Stories

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jean Stapleton vetoed this plot point and changed an All in the Family script

The actress worked hard to shape her character.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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."

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.

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.

Gavin MacLeod addresses rumors that the Love Boat cast didn't get along

This is your captain speaking.

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.

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.

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.

George Wendt enjoyed being ''large'' for a living

Wendt was living large and liked it that way.

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.

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.

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.

Jean Stapleton considered herself an introvert

Offstage, she was much more reserved.

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.

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.

The Love Boat gave Bernie Kopell an unexpected romantic image

He was the underdog of romance until he became the type everyone wanted.

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.

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.

Norman Lear revealed how Edith was able to tune Archie out

Edith loved Archie but didn't agree with him.

All in the Family changed Sally Struthers over the course of nine seasons

Sally Struthers changed her attitude because of her role in All in the Family. It also brought her closer to her real-life family.

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."

Archie and Edith reminded Jean Stapleton of her own parents

Stapleton saw her family in the Bunkers.

Norman Lear revealed All in the Family's British roots

The producer spilled the beans (and toast!)

Jean Stapleton said that her husband ''had all the qualities Archie doesn't have.''

"He is an enlightened person and smart."

Fame couldn't change Jean Stapleton's ''caring and down-to-earth'' personality

Being a star came second to being a good person for the actress.