during her time on That Girl
"Like father, like daughter" was never truer than in Marlo's and Danny's father-daughter relationship.
Jean Stapleton said that her husband ''had all the qualities Archie doesn't have.''
"He is an enlightened person and smart."
Here's how Happy Days helped Ron Howard mature
All Ron Howard wanted was to act his age.
Here's the advice Lucille Ball gave to aspiring actors and entertainers
What's Lucy's secret to success? Grape stomping, bear wrestling, silliness and a lot of hard work.
Sally Struthers had a crush on Rob Reiner during filming of All in the Family
Were sparks flying off-camera?
The guest role that made Dick Van Dyke a star
A last-minute guest-hosting gig helped launch Dick Van Dyke’s iconic career. Learn about the unexpected TV moment that turned him into a household name and set the stage for his legendary roles.
M*A*S*H's McLean Stevenson didn't think kids should watch TV
He wanted kids to give up TV and turn the page to reading—even if it meant fewer kids were watching M*A*S*H.
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 loved to watch Newhart reruns
Newhart didn’t watch it for entertainment—he watched it for research.
Carroll O'Connor argued that Archie Bunker taught viewers to be more open-minded
"They see a racist in the character of Archie Bunker," said O'Connor. "They also see the burden Archie Bunker places upon himself and his like.
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.
Vivian Vance's acting career had a parallel in mental health
She was much more than just Ethel Mertz.
The M*A*S*H cast praised producers for allowing them ''freedom''
At the 4077th, all ideas were welcome.
Christopher Knight's shocking reaction to The Brady Bunch cancellation
Or, maybe it wasn't so unexpected after all!
Audrey Meadows on how she got the role of Alice Kramden
Meadows was rich both in wealth and in her career.
George Lindsey used his country roots to his benefit in Mayberry R.F.D.
Turns out, Lindsey didn't have to do that much acting in order to play the part of a small-town country bumpkin.
Here's how Mayberry and Andy Griffith shaped George Lindsey
He treated each day in Mayberry like it was his last.
Mayberry's Ken Berry couldn't believe he would replace Andy Griffith
Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, but luckily, Ken Berry was quick on his feet.
Here's what Ken Berry had to say to people who thought Mayberry R.F.D. was ''unrelatable''
He defended his fictional hometown until the series ended in 1971.
Mayberry R.F.D. was a twist and turn in Ken Berry's life
Although acting wasn't Berry's original dream, he did it well and replaced an acting legend with ease.
Jean Stapleton considered herself an introvert
Offstage, she was much more reserved.
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!
Jamie Farr felt like M*A*S*H gave him a new life
Although he had been a character since the beginning, Farr's real breakthrough came later in the series.
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.
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.
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!
Sally Field said high schoolers were the world's hardest audience
Teens loved Sister Bertrille!
Andy Griffith felt that Andy Taylor’s strength came from being relatable
Andy Taylor was "just a regular guy," and that was his greatest appeal.
Bob Newhart did comedy to ''keep him from crying''
"I guess I laugh to keep from crying," Newhart said.
Maureen McCormick on why she doesn't like to watch The Brady Bunch
The actor wasn't a fan of reruns.
Here's how Vicki Lawrence really felt about Carol Burnett
"We're a lot alike," said Lawrence.
Here's how Jean Stapleton would correct fans when they identified her as Edith in public
She was a talented actor, but was also comfortable in her own skin.
Here's an inside look at the lightning-fast rehearsal process that made The Honeymooners so good
"Never in our wildest dreams did we think we were making TV history."
Andy Griffith went home to brush up on his accent whenever he had the chance
Griffith had to go down home to brush up on his accent.
Don Knotts would write poetry in his time away from The Andy Griffith Show
Knotts was a silly comedian who wrote some serious poetry after his time in Mayberry.
Frances Bavier was glad there was no ''glamour'' in playing Aunt Bee
Her role as Aunt Bee was so influential that it began to pour into her personal life.
How Sally Field unexpectedly landed Gidget, and how it was much more than a career-launcher
Though her first show only lasted one season, it certainly wasn't the precedent of things to come.
Art Carney: ''I never got tired of The Honeymooners''
"I always looked forward to going down to the show on Saturday nights."
Jean Stapleton believed that Edith Bunker was a reflection of women everywhere in the 1970s
"I knew Edith had to move fast to be real," said Stapleton.
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.
John Stamos rocking with The Beach Boys goes far beyond a couple Full House episodes
This actor-band relationship has been playing together for over 35 years.
Vivian Vance said that ''there was no boss'' on the set of I Love Lucy
Vance also said that she and Lucille Ball balanced each other out.
Jean Stapleton was never interested in the role of the leading lady
"I knew where I belonged," said the actor.
Jean Stapleton credited her mother for her strong work ethic
"I was raised that way," said the actor.
Marjorie Lord from The Danny Thomas Show wanted stronger women on TV
Guess the show should’ve been called "Make Room for Mommy!" instead!
Archie and Edith reminded Jean Stapleton of her own parents
Stapleton saw her family in the Bunkers.
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.
Here's Marlo Thomas' reaction to ending her hit series That Girl
She carried parts of Ann Marie with her long after the cameras stopped rolling.
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.
The role of The Fonz almost went to a Monkee
It came down to him and Henry Winkler.
Audrey Meadows' surprising first impressions of Jackie Gleason
Alice Kramden shared her thoughts about her onscreen husband in her autobiography
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.
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.
Tom Bosley shared a lot in common with his Happy Days character
Bosley built a career on being a dad.
Tina Louise said that her break from acting made her a better performer
"If Marilyn Monroe could do it, so could I," said the actor.
At 20, Don Grady was an actor, a writer and composer for My Three Sons
Grady became a triple threat at the age of 20!
Fred MacMurray was ''semi-retired'' while on My Three Sons
MacMurray was such a low-pressure kind of guy that he even "semi-retired" while still working.
Fred MacMurray tried to keep My Three Sons as fresh as possible
MacMurray and his three sons were no strangers to change.