TOMORROW WITH TOM SNYDER {DISCUSSION OF BISEXUALITY} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night topical interview programs hosted by Tom Snyder. After apologizing for his own sore throat and the show's inability to answer every viewer letter with a personal reply, Snyder commences a mature, "snicker-less" discussion about the topic of bisexuality, introducing mother and daughter Phyllis and Donna Bransom, both of whom identify as bisexual.
The conversation touches on such topics as: the definition of bisexuality as the ability to "love anybody"; rejecting societal labels; how sex with a woman differs from sex with a man; feeling shy upon one's first same-sex encounter; how they became aware of their sexualities and why it was hard to confide in friends; how Donna "taught" her mother about the concept; Phyllis' experiences with "triad" relationships; why Donna's continued interest in men does not preclude her desire for "groovy ladies"; how Phyllis' other children feel about their mother's open-minded lifestyle; the existence of male bisexuality; their apprehension about Phyllis' ex-husband and Donna's father's reaction to their appearance on the show; the family's identity as nudists; Donna's participation in a ménage à trois with her sister; her thoughts on possibly being labeled "perverted"; and how embracing bisexuality has impacted their spiritual feelings.
Snyder and his guests are then joined by artist/actor Phil Twitchell and therapist Don Fass, who co-founded the National Bisexual Liberation association, and the conversation continues onto such topics as: why people are socially trained to deny feelings of same-sex attraction; how the women's liberation movement has affected men's treatment of women; the important distinction between sexuality and sensuality; Fass' thoughts on "combining friends and lovers" with physical contact; why bisexuality is receiving particular attention in recent media, thanks to new ideas about "rethinking and re-feeling" certain taboos and gender roles; why bisexuality is often associated with promiscuity; experiencing chance encounters and personal rejection; why Donna has not shared her identity with all of her schoolmates; all four panelists' participation in the "growth center movement"; why heterosexuals, particularly men, are reluctant to show even non-sexual affection to members of the same sex; how bisexuality serves as an antidote to general "uptight and nervous" feelings; exploring one's unconscious; the surprising relevancy of the Watergate scandal on social attitudes about honesty and openness; whether they have faced discrimination because of their identities, including Twitchell's need to "create his own career"; the offensiveness of the "numbers game," in which people often ask bisexuals personal questions about their sexual statistics; grief and divorce as forms of emotional and personal liberation; and the importance of open discussion about sexuality and other matters in order to find one's true self.
Snyder concludes the program by previewing the following night's show, in which a viewer from Ohio will appear to discuss everyday, non-celebrity issues. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: May 4, 1974 1:00 AM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:39
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:93943
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBTQ+ Collection; Talk/Interview; Bisexuality
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1973-1981
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Excedrin P.M. painkillers
- TV - Commercials - Girl Scouts of America organization
- TV - Commercials - Keep America Beautiful council
- TV - Commercials - Magic pre-wash laundry detergent
- TV - Commercials - Max-Pax coffee filter rings
- TV - Commercials - President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
- TV - Commercials - Prime Variety dog food
- TV - Commercials - Shower to Shower body powder
- TV - PSA - Jobs for Veterans
- TV - PSA - The American Red Cross
- TV - PSA - The National Alliance of Businessmen
- TV - PSA - The National Commission on Productivity
- TV - PSA - The United Negro College Fund
- TV - Promos - "In Tandem"
- TV - Promos - "Lucas Tanner"
- TV - Promos - "Sanford and Son"
CREDITS
- Tom Snyder … Host
- Donna Bramson … Interviewee
- Phyllis Bramson … Interviewee
- Phil Twitchell … Interviewee
- Don Fass … Interviewee