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TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {DAVID BRINKLEY, CHUCK BERRY} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. On this program, Carson's guests are newscaster David Brinkley and musician Chuck Berry. Carson's opening monologue touches on the following topics, among others: the recent writers' strike; President Ronald Reagan's faux pas concerning American Indians; the Southern California primary election; the idea of using velcro to attach sections of airplane wings; motels catering to TV evangelists; the theory that Elvis Presley is still alive; and the "similarities" between tonight's guests, David Brinkley and Chuck Berry. Ed McMahon announces that Carson is on The Best Mannered List published by "USA Today." In honor of a recent state lottery drawing, Carson has one million dollars emptied onto the stage in which three audience members frolic. Carson introduces his first guest, David Brinkley, by doing an impression of him. Brinkley discusses the following topics, among others: the lack of warmth and sense of humor of presidential candidates George Bush and Michael Dukakis; the fact that President Reagan doesn't know what's going on but is the president most open to humor about himself; the fact that former President Carter had no sense of humor; the lack of substance in political candidates' campaigns; the pride we shoul feel in America's social and environmental accomplishments; his book, "Washington Goes to War," and an anecdote from his days as an American serviceman during World War II; and his thoughts on the upcoming presidential election and Jesse Jackson's possible role. Next, Chuck Berry, accompanied by the NBC Orchestra, performs two rock 'n' roll numbers he popularized, "Carol" and "Little Queenie." Berry then joins them and talks about the following topics, among others: not knowing he was wanted by the police; growing up in a segregated neighborhood; and his former jobs as hairdresser, house painter and country-western musician. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: June 8, 1988 Wednesday 11:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:50:47
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:43859
  • GENRE: Talk/Interviews; Comedy/Variety
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Rock music; Television journalism; U S - Presidency
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercial - "Crocodile Dundee II" (feature film)
    • TV - Commercial - Better Homes and Gardens real estate
    • TV - Commercial - Chex snack mix
    • TV - Commercial - Final Net hair spray
    • TV - Commercial - Hallmark cards
    • TV - Commercial - Havoline motor oil
    • TV - Commercial - Life Savers fruit juicers
    • TV - Commercial - National Enquirer newspaper
    • TV - Commercial - Nissan Maxima automobiles
    • TV - Commercial - Nutrasweet artificial sweetener
    • TV - Commercial - Old Milwaukee beer
    • TV - Commercial - Sure deodorant
    • TV - Commercial - Western Union
    • TV - Promo - "Late Night with David Letterman"
    • TV - Promo - "Sonny Spoon"

CREDITS

  • Doc Severinsen … Conductor
  • NBC Orchestra, The … Music Group
  • Johnny Carson … Host
  • Ed McMahon … Announcer
  • Chuck Berry … Performer, Guest
  • David Brinkley … Guest
  • George Bush
  • Jimmy Carter
  • Michael Dukakis
  • Jesse Jackson
  • Ronald Reagan