Flat Rock – Edwin “Ed.” Weinberger won nine Emmy awards for outstanding comedy series writing. He won four times for the Mary Tyler Moore Show (MTM) in 1975–77, three for Taxi in 1979-81, and one for The Cosby Show pilot in 1985. He wrote 20 MTM episodes from 1972-77, including the series finale. MTM was groundbreaking for starring a single woman, as level-headed TV news associate producer Mary Richards.
Weinberger wrote for all five Taxi seasons. He co-created the award-winning The Cosby Show (1984-92).
The Philadelphia native started in the Sixties by penning one-line jokes for Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby and other nightclub comics, then for three TV giants — talk show host Johnny Carson, The Dean Martin Variety Hour, and Bob Hope specials.
Ed. is among the most prolific and best-known script writers — “period,” one might say. Since age eight, he has gone by the distinctive “Ed.” with a period after his first name. His father was a Jewish butcher.
Weinberger wrote The Journals of Adam and Eve. FRP states that the storyline is that “in this hilarious reimagining, Hollywood greats Hal Linden and Marilu Henner tell all as the titular characters and chronicle the ups and downs of the world’s first love story.”
The duo’s staged reading of this play will be April 11-13 at FRP, by two popular television stars of the Seventies.
Our Pal Hal
Linden was title character Barney Miller, an affable police precinct captain in Lower Manhattan, on ABC in 1975-82. He earned several Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. He first acted on Broadway in 1957. He was an Army Band singer during the Korean War, and a jazz saxophonist.
Linden returns to FRP, where he was a late addition two years ago. He co-starred in a staged reading of Weinberger’s comedy Two Jews Talking with Bernie Kopell, The Love Boat doctor. Linden filled in for Ed Asner, after Asner suddenly died at age 91. There is a notable MTM link to Weinberger. Asner co-starred on the show as the cranky boss of WMJ-TV in Minneapolis, Minn.
Linden won the Best Actor Tony Award in 1971, for portraying pioneering international banker Mayer Rothschild in The Rothschilds. He won two Emmys for hosting ABC’s FYI 60-second information series, and a third Emmy in ‘84 for playing a rabbi in the CBS Schoolbreak Special entitled “The Writing on the Wall.”
Linden’s TV guest appearances include on Law & Order’s SVU and Criminal Intent series. He has recently toured in a cabaret-style variety stage show.
Memorable Marilu
Co-star Henner most notably portrayed hot redhead cabbie Elaine O’Connor Nardo, a single mother, in the 122 Taxi episodes in 1978-83. She had five Golden Globe nominations.
The Chicago native turns 72 on April 6. She acted as fiery “Marty” Maraschino of the Pink Ladies clique in the hit musical Grease in 1971, touring in a cast featuring John Travolta.
Her 76 TV roles include guest spots on The Paper Chase in ‘78 and in 2023 on NCSI: Los Angeles as crabby Killbride’s bride. She had roles in 22 movies from ‘77 to 2023. She was the leading lady opposite Burt Reynolds in three films including The Man Who Loved Women, once with Michael Keaton, and with Travolta in Perfect in 1985.
Her Marilu Henner Show is syndicated on radio. As a 60 Minutes guest in 2010, Henner said then that she could thoroughly recall details of her life from age 11 onward.
The Journals of Adam and Eve performances begin at 7 p.m., an hour earlier than most night shows at FRP. There are 2 p.m. weekend matinees. Seat prices vary by location. They are $65, $55 or $45 per adult; and $40, $30 or $20 per youth 17 or younger. To purchase tickets, call the box office at (828) 693-0731 or check flatrockplayhouse.org.