Mel Tolkin facts for kids

Mel Tolkin (born Shmuel Tolchinsky; August 3, 1913 – November 26, 2007) was a very famous television comedy writer. He is best known for being the head writer of Your Show of Shows. This was a live sketch comedy TV series that aired on NBC from 1950 to 1954. It was a big part of what people call the "Golden Age of Television".

Mel Tolkin led a team of amazing writers. This team included famous names like Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, and Danny Simon. Their busy and funny writers' room later inspired a film called My Favorite Year (1982) and a Broadway play called Laughter on the 23rd Floor (1993). Tolkin won many important awards for his TV writing, including an Emmy Award. He was also the father of screenwriter and novelist Michael Tolkin, and TV writer and director Stephen Tolkin.

Mel Tolkin's Life Story

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Mel Tolkin was born Shmuel Tolchinsky in a Jewish village near Odesa, Ukraine. At that time, Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire. His father, Mendel "Max" Tolchinsky, worked as a laborer and a salesman.

In 1926, his family moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. There, he became known as Samuel. After finishing high school, he studied accounting. But secretly, he loved show business! He wrote songs and funny sketches for local shows. He also played the piano in jazz clubs. His parents might not have approved of a career in entertainment. So, he started using the name Mel Tolkin to keep his passion a secret.

During World War II, Tolkin served in the Canadian Army. He played the glockenspiel in a military orchestra. After the war, in 1946, he moved to New York City, New York. He married Edith Leibovitch that same year. Mel Tolkin started working with Lucille Kallen. She became his long-time writing partner. They wrote comedy for performers at a resort called Camp Tamiment.

In 1949, Mel and Lucille became the only writers for an NBC television network variety show called The Admiral Broadway Revue. The next year, this show, starring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, grew into Your Show of Shows.

Your Show of Shows: A TV Classic

Many TV experts consider Your Show of Shows a true classic. It was a huge success in television history. The show presented 90 minutes of live comedy every week. It ran for 39 weeks a year, from February 1950 to June 1954. In total, they made 160 episodes!

The writers' office was in Manhattan, New York City. Writers like Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Danny Simon, Larry Gelbart, and Lucille Kallen worked there. It was a very lively place! The writers often argued, joked, and created amazing comedy. They would pace around, mutter, and sometimes even throw things. Mel Tolkin once counted 39 pencils stuck in the ceiling from being thrown in frustration!

The show quickly became famous for its main stars: Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, and Howard Morris. Many of their comedy sketches became legendary. In 1973, the show's producer and director, Max Liebman, put together a film called 10 From Your Show of Shows. This film let new audiences enjoy the classic sketches. Mel Tolkin also wrote for a popular follow-up show, Caesar's Hour, which ran from 1954 to 1957. He even wrote the theme song for Your Show of Shows, called "Stars Over Broadway".

Later Career and Legacy

After Your Show of Shows, Mel Tolkin continued to write for many TV shows. From 1968 to 1970, he wrote for the CBS situation comedy The Good Guys. For six years in the 1970s, he was a story editor for the very popular CBS sitcom All in the Family. He wrote several episodes for this show. He also wrote for its sequel series, Archie Bunker's Place. Later, he wrote for the Tony Randall sitcom Love, Sidney (1981–1983).

Mel Tolkin also wrote comedy for famous standup comedians and nightclub entertainers. These included Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Danny Kaye, and Danny Thomas. All of them later became big stars.

Mel Tolkin passed away at age 94 in Century City, California, due to heart failure. He is buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. His amazing work in television comedy continues to inspire writers and comedians today.

Awards and Recognition

Mel Tolkin received a Peabody Award for his contributions to television.

He shared the 1967 Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety Emmy Award. This was for The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special. He shared this award with co-writers Sam Denoff, Bill Persky, and Carl Reiner.

With his writing partner Larry Rhine, Tolkin won a 1978 Humanitas Prize. This award was for the All in the Family episode "The Brother".

Mel Tolkin also won several Writers Guild of America Awards:

• 1965: For The Danny Kaye Show (1963-64).
• 1966: For The Danny Kaye Show with Art Carney.
• 1968: For The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special.
• 1978: For the All in the Family episode "Archie Gets the Business - Parts I & II".