TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {BUDDY HACKETT; DEAN MARTIN; BURT REYNOLDS; DON RICKLES; CAROL WAYNE} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are comedian Buddy Hackett, actor Burt Reynolds, comedian Don Rickles and actress Carol Wayne. Singer Dean Martin also stops by for a brief appearance.

In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the show's eleven-year anniversary and Carson's many jokes about announcer Ed McMahon and bandleader Doc Severinsen; various "honors" sent by prominent figures, including President Nixon, to commemorate Carson's accomplishment; and the tragic demise of Arabella, the "space spider" aboard the Skylab 3 space station.

Martin then shows up to honor Carson, bantering with the host about their shared inability to stick with "partners." Hackett joins the twosome and then sits down with Carson to discuss his first appearance on "Tonight" two years into Carson's run; his sense of loyalty to former host Jack Paar; a censor-dodging joke about a sneezing man; his surprising collection of purses and their even more surprising contents; his memories of 1962, the year in which Carson took over "Tonight," including his alleged engagement to television writer Larry Gelbart's sister (while married to longtime wife Sherry Cohen); his sense that he "never appealed to girls"; and funny stories of his social outings alongside Carson and McMahon.

Next, The Mighty Carson Art Players present the "Tea Time Movie," and the eccentric "Art Fern" recruits the attractive blonde Matinee Lady (Wayne) to assist in shilling Grape Gut Wine, business tips from Make-It City, and the "Sounds of Everything" compilation album.

Next, Reynolds joins Carson to discuss his five most recent movies ("one biggie and four dogs"); his upcoming musical album, "Ask Me What I Am"; his famous Cosmopolitan centerfold and another memorable photo from his football days; his recent health troubles, including a hernia operation and a diagnosis of low blood sugar; "nasty, untrue" articles about him from Playboy and other outlets; his own 1962 activities, including his role in the "forgettable" Western "Navajo Joe" (actually released in 1966), popular only in Italy; his brief marriage to first wife Judy Carne; and his role as Quint Asper on "Gunsmoke."

Rickles then takes the stage to "celebrate" Carson's anniversary, characteristically teasing him about his lack of friends; their very dissimilar careers despite their close ages; Carson's marital troubles; Reynolds' romance with singer/actress Dinah Shore; his annoyance at missing that night's football game to appear on the show; the recent Jewish New Year's holiday, Rosh Hashanah, celebrating the year 5734; his memories of encountering Carson at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in 1962, while Carson was host of the game show "Who Do You Trust?" (a.k.a. "Do You Trust Your Wife?"); and his appreciation for Carson's help in "getting a little bit up the ladder." Hackett also shares a funny story from one of Rickles' memorable shows at the famed Sahara.

Carson invites Severinsen and the NBC Orchestra to play a number, and then accepts a flower arrangement sent by Sammy Davis, Jr. Rickles praises Carson's ability to find the humor even when his monologue "dies" with the audience, and Wayne reappears to discuss her newfound fame thanks to her appearances on the show; her friendship with Reynolds' ex-wife Judy; her collection of Western artifacts, used in one of Reynolds' films; and her recent appearance as a weather girl on "another network." Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: NBC
• DATE: October 2, 1973 11:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:17:06
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:76223
• GENRE: Talk/Interview
• SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy
• SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - Celanese Fortrel Haggar slacks
  • TV - Commercials - Curad bandages
  • TV - Commercials - Dinty Moore beef stew
  • TV - Commercials - Dutch Masters cigars
  • TV - Commercials - Good Food magazine
  • TV - Commercials - Hormel chili
  • TV - Commercials - Isotoner gloves
  • TV - Commercials - Kellogg's Special K cereal
  • TV - Commercials - Listerine mouthwash
  • TV - Commercials - Max-Pax coffee filter rings
  • TV - Commercials - Pillsbury Fruit 'n Crunch snacks
  • TV - Commercials - RCA XL-100 color televisions
  • TV - Commercials - Scott's Liquid Gold wood cleaner
  • TV - Commercials - Sears Easy Living house paint
  • TV - Commercials - Simmons Beautyrest mattresses
  • TV - Commercials - United Airlines

CREDITS

• NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
• Doc Severinsen … Conductor
• Johnny Carson … Host
• Ed McMahon … Announcer
• Carol Wayne … Guest, Performer
• Dean Martin … Guest
• Burt Reynolds … Guest
• Don Rickles … Guest
• Judy Carne
• Sherry Cohen
• Sammy Davis Jr.
• Larry Gelbart
• Richard Nixon
• Jack Paar
• Dinah Shore