In 1972, Gelbart was one of the main forces behind the creation of the television series M*A*S*H, writing and producing many episodes. Gelbart also wrote the screenplays for Oh, God!and Blame it on Rio, and in 1982 co-wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Tootsie. Gelbart's other Broadway credits include the musical City of Angels, which received an Edgar Award in 1990, and the Iran-contra satire Mastergate, as well as Sly Fox. In 1997, Gelbart wrote a memoir called Laughing Matters: On Writing M*A*S*H, Tootsie, Oh, God!, and a Few Other Funny Things.
The recipient of more than a dozen awards, Gelbart has received three Primetime Emmy Awards, three Tony Awards and the 1981 Laurel Award for outstanding career achievement in television writing from the Writer's Guild of America. Since May 2005, Gelbart has been a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post.
Merv Griffin
Merv Griffin An innovative force in television for nearly half a century, Merv Griffin hosted his syndicated talk show for 23 years and made game show history with the creation of "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."
In 1962, Griffin discovered his talent for talk when he was tapped as guest host for Jack Paar at NBC's "Tonight." (When he received his Lifetime Achievement Emmy in 2005, the New York Times headlined: "If Chatting Were an Olympic Sport, Merv Griffin Would Be Draped in Medals.") "The Merv Griffin Show," both on network and later in syndication, impacted American popular culture with its discovery of new talent and its serious discussions with controversial and iconic figures.
Founding Merv Griffin Entertainment in 1986 after the sale of his shows to the Coca-Cola owned Columbia, Griffin continued to create game shows and produce films and reality fare until his death on August 12, 2007. "Merv Griffin's Crosswords," his most recent creation, has been on the air since September 10, 2007.
In addition to new product, there is a steady growth to the $70 million in royalty earnings from the iconic "Jeopardy! Think Music." Merv Griffin earned 32 Emmy nominations and 17 Emmys Awards.
Thomas Murphy
Thomas Murphy was chairman and former CEO of Capital Cities/ABC. Highly regarded in the business world as well as in the broadcast and publishing industries, Murphy built Capital Communications into one of the country's leading media companies.
In 1985, Murphy engineered the acquisition of ABC by CapCities for $3.5 billion. He never forgot his roots in broadcasting, and he frequently spoke about the need to preserve broadcasting's "public trust" responsibilities. In 1990, Murphy stepped down as CEO and handed the responsibility to his longtime colleague, Dan Burke.
Sherwood Schwartz
Sherwood Schwartz is a writer/producer who has been involved with more than 700 television shows, but is still best remembered for two of the most enduring series, Gilligan's Island (1964-1967) and The Brady Bunch (1969-1974). In the 1990s, Schwartz was involved in producing The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel (1996). He also co-wrote the memorable theme songs for Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch. In March 2008, Schwartz, still ebullient at 91, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Full Interviews the Archive of American Television
Full oral history interviews with Bea Arthur, Larry Gelbart, Tom Murphy and Sherwood Schwartz are available online through the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation's Archive of American Television. Get direct links to the interviews at Archive of American Update blog.
About the Hall of Fame
Founded by former Television Academy president John H. Mitchell, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to television: on-camera legends and pioneering talent that include directors, producers, costume designers, writers, animators, executives, reporters and explorers.
Since the first ceremony in 1984, more than 100 of television's notables have been inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. Past honorees include Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, David Sarnoff, Walter Cronkite, Milton Berle, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara Walters, Angela Lansbury, Oprah Winfrey and Carl Reiner.
About the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded in 1946 just one month after network television was born. It is a non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of telecommunications arts and sciences and to fostering creative leadership in the telecommunications industry.
In addition to recognizing outstanding programming through its Emmy® Award, the Television Academy publishes Emmy® Magazine and stages many industry-related programs, services and year-round events for the television community.
