MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO SEMINAR SERIES, THE: "DENK YOU VEDDY MUCH": A TRIBUTE TO ANDY KAUFMAN {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio. This seminar, presented in Los Angeles and moderated by Los Angeles Museum director Steven A. Bell, examines the legacy of the late comedian Andy Kaufman through a panel discussion with colleagues, friends, and fans.
Bell begins by showing a selection of highlights from KaufmanÕs career, including scenes from the following: "Van Dyke and Company" (1975); "The Dating Game" (1978); "Taxi" (1979, 1983); "Catch a Rising Star 10th Anniversary Special" (1982); "The Merv Griffin Show" (1981); "The Midnight Special" (1981); "Saturday Night Live" (1979); "Late Night with David Letterman" (1982); "Soundstage: The Andy Kaufman Show" (1983); "AndyÕs Funhouse: The Andy Kaufman Special" (1979); and "Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall" (1979). After the screening, Bell introduces the following panelists: Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, screenwriters of the Kaufman biographical film "Man on the Moon"; KaufmanÕs friend and collaborator Bob Zmuda, also founder and executive producer of "Comic Relief"; actor Danny DeVito; and KaufmanÕs manager and producer, George Shapiro. The panelists open the discussion reflecting on their first meetings with Kaufman or first exposure to his comedy. Alexander and Karaszewski then comment on the challenge of writing a biographical script about a man with such a complex and elusive character. The panelists go on to talk about KaufmanÕs alter ego Tony Clifton: Shapiro explains the double contract that was written to include both Kaufman and Clifton in the cast of "Taxi," and DeVito recalls CliftonÕs disastrous involvement with "Taxi," which was staged by Kaufman as part of a larger plan. Zmuda talks about the confusion over CliftonÕs true identity, and he relates an anecdote about his own participation in KaufmanÕs Clifton subterfuge. The panel then imagines what KaufmanÕs career would have been like had he not died prematurely, and Shapiro and Zmuda allude to the projects that Kaufman was preparing before his death. Zmuda also discusses in detail the notorious "Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall" performance. Next, in response to questions from the audience, the panelists discuss the following: the alternate reality that Kaufman created for himself and those around him; the abundance of taped material from KaufmanÕs daily life; the link between KaufmanÕs work and that of Norman Wexler; actor Jim CarreyÕs total commitment to the portrayal of Kaufman in "Man on the Moon"; several comedians who influenced KaufmanÕs work; and KaufmanÕs legacy to other comedians and to the entertainment industry in general.
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: October 20, 1999 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:27:35
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:58234
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Steven A. Bell … Moderator
- Scott Alexander … Panelist
- Danny DeVito … Panelist
- Larry Karaszewski … Panelist
- George Shapiro … Panelist
- Bob Zmuda … Panelist
- Jim Carrey
- Merv Griffin
- Andy Kaufman
- David Letterman
- Dick Van Dyke
- Norman Wexler