Dick Cavett interviews Phil Silvers in Hollywood in 1981

Phil Silvers is interviewed by Dick Cavett in three separate half-hour programs on Public Television in Hollywood. Silvers talks about his life and long career in show business. This posting is a rebroadcast of three separate programs from the over-the-air network, "Decades". I strung together the three programs, including all of the intros, outros and bumpers--but eliminated the commercials. (I would have eliminated the bumpers, but Decades transitioned to them using dissolves.)

[@roberta.6399]

The Dick Cavett show is a time capsule of the great entertainers and influential people of their time. Bravo

[@philsooty5421]

I'm 72 years of age and watched the Phil Silver's show in the 50's, I live in the UK and he is in my opinion the funniest man ever to come out of America, he still makes me laugh today! God bless him

[@gerrymeadows2202]

No matter how much he did in life, I wish he had done more. He was a unique talent.

[@michaellovetere8033]

I saw him in some walk-on cameo roles in the early 40s movies, but I think he did a lot of stage work..in New York..

[@wally1452]

I loved Phil Silvers! Man, he was so funny! I love that Cavett show very much and Dick was always ust the best. He had such a unique show, having so many types on, though mostly celebrities in film, etc. I wish I had all his shows, then pick out my favorite guests. ack Paar was my other most beloved talk show guy...and Paar himself was so darn good and I never, never saw him on his show, or others, but I could never watch him enough. I am happy I was born when I was, so I saw all the great comedians, the Golden Years of Hollywood, the singers and fine, fine orchestras we had. What years the 1930's through the 1970's (and a bit longer were.)

[@peterbland7227]

Wow. What a storyteller.

[@jasonhurd4379]

I love Phil Silvers as Sgt Bilko and also in the film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. An absolutely magnificent comedian.

[@bduhe219]

Phil was the best talker a talkshow host could dream for. A great conveationalist.

[@peterfeltham5612]

As a youth in England I just loved watching Bilko in the late 50s early 60s.Great man indeed,made me laugh so much.

[@londonbabe2467]

He was fantastic Peter. Came across genuine and lovely

[@lkramberg]

Phil Silvers was right. Most young people today have no idea who Bob Hope was. Fame truly is fleeting.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

Hope was talentless.

[@nibsvkh]

Dick Cavett...shame there isn’t shows like his anymore where a legend like Phil gets time to tell stories. Dick really was the best interviewer and his show is sorely missed by us fans of intellectual talk.

[@MckIdyll]

"aren't" shows like his anymore. English as a first language.

[@manofmanyinterests]

Universally beloved. Phil was and is a treasure. Thank you for this gift.

[@pianopappy]

And thank you, man of many interests (like me), for your comment.

[@andywalkerchannel]

This interview is absolutely brilliant. Thank you.

[@marklentine8793]

THANK YOU FOR THIS…

[@kevinmurphy3464]

I watched this interview and was actually captivated by Mr. Silvers. He would have been a huge hit on Broadway if he just did a one man show. He would have sold out every night!

[@arip9234]

He was a huge hit and he did sell every night 😂

[@stevenj9970]

Silvers was AMAZING!! All the old Jewish comedians were outta this world!! Cavett was a GREAT interviewer-giving his guest LOTS of time to speak....making the show about THEM

[@rcordeiro3414]

Dick Cavett the goat very underrated today love Sgt Bilko

[@qrpinc]

Exceptional interview! I wish it would have been a 2 hour interview

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

that ending. All his praise for Dick Cavett. what a guy.

[@DerBingle1]

Phil Silvers’ autobiography is one of the best I’ve ever read. He was an amazing guy who was in show biz for decades before Stg. Bilko.

[@mullen25]

this is why dick davett was the best there ever was. over an hour of phil silver telling wonderful stories. there was not ever a better interviewer of the stars.

[@SenorZorrozzz]

I love this man. Always. An American institution! Sgt Bilko! ❤️ Phil.

[@stevefaure415]

The world could use another Phil Silvers. Favorite moment for me--Harold Hecuba on Gilligan's Island.

[@tomjones5650]

Honest John on Beverly Hillbillys.

[@sjohnson1216]

Proud to share my birthday with Phil Silvers. Also, I knew the family business in Queens that installed the kitchen in his UES apartment (!).

[@psakbar]

I love both of these guys. What a great interview/monologue!

[@kevinchambers1101]

These three shows were and are a true treasure.

[@okay5045]

Phil Silvers the "comedic con man". The voice so unique and quick smart patter. A Funny wit.

[@spockboy]

I watched Sgt Bilko in reruns as a little kid and was amazed by his energy.

[@pianopappy]

Thanks, SpockBoy, for your comment. I watched Bilko during its first run on CBS-TV from 1955 to 1959 as a teenager. The program's original title was "You'll Never Get Rich"--taken from an old marching song. One version went like this: "You're in the Army now. You're not behind a plow. You'll never get rich by digging a ditch. You're in the Army now."

[@freezesh]

First I've heard of Phil Silvers but was so interested by his storytelling- kind and funny

[@MrMrMrMrMerle]

Larry David (Curb/Seinfeld) maintains that Phil Silvers' TV Show (either THe Phil Silvers Show or Sergeant Bilko) was the best sitcom ever.. They're all on YT

[@loupasternak]

@@MrMrMrMrMerle s funny man and a funny show

[@Rob_Kates]

Thanks for putting these together. Cavett was an excellent host. I wish I could get the Decades channel.

[@elchoya8432]

he was the best thing in ITS A MAD,MAD,MAD WORLD

[@benphilips9918]

I think Dick is probably the best celebrity interviewer I've ever seen. And in fairness I think the stars he interviewed knew that too.

[@rickrick5041]

How come they don't talk about Bilko, his most popular success and one of the funniest shows in history. It's still fantastic

[@pianopappy]

Yes, Rick, I agree with you on both points. I'm not sure the Decades channel broadcast the entire interview as it was aired originally on PBS without commercials. Perhaps some discussion of the Bilko shows was excised in order to squeeze in Decade's commercials (which I cut out). Maybe someday I'll find the PBS broadcasts on one of the 200+ VHS cassettes in my attic.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Thanks very much for this great upload!

[@MA_808]

No one was funnier than Phil Silvers....no one...

[@podunkcitizen2562]

It's a shame how hard it was to get Silvers to open up and talk. LOL. Hi think Dick's entirety of questions was, hi!

[@janmcdonald3896]

This is wonderful 2 c. Such a genius

[@AJ99]

PP, you did a great job with this wonderful interview. I watched it three times and enjoyed it -- I feel I got to know one of my favorite showbiz people. He was really the Top Banana to me. Thank you.

[@pianopappy]

A J, this is PP. I really appreciate your comment; and, I'm very glad you enjoyed the interview. Phil was a favorite of mine too, starting with the first Bilko show when it was called "You'll Never Get Rich". Thanks again.

[@1944JerriMellas]

The greatest❣️

[@Relay300]

Great upload many thanks

[@edsmith4821]

Phil was very easy to interview you ask him a question and he would talk for the next 30 minutes

[@alexcampbell3032]

That's enough about me, what do you think about me?

[@MckIdyll]

Great history, but this sure needed editing!

[@rickrick5041]

Great stories

[@aum3.146]

One of the greats

[@stevenmorley1639]

Platoon hahaha. 🍻 cheers Phil

[@brianjamison2160]

Met him in 1971 when i worked at channel nine in Sydney had great talk about Sgt.Bilko i think i bored him stiff.

[@jacquestaulard3088]

thank you , piano pappy

[@SenorZorrozzz]

Phil is the top banana 🍌!!!

[@Funny4450]

6:20: "I haven't got time left to lie, Dick."

[@floydthebarber9956]

Harold Hecuba: "What?? If I call you and actor, you're an actor." Gilligan: "Ok... I'm an actor." Harold Hecuba: "Believe me, YOU are no actor!"

[@testprepdojo9729]

“He would never live to see my success. This I regret.” It’s funny that he talks like Vito corleone

[@susantunbridge4612]

Phil Silvers and Dean Martin - on DM's show -

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

Two Zionist terrorists.

[@arip9234]

@@JamesRichards-mj9kwnow that’s a funny joke 😂

[@Jack21Spades]

Look at (who should have been) SERGEANT MAJOR BILKO.

[@scottfoster3548]

YEA to reiterate what all say here. We love Phil Silvers JUST watch any Bilko episode when he starts yelling, grabbing and the interactions between him and Emma Ritzik, wife of the cook are HILARIOUS. We have no modern equivalent just his physical presence clapping and yelling and directing people. OH the old days are gone for good.

[@miyaiun4723]

Hi. I love how a few times he called his intended victim by singing a small song.

[@danielguy1963]

One day you'll meet a man your age now and you'll say the name Bob Hope and he won't know who you're talking about? How true. I meet people today who have never heard of Elvis Presley.

[@stephenreeds3672]

So Sinatra was FF. I wonder how that came about?

[@petesmitt]

you mean 4-F..

[@petesmitt]

addicted to gambling, chronically depressed, two marriages ending in divorce.. not successful in private life.

[@allangilchrist5938]

To paraphrase Woody Allen, if Phil could witness what passes for a 'comedian' among the young in the UK today, he wouldn't stop throwing-up.

[@okay5045]

Cavete had the best guests and gave the the most time. His only problem he always thought he was the funniest and smartest person in the room. He wasn't.

[@jadezee6316]

i thought phil silvers one of the true funny men of history...naturally funny.....who suffered such great anxiety that occasionally could not go on stage.....

[@pianopappy]

I didn't know that, Jade. He always seemed so confident and at ease. ("Glad to see ya!") Thanks very much for your comment.

[@jadezee6316]

@@pianopappy YES..ITS TRUE.....AND YOU ARE WELCOME

[@pianopappy]

@@jadezee6316 Your comment about stage fright, Jade, reminds me of a story I heard Garry Moore tell about George Gobel, who appeared frequently on Moore's variety show. One night, while both were standing in the wings before George was about to go on stage, Gobel offered Moore a little nip from a flask. Moore politely refused--after which, Gobel looked at him disbelievingly and said, "You mean you're gonna go out there . . . ALONE??"

[@jadezee6316]

@@pianopappy lol...so many actors ..singers and yes stage performers required a drink or so..to face a crowd....but i will break my own precedent and recommend to you a great book regarding the funny men including phil silvers...that book which you may already have is called...The Comedians...written by Kliph Nesteroff....you can get an almost new copy on abe books for about 5 bucks!...a must read for people like you that love the history of these entertainers..who were a different breed than most...

[@bazbarrett8103]

Don't rate Cavert...loves himself. Michael Parkinson English TV interviewer,real pro.

[@TheStockwell]

I never get tired of people saying a respected figure isn't worth anyone's time due to the commenter's personal preferences. Dogs are a waste of time because cats are better. Source: me. 😐

[@jefolson6989]

Silvers could be funny, but on his TV show he yelled all the time. Tiresome

[@podunkcitizen2562]

His father left Russia and escaped to Germany. A jew escaping to Germany? That was unique.

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

There was no persecution.

[@arip9234]

Before the Nazis

[@mdarrenu]

Cavett botched the opening. Never a fan. Good guests by Cavett is not my cup of tea.

[@michaellovetere8033]

He was a Russian Jew....

[@martinwilby8942]

silvers is a priemer league comidian but the interview is crap

[@marbury2403]

This guy wouldn't shut up.

[@pianopappy]

It wouldn't be much of an interview if he did, would it, Marbury?

[@jasonhood2453]

He wouldn’t shut up... and I’m glad. It’s not every day you get to listen to a legend speaking freely. 🙂

[@kevinchambers1101]

Clearly you come from a different generation, these three shows were a treasure.

[@gazwillz3225]

Phil is Legend But for whatever reason Is not funny here!!!

[@debsmith8219]

To bad he didnt believe in jesus

[@arip9234]

Why too bad. Jews don’t “believe” in Yeshu

[@JamesRichards-mj9kw]

Silvers wasn't at all funny.

[@user-vg2eg7oo5n]

He made a living. And, his show was a favorite of Larry David and millions of others.

[@willg.6168]

1980 the beginning of the age of anti intellectualism