Steve Martin on how David Geffen thrived through friendships | American Masters | PBS

On September 25, 2009, Steve Martin sat down with director Susan Lacy for a conversation on how record industry mogul and studio executive David Geffen found Hollywood success through his friendships with industry folks like The Eagles, Elton John, Joni Mitchell and more. Interview conducted for "Inventing David Geffen" (2012).

Chapters:
00:00 Memories of the scene around Hollywood’s legendary Troubadour nightclub as an outsider comedian
03:43 On how his relationship with Geffen deepened during the production of “The Little Shop of Horrors”
05:17 Geffen’s penchant for using gossip and self-deprecation to cultivate his social bonds
06:48 How’s Geffen’s direct and honest nature complements his reputation as an exceptional advice-giver
08:32 On Geffen deriving his confidence from the insulation afforded by his wealth and success
10:35 Geffen’s enthusiasm for surrounding himself with nice things and interesting people
12:14 How genuine and exceptional the love shared between Geffen and his friends is
13:27 Geffen as a man who successfully finished his life’s work and now simply enjoys its fruits

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Now in its 37th season on PBS, American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape—through compelling, unvarnished stories. Setting the standard for documentary film profiles, the series has earned widespread critical acclaim: 28 Emmy Awards—including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special—two News & Documentary Emmys, 14 Peabodys, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, an Oscar, and many other honors. To further explore the lives and works of more than 250 masters past and present, the American Masters website offers full episodes, film outtakes, filmmaker interviews, the podcast “American Masters: Creative Spark,” educational resources, digital original series and more. The series is a production of The WNET Group.

[dannylorenze]

Steve Martin is a national treasure. Bless him..

[Dee-xf]

From the comments, it seem people don't understand what these clips are, even after reading the description. This is not a "Steve Martin" interview; he's not performing. It is a production interview with Steve Martin about David Geffen. When a production staff makes a documentary like American Masters, they do 20-30 minute interviews with a variety of people who know the subject (in this case, Geffen). They prompt the interviewee to speak at length about the subject to capture content. Then, they pull quotes from these longer interviews to edit into the final episode. PBS is uploading a number of these "raw" interviews, unedited. Typically, only a couple minutes of an interview like this appears in the final episode.

[CasperLCat]

Steve is the one big celebrity who has such a normal and sensible take on the cultural world around him, almost as if he hasn’t been a huge figure in that world, himself.

[brucemclennan]

One of the most interesting interviews about a very interesting person; both Steve Martin and David Geffen, the subject, seem to be the type of person you could easily chat with for 1/2 an hour and think only 5 minutes had gone by.

[shawncdonnelly]

It was generous of Steve to sit for this long and discuss David Geffen. His description of Geffen admitting to giving Joni Mitchell bad advice about Woodstock feels like it could be the seed for a character in LA STORY or something -- the manager who brags nonstop about all of these terrible pieces of advice he gave famous people -- "I told Steven Spielberg to pass on JAWS -- I said Steven, nobody wants to spend two hours watching a FISH!" / "I told Henry Ford to get out of cars, I said Hank, people don't want their own automobiles. They like their bikes!" -- and then asks the main character if he wants to sign with him.

[writereducator]

I love how un-weird, calm, and normal Mr. Martin is in this interview.

[JohnnyCardinale]

I read a Geffen biography, he sounded like the richest, loneliest person in the world.

[lynnturman]

I wonder if Don Henley was ever on that 450 foot yacht.

[kevinleblanc]

Steve is one wild and crazy guy!, Working with Martin Short was a bad move, But you are a great Man and a Legendary Comedian and I am Proud you are Canadian and one hell of a Musician. I have watched you with my parents and my kids loved you to your comedy is timeless and I Thank You fine Sir for making me smile when I could not and laugh when I was down. It takes a Talented Great Artist to do that. Keep Smiling :)

[richardcoughlin]

I’d make the argument that it would not have been a good idea for Joni Mitchell to go to Woodstock. I saw her at the Newport Folk Festival in (I recall) 1967, just as her career was taking off. It was a big event at the time and I could hardly see her on stage and didn’t hear sing at all. Her music was not conducive to that kind of big music festival venue.

[tammymcclennan]

David Geffen was a DEN production company investor
Very Creepy

[thehemorrhoidhut]

yeah, he had an eye for talent, that's it....talent sure had to have an eye for him too...the one you sit on....and I guess there was drugs, but I was too busy not sitting on my one little eye

[January.]

Should have advised you to get a buzz cut.

[tomallen]

I'd rather hear what Steve and David think of what's going on in Israel today. Sorry if this is preoccupying my mind. I think it should however.... yes focus should be on that

[Jojo-oow]

geffen is lucky he is gay otherwise we'd have heard of false accusations against him by now from some woman looking to get money.

[hspsegdkdkd]

He was into a lot of sex stuff .. eye for talent lol