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Post by culpkatt on Nov 9, 2007 21:19:25 GMT -5
Robert Culp will appear tonight on the O'Reilly Factor to discuss his career on television. The interview should air towards the end of the program during the TV Icon of the Week segment.
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Post by MelMac on Nov 9, 2007 22:07:01 GMT -5
Sounds cool, but I also wonder if part of it is because he also filed the suit against the LA Zoo over the treatment of the elephants. It might not be a fluff piece (talking about his career), but hard news. That did happen of sorts when Davy Jones of the Monkees was talking about the effort to prevent the band from being eligible to be put into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. If so, be ready for O'Reilly to have some hard hitting questions there and not a reflection. Guess we'll have to wait and see.  |
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Nov 9, 2007 23:47:56 GMT -5
It would be neat if someone that has cable could tape it and link it here somehow...HINT, HINT.  |
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Post by MelMac on Nov 10, 2007 1:27:26 GMT -5
It would be neat if someone that has cable could tape it and link it here somehow...HINT, HINT. Sorry, I don't have the ability to without said video turning into spaghetti that looks worse than the Axons do on a bad hair day.  I did, however, manage to catch it on cable, as my system is currently a little wonky. Pretty much they talked about how Culp broke through barriers in his early career, i.e. working with Cosby in "I, Spy" and the sex scenes and stuff in the movie, "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice." O'Reilly also mentioned Culp working in "Trackdown," and that it was now 50 years old. One particular point of interest was that Culp mentioned there was only one scene that had discrimination toward Scotty in the "I, Spy" series (ep slips me), and they said they never let that happen again. This case, it was someone flipping a quarter to Scotty and telling him he'd have the guy's shoes later on to polish. Listening to the interview, I think O'Reilly talked over him quite a bit here. I could hardly hear Culp answer over the video they were showing of episodes he was in. Damn SOT's - sorry, sound on tape - which for the most part were unnecessary washed his voice out. Silence is golden too you know - only this case to actually hear Culp speak about his work after all these years. O'Reilly and Culp also weren't in main studio together, why I don't know - it looked like Culp was in a control room at the studio, but they weren't. Shame too, because when I could hear Culp, he did have some great insight. The other thing I noticed was that it appeared Culp might've had a slight stroke or something. The reason I say that is that his speech sounded a bit slurred - and while I know voices age, it wasn't in this case. Also the way he was moving his mouth was slightly different. I hope I"m wrong here, but that did seem a bit odd to me. Overall, despite O'Reilly being a bit boisterous and Culp's voice quiet, it was a good interview. |
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Post by Ms Boku on Nov 10, 2007 8:38:21 GMT -5
It would be neat if someone that has cable could tape it and link it here somehow...HINT, HINT. I don't have cable or else I would. |
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Nov 10, 2007 12:06:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the recap, Mel. I am sure a Culp fan can tell us the episode. I am surprised that I haven't seen TRACKDOWN out on DVD anywhere. |
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Post by mmderdekea on Nov 10, 2007 18:20:20 GMT -5
HD, You can get the whole series of Trackdown from folks at www.ioffer.com $50 or so. Great deal! That's where I got mine. 96% of them were really clear, but a couple were quite distorted at times. Culp wrote "Return/Back To Crawford" (the title is given both ways at times) which is considered to be the best one. However, I thought the episode "Guilt" was really the best with "Crawford" second. I'll see if anyone on the "I Spy" forum can confirm (hopefully not) or deny the stroke question Mel raised. I'm sorry I missed the show. It's great, though, for Culp to be seen nationally like that. Mona |
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Post by mmderdekea on Nov 10, 2007 18:26:14 GMT -5
My second email on this topic (read above one). Well, an "I Spy" forum gal came through. Here is the whole transcript of the interview:
First, O'Reilly hyped Mr. Culp's appearance several times throughout the program without revealing who the TV icon would be, but saying what a "good one" it was. The TV Icon segment was on near the end of the program.
When it was time for the segment, by way of introduction, O'Reilly said, "This guy first had a hit in the late 1950s, and then in 1965, he and his co-star exploded in a spy show." (Cut to a clip from "Affair in T'Sien Cha" with Kelly and Scotty walking down the railroad tracks, with dialog playing).
O'Reilly: Robert Culp was one of the biggest stars in America in the turbulent late 1960s. "I Spy" was huge.
(They show about half of the "I Spy" opening segment with theme music, then go to a split screen with O'Reilly on the left and Mr. Culp on the right. He is wearing a long-sleeved blue button-down dress shirt).
O'Reilly: Bill Cosby and you get a program - "I Spy." (Short clip of Kelly/Scotty banter). It's unusual because it features a black actor (showing more clips - no sound). Back then - the program comes on in 1965 - in that time, you have turbulent civil rights, you have all kinds of stuff. (They show a few "I Spy" clips intermingled with news footage of racial protests from the '60s.) Cosby's an angry guy. You, as a white man, immediately get along with him. (More "I Spy" clips with dialog between Kelly and Scotty). The chemistry shows through to the audience. It's a hit. (Still more clips). Why did Cosby accept you as his friend? (More clips, then Mr. Culp full screen - the caption under him reads: Played Kelly Robinson on "I Spy")
Culp: For the same reasons that I knew he was a genius. He just knew. He just knew that I was his friend and would back him to the god-damn end. (More clips)
O'Reilly: However, there was a lot of hate mail coming in. He was getting a lot of jazz. (More clips). It was (inaudible) history.
Culp: He never saw it. He never saw it.
O'Reilly: Really?
Culp: The boss filtered all of that so that we never saw the hate mail. We only saw the good stuff. (Still showing clips - the caption under Mr. Culp now reads: Co-starred on "Greatest American Hero." More clips).
O'Reilly: Now, I understand in the beginning though, there were racial references in the script that you …
Culp: Only one. One. In a thing called "Danny Was a Million Laughs." It co-starred Marty Landau (showing clips from the episode). And he flipped him a quarter and said, "Shine my shoes, kid." (They show the actual scene). And Bill and I locked arms and walked up and said, "There will be no more of this." (Clip of the end of the scene). When we spoke up, everybody was relieved - I will tell you the truth. (Another clip of Kelly and Scotty, Scotty is saying, "Kelly, you did what you could.")
O'Reilly: Did you guys know what an important program this was for America? It was very good entertainment, but the breakthrough with the camaraderie with the white guy and the black guy and a huge hit. (Briefly showed the split screen, then back to clip of Scotty massaging Kelly's back in "Affair in T'Sien Cha").
Culp: Yeah. We knew.
O'Reilly: You knew?
Culp: (Still showing back massage). We did know how important it was, and that's why we were so darn careful of it and of each other (more clips). We made sort of an unspoken pact never to discuss that issue between each other.
O'Reilly: Really? (sounding shocked).
Culp: (Full screen). Let anybody else say what they wanted to say. There is an instinctive thing on the part of friends, business associates and so forth to split up two guys that are really tight. (More "I Spy" clips).
O'Reilly: Are you friends with him today?
Culp: (Laughs). I owe him a phone call.
O'Reilly: Okay, so you guys are still friends, and I'm glad to hear that (showing clips).
Culp: We're very, very tight. He's the best friend I ever had.
O'Reilly: Now, the two other vehicles I want to talk to you about: When I was a little kid, I watched you in a show called "Trackdown" (showing clips from "Trackdown"). That was fifty years ago, Mr. Culp. You were a cowboy during the cowboy mania years of the '50s (more clips).
Culp: You bet. Yeah, I was the method cowboy. (More clips).
O'Reilly: In 1969, after "I Spy" ended, you were in a very controversial movie. Sexual boundaries were challenged (playing clips from "B&C&T&A" with sound).
Culp: A comedy of sexuality and sensuality and stuff would never, ever, ever be the same.
O'Reilly: Now, do you believe that you are the cause of the sexual revolution in this country because you had four people in the sack (laughs)? (Showing more clips).
Culp: No. I think we were lagging behind the times, but the people - the audience was lagging further behind.
O'Reilly: What did you think when Natalie Wood, one of your co-stars, wound up dying, you know, in that drowning incident. What a shock, huh? (Clips of Natalie Wood from the movie).
Culp: Yes, it was a tremendous shock. She was a very lovely lady and a joy to work with - a total professional - and it was just awful.
O'Reilly: Well, you've had a great career Mr. Culp. You're a TV icon and it's been a pleasure talking with you today. (Showing Mr. Culp full screen, caption reads, "American TV Icon - Robert Culp).
Culp: Thank you, Bill, very much for having me on the show.
Showing one last clip of Kelly and Scotty walking together with the ending notes of the "I Spy" theme song. O'Reilly comments, "Great show."
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Post by helane4bill on Nov 10, 2007 20:04:45 GMT -5
First, I want to thank Culpkatt for advising us of the interview...I would never have known he would be on.
I saw it and taped it and watched it back and I think he looks and speaks like a 77 year old man. I think his health is fine. He certainly looked healthy to me.
Thanks again for the advisal.....its so rare to see him interviewed today....I only wish they would give GAH the credit it deserves along with the rest of his work. GAH never seems to garner much praise when his career is discussed......and it should.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Nov 10, 2007 21:44:48 GMT -5
Mona, thanks for the information on TRACKDOWN. I should have phrased it differently: I would like to see it in stores for those of us who have been burned online too many times. Good interview and thanks for getting us a recap, Mona. |
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Post by jopierce on Nov 10, 2007 21:58:30 GMT -5
Yes, thank you. I am not a fan of O'Reilly or his show, so I would probably have missed it. This seems like a happy medium.
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Post by MelMac on Nov 11, 2007 13:03:50 GMT -5
First, I want to thank Culpkatt for advising us of the interview...I would never have known he would be on. I saw it and taped it and watched it back and I think he looks and speaks like a 77 year old man. I think his health is fine. He certainly looked healthy to me. Thanks again for the advisal.....its so rare to see him interviewed today....I only wish they would give GAH the credit it deserves along with the rest of his work. GAH never seems to garner much praise when his career is discussed......and it should. Helane, just clarify, I thought it appeared he might've had a slight one, but I'm like you and hopefully not. But, the reason I had my concern is I've heard Robert Conrad (Wild Wild West) do intros to the stories on the DVD's of that show, and he sounds like he did back then, albeit slightly older (he too is in his 70s now). Same with Dick Van lesbian, who's voice has hardly changed from when he was in "The Dick Van lesbian" show IMHO, and he's in his 80s now. Culp's, however, sounded a bit different to me. I just wanted to let you know why I'm saying this, and again, I'm hoping I'm wrong and something like the mics or them using SOT's instead of VO's (video only) was causing the problem. |
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Nov 11, 2007 13:32:38 GMT -5
First, I want to thank Culpkatt for advising us of the interview...I would never have known he would be on. I saw it and taped it and watched it back and I think he looks and speaks like a 77 year old man. I think his health is fine. He certainly looked healthy to me. Thanks again for the advisal.....its so rare to see him interviewed today....I only wish they would give GAH the credit it deserves along with the rest of his work. GAH never seems to garner much praise when his career is discussed......and it should. Helane, just clarify, I thought it appeared he might've had a slight one, but I'm like you and hopefully not. But, the reason I had my concern is I've heard Robert Conrad (Wild Wild West) do intros to the stories on the DVD's of that show, and he sounds like he did back then, albeit slightly older (he too is in his 70s now). Same with Dick Van lesbian, who's voice has hardly changed from when he was in "The Dick Van lesbian" show IMHO, and he's in his 80s now. Culp's, however, sounded a bit different to me. I just wanted to let you know why I'm saying this, and again, I'm hoping I'm wrong and something like the mics or them using SOT's instead of VO's (video only) was causing the problem. Dick Van LESBIAN!!  You have to hate the word censor sometimes...but other times: You HAVE to love it! |
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Post by mmderdekea on Nov 11, 2007 16:57:51 GMT -5
The folks on the I Spy forum who saw Culp did not agree that he seemed to have had a stroke. There is a fellow on the Forum who was kind of a additional son of Culp's, having grown up as a friend to his real son and who spends a lot of time with him. There has been no mention of a recent stroke. Yay!
Mona
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Post by MelMac on Nov 11, 2007 17:39:27 GMT -5
As I said, it was what I observed, but I am glad that I'm wrong. Everyone observes things differently, though I do wish people wouldn't have to go to other forums to prove an opinion right or wrong. And, HD... I give up in regards to the word censors... apparently MyTatuo has changed it from D*ke or something like that to this. |
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Post by MyTatuo on Nov 12, 2007 16:25:59 GMT -5
And, HD... I give up in regards to the word censors... apparently MyTatuo has changed it from D*ke or something like that to this. Hey, don't look at ME! If it were up to me, I'd FORCE everyone to say s**t p**s f**k c**t c**ks**ker mo**erf**ker t**s in every single one of their posts (or at least in their signature), but then we wouldn't be a family-friendly board, would we? Wouldn't want to offend all those pre-teen grrlz who blog about TGAH on MySpace, would we? |
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Nov 12, 2007 16:59:03 GMT -5
Not if they look like your avatar anyway, MyTatuo. |
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Post by MelMac on Nov 12, 2007 17:28:54 GMT -5
And, HD... I give up in regards to the word censors... apparently MyTatuo has changed it from D*ke or something like that to this. Hey, don't look at ME! If it were up to me, I'd FORCE everyone to say s**t p**s f**k c**t c**ks**ker mo**erf**ker t**s in every single one of their posts (or at least in their signature), but then we wouldn't be a family-friendly board, would we? Wouldn't want to offend all those pre-teen grrlz who blog about TGAH on MySpace, would we?  It was weird, but at least it's not as crazy as saying manpart thingy Van manpart thingy like it's done before too on other boards. |
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Post by mmderdekea on Nov 12, 2007 19:55:36 GMT -5
I don't even get the Dick Van Lesbian reference.....
Mona
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Post by MelMac on Nov 12, 2007 20:00:42 GMT -5
I don't even get the Dick Van Lesbian reference..... Mona I was writing Dick Van D yke, but his last name changed to Lesbian because of the word censors. There are words here and just about every board that will do asterisk or what not to remove offensive words. This one usually ends up D*ke or thingy because of the sexual reference, even though I'm trying to say someone's name. They're not hardwired into the system and can be changed if need be, but when not or not set to only change whole words and not parts of words, it can lead to humorous results, such as what came out and HD's comment. |
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