VAN DYKE AND COMPANY {FREDDIE PRINZE, THE SPINNERS, GEORGE FOREMAN} (TV)
Summary
One in short-lived comedy/variety series starring Dick Van Dyke. In this episode, Van Dyke's guests are comedian Freddie Prinze, boxing champion George Foreman and musical group The Spinners. In the opening sketch, members of the Los Angeles Mime Company appear as a family shopping for a Thanksgiving turkey, though the shop owner, played by Prinze, and the still-living bird, played by Van Dyke, have other ideas. In his opening monologue, Van Dyke describes his recent adventures in a motor home and then introduces a sketch in which he plays an elementary-school teacher whose no-nonsense authoritative manner confuses a group of parents on Back-to-School Night. Next, Foreman enters the ring against Chico Rodriguez, Prinze's character from "Chico and the Man," and though Chico lands a few good punches, Foreman is, unsurprisingly, declared the winner by knockout. He notes that he is not yet "ready" to fight "The Man," Jack Albertson, and an addled Chico seems to believe that he is Foreman's other famous opponent, Muhammad Ali, when asked for commentary on the brief fight.
Van Dyke begins to perform a "Coronado Thanksgiving" song of his own composition, though he is fortunately interrupted by The Spinners, who perform "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love." Van Dyke and Prinze then chat about the lack of Westerns on current-day television, guessing that they are now seen as "old-fashioned," and they introduce a scene from the "pilot" their new series, "Blazing Buddies," described as a Western "for mature audiences." In the scene, a young cowboy and his bumbling sidekick Sidewinder are tasked with transporting a strongbox across the desert, though they are soon beset by Native Americans and the ensuing squabble prompts the two "partners" to go their separate ways for good. Next, cast member Andy Kaufman "sings" an impressive rendition of "Pop Goes the Weasel," and The Spinners perform "The Rubberband Man," though Van Dyke struggles to imitate their smooth dance moves when invited to join the group. Finally, Van Dyke and Prinze, dressed as magicians, perform an elaborate version of "Magic to Do" from "Pippin," accompanied by several costumed dancers. Van Dyke then bids the audience and his guests goodnight. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: 1976 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:49:49
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:54597
- GENRE: Comedy/Variety
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy/Variety; Music/Variety
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1976
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Byron Paul … Executive Producer
- Allan Blye … Producer
- Bob Einstein … Producer
- Garry Blye … Associate Producer
- John Moffitt … Director
- George Burditt … Writer
- Garry Ferrier … Writer
- Ken Finkleman … Writer
- Mitch Markowitz … Writer
- Don Novello … Writer
- Pat Proft … Writer
- Leonard Ripps … Writer
- Mickey Rose … Writer
- Aubrey Tadman … Writer
- Dick Van Dyke … Writer
- Lester Wilson … Choreographer
- Dick Van Dyke … Host, Cast
- Stu Lehane … Announcer
- The Los Angeles Mime Company … Guest, Performer
- The Spinners … Guest, Performer
- Freddie Prinze … Guest, Performer
- George Foreman … Guest, Performer
- Andy Kaufman … Cast
- John Wheeler … Cast
- Barbara Joyce … Cast
- Leonard Ripps … Cast
- Bob Einstein … Cast
- Bruno Paul … Cast
- Jack Albertson
- Muhammad Ali