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Tomlin and Wagner, for New York Times, 1972 or 1973

 File — Multiple Containers

Scope and Contents

The edited interview was published in the March 11, 1973 issue of the New York Times ("No skits that demean women"). The interview with Jane Wagner appears to have been recorded first, as towards the end of one cassette she is joined by Tomlin. The Wagner interview begins with conversation about her television screenwriting background starting with "J.T.", and biographical information. Near the end of this side she is talking about a sci-fi program that she did for PBS and about current video artists such as William Wegman. The second side continues with Wagner talking at length about design work that she had done in the past, such as working on children's bedsheet designs for Kimberly-Clark among other things. Discusses how she first met and worked with Lily Tomlin. The third side starts with Wagner talking about working with Lily Tomlin and writing comedy for her, discusses further developing Lily's "Edith Ann" character for a comedy album, And That's the Truth (1972). At 7 min mark Lily joins the interview and discusses the character's development, and both she and Jane discuss how they work together. The fourth side discussion continues: How Jane and Lily get their material and stay in touch with what's going on. They now have a contract for two movies with Universal Pictures. The fifth side jumps ahead and contains an in-progress conversation with just Tomlin. She talks about her appearances on David Frost, Mike Douglas, and Dick Cavett talk shows, and specifically about remarks demeaning to women that were made which prompted her to walk off the Cavett show in progress (which happened on March 31, 1972.) Also discusses her upcoming television special. The sixth side continues the Tomlin interview, about influences in her life and career, and about refusing to do a bit that she found to be demeaning to women. The last two sides are a live recording from the audience of Tomlin's comedy act.

Dates

  • Creation: 1972 or 1973

Creator

Access Note

The audio recordings (boxes 2-4) in this series are not available for playback due to format impermanence and have not yet been reformatted. Transcripts and typescripts (box 1) are available for research use.

Full Extent

3.75 hours (audio)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Physical Description

4 audio cassettes.

Repository Details

Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository

Contact:
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
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Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861