Two men went to heaven, one worked behind the camera, the other in front of it. Both were considered smart. Only one shared an office with my husband at The Late Show with David Letterman. The other, I knew when I was a television writer on the Cosby Show.
On camera, Alan Kalter was an announcer of the old school- he had a great voice- a cadence, that made you stop and listen. Announcers in television started in radio, where the timber and tone mattered. My husband tells me that Alan was kind and generous, and a wonderful office mate. I loved how game Alan was to do sketches or try some offbeat idea. As a viewer, I had a sense he was fearless, which is the jet fuel of successful sketch comedy.
Alan Kalter as featured in The New York Times
Jay Sandrich was a wonderful director. He began his career as an assistant director on I Love Lucy. As his career progressed and he became a sought after director, he was known for his excellent taste and the ability to bring a cast together and make them a family for the duration of a shoot. I never heard him raise his voice. He was elegant-- as television directors from the golden age could be- always in a sweater, slacks that cut at the suede loafer just right. He was tan, energetic and moved like a dancer. I was lucky to have some time with him and ask him questions- but observing him was the real gift. I tried to soak up whatever he offered- and put it in my directing file. A director must care- I learned to show my feelings to the actors, to engage them, support them and make an environment for creativity secure, where ideas were welcome. It turns out that gentleness belies a deeper strength- and that was true of Jay Sandrich.
Jay Sandrich as featured in The New York Times
When I work on a project now, I try to savor it. I try to remember that one of the great gifts of writing and directing a story, in whatever form, is the crew and cast assembled to tell it. Sometimes an opportunity to work with fellow artists only happens once in a lifetime- and while that is sad, it taught me to stay in the moment and enjoy the creative process.
