ERMA’S HUMOROUS MUSINGS MOVE FROM THE PAGE TO THE SCREEN.
For 11 years, Americans woke up to Erma Bombeck’s humorous segments on Good Morning America. She appeared on The Phil Donahue Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. One of her books, The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, was adapted as a television movie starring Carol Burnett and James Grodin. And she wrote a sitcom about an everyday Dayton, Ohio, housewife and her family called Maggie.
The collection includes Good Morning America clips, Maggie episodes, a CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood feature, a half-hour documentary produced by public television, interviews with family and more.
You Can Write!
In a 90-second clip, Erma discusses the influence of a college professor.
Good Morning America Clips
For 11 years, Americans started their day laughing with Erma Bombeck at life’s absurdities through her regular appearances on Good Morning America.
Maggie Episodes
Erma Bombeck wrote and produced the ABC sitcom, Maggie, which aired in 1981-1982 for eight weeks. It featured an “ordinary” family from Dayton, Ohio, Erma’s hometown.
Erma Bombeck: The Mother of All Humorists
CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood aired a tribute to America’s best-loved and funniest mom, Erma Bombeck, on Mother’s Day in 2010. The piece features vintage footage and interviews with Erma’s family and writers, including New York Times‘ columnist Gail Collins, USA Today columnist Craig Wilson and author/mom blogger Tracy Beckerman.
Erma Bombeck: A Legacy of Laughter
Erma Bombeck: A Legacy of Laughter, celebrates one of America’s best loved humorists. Recollections from family and friends along with photographs and rare home movies tell the story of her life and career. Phil Donahue, family friend and host of the award-winning talk show, narrates. The documentary was produced by ThinkTV in Dayton, Ohio.
An Evening With Erma’s Friends
As part of the inaugural Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton in 2000, family and famous friends gathered to tell stories and reminisce about Erma Bombeck’s wit, wisdom, compassion and humor. Moderated by WHIO-TV anchor Donna Jordan and produced by Glenn Walters, the conversation aired on WHIO-TV, ThinkTV and Flyer TV.
Phil Donahue Keynote Talk at 2014 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop
Talk show legend Phil Donahue opened the 2014 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop with a poignant, inspirational talk about his friendship with Erma and the power of writers to change the world.
Garrison Keillor Keynote Talk at 2008 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop
Celebrated humorist Garrison Keillor talks about Erma Bombeck’s enduring appeal at the 2008 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop.
A Mother’s Bond
Author/performer Mary Lou Quinlan and Betsy Bombeck sparked laughter and a few tears when they talked about their mothers — and how their legacy still lives. WHIO-TV anchor Cheryl McHenry facilitated the Talk Back following the March 31, 2015, performance of Quinlan’s one-woman show, The God Box, A Daughter’s Story, at the University of Dayton’s Boll Theatre.
The Bombecks Talk About Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End, 2016 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop 
Matt, Betsy and Andy Bombeck chat with playwrights Allison and Margaret Engel and actress Barbara Chisholm following a staged reading of Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End at the 2016 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton.
Erma 101
Who was the great humorist Erma Bombeck, and why has her writing stood the test of time? Thanks to support from Ohio Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, feminist scholar, prolific author and humorist Gina Barreca talked about Erma’s enduring appeal at the 2016 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop.
Erma Bombeck: A Retrospective
Erma Bombeck’s alma mater, the University of Dayton hosts a popular biennial writers’ workshop that attracts writers from all over the country.
Erma Bombeck Collection 