AMERICA TONIGHT {AMERICA 2 NIGHT}: JASON SHINE (TV)
Summary
One in this series of satirical, mock talk shows set in Alta Coma, California, hosted by the smarmy Barth Gimble and his dim-witted sidekick Jerry Hubbard.
In this episode, Barth decides to celebrate "the little people" who work behind the scenes on "America 2 Night," including coffee lady Mildred Kramer, courier Ted Friendly, and parking attendant Inez Escobar, all of whom will be featured in a new "Meet the Crew" book. Next, local married couple Tony and Jenny De Pronto perform a dance number to promote their automobile sales lot, though they are somewhat taken aback when Barth suggests that they present him and Jerry with new cars on the air "for publicity."
Actress Barbara Feldon then takes the stage to discuss the importance of more female representation in show biz, noting that only 25 percent of television roles go to women; the hosts are more interested in hearing about her noteworthy male co-stars on shows like "East Side/West Side," "The Doctors and the Nurses" and "Get Smart." Finally, Jason Shine of the Vagabond Male Escort Service arrives with "escortee" Mary Huxtable, and he explains that, after many failed attempts in the 9-to-5 working world, he discovered that "fired was his bag" and eventually ended up in the lucrative world of escorting. Commercials deleted.
(Martin Mull and Fred Willard originated their roles as Barth Gimble and Jerry Hubbard in "Fernwood Tonight," telecast in syndication in 1977.)
Details
- NETWORK: Syndicated
- DATE: April 19, 1978
- RUNNING TIME: 0:22:26
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:50851
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Talk shows; Parody
- SERIES RUN: Syndicated - TV series, 1978
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Alan Thicke … Producer, Writer
- John Maxwell Anderson … Associate Producer
- Jim Drake … Director
- Norman Lear … Created by
- Jeremy Stevens … Writer
- Dan Wilcox … Writer
- Tom Moore … Writer
- Tom Dunsmuir … Writer
- John Boni … Writer
- Norman Stiles … Writer
- Happy Kyne and the Mirth Makers … Music Group
- Martin Mull … Cast, Barth Gimble
- Fred Willard … Cast, Jerry Hubbard
- Frank De Vol … Cast, Happy Kyne
- Robin Williams … Cast, Jason Shine
- Barbara Feldon … Cast, Herself
- Bob McClurg … Cast, Tony De Pronto
- Vicki Carroll … Cast, Jenny De Pronto
- Beverly Piper … Cast, Mary Huxtable