M*A*S*H {MASH}, TOOTSIE, & GOD: WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA TRIBUTE TO LARRY GELBART (TV)
Summary
In this special, hosted by Bill Maher, the Writers Guild of America salutes Larry Gelbart, using interviews with and questions from his colleagues; clips from his television, movies, and theater productions; and on-stage readings from his works. Maher begins by introducing Gary Burghoff, Rene Auberjonois, and Helen Shaver, who perform a reading of a scene from the musical "City of Angels," in which a screenwriter, producer, and assistant voice their differing opinions concerning "proper" writing for the movies. Maher then briefly reviews Gelbart's early days in comedy writing, after which Jack Paar, in a prerecorded testimonial, recalls how Gelbart would stare at the wall until he came up with just the right line needed for a particular scene. Next, comedian Red Buttons reads from his autobiography-in-progress about meeting Gelbart, after which Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and Howard Morris recall working with Gelbart on the Sid Caesar shows.
In a look at his work as a playwright, Auberjonois reads a monologue about greed from "Sly Fox," Gelbart's adaptation of Ben Johnson's "Volpone"; Edward Asner and Wayne Knight play public officials interrogating a U.S. Army major played by Jeffrey Tambor in a scene from "Mastergate"; Nathan Lane appears in a clip from the Broadway musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"; and Greg Edelman, star of "City of Angels," sings a song of tribute to Gelbart. Next, Gelbart discusses with Los Angeles Times theater critic Laurie Winer the satisfaction he feels writing material performed for live audiences, and describes the best experience he ever had watching one of his shows. They are joined by Michael Engler, the director of Gelbart's "Power Failure" and "Mastergate," and David, Zippel, the lyricist of "City of Angels," who comment on Gelbart's "joyful anger."
Following this, Maher shows a montage of clips from Gelbart's work in the movies, including scenes from "Oh, God!," "Tootsie," and "Barbarians at the Gate." Gelbart then discusses with Fay Kanin, the past president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, his feeling that much comedy has its roots in pain, and that he considers writing even more important than directing. After Alan Alda introduces a series of clips from "M*A*S*H" in which Gelbart's "comic poetry" is in evidence, Burghoff thanks Gelbart for the many contributions he made to that television series. Next, the president of the Writers Guild of America, Brad Radnitz, gives Gelbart his organization's "Tribute to the Writer" award. In closing, Gelbart, in his acceptance speech, speaks about how the art of writing has changed over the years.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1998.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
- DATE: March 20, 1998 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:26
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:52706
- GENRE: Award presentations
- SUBJECT HEADING: Authors; Biography; Comedy; Tributes; Writing
- SERIES RUN: WNET - TV, 1998
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Michael Hirsh … Producer, Director, Writer
- Marker Karahadian … Producer
- Michael Seel … Associate Producer
- Jay Malarcher … Researcher
- Kathy Kirkland … Researcher
- Leroy Anderson … Composer, For "The Typewriter"
- Bill Maher … Host
- Larry Gelbart … Honoree
- Alan Alda … Guest
- Mel Brooks … Guest
- Gary Burghoff … Guest, Performer
- Red Buttons … Guest
- Michael Engler … Guest
- Fay Kanin … Guest
- Howard Morris … Guest
- Jack Paar … Guest
- Carl Reiner … Guest
- Laurie Winer … Guest
- David Zippel … Guest
- Edward Asner … Performer
- Rene Auberjonois … Performer
- Greg Edelman … Performer
- Wayne Knight … Performer
- Nathan Lane … Performer
- Helen Shaver … Performer
- Jeffrey Tambor … Performer
- Sid Caesar
- Brad Radnitz