CAROL BURNETT SHOW, THE {BEN VEREEN} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of comedy/variety programs starring Carol Burnett. This program features special guest Ben Vereen.

The episode begins as Burnett takes the stage and chats with the audience, acknowledging her recent People's Choice Award and introducing Vereen — who is greeted by a standing ovation, an honor given to only one other "Burnett Show" guest, Sir Laurence Olivier. Vereen then introduces his family, present in the audience.

In the first sketch, a man attempts to write a eulogy for his best pal, Charlie, but gradually realizes that Charlie not only tricked him into a dangerous position during the war, but swindled him during their days as business partners. In addition, it seems that Charlie had an enduring affair with his wife. Growing annoyed, the man begins to consider writing a second eulogy for his unfaithful spouse.

Next, Vereen performs "Believe in Yourself" from "The Wiz" and "Beautiful, Beautiful World" from "The Apple Tree," accompanied by dancers and two youngsters. Following this, a divorce lawyer's quick lunch break is repeatedly interrupted when he tries to share a cafeteria table with a squabbling married couple. He ends up drawn into their disagreement, which centers around the husband's desire to move his rotund mother into their home; the lawyer finally loses patience with the pair, the likes of which "keep him in business."

In an installment of "As the Stomach Turns," Marian mourns her daughter Jamie, apparently killed in a tragic skydiving accident, but life insurance salesman Duane Toddleberry — a.k.a. The Oldest Man — shuffles in to inform her that he must take back her $50,000 life insurance payout, as Jamie is likely still alive. Duane ends up stuck in a painting of Marian's as he searches for Jamie. Mother Marcus, now a self-proclaimed medium, stops by to help. Jamie then reappears, explaining that she has been reassembled with bionic parts after the accident, and she nearly destroys Marian's home with her uncontrollable robot strength. In the chaos, Duane and Jamie are struck with "double amnesia," and Marian prepares to make a dramatic pronouncement.

Finally, Burnett and Vereen perform a medley of songs written by Harold Arlen, including "Hooray For Love," "Down With Love," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Blues in the Night," "A Sleeping Bee," "For Every Man There's a Woman," "Ain't It De Truth?", "Get Happy," "The Eagle and Me," "Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home," "We're Off to See the Wizard," "I Love A Parade," "That Old Black Magic," "My Shining Hour," "Gotta Have Me Go With You," "I've Got the World on a String," and "Don't Like Goodbyes." Burnett then closes the show by singing her signature good-night song and adding Vereen's autograph to her guest book. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: CBS
• DATE: 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:58:10
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:10392
• GENRE: Comedy/Variety
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy/Variety; Music; African-American Collection - Comedy
• SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1967-1978
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - Datril 500 pain reliever
  • TV - Commercials - Extra-Strength Tylenol painkillers
  • TV - Commercials - General Electric small appliances
  • TV - Commercials - Hi-C fruit punch
  • TV - Commercials - International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
  • TV - Commercials - Maxwell House coffee
  • TV - Commercials - Primatene Mist
  • TV - Commercials - Stove Top stuffing
  • TV - Commercials - Woolite laundry detergent
  • TV - Promos - "60 Minutes"
  • TV - Promos - "Delvecchio"
  • TV - Promos - "Minstrel Man"
  • TV - Promos - "Rhoda"
  • TV - Promos - "Switch"

CREDITS

• Joe Hamilton … Executive Producer
• Ed Simmons … Producer
• Robert Wright … Associate Producer
• Dave Powers … Director
• Roger Beatty … Writer
• Elias Davis … Writer
• David Pollock … Writer
• Rick Hawkins … Writer
• Liz Sage … Writer
• Adele Styler … Writer
• Burt Styler … Writer
• Tim Conway … Writer
• Bill Richmond … Writer
• Gene Perret … Writer
• Dick Clair … Writer
• Jenna McMahon … Writer
• Peter Matz … Conductor
• Ernest Flatt … Choreographer
• Carol Burnett … Host, Performer
• Ben Vereen … Guest, Performer
• Harvey Korman … Cast
• Tim Conway … Cast
• Vicki Lawrence … Cast
• Harold Arlen
• Laurence Olivier