PLAYBOY CHANNEL, THE {BOB RAFELSON, TANYA ROBERTS} (TV)
Summary
One in a series of programs hosted by the Playboy Channel. The first segment, "Playboy on the Scene," involves a spotlight of an event organizes to support opposition to the censorship of literature. John Irving, author of "The World According to Garp," offers commentary and a plea to un-ban important works of literature. The event involves famous writers and actors reading selections from the banned material at The New York Public Theater, including such works as "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway, "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley, "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, and "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut. Afterwards is a "Dear Playmate" segment, where Playboy Playmates answer questions submitted by readers of the magazine. In this segment, Playmates Roseanne Katon, Lisa Welch, Cathy Larmouth, Vicki McCarty, Pamela Zinszer, Jeana Thomasino, and Marcy Hanson comment on what they notice in a man. The next segment, "A Portrait Of…", hosts an interview with actress Tanya Roberts. Born in the Bronx, New York, Roberts has a career in television and film, most recently in the film "The Beastmaster." Topics of discussion include: her perception in the media as being "streetwise" and "tough"; the inherent instability of the acting profession; her lifelong desire to be a performer; her appreciation for her husband Barry Roberts, and what they find attractive about each other; her recent Playboy photo shoot in honor of the release of "Beastmaster"; the expectations surrounding female actresses on television and film; and her insecurities about herself. Afterwards, Robert Osborne hosts a segment about movie musicals, giving his opinions on the films "Grease II," "Annie," and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." Afterwards there is a "Ribald Classics" softcore pornographic presentation of "The Tale of the Toe," from "The Decameron" by 14th-Century Italian poet and author Giovanni Boccaccio. The story begins as Sismonda, wife of the rich and often-absent merchant Arigucio, carries on an affair with Ruberto, her young lover. Arigucio eventually hears rumors of their affair and remains home to constantly keep an eye on his wife. However, Sismonda and Ruberto devise a way to see each other in secret, sneaking off into the woods at night to carry on their tryst. Arigucio discovers this and one night chases Ruberto out into the woods with a sword. Ruberto corners and disarms Arigucio, but chooses to flee rather than kill him. Sismonda bribes a maid to take her place and suffer Arigucio's wrath. Arigucio returns and, believing the maid to be Sismonda, cuts her hair, as is the punishment for infidelity. He fetches Sismonda's brother to inform him of her indiscretion, but Sismonda has anticipated this and set it up to make it seem that Arigucio has gone mad. Her brother is convinced and Sismonda continues to carry on her affair with Ruberto. Next, Robert Hilburn reviews several prominent punk rock musicians of the day, such as Elvis Costello, The Clash, The Blasters, and X. Afterwards is a "Playboy Interview" segment with Bob Rafelson, director of films such as "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "Five Easy Pieces." Rather than a standard interview, this segment functions as a sort of pseudo-documentary of Rafelson's stay in Paris, France, directed by Rafelson himself. It includes: scenes of him shopping at a street market in Paris; having an intimate dinner; screening scenes from his films; recreating a scene from "The Postman Always Rings Twice" with passers-by; and Rafelson interacting with several garage bands on the streets of Paris. Topics of discussion include: his film technique and the importance of "accident" as a way of filmmaking; his casting of actress Jessica Lange for "The Postman Always Rings Twice"; the challenge of creating an "erotic" film without the use of nudity; the question of whether Rafelson uses his position as a director to seduce women; his reluctance to give interviews; and his thoughts on his own success and whether he considers himself an "artist." Finally there is a profile of Vicki Lassiter, Playboy Playmate of the Month for February 1981. She hails from Halton City, Texas and describes herself as a "spoiled" child who enjoys farm life and the outdoors. She discusses doing promotions for Playboy Magazine, as well as her dog and her love of acoustic twelve-string guitar.
Details
- NETWORK: Playboy Channel
- DATE: November 30, 1981
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:19
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:29722
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interviews
- SERIES RUN: Playboy Channel - TV, 1982
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Hugh M. Hefner … Executive Producer
- Ann Shanks … Producer
- Bob Shanks … Producer
- Gary Rocklen … Animation
- Elizabeth Gray … Researcher
- Tim McIntire … Announcer
- For "Playboy on the Scene"
- Peter Tomarken (audio id only) … Host
- Shannon Tweed (audio id only) … Host
- John Irving … Commentator
- Ernest Hemingway
- Aldous Huxley
- J.D. Salinger
- Kurt Vonnegut
- For "Dear Playmate"
- Roseanne Katon … Interviewee
- Lisa Welch … Interviewee
- Cathy Larmouth … Interviewee
- Vicki McCarthy … Interviewee
- Pamela Zinszer … Interviewee
- Jeana Thomasino … Interviewee
- Marcy Hanson … Interviewee
- For "A Portrait Of..."
- Ann Shanks … Interviewer
- Tanya Roberts … Interviewee
- Barry Roberts
- For "Playboy at the Movies"
- Robert Osborne … Host
- For "Ribald Classics: The Tale of the Toe"
- James Hay … Producer
- Randy Skinner … Associate Producer
- Phillip Clarke … Narrator
- Christine Bridges … Cast, The Maid
- Windy Barnett … Cast, Sismonda
- Marc Danielson … Cast, Ruberto
- Steve Kramer … Cast, The Brother
- Michael Rawls … Cast, Arigucio
- Giovanni Boccaccio
- For "Playboy's Man on Pop Music"
- Robert Hilburn … Host
- Blasters, The
- Clash, The
- Elvis Costello
- X
- For "Playboy Interviews"
- Pierre Edelman … Producer
- Bob Rafelson … Director
- Camille de Casabianca … Interviewer
- Bob Rafelson … Interviewee
- Jessica Lange
- For "Playmate of the Month"
- Michael Trikilis … Producer
- Vicki Lassiter … Interviewee