Oral History Procedures
The oral history interviews are conducted jointly by Bill Dana and Project Archivist Jenni Matz using the Oral History Association’s Oral History Evaluation Guidelines.
The interviews typically last between 1 and 2 hours in length, and are usually conducted in the interviewee’s home or office. The interview subjects are selected by the Emerson College American Comedy Archives. Subjects are typically approached based on their nationally recognized contribution to the field, with factors such as age and availability taken into consideration.
The topics of the interviews vary slightly depending on the subject’s background and personal experience. The general topics covered include but are not limited to:
- Personal reflections on the craft- its social, political, and historical importance
- Personal reflections on specific accomplishments or events
- Humor as a tool, a survival mechanism and a “weapon”
- Discussion and demonstrations on the art of good writing and performance
- Teaching comedy- can it be done?
- The business of show business
- Reflections on the changing face of comedy, "blue" humor
- Reflections on what makes us laugh- then, now, and the future of comedy
