MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW, THE {RICHARD PRYOR, MILTON BERLE, GEORGE C. SCOTT, TRISH VAN DEVERE} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of talk shows hosted by Mike Douglas. Douglas and special co-host Richard Pryor welcome husband-and-wife actors George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere, legendary comedian Milton Berle, and wrestler Tuffy Truesdale, and Victor the Wrestling Bear. At the show's opening, Douglas surprises Pryor by reuniting him with Juliette Whittaker, his childhood drama teacher from Peoria, Illinois. Highlights of this segment include: Pryor's jokes about the poverty he experienced during his childhood; a tearful reunion with Whittaker, who comments on Pryor's talent, his social consciousness, his generosity, and his idealistic nature, before witnessing the comic boyishly recreate a role from "Rumpelstiltskin." The next segment features an extended interview with George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere, who discuss and show a clip from their recent collaborative film, "The Savage Is Loose." The third segment has Douglas interviewing legendary comedian Milton Berle about his recent often-serious, self-revelatory book, "Milton Berle: An Autobiography." Berle shares anecdotes about his possessive mother and nightclub confrontations with crime figures from "Murder, Inc." The segment becomes nasty, however, when Berle attempts to seriously discuss a great love affair from the 1930s which resulted in the birth of an illegitimate son. He is twice interrupted by Pryor's uncontrollable cackling laughter. Although the comedian apologizes, a clearly angered Berle chides his lack of decorum and refuses to continue with his heartfelt story. When Pryor offers to light "Uncle Miltie's" cigar, Berle retorts, "No thank you, I don't smoke that stuff." The final segment features burly wrestler Tuffy Truesdale and Victor the Wrestling Bear in a grappling segment that soon sees the smiling host sprawling helplessly on the canvas beneath the mammoth beast. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: Syndicated
- DATE: November 25, 1974 Monday
- RUNNING TIME: 1:14:25
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:39094
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews; Variety
- SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Comedy; Films - Production and direction; Talk/Interviews; Wrestling; African-American Collection - Comedy
- SERIES RUN: Syndicated - TV series, 1961-1982
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Woody Fraser … Producer
- Peter Calabrese … Director
- Mike Douglas … Host
- Richard Pryor … Guest
- Juliette Whittaker … Guest
- George C. Scott … Guest
- Van Devere, Trish … Guest
- Milton Berle … Guest
- Tuffy Truesdale … Guest, Performer
- Victor (wrestling bear) … Guest, Performer