TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {ROBERT BLAKE; GEORGE GOBEL; PRISCILLA LOPEZ; DAVID HOROWITZ} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are actor Robert Blake, actor/comedian George Gobel, Broadway performer Priscilla Lopez and consumer advocate David Horowitz. In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the unusually rainy weather in Los Angeles; the ongoing bus strike; First Daughter Susan Ford's departure from the White House; and the ongoing political banter between Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and Bob Dole. Carson then chats with temporary co-host Doc Severinsen about an unusual suggestion from a viewer for solving the energy crisis and Severinsen's upcoming role on an episode of "The Bionic Woman."
The first guest, Blake, then sits down with Carson and discusses the many different shows airing in the same timeslot as "Baretta"; why he "has to have insanity" in his life; his memorable "Tonight Show" appearance alongside a mischievous Burt Reynolds in July, during which Carson proved himself to be a "loony" like Blake; his fondness for junk food and extensive use of vitamin supplements for energy; how his demanding work schedule affects his family life, including his "conjugal visits" on set with wife Sondra; his great affection for Liza Minnelli and the difference between romantic and non-romantic love; and how he has personally changed since his earliest "Tonight Show" appearances.
Next, Gobel takes the stage and discusses his process of "becoming a thespian"; his recent theatrical performance tour, comprised of twenty-one one-night-only shows with a company of 35; memories of his days as an Air Force pilot; his appearances on "The Hollywood Squares"; and a New York University survey about the "ten most important things" in one's life. Noting that he is a less-than-stellar guitarist, he then performs "A Great Fit."
Lopez joins the others onstage and comments on her Tony-nominated role in "A Chorus Line"; her personal similarities to her character Diana Morales; her "lonely" days at Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts; and Blake's interpretation of the universality of the show's themes and messages. Lopez then performs the classic "What I Did For Love."
Finally, Horowitz sits down and discusses the latest consumer "tricks" to avoid, including a cemetery's wily "bargain" for clueless customers, and then demonstrates the challenges of assembling do-it-yourself furniture, pointing out that the instructions are often misleading and the provided tools insufficient. Horowitz and Carson attempt to assemble a table and are quickly joined by Blake and Gobel, but they soon give up and decide to enjoy the item "as-is," and Horowitz describes how he once assembled a table successfully, only to later find it destroyed by squirrels. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: September 10, 1976 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:15:37
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:83008
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - 9 Lives cat food
- TV - Commercials - Alpo Puppy Dinner
- TV - Commercials - Bic lighters
- TV - Commercials - Diet Rite soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - Fantastik household cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Gaines Puppy Choice dog food
- TV - Commercials - House in Bloom foliage plant food
- TV - Commercials - Johnson Wax Lemon Pledge cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Norforms feminine deodorant
- TV - Commercials - Pillsbury products
- TV - Commercials - Rain Barrel laundry detergent
- TV - Commercials - Revlon Super-Lustrous mascara
- TV - Commercials - Taster's Choice freeze-dried coffee
- TV - Commercials - Wishbone salad dressing
- TV - Promos - "The Midnight Special"
- TV - Promos - Miss America Pageant
- TV - Promos - NFL football
CREDITS
- The NBC Orchestra … Music by
- Tommy Newsom … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Doc Severinsen … Co-Host
- Priscilla Lopez … Guest, Performer
- Robert Blake … Guest
- George Gobel … Guest
- David Horowitz … Guest
- Sondra Blake
- Jimmy Carter
- Bob Dole
- Gerald Ford
- Susan Ford
- Liza Minnelli
- Burt Reynolds