Search the Fresh Air Archive

Close Search

Television Producer and Writer Steven Bochco.

Television producer Steven Bochco. He is, arguably, one of the most influential creative people in television. With shows like "Hill Street Blues" and "L.A.Law," Bochco can claim credit for a whole TV genre: intensely realistic dramas that use an ensemble cast and multiple, interweaving plots that quickly cut back and forth. Those programs helped make NBC the top network and the perceived leader for innovative programming. As the other networks strive to produce programs of similar quality, TV critics have talked about the "Bochco-ization of network TV, as more and more programs use the Bochco trademarks of large casts, gallows humor and allusions to unconventional sex. Bochco began writing for Universal Studios while still in college. His first credit was shared with Rod Serling. He later wrote segments of "Columbo" and "McMillan and Wife." Last year, Bochco signed an exclusive agreement with ABC to produce 10 new series. So far, he's introduced "Hooperman," which the critics generally like. His next project, "Doogie Howser, M.D." will debut later this fall.

22:08
Queue

Guest

Host

Related Topics

Other segments from the episode on September 5, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, September 5, 1989: Interview with Steven Bochco; Review of the New Winds' album "The Cliff"; Interview with Randy Thom; Review of Linda Wolfe's book "Wasted."
Queue
06:59

New Winds Fuse Jazz and Classical Music.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the first album by the trio New Winds, whose members have experiences in both jazz and classical music. Clarinetist J.D. Parran has played with an improviser's collective called The Black Artists Group, saxophonist Ned Rothenberg plays with a band that does covers of 60s songs, and flutist Robert Dick has played primarily with classical ensembles.

Review
Queue
11:15

Sound Designer Randy Thom.

Sound Designer Randy Thom. He began his career in community radio (WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio) producing live music and dramas. He then moved into producing sound for films, although he still produces some independent radio dramas.

Interview
Queue
03:28

The "Preppie" Murderer.

Book Critic John Leonard reviews Wasted, an investigation of last year's `Preppie Murder' trial in New York City. Robert Chambers, son of a wealthy New York City couple, was charged with the murder of Jennifer Levin, herself the product of wealthy parents and New York's finest private schools. The trial was a headline-grabber for Chambers' controversial defense and for its exposure of the aimless, dissolute lifestyle of the children of the wealthy.

Review

Transcript

Transcript currently not available.

Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

You May Also like

Queue
11:51

Director Betty Thomas Brings the Bradys to Theaters

Thomas directed the new movie, "The Brady Bunch." The film is adapted from the TV series that ran from 1969-74. But there's a twist: the innocent family is transported with all its 70's values and fashion into the 90's. Thomas also directed "Only You" and "My Breast," and played Sergeant Lucy Bates on the TV series "Hill Street Blues."

Interview
Queue
22:19

Allan Burns' New Program About A Public Radio Station.

Television producer and screenwriter Allan Burns. He co-created "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Rhoda," "He and She," "Lou Grant" and "The Munsters," a body of work that has earned him 8 Emmys. Burns has a new series this fall on NBC titled "FM." It's about the on-the-job and at home travails of a public radio program director. (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Interview
Queue
27:50

TV Producer Gregory Hoblit on Roe Vs. Wade

Hoblit's new made-for-TV movie dramatizes the groundbreaking Supreme Court case. The film has faced criticism from anti-abortion activists -- even though several have admitted to never having seen it. Hoblit is best known for producing television programs like Hill Street Blues, which broke conventions by relying heavily on hand-held cameras and degraded film, and pushing the boundaries of what kind of material was appropriate for broadcast.

Interview

Did you know you can create a shareable playlist?

Learn How
Advertisement

Recently on Fresh Air Available to Play on NPR

52:30

Daughter of Warhol star looks back on a bohemian childhood in the Chelsea Hotel

Alexandra Auder's mother, Viva, was one of Andy Warhol's muses. Growing up in Warhol's orbit meant Auder's childhood was an unusual one. For several years, Viva, Auder and Auder's younger half-sister, Gaby Hoffmann, lived in the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan. It was was famous for having been home to Leonard Cohen, Dylan Thomas, Virgil Thomson, and Bob Dylan, among others.

Queue

Related segments from the Fresh Air Archive:

43:04

This fake 'Jury Duty' really put James Marsden's improv chops on trial

In the series Jury Duty, a solar contractor named Ronald Gladden has agreed to participate in what he believes is a documentary about the experience of being a juror--but what Ronald doesn't know is that the whole thing is fake.

Queue

Related segments from the Fresh Air Archive:

See All Recent Segments

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

Let us help you find exactly what you want to hear.
Just play me something
Your Queue

Would you like to make a playlist based on your queue?

Generate & Share View/Edit Your Queue