Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Bob Booker Collection
WGF-MS-028  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Overview
 
Table of contents What's This?
Description
The Bob Booker Collection, 1973-2003, consists of scripts, production material and audiovisual material for various primetime television specials and variety shows he wrote for. The bulk of this collection consists of scripts for the NBC sitcom Out of This World, which he created.
Background
Born on August 1, 1931, Bob Booker is best known as a writer, producer, and director of television. He began his career in 1962 as a writer and producer of the Grammy Award Winning comedy album The First Family, a satire of President Kennedy and his family, starring Vaughn Meader. This project marked the beginning of a long-time collaboration with George Foster. Booker soon turned to network television and in 1966, began working on The Garry Moore Show. He was also a contributor to the Ed Sullivan Show as well as other variety programs. He went into feature films for a few years before returning to television in 1973, working on a television variety series, The NBC Follies, which aired for 13 episodes. In 1974, he partnered with Burt Reynolds and produced two network pilot specials: Cotton Club '75 and The Wayne Newton Special. Over the next several years, Booker continued to create pilots and specials that included The Monty Hall Sea World Special, The Saturday Preview Revue and a pilot for a Charo television series. Later, in 1977, Paramount hired him to create television specials to promote their feature film releases such as American Hot Wax, Foul Play and Grease. In 1984, Booker returned to creating television series, starting with an ABC comedy hosted by Steve Lawrence and Don Rickles titled Foul-Ups, Bleeps, & Blunders, which focused on outtakes from popular television programs and movies. Booker then created the NBC teen fantasy sitcom Out of This World starring Maureen Flannigan, Donna Pescow and Burt Reynolds as the voice of the alien, Troy. The series premiered in 1987 and went on to air for four years. Bob Booker retired and is currently residing in Carmel, California.
Extent
4.8 linear feet
Restrictions
The responsibility to secure copyright and publication permission rests with the researcher.
Availability
Available by appointment only.