Stories
In the '60s, Carol Burnett and Jim Nabors went on the road together
They were as good of friends offstage as they were comedians onstage together.
Ann B. Davis loved to dust on the set of The Brady Bunch
Ann B. Davis never wanted to play a leading lady on 'The Brady Bunch,' she was content with dusting.
Vicki Lawrence is proof that you don't have to act your age to be successful
In real life Vicki Lawrence was only in her 30s when Mama's Family premiered, but her character on the show was in her 60s.
Gavin MacLeod believed that The Love Boat was an escape for viewers
It wasn't just a cruise ship and show; it was happiness for many.
Harvey Korman didn't think acting was fun, but felt he was destined for it
For an actor who didn't like acting, Harvey Korman sure did it well.
The Love Boat bartender picked up some mixology skills for the role
Ted Lange was known for making drinks on The Love Boat, but he could make a mean martini off-screen too.
Redd Foxx said the key to Sanford and Son's success was honesty
The actor and legendary comedian had faith in the power of humor, and along with honesty, that made the show popular.
Dave Coulier was able to show his love for hockey during his time on Full House
Coulier has a successful acting career, but his greatest memory happened in an ice rink with a hockey legend.
Jimmie Walker didn't want people to identify him with his Good Times character
Walker wanted to be a comedian and playing J.J. Evans gave him the needed exposure.
Eddie Mekka loved doing a little song and dance as a second career
When it comes to singing and dancing, Mekka said he did it better than "The Big Ragoo."
LaWanda Page didn't allow her success on Sanford and Son to spoil her
LaWanda Page didn't care about fame, cars or money; She just wanted to play the part of Aunt Esther.
Archie Bunker's famous chair was based on the one Norman Lear's dad sat in
Now, you can visit the chair at the Smithsonian!
Harvey Korman was Tim Conway's biggest fan on The Carol Burnett Show
No matter the sketch, Tim Conway knew he already had his biggest fan right up there onstage with him.
Vivian Vance traveled over 3,000 miles to work on The Lucy Show
Vivian Vance was a Hollywood legend who lived in Connecticut. She must have had a lot of frequent flyer miles.
George Wendt enjoyed being ''large'' for a living
Wendt was living large and liked it that way.
Here's what Lucille Ball had to say about staying successful
It's time to pull up a chair and learn a few lessons from Lucy!
Robert Reed struggled to make his character ''believable'' on The Brady Bunch
"For me, the biggest fight was to make the character seem real," Reed said.
Why Sally Struthers was ''itching to leave'' All in the Family
Struthers had been on the series for seven years and wanted to show that she was more than Gloria.
Penny Marshall didn't care about what the critics had to say
And with a number one show on television, why would she?
Good Times writers chose not to replace Esther Rolle when she departed
Rolle left the show for the same reason John Amos departed: the overemphasis of Jimmie Walker's character.
Marines loved Frank Sutton and he loved the Marines
Sutton's popularity in the role of Sgt. Carter had people running to sign up for the Marine Corps.
After Gomer Pyle, Jim Nabors became a nut farmer in Hawaii and needed a life-saving liver transplant
''I raise macadamia nuts in Hawaii and that's good enough for me.''
Henry Winkler put an end to a common rumor about Happy Days in 1976
Remember when we all thought Henry Winkler was leaving Happy Days? He addressed the rumor in a 1976 interview.
Harry Anderson was essentially playing himself on Night Court
Harry Anderson's acting journey started with a little magic.
Rhea Perlman envied her character's personality on Cheers
Perlman envied her character's quick quips on the series.
Harvey Korman saved Mama's Family from a dark place
Korman really brought the family together — and lead them to success.
Vicki Lawrence wanted Mama to mellow out by season two
Originally, critics slammed the series by saying that Mama was too harsh.
The threat of being drafted loomed over Ron Howard in the beginning of Happy Days
The show could've meant deferment for the young star
Rusty Hamer was a child star who felt disrespected by adults during his time on The Danny Thomas Show
Most adults would have called Hamer "cute," but the child star didn't like being called anything but a professional.
Frank Sutton used his real military experience on Gomer Pyle: USMC
Sutton was a real Army veteran with a fictional Marine background.
Frank Sutton didn't like talking about politics during his time on Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C.
Frank Sutton was only an actor, and he wanted both interviewers and his fans to know that.
How syndication saved Vicki Lawrence and Mama's Family
Syndication saved Mama's Family.
Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall thought stardom was strange at first
Even though the duo became highly successful, they weren't too excited about stardom at first.
Lucille Ball's minor injuries on I Love Lucy showed her dedication to performing
Lucille Ball was a bundle of bruises, sprains and scratches.
Carroll O'Connor's nine-year-old son responded to a hate letter his father received
O'Connor didn't even know about the letter until he found a copy of his son's reply.
Jimmie Walker was a stand-up comedian before becoming a star on Good Times
Before Jimmie Walker was cracking jokes on television, he told them onstage as a struggling stand-up comedian.
Richard Moll didn't have a lot in common with his character on Night Court
This incredible actor looked like he would "bite the heads off of chickens." His words, not ours.
Jean Stapleton was a Hollywood star, but she lived in rural Pennsylvania
Stapleton was a real-life Hollywood Hillbilly. From Los Angeles to Pennsylvania, she liked living two different lifestyles.
Danny Thomas said he worked with ''Hollywood's finest child actor'' on The Danny Thomas Show
The fictional father-son duo kept up the act even after the cameras quit rolling.
Mel Blanc once got out of a parking ticket because he was Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny saved Blanc from a hefty fine.
Cindy Williams had experience with two decades: Shirley's and her own
Williams embraced the nostalgic setting and her goofy kitty-carrying character resonated with audiences of all generations.
A real experience made Vivian Vance an advocate for mental health
Vivian Vance had a big role to play as Lucille Ball's sidekick.
Ja'Net DuBois sometimes felt insecure in her role on Good Times
Anyone can feel insecure standing next to a seasoned actress like Esther Rolle.
New York City ''sewer rats'' became an important part of Art Carney's career
Carney loved the New York City sewer system just as much as the real "rats" in the city did.
The Love Boat gave Bernie Kopell an unexpected romantic image
He was the underdog of romance until he became the type everyone wanted.
Barry Williams chose The Brady Bunch over his social life
Barry Williams didn't need a girlfriend as a young man, he was already in love with The Brady Bunch.
Mel Blanc was so dedicated to his craft he went to a pig farm to get the voice of Porky right
There is one sure-fire way to know what a pig sounds like, and Mel Blanc wasn't afraid to get a little dirty for this Looney Tunes voice!
Gavin MacLeod went from playing villains to being considered a comedy hero
When Gavin MacLeod lost his hair, he started getting typecasted as the big, bald, bad guy.
Bugs Bunny fans taught Mel Blanc how to appreciate children
When you're in charge of being the voice to over 1,000 cartoon characters, one being Bugs Bunny, kids are going to know you.
Before landing her role on Good Times Bern Nadette Stanis wanted to be a dancer
Her role on Good Times was so sudden that it took her out of her classes at Juilliard!
Lucille Ball enjoyed The Lucy Show because her fictional husband wasn't involved
No husband? No problem. Everyone already loved Lucy.
A bald head helped Richard Moll get his part in Night Court
Night Court producers loved Moll's bald-headed look. Richard Moll? Maybe not so much.
Sammy Davis Jr. gave Archie Bunker the kiss of a lifetime on All in the Family
Archie Bunker doesn't kiss and tell, but his reaction is worth a thousand words.
Carol Burnett loved the variety format because it gave her a place to be silly
Carol Burnett could make just about anyone laugh; she just needed the right format to become a star.
The Love Boat helped Bernie Kopell wash away his previous roles
Love Boat fans knew of Adam Bricker, but no one knew the name of the actor who played him.
Harvey Korman had a ton of ideas but said no format fit his style
"I have a million ideas, but am still looking for a good format," Korman said.
Producer Garry Marshall was surprised by Laverne & Shirley's success
The producer said Laverne & Shirley was "all about timing."
Ron Howard enjoyed living in the 1950s for his Happy Days role
Ron Howard was living in two decades at the same time.
Jean Stapleton reflected on what it was like when Norman Lear left All in the Family
No Norman Lear? No problem. Jean Stapleton knew how to be head of the household on All in the Family.
Redd Foxx loved his life inside and outside of Sanford and Son
Redd Foxx was both a nightclub comic and a TV star. In the '70s, succeeding in both at the same time was rare.
Mel Blanc kept joke note cards in his wallet
A barrel full of laughs and a wallet full of jokes.
Robert Reed wasn't afraid to speak up about his Brady Bunch criticisms
Reed had a few opinions about the writing on The Brady Bunch.
Mel Blanc kept voice acting despite being in a life-threatening car accident
Blanc was in a full-body cast after the accident, but still voiced Bugs Bunny.
Jean Stapleton considered herself an introvert
Offstage, she was much more reserved.
Donna Dixon put a little Marilyn Monroe in her role on Bosom Buddies
Not only did Dixon find her voice during her time on Bosom Buddies, but she also found Marilyn Monroe's.
Carroll O'Connor once said that All in the Family could have gone on without Archie Bunker
O'Connor was aware that the success of the series didn't rest solely on his shoulders.
Archie and Edith's chairs from All in the Family originally cost eight dollars at a thrift store
The most famous chairs in the world were quite a deal.
Jackie Gleason fought to get Art Carney more money
Gleason used his pull for his pal.
Frank Sinatra and Milton Berle played a hilarious prank on Jackie Gleason in the late '40s
His famous pals tried to teach Jackie a lesson
Carroll O'Connor once went all ''Archie Bunker'' on a hardboiled egg, and it was as funny as you think it is
It was O'Connor versus egg.
Flip Wilson practiced his jokes while hitchhiking before and after fame
Before Wilson had a stage to tell jokes on, he told them in a car as a hitchhiker.
Harvey Korman turned to directing when variety shows became scarce
"I can't wait around."
Here's why Dick Van Dyke was intentionally kept out of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
"Everyone loved Mary. What wasn't to love?"
Mary Tyler Moore: "There was a heavy input of me in Laura [Petrie].''
Moore shared several similarities with the Petrie matriarch.
Making over 40 million people laugh proved to be hard work for Flip Wilson
Making one person laugh is hard enough, let alone 40 million.