Robert Culp's Interview from AAT!

[mmderdekea]

Hello, all,

The Archive of American Television interviews leading edge and legendary actors, directors and such to save for all time. The interviews are three hours long. Of course, they chose Robert Culp to be one of the interviewees! Culp's interview is now up for all to listen to:

This link contains some short clips as well as the whole interview:
www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5AECEB440E1D7F81

This is the direct link to the interview:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y7ZQTsQCTw

It was done November of 2007. Culp looks GREAT, btw. Lots of info about his life! THIS IS A REAL FIND!!

Mona

[mmderdekea]

Well, I listened to all three hours yesterday and there were a few neat TGAH comments:

1. Culp mentioned that he still had more to go with Maxwell, this very complicated, lovable jerk character when the show was cancelled by moving it against Dallas on Friday night.

2. He said in his mind Maxwell had a kind of crush on the Counselor, and I think in many ways the show validates that, as well as Connie going to Maxwell for protection when scared.

3. His dog bisquit eating scene with Connie in "Hit Car" was just stumbled into. Culp found the dog bisquits by chance when he opened the cabinets; he was expecting to find nothing there. He grabbed the bisquits and on a whim took a bite of one and Connie said "Yuck, ew! Don't!" They wound up processing the scene and including the bisquits in them with that kind of momentary sexual energy.

4. He thought his "Lilacs" episode was great and that in his "Vanity" one, he bit off more than he could chew, and thought it was a terrible episode. Which of course, I have always believed!

5. He said that at first he and Katt had some problems but then everything was fine and they got very close to each other; which is funny but that's exactly what happened between Maxwell and Hinckley!

6. He really enjoyed working with Stephen Cannell.

Mona

[HoudiniDerek]

Good information. Too bad. I always liked VANITY...even if it was disjointed somewhat.

[MelMac]

Feb 9, 2009 9:41:57 GMT -5 mmderdekea said:

4. He thought his "Lilacs" episode was great and that in his "Vanity" one, he bit off more than he could choose, and thought it was a terrible episode. Which of course, I have always believed!

With all due respect to Culp's writing skills, I think that the story itself actually had some promise, and there are points that are good. It's like "GAHeroine" IMHO - some promise with Holly being a suitable wearer if you listen to the words, but Mary Ellen Stuart's delivery of them turned them bad.

But, what made it weak in my opinion was the fact there was absolutely very little money left in the budget when they filmed it. It shows in some of the filming, and I think it affected the story a little too.

I do agree though - out of the two they produced of his scripts, "Lilacs" was the better episode overall.

5. He said that at first he and Katt had some problems but then everything was fine and they got very close to each other; which is funny but that's exactly what happened between Maxwell and Hinckley!

Yep, good to know that both men feel the same way about that situation. It also shows to this day based on what I'm reading from Ms Boku about her visit to the convention.

[jopierce]

Thanks for the link, Mona!

I've heard him say much of the same in other interviews, of course... but it was an interesting interview.

[Ms Boku]

Well, I am watching it in shifts but I am very impressed. Katt is right. He is as sharp as a tack. I am very impressed though. It's long but very interesting.
good find.