Title:
Diane English ACA Oral History, February 8, 2007.
Creator:
English, Diane
Creator:
Matz, Jenni
Creator:
Emerson College. American Comedy Archives
Record Type:
digital moving image formats
Record Type:
oral histories (literary works)
Date:
2007-02-08
Description:
In her two-and-a-half hour Archive interview, Diane English discusses her upbringing in Buffalo, New York, where she first worked as an English and drama teacher before moving to New York City to pursue a career in playwriting. She describes how she instead landed her first industry job at public television station WNET, and began writing for the small screen --penning PBS' first television movie, 'The Lathe of Heaven.' English outlines her first forays into half-hour comedies as a writer for 'Foley Square' and for 'My Sister Sam,' and speaks at length on the creation and production of her hit series, 'Murphy Brown.' She divulges which actress she asked to play "Murphy Brown" before Candice Bergen won the role, and sheds light on the infamous debate on single-motherhood sparked by then Vice President, Dan Quayle. She chronicles the formation of her production company, Shukovsky/English, with husband Joel Shukovsky, and details her film and television work ('The Women,' 'Love & War,' 'Ink') since 'Murphy Brown' went off the air. Jenni Matz conducted the interview in a joint venture with The American Comedy Archives (at Emerson College) in North Hollywood, CA on February 8, 2007. Additional topics covered include: Creative Influences and Inspiration, Characters & Catchphrases, Diversity in Television, Women, Emmy Awards, and Comedy Series. Other shows mentioned during the interview include 'Double Rush,' 'Her Life as a Man,' and 'Living in Captivity.'
Extent:
02:22:56
Subject:
Characters and characteristics on television
Subject:
Emmy Awards
Subject:
Television producers and directors
Subject:
Women
Subject:
Bergen, Candice, 1946-
Subject:
Clooney, George
Subject:
Corley, Pat, 1930-2006
Subject:
Danson, Ted, 1947-
Subject:
Dewhurst, Colleen
Subject:
Ellerbee, Linda
Subject:
Ford, Faith
Subject:
Kellman, Barnet
Subject:
Kimbrough, Charles
Subject:
Metcalfe, Burt
Subject:
Midler, Bette
Subject:
Moonves, Leslie
Subject:
Orenstein, Bernie
Subject:
Pastorelli, Robert, 1954-2004
Subject:
Rather, Dan
Subject:
Regalbuto, Joe, 1949-
Subject:
Roberts, Julia
Subject:
Sawyer, Diane, 1945-
Subject:
Schiller, Larry
Subject:
Schlamme, Thomas
Subject:
Shaud, Grant
Subject:
Shukovsky, Joel
Subject:
Steenburgen, Mary
Subject:
Stringer, Howard, 1942-
Subject:
Turteltaub, Saul
Collection:
Bill Dana Oral History Interview Collection (ACC-MSS 002), 1L
Location:
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Rights Restrictions:
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) (http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/). For questions about rights statements, or access to the original document please contact the Emerson College Archives and Special Collections at www.emerson.edu/library/archives.
Access Restrictions:
No known access restrictions.
Language:
English
Identifier:
acc_mss002_english_2007_02_08.mp4
