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Aaron Spelling | Television Academy Interviews

Aaron Spelling

Producer / Show Creator / Writer

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his three-hour interview, Aaron Spelling (1923-2006) speaks of his career as an actor, appearing on Dragnet and I Love Lucy, among other shows, before turning to writing and producing. He describes the role of a producer and discusses the creation of such programs as Charlie's Angels, Dynasty, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Beverly Hills 90210, and Melrose Place. He details his production companies with various business partners -- Danny Thomas, Leonard Goldberg, and Doug Cramer -- and reflects on producing the films And the Band Played On for HBO and Mr. Mom for theatrical release. Spelling also contemplates the future of television and discusses the success of many of his programs in syndication. Henry Colman conducted the interview in two sessions on November 18 and 29, 1999 in Los Angeles, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I think you have to love what you're doing. I'm a big football and baseball fan, but I can't remember the name of the firstbaseman of the Dodgers, but I can tell you that you didn't get that shot or you trimmed that shot of the man at the bar. I don't know. But it's kind of fun to make sure. That's why you have to read these scripts and get an imprint in your mind of what the show is."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Aaron Spelling on the catfights on Dynasty

00:22

Aaron Spelling on coming up with the main title sequence of Charlie's Angels

01:12

Aaron Spelling on what made Beverly Hills, 90210 a hit

00:34

Aaron Spelling on the premise of Starsky and Hutch

01:12

Aaron Spelling on the "jiggle TV" label placed upon Charlie's Angels

02:23

Aaron Spelling on the three story format of Love Boat

00:26

Aaron Spelling on "Julie" in his scripts

00:34

Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on his love of books as a child; on serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II and why he never flies; on attending college at Southern Methodist University (SMU); on his first impressions of television

On moving to Los Angeles; on writing plays; on his big break with Preston Sturges and acting on Dragnet and I Love Lucy; on being in movies; on his first gigs as a writer for Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater, Fireside Theatre and Playhouse 90; on what he learned from Dick Powell; on dealing with network interference

Chapter 2

On doing shows that dealt with important issues; on telling people on 5 sets of JFK's assassination; on writing and producing for June Allyson; on what it takes to be a good producer

On Four Star Productions; on creating his first dramatic series, Johnny Ringo; on writing and producing Burke's Law and the show's amazing guest stars; on the Hollywood Blacklist; on co-creating The Smothers Brothers Show; on leaving Four Star Productions

Chapter 3

On partnering with Danny Thomas in Thomas-Spelling Productions and producing Rango and The Mod Squad; on forming Aaron Spelling Productions

On the television movies he produced - Over the Hill Gang, And the Band Played On, and The Boy in the Plastic Bubble; on partnering with Leonard Goldberg for Spelling-Goldberg Productions; on on producing The Rookies, S.W.A.T., and Family;

Chapter 4

On the genesis and production of Starsky and Hutch; on the creation and cast of Charlie's Angels;

On the genesis and production of Fantasy Island; on the guest stars on Fantasy Island; on selling Spelling-Goldberg to Columbia Pictures; on the development and casting of Love Boat; on Vega$

Chapter 5

On producing Hart to Hart and Dynasty; on Joan Collins joining Dynasty; on Dynasty going off the air

On T.J. Hooker; on movies he produced - Mr. Mom; on developing Hotel; on taking Aaron Spelling Productions public and the subsequent merger; on producing Life With Lucy with Lucille Ball

Chapter 6

On producing Life with Lucy (contd.); on the end of his association with ABC and doing Nightingales at NBC; on producing Beverly Hills, 90210; on producing Melrose Place

On career regrets; on using guest stars in anthologies and dramas; on why TV is so popular; on the future of television; on his family and how he proposed to his wife; on his house

Shows

7th Heaven

Aaron Spelling on discussing issues on 7th Heaven

01:58

And the Band Played On

Aaron Spelling on producing the HBO movie And the Band Played On

04:03

Beverly Hills, 90210

Aaron Spelling on what made Beverly Hills, 90210 a hit

00:34

Aaron Spelling on his daughter, Tori Spelling, joining the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210

00:58

Aaron Spelling on producing Beverly Hills, 90210

01:54

Boy in the Plastic Bubble, The

Aaron Spelling on producing The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

00:26

Burke's Law

Aaron Spelling on writing and producing Burke's Law

02:58

Charlie's Angels

Aaron Spelling on Charlie's Angels

11:05

Colbys, The

Aaron Spelling on spinning of The Colbys from Dynasty

02:19

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

Aaron Spelling on writing for Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

08:56

Aaron Spelling on working with Dick Powell

01:22

Dynasty

Aaron Spelling on fighting the network to get storylines on Dynasty

01:54

Aaron Spelling on Dynasty

08:36

Aaron Spelling on Dynasty going off the air

00:49

Family

Aaron Spelling on producing Family

03:47

Fantasy Island

Aaron Spelling on storylines on Fantasy Island

00:52

Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Fantasy Island

04:28

Fireside Theatre

Aaron Spelling on writing for "Jane Wyman Presents" on Fireside Theatre

00:57

Hart to Hart

Aaron Spelling on producing Hart to Hart

01:41

Hotel

Aaron Spelling on developing Hotel

04:33

I Love Lucy

Aaron Spelling on acting in I Love Lucy

00:23

Johnny Ringo

Aaron Spelling on creating his first dramatic series, Johnny Ringo

02:16

Life With Lucy

Aaron Spelling on producing Life With Lucy with Lucille Ball

00:59

Aaron Spelling on his regrets about producing Life With Lucy

01:27

Love Boat, The

Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Love Boat

05:42

Love Boat, The: The Next Wave

Aaron Spelling on The Love Boat: The Next Wave

00:27

Melrose Place

Aaron Spelling on producing Melrose Place

02:26

Mod Squad, The

Aaron Spelling on executive producing The Mod Squad

05:00

Nightingales

Aaron Spelling on Brandon Tartikoff of NBC wanting to speak with him about a series commitment

02:33

Over-The-Hill Gang, The

Aaron Spelling on producing one of the first TV movies, Over the Hill Gang

01:54

Playhouse 90

Aaron Spelling on writing for Playhouse 90

00:28

Rango

Aaron Spelling on creating Rango

00:41

Rookies, The

Aaron Spelling on producing The Rookies

01:32

S.W.A.T.

Aaron Spelling on producing S.W.A.T.

01:21

Smothers Brothers Show, The

Aaron Spelling on co-creating his only sitcom, The Smothers Brothers Show

01:46

Starsky and Hutch

Aaron Spelling on the genesis and production of Starsky and Hutch

02:17

T.J. Hooker

Aaron Spelling on T.J. Hooker

02:59

Vega$

Aaron Spelling on the success of Vega$

01:58

Topics

Censorship / Standards & Practices

Aaron Spelling on network interference when writing for Sammy Davis, Jr. on Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

03:03

Aaron Spelling on fighting the network to get storylines on Dynasty

01:54

Aaron Spelling on creating one of TV's first regular gay characters on Dynasty

01:07

Characters & Catchphrases

Aaron Spelling on Joan Collins joining Dynasty

01:41

Emmy Awards

Aaron Spelling on winning an Emmy for the HBO movie And the Band Played On

00:45

Historic Events and Social Change

Aaron Spelling on hiring the cast of Charlie's Angels

02:06

Hollywood Blacklist

Aaron Spelling on the Hollywood Blacklist

01:27

JFK Assassination and Funeral

Aaron Spelling on telling people on 5 sets of JFK's assassination

01:55

LGBTQIA+

Aaron Spelling on believing that you can teach and entertain at the same time

00:31

Aaron Spelling on creating one of TV's first regular gay characters on Dynasty

01:07

Representation on Television

Aaron Spelling on believing that you can teach and entertain at the same time

00:31

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

Aaron Spelling on writing for and production of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

08:56

Television Industry

Aaron Spelling on network interference when writing for Sammy Davis, Jr. on Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

03:03

Women

Aaron Spelling on the scarcity of female writers and directors in the '50s and '60s

00:17

Aaron Spelling on hiring the cast of Charlie's Angels

02:06

Aaron Spelling on the "jiggle TV" label placed upon Charlie's Angels

02:23

Professions

Producers

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Aaron Spelling on what it takes to be a good producer

04:33

Genres

Classic Anthology Series

Aaron Spelling on writing for and production of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

08:56

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

Aaron Spelling on Charlie's Angels

10:35

Daytime/Primetime Serials

Aaron Spelling on Joan Collins joining Dynasty

01:41

Drama Series

Aaron Spelling on producing Beverly Hills, 90210

07:43

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

Aaron Spelling on producing the HBO movie And the Band Played On

04:03

People

Abe Lastfogel

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Aaron Spelling on leaving Four Star Productions

01:41

Alan Ladd

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Aaron Spelling on writing a feature, One Foot in Hell, starring Alan Ladd

00:20

Alex Haley

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Aaron Spelling on developing Hotel

01:38

Alfred Lunt

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Aaron Spelling on touring with Alfred Lunt

01:31

Andy Warhol

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Aaron Spelling on Andy Warhol being a fan of Love Boat

01:00

Anne Baxter

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Aaron Spelling on developing Hotel

04:33

Barbara Stanwyck

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Aaron Spelling on spinning of The Colbys from Dynasty

02:19

Barry Diller

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Aaron Spelling on partnering with Leonard Goldberg for Spelling-Goldberg Productions

00:30

Aaron Spelling on hiring the cast of Charlie's Angels

02:06

Aaron Spelling on producing Beverly, Hills 90210 upon Barry Diller's request to do a high school show

00:48

Bernie Kopell

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Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Love Boat

00:30

Bette Davis

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Aaron Spelling on developing Hotel

04:33

Bill Hayes

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Aaron Spelling on forming Aaron Spelling Productions

03:06

Bob Cooper

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Aaron Spelling on producing the HBO movie And the Band Played On

04:03

Brandon Stoddard

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Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Fantasy Island

03:16

Brandon Tartikoff

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Aaron Spelling on Brandon Tartikoff of NBC wanting to speak with him

02:33

Charles Boyer

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Aaron Spelling on starting Four Star Productions

01:32

Connie Sellecca

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Aaron Spelling on developing Hotel

00:28

Danny Thomas

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Aaron Spelling on leaving Four Star Productions

01:41

Aaron Spelling on partnering with Danny Thomas in Thomas-Spelling Productions

03:16

Aaron Spelling on telling Danny Thomas about The Mod Squad

02:10

Darren Star

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Aaron Spelling on producing Beverly Hills, 90210

00:48

Aaron Spelling on producing Melrose Place

01:14

David Niven

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Aaron Spelling on starting Four Star Productions

01:32

David Soul

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Aaron Spelling on the genesis and production of Starsky and Hutch

02:17

Dick Powell

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Aaron Spelling on his first big writing job

00:57

Aaron Spelling on writing for and production of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

07:59

Aaron Spelling on Dick Powell

03:17

Aaron Spelling on starting Four Star Productions

01:32

Aaron Spelling on creating his first dramatic series, Johnny Ringo

02:16

Aaron Spelling on writing and producing Burke's Law

02:58

Aaron Spelling on leaving Four Star Productions after Dick Powell's death

01:11

Dick Smothers

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Aaron Spelling on co-creating his only sitcom, The Smothers Brothers Show

01:46

Elton H. Rule

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Aaron Spelling on forming Aaron Spelling Productions and getting a deal with ABC

03:06

Esther Shapiro

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Aaron Spelling on fighting the network to get storylines on Dynasty

01:54

Aaron Spelling on creating Dynasty

00:54

Aaron Spelling on creating Dynasty

00:27

Farrah Fawcett

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Aaron Spelling on hiring the cast of Charlie's Angels

02:06

Fred Grandy

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Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Love Boat

00:30

Fred Silverman

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Aaron Spelling on getting Charlie's Angels on the air

02:06

Gavin MacLeod

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Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Love Boat

02:46

Gene Barry

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Aaron Spelling on writing and producing Burke's Law

02:58

George Schlatter

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Aaron Spelling on meeting George Schlatter

00:34

Heather Locklear

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Aaron Spelling on creating Dynasty

00:10

Aaron Spelling on T.J. Hooker

00:50

Aaron Spelling on producing Melrose Place

02:26

Herve Villechaize

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Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Fantasy Island

00:37

Ida Lupino

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Aaron Spelling on starting Four Star Productions

01:32

Jack Webb

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Aaron Spelling on meeting Jack Webb and acting on Dragnet

00:45

Jaclyn Smith

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Aaron Spelling on hiring the cast of Charlie's Angels

02:06

James Broderick

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Aaron Spelling on the cast of Family

01:52

James Brolin

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Aaron Spelling on developing Hotel

00:28

James Garner

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Aaron Spelling on meeting James Garner

00:39

Jane Wyman

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Aaron Spelling on his first big writing job

00:57

Jill Whelan

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Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Love Boat

00:30

Joan Collins

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Aaron Spelling on Joan Collins joining Dynasty

01:41

John Forsythe

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Aaron Spelling on fighting the network to get storylines on Dynasty

01:54

Aaron Spelling on creating Dynasty

00:54

John Frankenheimer

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Aaron Spelling on writing for Playhouse 90

00:28

John Travolta

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Aaron Spelling on producing The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

00:26

June Allyson

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Aaron Spelling on writing and producing for June Allyson

01:22

Aaron Spelling on writing and producing for June Allyson

01:01

Kate Jackson

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Aaron Spelling on Kate Jackson coming up with the title of Charlie's Angels

02:06

Kristy McNichol

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Aaron Spelling on the cast of Family

01:52

Lana Turner

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Aaron Spelling on the 500th guest star of Love Boat

01:21

Lauren Tewes

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Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Love Boat

00:30

Leonard Goldberg

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Aaron Spelling on partnering with Leonard Goldberg for Spelling-Goldberg Productions

Leonard H. Goldenson

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Aaron Spelling on forming Aaron Spelling Productions and getting a deal with ABC

03:06

Lucille Ball

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Aaron Spelling on producing Life With Lucy with Lucille Ball

00:59

Aaron Spelling on his regrets about producing Life With Lucy

01:27

Martin Manulis

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Aaron Spelling on writing for Playhouse 90

00:28

Meredith Baxter-Birney

View Person Page

Aaron Spelling on Meredith Baxter-Birney starring in Family

00:35

Mike Nichols

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Aaron Spelling on Mike Nichols joining the writing/producing staff of Family

01:16

Orson Welles

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Aaron Spelling on the network wanting to cast Orson Welles as the lead in Fantasy Island

01:01

Paul Michael Glaser

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Aaron Spelling on the genesis and production of Starsky and Hutch

02:17

Peggy Lipton

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Aaron Spelling on casting The Mod Squad

02:10

Preston Sturges

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Aaron Spelling on the moment that changed his life

01:19

Ricardo Montalban

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Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Fantasy Island

02:39

Richard Shapiro

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Aaron Spelling on creating Dynasty

00:27

Robert Wagner

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Aaron Spelling on casting Hart to Hart

01:41

Sada Thompson

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Aaron Spelling on the cast of Family

01:52

Sammy Davis, Jr.

View Person Page

Aaron Spelling on network interference when writing for Sammy Davis, Jr. on Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

03:03

Stefanie Powers

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Aaron Spelling on casting Hart to Hart

01:41

Ted Lange

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Aaron Spelling on the development and casting of Love Boat

00:30

Tim Conway

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Aaron Spelling on creating Rango

00:41

Tom Smothers

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Aaron Spelling on co-creating his only sitcom, The Smothers Brothers Show

01:46

Tori Spelling

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Aaron Spelling on his daughter, Tori Spelling, joining the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210

00:58

William Blinn

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Aaron Spelling on the genesis and production of Starsky and Hutch

02:17

William Holden

View Person Page

Aaron Spelling on why he never flies

01:38

William Shatner

View Interview Page

Aaron Spelling on T.J. Hooker

01:24