Paul Linke (CHiPs, Motel Hell)
13 September 2025

Paul Linke (CHiPs, Motel Hell)

Ian Talks Comedy

About

Paul Linke and I discuss his one man shows; how his eulogy for his first wife turned into a one man play on HBO; how his second wife inspired his second show and his friendship with Charles Nelson Reilly his third; his new show, The Summer I Got Old; watching Kate Smith and Howdy Doody on an early TV; his love of the Doors turns into a performance piece based on "The End" at USC; appearing in The Baby Makers with Barbara Hershey; hosting, acting in and promoting The Golden Theater Festival; hosting the 1974 Christmas Seals Telethon; being a good eulogist working with Jackie Gleason & Lucille Ball; going to the Last Waltz; 60's music; his recurring role on Happy Days; Henry Winkler and Johnny Depp having the same aura; appearing with Alan Alda in a scene on MASH; Alda's technique and Michael Richards; slam dancing on CHiPS; the MAIT Team episode; seeing Timothy Leary's ashes; Keith Richards; being on The Mike Douglas Show; his role in Motel Hell; Elaine Joyce and JD Salinger; appearing on Supertrain and Just Men with Betty White; his 25 year friendship with John Ritter; and how his shows require a lot of adrenaline and make him crash afterwards