Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1997-08-01

Duration: 00:25:20

Subjects: Weill, Gus | Authors | POLITICAL CONSULTANTS | Politics | Political campaigns | Campaign advertising | McKeithen, John J. (John Julian), 1918-1999 | Davis, Jimmie, 1899-2000 | Treen, David C., 1928-2009 | Edwards, Edwin W. | Foster, Mike, Jr., 1930- | Carville, James | FLETCHER, ROY | Writing | Judaism

Contributors:

• Courtney, Bob Host
• Fowler, Ken Producer
• Weill, Gus Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from August 1, 1997, features an interview with Gus Weill conducted by Bob Courtney. Weill, a native of Lafayette, is a political consultant, author and the original host of LPB’s “Louisiana Legends.” He discusses: growing up in Lafayette; how his advertising and public relations work led to political campaigns; his work on the successful gubernatorial campaign of John McKeithen; his time as McKeithen’s executive secretary; the effect of television on elections; his work for other Louisiana Governors, including Jimmie Davis, Dave Treen, and Edwin Edwards; the cycle of Louisiana politics; Governor Mike Foster; the political consultants he trained, including James Carville and Roy Fletcher; his writing career; his Jewish faith; and his work in counter-intelligence in Germany.