Stories
A network executive wanted the castaways to escape Gilligan's Island after the first episode
Creator Sherwood Schwartz knew the island was the star of the show as much as any of the actors.
Night Court's Harry Anderson had a tough start to his success
A little magic goes a long way.
Lucille Ball on what it was like using stilts, falling down and cracking up on her show
She used props to aid her comedy and Band-Aids to help put her back together.
Barry Williams on the disastrous Brady Kids concert costumes
Polyester! Bellbottoms! Fringe! Oh my!
Vicki Lawrence called Thelma Harper ''a lonely old lady''
"She parallels many people in everybody's family," Lawrence said.
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.
Frank Sutton didn't like talking about politics during his time on Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C.
Frank Sutton was only an actor, and he wanted both interviewers and his fans to know that.
Raymond Bailey was ''the banker's hero'' after his role on The Beverly Hillbillies
His success as The Clampetts' banker was so unexpected, he wouldn't have even put money on it.
Norman Lear based Archie Bunker off of his own father
The writer borrowed from his life.
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.
Here's why the 1972 season was crucial for The Odd Couple's success
The Odd Couple's second and third seasons were titled "the most crucial seasons" for the hit-series.
Henry Winkler used some of his popularity as The Fonz to teach kids about Shakespeare
What a duo: The Bard and The Fonz!
Carroll O'Connor was a teacher to his costars on the set of All in the Family
O'Connor wasn't just an actor.
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.
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.
Marilu Henner helped real-life cab drivers when she wasn't acting on Taxi
Marilu Henner took her Taxi fame for a ride straight to the streets of New York!
R.I.P. Bob Mackie, Emmy-winning designer who clothed the likes of Cher and Carol Burnett
He created everything from the "Went With the Wind" curtain dress to Cher's 1986 Academy Awards look to Elton John's sequined Dodgers uniform costume. The designer was 87 years old.
Despite earning millions, Jackie Gleason didn't care about money
Money couldn't buy happiness or The Honeymooners star.
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.
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!
Dick Van Dyke on new love in old age: ''It's not too late!''
He also says you should exercise!
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.
The Beverly Hillbillies' Nancy Kulp found her humor through the series
Kulp found a way to turn a laugh into a legacy.
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.
Bea Benaderet’s favorite Petticoat Junction co-star isn’t who you’d expect!
Turns out you can teach a dog new tricks!
Kathy Garver wanted her character on Family Affair to grow up
Garver was all grown up and just wanted her character to catch up.
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.
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.
How Marlo Thomas gave Danny Thomas the worst Father’s Day gift possible
The decision to act came easily for everyone—except Marlo's parents.
Here’s why Carol Burnett thought rain brought good luck
It’s raining, it’s pouring—Carol Burnett’s career was soaring.
Max Wright said ALF the alien made him feel more human
It took an alien from outer space to help Max Wright find his humanity in the world.
Henry Winkler locked himself in his apartment for 24 hours after The Fonz became popular
Winkler dealt with his success in an unusual way.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bob Newhart was hesitant to return to the classic TV wars
Don’t worry—he just needed the right show to showcase his style of comedy.
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.
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.
John Stamos was haunted by Uncle Jesse's mullet
He has often spoken of his struggles stepping out from under that mullet.
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.
Harvey Korman loved being in the background on The Carol Burnett Show
Korman didn't need to shine bright to be considered a star.
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.
Archie and Edith reminded Jean Stapleton of her own parents
Stapleton saw her family in the Bunkers.
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.
Here's how Betty White described the feeling of leaving Hot in Cleveland behind
Saying goodbye was hard for the hottest trio in Cleveland!
George Wendt enjoyed being ''large'' for a living
Wendt was living large and liked it that way.
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.
Bea Benaderet told Paul Henning he should cast his own daughter in Petticoat Junction
Bea Benaderet, keeping the nepo-baby rumors alive.
Vicki Lawrence fought for better scripts on Mama's Family
Having worked under Burnett, she knew not to settle.
Vivian Vance once vowed to never work in television again
Don't worry. She didn't mean it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Dick Van Dyke comedy special made CBS offer Mary Tyler Moore a thirteen-episode deal for the Mary Tyler Moore Show
Looks like the special helped Moore make it after all.
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.
Robert Reed had a very sensible reason as to why he'd never recommend acting as a career
The actor was stern, but fair.
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.
Here's why Archie was actually missing from two episodes in season five of All in the Family
Archie was getting lost on his way to Buffalo, but Carroll O'Connor knew exactly where he stood.
That Girl's Marlo Thomas was tired of talking about her dad in interviews
Her famous father wasn’t her only acting inspiration!
Norman Lear revealed how Edith was able to tune Archie out
Edith loved Archie but didn't agree with him.
Susan Olsen had some interesting feelings about her Brady brothers
She tells a Florence Henderson story, too!
One of Harvey Korman’s biggest worries was time
Time was Korman’s toughest critic!
Cindy Williams would reenact childhood memories during episodes of Laverne & Shirley
Williams called her acting career "a love affair."
Fred MacMurray tried to keep My Three Sons as fresh as possible
MacMurray and his three sons were no strangers to change.
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.
Wives saved The Dick Van Dyke Show from cancellation
The Dick Van Dyke Show received assistance from an unlikely source.
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.
Here's what Lucille Ball had to say about staying young and beautiful
The Lucille Ball method: Castor oil, humor and perfume.
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 the method Bob Mackie used to design Carol Burnett’s iconic costumes
Carol Burnett and Cher had something in common besides their star power.
Jean Stapleton said that her husband ''had all the qualities Archie doesn't have.''
"He is an enlightened person and smart."
Harvey Korman saved Mama's Family from a dark place
Korman really brought the family together — and lead them to success.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anson Williams wanted to use television to speak to an audience
Williams saw the medium as a platform.
Here’s what Bernie Kopell had to say about starring on The Love Boat
"I work steadily...What could be wrong with that?”
Valerie Harper's real-life pregnancy depended on her television career
Valerie Harper already had so much going for her, so why not add a baby to the mix?
Please enjoy this pep talk from Florence Henderson
Feeling down? Take a dose of Carol Brady.
Anne Schedeen thanked ALF for bringing her up to star status
All she needed was a working spaceship to help her land her star status.
The real reason Natalie Schafer loved playing comedic roles
Schafer viewed comedy as a way to "escape reality."
Here's how Mike Nesmith handled Monkees mania and its screaming fans
It’s clear the band knew how to hit the right note!
Judd Hirsch wanted Taxi fans to step up after the series was put on hold by NBC
On paper, Taxi had everything it needed to succeed, but in reality, the series had many ups and downs.
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.
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.
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.
Here's the advice Audrey Meadows would get from Honeymooners fans
Meadows received advice from women all over the country on how to handle her fictional husband!
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.
Valerie Bertinelli said the best advice she ever received was from co-star Betty White
Some of the hottest chemistry wasn’t just in Cleveland.
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.
Bob Newhart loved to watch Newhart reruns
Newhart didn’t watch it for entertainment—he watched it for research.
Here’s the advice Hot in Cleveland star Betty White gave to young actors
She made being over 50 look cool.
Cindy Williams had experience with two decades: Shirley's and her own
Her character resonated with audiences of all generations!
R.I.P. Shelley Fabares, star of ''The Donna Reed Show'', ''Coach'', and frequent Elvis co-star
She had a #1 hit song and was married to M*A*S*H actor Mike Farrell. The actress was 82 years old.
Jean Stapleton partially based Edith off of a ''beloved dingbat'' in her family
Stapleton was able to pull from her family tree to find inspiration for Edith Bunker.
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."
The Love Boat's Ted Lange once wrote a rock musical
Who knew this bartender on The Love Boat was so rock and roll?!
Marion Ross on balancing family and career: ''I'm about 50/50''
It was all happy days for the Happy Days star.
Bea Benaderet and her character on Petticoat Junction had some key differences
Benaderet called herself a "slob" (her words, not ours) compared to her hardworking and organized character on Petticoat Junction.
Mary Tyler Moore said she started becoming a ''carbon copy'' of Dick Van Dyke
Life imitates art, and in this case, art imitated Dick Van Dyke
Henry Winkler put an end to a common rumor about Happy Days in 1976
Remember when we all thought Henry Winkler was leaving Happy Days? He addressed the rumor in a 1976 interview.
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.
Here's what Lucille Ball had to say about staying successful
It's time to pull up a chair and learn a few lessons from Lucy!
Finding new ways to relate to women was an important job for Hot in Cleveland
This one's for the girls!
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.
Here's how Mayberry and Andy Griffith shaped George Lindsey
He treated each day in Mayberry like it was his last.
Here's how these stars remembered Lucille Ball after her death in 1989
It wasn't just for the cameras. These stars loved Lucy.
Natalie Schafer was typecast as a wealthy woman but didn’t care about money
She had a very rich career — in more ways than one!
About that time Max Baer Jr. played Jethro's twin sister on The Beverly Hillbillies
Max Baer Jr. was a man who looked like a lady, or a man who looked like his twin sister.
Carroll O'Connor said that criticism of his shows got to him
Carroll O'Connor had a candid critique of TV critics.
Dave Coulier was able to show his love for hockey during his time on Full House
Coulier has a successful acting career, but his greatest memory happened in an ice rink with a hockey legend.
Here's how Happy Days helped Ron Howard mature
All Ron Howard wanted was to act his age.
Frank Sutton used his real military experience on Gomer Pyle: USMC
Sutton was a real Army veteran with a fictional Marine background.
9 fascinating little things you never knew about Florence Henderson
From her Queen of Diamonds crown to her hypnotherapy license, she was one-of-a-kind.
Tim Conway said that this was one of the most important element of good comedy
The comedy legend shared this secret tip.
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.
Dick Van Dyke did his best to avoid any changes on his hit series
He wanted to change everything about television, but nothing about The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Jean Stapleton was thankful she didn't have to choose between family and career
One could argue that her career was family.
Here’s what Dick Van Dyke thought made his series so special
He knew the secret formula but left out one key ingredient.
Critics couldn’t shake Tom Bosley or Happy Days
These critics had seen happier days.
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.
Carol Burnett was afraid of being typecast in the early 1970s
Carol Burnett was known for being a queen of comedy, and that was part of her problem.