TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {RICHARD PRYOR, ALLY SHEEDY, ROD HULL} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are comedian Richard Pryor, comedian and puppeteer Rod Hull, and actress Ally Sheedy. In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: his recent trip to the eccentric NBC staff doctor; Leopold Fechtner's latest inventions; comedian Benny Hill's refusal to appear on the show despite his fondness for Carson; the probable reelection of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; an unpleasant rumor about a popular fast-food chain's ingredients; and an odd story about trees' ability to communicate with one another.
McMahon introduces a sketch in which a female-oriented romance novel rewritten for a more "macho male" audience, with Carson portraying a very manly and slovenly character with a somewhat different view of his recent romantic encounter with a young lady, who in turn describes their affair in her trademark "flowery language." McMahon then notes that their Boston affiliate is celebrating its thirty-fifth anniversary, and Carson announces that Doc Severinsen and his band are soon to perform at a music festival.
The first guest, Pryor, then joins Carson onstage and comments on the following topics: his bewilderment at President Reagan's comments and why he himself is "not mad at the Russians"; Carson's enjoyment of his film "Some Kind of Hero" (1982); his ongoing sobriety and reasons for quitting alcohol; his "disciplined" childhood and upbringing by his strict grandmother; his currently single status and sense that he can be "great friends" with a woman only until they are married; his views on aging and recent experience being upstaged on the dance floor by the younger and famously-talented Michael Jackson; his unsuccessful attempts to reconnect with former "lady friends"; his role in "Superman III" (1983), from which a clip is shown; and his enjoyment of the recent film "Trading Places" (1983).
Hull, who is soon to be seen on "The Half-Hour Comedy Hour," takes the stage with his badly-behaved "pet" Emu, who soon ends up attacking Carson despite the host's attempts to "make friends" with him. The final guest, Sheedy, star of the new film "WarGames" (1983), sits down and comments on the following: her current role in a play, "The Majestic Kid," in Aspen, Colorado; her childhood in New York City and decision to move to California to attend college; her harrowing attempts to pass the California driver's test; her fond memories of "aggressive New Yorkers"; her short-lived jobs at health-food restaurants; her past appearances in television commercials and the challenges of shooting food and drink spots, for which many takes are often required; and her plans to return to the University of Southern California to complete her drama degree. The program concludes as Emu continues attacking Pryor and the other guests. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: June 9, 1983 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:50:52
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:44965
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Comedy; Talk/Interview; Comedy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Alpo dog food
- TV - Commercials - American Family sweepstakes
- TV - Commercials - Bag-A-Bug insecticide sticks
- TV - Commercials - Canada Dry soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - Flying Tigers shipping services
- TV - Commercials - Huggies diapers
- TV - Commercials - Mrs. Paul's fish fillets
- TV - Commercials - Nestle Crunch candy bar
- TV - Commercials - Ralph Lauren Chaps cologne
- TV - Commercials - Right Guard anti-perspirant
- TV - Commercials - Sears stores
- TV - Commercials - Tender Vittles cat food
- TV - Promos - "Damnation Alley"
CREDITS
- The NBC Orchestra … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Co-Host
- Richard Pryor … Guest
- Rod Hull … Guest
- Ally Sheedy … Guest
- Leopold Fechtner
- Benny Hill
- Michael Jackson
- Ronald Reagan
- Margaret Thatcher