“Honky” in da house! : My Interview with Jay Moriarty.
I was given the ultimate honor in interviewing a sitcom legend Jay Moriarty who has worked on such classic and iconic shows such as Good Times, All In The Family, What’s Happening and its sequel What’s Happening Now, Redd Foxx’s final sitcom The Royal Family and The Jeffersons, which along with his then writing partner Mike Milligan was where Jay made the most television magic. Jay and Mike penned some of my favorite episodes of The Jeffersons and I’m sure some of yours including Florence’s Problem, George and The Manager, The Christmas Wedding and The First Store, which inspired my second article that Jay happened to find and sought me out. This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship as that one guy said from that movie(Ten points if you know which one). Now let me shut up and let you hear from the man himself who was so gracious enough to grant me this interview. For all those who want to get into the sitcom writing business or the television business at all pay close attention because you’re as lucky as I am to learn from a pro.
First some back story by Jay himself:
With the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s death approaching, I was searching the internet for a photo of MLK to use on my FB Author page to promote a recent book I wrote about my experiences as a writer/producer of The Jeffersons. In Season 6 of The Jeffersons, my partner and I wrote an episode titled “The First Store,” a flashback story showing what George, Weezy and Lionel were doing the day Dr. King was shot.
In my search, I happened upon an article titled “The Jeffersons episode ‘The First Store’ and how it relates to today.” https://bit.ly/31QKvRx Hello! How perfect is that? It was pertinent, timely and the writing, by Kendall Rivers (GREAT name, huh?), was first-rate! I tried getting in touch with Mr. Rivers wanting to a) ask his permission to re-print, b) send him a copy of my book, titled Honky in the House, and c) find out if he were willing to part with his name so I could use it as a pseudonym. Turns out Kendall is a connoisseur of great literature and already had my book. And now, of course, we’re fast friends — even though he wouldn’t give up his name.
Kendall, now, has asked me to answer five questions so he could share the answers with his followers. I’m claiming creative license, renumbering the questions so I can answer his first question (How did you get into the business?) last.
2. What did you think of the live shows they did for The Jeffersons, All In The Family and Good Times in 2019? While of course they couldn’t top or match the original performances of the original episodes, do you feel that they were a good homage?
A: Here’s my answer, after I looked up the word homage. It’s tough to remake a classic. In fact, I can’t think of any remake I’ve ever seen that was as good as the original. We (my partner, Mike Milligan and I) wrote the script for the Christmas All in the Family episode they did titled “The Draft Dodger.” It’s a script we conceived and wrote in 1976, and now, forty years later, they’re doing it live with Woody Harrelson playing Archie Bunker. It was a surreal experience. A feeling we might refer to back then as “groovy,” “far out” or a real “trip”! Or what might be described today by that all encompassing word “Amazing!” At first I was thinking young people today won’t even know what a “draft” is.’ But overall, the shows appeared well received by both the critics and the audience. Both productions won Emmys for Norman and SONY and Jimmy Kimmel.
If for no other reason, I think the productions were valuable as presentations of TV sitcom history. Younger viewers were introduced to pioneering shows they may not have known about otherwise. And my guess is that older viewers who remember the originals were able to watch the remakes and recall the emotions they felt when they first saw the episodes. Plus, judging by the live reactions, both young and old seemed to enjoy seeing a couple living TV legends — Norman Lear and Marla Gibbs.
3. Talk about the atmosphere on the set of The Jeffersons.
Two words come to mind. The first is LOVE. It’s contagious on the set, spreading outwards from both Sherman and Isabel. In fact, the name of Sherman’s company was “Love is, inc.” During breaks between show tapings, before joining others for dinner, Sherman would make a plate of food and take it to the security guard at the main entrance. (Bet Mary Tyler Moore never did that.) How could you not love, and work hard for, a dude like that?
The second word is PROFESSIONALISM. On The Jeffersons set, everyone — cast, crew, staff, etc. — worked together seamlessly and tirelessly with responsibilities clearly drawn and respected. Writers would write, actors act, directors direct and everyone from set design to wardrobe were focused on a unified goal of telling a story each week.
The best word to describe Isabel is the name on her license plate, TROUPER. Isabel’s work ethic was second to none; a pro’s pro. Always in good spirits, she studied hard, always knew her lines and never complained. As the recognized and respected figurehead of the series — the one who kept not only her TV husband but everyone who worked on the show grounded — “Weezy” was addressed by all as simply “Queen.”
If you’re interested in more details, which I hope you are, you’ll find them in Honky in the House. https://amzn.to/3fQ0xD5.
4. Any advice for a newcomer in the business of television?
Unless you are the Showrunner or the Director, NEVER talk to the actors about a script. Also, during production season, forget about reading your mail, washing your car or picking up your laundry.
5. Of course you have a new book out called Honky in the House, a great book, by the way. Other than that are there any other new projects you’re working on? Maybe another book about your time on another show you’ve worked on?
Actually, I’m writing a five-part limited series (1 hr. each) — a romantic dramedy laced with social commentary.
And a screenplay I wrote is being released this summer as a book in script format. It’s a tribute to classic cowboy shows like The Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, Annie Oakley, etc. (Any fans of cowboy shows out there?) It’s titled DEADEYE and is “dedicated to everyone who ever wanted to be a cowboy.” On the cover are the words: SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE, followed by an asterisk. And after the asterisk it says, in smaller copy: AS SOON AS A MAJOR DIRECTOR DECIDES TO MAKE IT. The back cover has the words WHERE HAVE ALL THE HEROES GONE? and is peppered with b&w photos of cowboy movie heroes. My favorite line in the script is when Deadeye turns to his horse and says, “You know, Star, the hardest thing is the world is believing in yourself when nobody else does.”
Now, for those of you who’ve stayed with me, it’s time to address Kendall’s number one question:
1. How did you get into the business?
Answer: Persistence.*
*You might be thinking, “Really? One word? That’s all he’s gonna say?!” C’mon, you know as well as I do, if I write a bunch of words, even just a paragraph or two, you’re not gonna remember what I say. But if I answer with one word…well, there’s at least a fifty-fifty shot.
Actually, persistence is one of the key themes in the HONKY book. I wrote the kind of book I’d like to read if I were younger and trying to “get into the business.” When I left Ohio and headed for Hollywood, there were no books or classes or anything I could read about how to break into writing for television. Just as there’s more than one way to skin a cat — probably at least nine — for every group of a hundred persons who’ve managed to break into show business, there are probably at least ninety-six different ways they did it. But I’m willing to bet the common denominator in every one of those ninety-six ways is Persistence. In my book, I share the following formula or theory I composed about that elusive quest for the thing we call success: The degree of success is directly proportionate to the consistence of the persistence. If you read my book, you’ll notice I like to put things I want you to remember in bold type. That’s not an insult to you. You’re only human, just like me. In fact, I’ll bet you don’t even remember what I wrote in the first paragraph above. Let alone what you just read in bold type.
You may have also noticed I’m willing to bet on a lot of things. That’s another quality you need to break into show biz. You need to be a risk-taker. A gambler. You need to be willing to bet on yourself. If taking risks makes you nervous, that’s God’s way of telling you show business is not for you.
If you’re still curious…in my book, I mention exactly how I managed to break into writing for television. But it takes a few chapters. I’d reprint them here, but, hey, you write a book, you want people to read it. I didn’t write the book for the money. I’ve got plenty of money. For now, anyway. Or at least for this month. You know, you can get away without paying doctor bills for quite a while. What are they gonna do, sue you? Worst case scenario, you go to jail for a while — and in jail you get free medical. Sweet!
Besides, I’m expecting a big settlement any day now from my lawsuit against Netflix. They stole my story idea, gave it some silly title like The Queen’s Gamble or something. I wrote a screenplay about a young boy, a genius who becomes a Champion Checkers Player. I called it King Me. The boy is raised by wolves in Zambia. They changed his sex and placed the main character in an orphanage for girls and changed the game to chess. Chess! Geez, a confusing game where all the pieces have different values — Queen, knight, prince, even a monsignor or a cardinal, right?! People who play chess don’t even watch television! Checkers is a simple game, right? Everybody knows how to play. You just move those black or red pieces forward or sideways, right?
Damn crooks at Netflix stole my screenplay and ruined the story. Ripped out all the heart and social commentary. When I met with my agent at Denny’s after reading my screenplay, he had only one note. He said he didn’t think there were wolves in Zambia. Even if he’s right, so what? Easy fix. Just make it Uganda or Cameroon? I’m sure there are wolves in one of those countries. Aren’t there?
Anyway, all seriousness aside, if you’re on a tight budget, and you can’t afford six or seven bucks for Kindle or twenty bucks for paperback, but you wanna read my book, just shoot me an email (antlerpublishing@gmail.com) and in 25 words or less, tell me why you want to read HONKY IN THE HOUSE. If I laugh out loud at least once, I’ll send you a complimentary book. Be sure to leave a mailing address.
If you’re not on a tight budget, and you have a spare sawbuck or Andy Jackson or even a Ben Franklin, well, if enough of you can pitch in and send me a little moolah, maybe I could get my tuba out of hock. I haven’t been able to practice for six months now. It’s a real bummer going through this pandemic alone, without an instrument. Although, I notice my neighbors have been acting a lot friendlier lately. Especially the ones on both sides. If any of you can front me a couple hundred or more, I promise to pay you back as soon as my brother straightens up. He’s a hunchback, you know.
Peace out. Or, as George Jefferson would say, “Don’t let the doorknob hit ya where the good Lord split ya!”
And there you have it! Wise words from an OG. I want to just take the time to thank Jay so much for taking the time to first go through all the trouble to reach out to me, second for blessing me with a fantastic hour long phone conversation that felt like a dream I was hoping I wouldn’t wake up from, and third for doing this interview for me and giving my readers some wonderful advice. As a screenwriter myself I find it important for me to pass down what I know to others as well as pass down tools I have learned from books, interviews and tv shows and movies I revere, and hopefully everyone who reads this takes away some new tools in the trade and will benefit from Jay’s wisdom that gave this guy a gazillion bucks and a Yacht that I hope he’ll one day invite me on to to max and relax one of these days. But in all seriousness, thanks again, Jay! And again for all those interested you can purchase Jay’s book “Honky In The House Writing & Producing The Jeffersons at Amazon. Kind edition: $7.49. Paperback: $18.05.
