Bernard Slade

I didn't really go on the set a lot. I was writing and there was really no reason. I don't even think the writer went to the first reading of the script. It wasn't like today, where something is rewritten every single day. When they had the first table-reading of the script back then, that was the script that was shot. As I recall, there were almost no changes made from the original script. Show less «

[on casting 'The Partridge Family'] I remember getting a surprising call at my house from Jane Powell. She said she had just read the script, and said it was her life! I thought, 'How strange! How could this little script be her life?' Show less «

I think I have a very good eye for talent, so when I saw the screen test with Danny [Bonaduce], even though he wasn't what I had envisioned for the role, it was obvious that he had the talent. It's very rare to find a kid that age who has that innate comedy timing. He had it and it just came off the screen. Show less «

[on writing for television in the 1970s] It was a lot easier in those days. Basically, I would just go and present it orally to the network. Well, first to Screen Gems, and then the network. They would say, 'Okay, fine'. Then I would go away and write it. I very rarely ever did outlines or anything like that, because I was successful at getting stuff on the air. I was treated better than most. But there was very little to object to. Network executives don't really understand comedy. Show less «