John Astin... what a gentleman and scholar. I've never seen an interview in which he spoke or acted in a rude or petty way. A brilliant actor in my estimation, always thoughtful and intelligent, kind-spoken, and generous with praise.
There will never be another Gomez! Thank you John Addams-Gomez Astin! You have become an immortal in your own time! Thank you thank you thank you for showing us how to enjoy life regardless of how weird you may be.
Good to hear that the actors were so close when making this classic and groundbreaking sitcom. Especially considering the very tragic upbringing and early life Jackie Coogin (Uncle Fester) experienced. John Astin is a National Treasure.
Such a lovely man with such a rich and heart-warming character. He really deserved the chance he got with getting the role as Gomez. His inner goodness touched out to so many more people than just the ones around him.
Amazing interview with so much depth. John Astin is so down to earth and sincere bringing out not only his experience, but the other actors from the Addams Family and elsewhere. Thank you for posting this splendid video.
I had a HUGE crush on John Astin in the mid-60s when I was a very young kid. Most people find that pretty unusual, but I saw something that I still see today in him that is still so appealing. I've always been able to "read" people and very rarely am I wrong. I wish I could meet him and tell him. This interview cements who I thought he was. John, you're still very appealing. I know this interview is older. Thank you for your work that has touched millions. I would have loved to have been in Carolyn Jones' shoes. ❤️
I'd never heard of the Addams family until the 90s movies. But now I've seen the 60s TV show, I definitely prefer it to the movies. I especially like John Astin, who reminds me of my dad. :) Funny to think that Mr Astin is still around today, nearly 25 years after Raul Julia died. I tend to assume that everyone from "black and white" TV must be dead.
Exactly the same, I am pretty young so I don't even have the chance to live in the 80's, people at my school don't know the addams family or real classic and that really make me sad.
11:15 "Something has happened to, maybe, I guess, to the world, regarding laughter. We don't have, it seems to me, the freedom, to laugh as we used to laugh. I think that it may something to do with the horrors that seem to go on constantly on this earth. I think we have to somehow turn our energies away from destruction and into a more humanized way of life. There's so damn much killing going on and life - - 'life' is what we have. When we fail to understand that, we're creating a losing situation all around."
Agreed about all the senseless killing...but I also think another reason for diminished laughter is the ideological cancer of political correctness. Thanks to the Internet, all the oh-so-precious, easily-offended snowflakes keep coming out of the woodwork...demanding total silence from anyone who opposes their views. The only thing that makes me smile about them, is watching them routinely embarrass themselves.
Happened to catch episodes of The Addams Family on RU-vid; hadn't watched since the '60s. With current state of political affairs, very insightful, prophetic words. And, I draw parallels to the maudlin tone of this perfectly scripted television family comedy juxtaposed to the humor, (black?) "humor", the "normal" vs. the "abnormal" - each side looking at themselves as normal, at the other as abnormal, one well, one sick. It's wonderful entertainment, with violence only implied as Astin noted. Astin contributes important thoughts here on how we treat eachother, the increased (gun) violence. Two POV, two worlds colliding, feels so familiar - dangerous, uncomfortable - in 2022. I appreciate the meaning, the value of the Addams Family; I need the comedy all the more - the series resonates for me in a different way today,
Thank you for sharing. This was enjoyable and informative to watch. So glad for Professor John Astin's contributions to the Arts and to Education. The Addams Family does indeed have a timeless quality. The Arts add to our human experience in a variety of ways. Wonderful comments here. i added one or two, and saw your invitation to subscribe below.
Hi Kevin, Thanks for your comment. Also, did you consider subscribing to UniSA’s RU-vid channel? By doing so you will be rewarded with latest videos and notifications.
There Just Some Actors And Actresses Who Have Done TV-Shows Of The 1960s Who Are Truely Greatful For The Opportunity. Others Have A Oh Boo-Hoo Nobody Wants Me Attitude. Those That Have That Attitude Those People Are No Longer With Us. Maybe If They Stopped Thier Bellyaching And Whining They Might Still Be With Us Today. John Astin Is Living Proof Of It. He Turned 90-Years-Old. This Past March.
Professor Anthony Elliot is the Executive Director of the Hawke EU Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and Network at the University of South Australia. He is the interviewer of John Astin here. The interviewer is not someone named Hawke! The title of this video is very incomplete and confusing.
@@3DTRADER I thought it interesting that it was important to someone that the the educational institution be highlighted over the interviewer. Fortunately Professor Elliott is clearly mentioned in the description. This interview is a celebration of the guest and the iconic program in which Professor Astin had a starring role. Anthony Elliott (clearly an unwavering fan of the series) conducts an extremely fine interview, a superb reflection of the (Hawke Research Institute) program director, the University of South Australia.
I think the zaniness of Gomez is the antithesis of the upright father in Father Knows Best. It’s also a reflection of the Vietnam era, where in the real world all hell broke loose.
I still think the character in the original Addams cartoons was based on Peter Lorre. I loved what John Astin did with the role, but I was expecting that whispery sinister voice.
