Quotes

[on making the transition from the comedy The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) to its dramatic spin-off series Lou Grant (1977)] We were really worried about changing over from a three-camera, half-hour comedy to a one-camera, full-hour drama. The audience wasn't ready for the switch--even CBS billed us in their promos as a comedy. In fact, the whole thing was impossible. But we didn't know that.

[on the history of American foreign policy] I also think that there is a strong streak of racism, whenever we engage in foreign adventures. Our whole history in regime change has been of people of different color.

To my knowledge, there is no blacklist. But there is a mindset, even among liberal producers, that says, "He may be difficult so let's avoid him".

Raising kids is part joy and part guerrilla warfare.

[on law enforcement interaction with people with autism] They've got to assess the situation and respond accordingly, and hopefully, amicably treat sufferers from autism.

[on his acting projects nowadays] I tour with a one-man show, and I do movies, if you're making them.

[on Wendell Corey] He said he used to piss her [Barbara Stanwyck] off all the time because she is so meticulous. If her call was for ten, she would show up at 9:30. So he knew how bugged she got with him because he was always late. Even if he was there on time, he'd hover outside the stage door until it was one or two minutes past and then come onto the stage--just to get her goat!