Nichols and May Interviews: Conversations with Filmmakers Series Explores the Creative Journey of Hollywood's Golden Age

Mike Nichols and Elaine May were one of the most successful comedy teams in history. They first met in the early 1950s while attending the University of Chicago. After graduating, they moved to New York City and began working together as a comedy duo. In 1957, they debuted their own television show, "Nichols and May," which ran for four seasons and won two Emmy Awards. After the show ended, they continued to work together on films, including "The Graduate" (1967),"Carnal Knowledge" (1971),and "Primary Colors" (1998).

Nichols and May: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series)

by Robert E. Kapsis

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1430 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages

FREE

In 2016, Nichols and May were interviewed by a group of filmmakers for the "Conversations with Filmmakers" series. The interviews were conducted over several days and cover a wide range of topics, including their early careers, their creative process, and their thoughts on the future of comedy.

Early Careers

Nichols was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1931. His family fled Nazi Germany when he was a child and settled in the United States. He attended the University of Chicago, where he studied theater. After graduating, he moved to New York City and began working as a stage actor.

May was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1932. She attended the University of Chicago, where she studied theater and improvisational comedy. After graduating, she moved to New York City and began working as a comedian.

Nichols and May met in the early 1950s while attending the University of Chicago. They quickly became friends and began working together on comedy sketches. In 1957, they debuted their own television show, "Nichols and May," which ran for four seasons and won two Emmy Awards.

Creative Process

Nichols and May's comedy was often based on their own experiences. They would often observe the people around them and then write sketches that satirized their behavior. They also used their comedy to explore social and political issues.

Nichols and May's creative process was collaborative. They would often brainstorm ideas together and then work together to write the sketches. They were also both very talented performers, and they would often improvise during their performances.

Thoughts on the Future of Comedy

In the interviews, Nichols and May were asked about their thoughts on the future of comedy. They both agreed that comedy was constantly evolving and that it was important to keep up with the times. They also said that they believed that comedy was an important part of society and that it could be used to make people think and to make them laugh.

Legacy

Nichols and May were one of the most successful comedy teams in history. They helped to define the genre of sketch comedy and they inspired a generation of comedians. Their work is still relevant today and it continues to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

Additional Resources

• The New York Times: "Nichols and May, Together Again"

• NPR: "Nichols And May Reunite For A New Series Of Candid Interviews"

• The Hollywood Reporter: "Nichols and May Reunite for 'Conversations with Filmmakers'"

Nichols and May: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series)

by Robert E. Kapsis

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1430 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages

FREE