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TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {DEBBIE REYNOLDS, WILLIAM HOLDEN; FREDDIE PRINZE; RICHARD ARMOUR} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are actress Debbie Reynolds, actor William Holden, comedian Freddie Prinze and author Richard Armour. In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: his mismatched shoes and socks, of which he divests himself for the remainder of the monologue; a recent report from the IRS stating that President Nixon owes $476,000 in back taxes; Vice-President Ford's attendance at the April 4th Cincinnati baseball game at which Hank Aaron hit his record-setting 714th home run; Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson's anger over recent oil-company profits; and a study about sexual activity amongst senior citizens. Carson then sits down with co-host Ed McMahon and reads out a series of mundane questions from the audience about his personal life and habits, and Carson shares the story of when he accidentally gave out his personal phone number on live television.

The first guest, Reynolds, takes the stage and performs an impromptu dance number with Carson, which he deems "cardiac city," and she comments on the latest dance crazes; her tough training under "perfectionists" Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor on "Singin' in the Rain" (1952); her views on the recent gas shortage; her Broadway debut in "Irene," including her frequent nervousness and use of hidden microphones; her determination to prove herself to the "snobbish" Broadway artists, who sometimes think less of Hollywood stars; her daughter Carrie Fisher's role in the chorus of "Irene" and her vocal similarity to her father Eddie; and her stylish Gucci outfit and views on cosmetics.

The second guest, Holden, sits down with Carson and discusses his work in protecting the endangered species of the Bismarck Archipelago, off the coast of New Guinea; his longtime interest in the recently "chic" field of ecology; his views on the newly-lowered speed limit in Los Angeles; his role in the upcoming film "The Towering Inferno" (1974); why he originally skipped his first screen test with Paramount, due to an academic exam; his sense that his career and live have taken many different directions over the years; and his interest in exploring various foreign countries and cultures.

Next, Prinze takes the stage and performs a stand-up routine about his parents' mixed marriage; the dangers of streaking; his lazy building manager's annoyance at being unfavorably mentioned in his routines; the usefulness of bicycles during the gas shortage; his friend's artful threats before a potential fight; odd maternal advice; and his trip to a rundown Puerto Rican hospital. Prinze then chats with Carson about a funny incident involving Melba Moore and an unimpressed audience member; and his dating life and interest in Italian women.

The final guest, Armour, then takes the stage and discusses his forty-ninth book, "Going Like Sixty," a comedic look at the ups and downs of aging; hints about his fiftieth book, which concerns whales; his views on sex for senior citizens; the legendary Moulay Ismail ibn Sharif, the Moroccan king who allegedly fathered nearly 900 children throughout his lifetime; the importance of a "young outlook" in maintaining one's health; his research into retirement homes, at which there are usually far more women than men; his occasional use of whimsical verse in his books; the many social and personal advantages of aging; and his remarkable exercise habits. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: April 5, 1974 11:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:23:57
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:76191
  • GENRE: Talk/Interview
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Aquafilter cigarette filter
    • TV - Commercials - Aris Iso-Toner driving gloves
    • TV - Commercials - Chrysler-Plymouth automobiles
    • TV - Commercials - Continental Airlines
    • TV - Commercials - Eureka vacuum cleaners
    • TV - Commercials - Excedrin pain reliever
    • TV - Commercials - Gaines Top Choice dog food
    • TV - Commercials - Herculon IV Ozite carpeting
    • TV - Commercials - Lady Kenmore dishwashers
    • TV - Commercials - Maxim freeze-dried coffee
    • TV - Commercials - Pine-Sol household cleaner
    • TV - Commercials - RCA XL-100 color televisions
    • TV - Commercials - Rockwell hedge trimmers
    • TV - Commercials - Rubbermaid garden border fences
    • TV - Commercials - Sears trash compactor
    • TV - Commercials - Winnebago motor homes

CREDITS

  • The NBC Orchestra … Music by
  • Doc Severinsen … Conductor
  • Johnny Carson … Host
  • Ed McMahon … Co-Host
  • Freddie Prinze … Guest, Performer
  • Debbie Reynolds … Guest
  • William Holden … Guest
  • Richard Armour … Guest
  • Hank Aaron
  • Eddie Fisher
  • Carrie Fisher
  • Gerald Ford
  • Henry "Scoop" Jackson
  • Gene Kelly
  • Melba Moore
  • Richard Nixon
  • Donald O'Connor
  • Moulay Ismail ibn Sharif