TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {ROBERT BLAKE; CHET ATKINS; PHYLLIS NEWMAN; DOROTHY UHNAK} (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, actress/singer Phyllis Newman, guitarist Chet Atkins, and police officer-turned-author Dorothy Uhnak.
In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the surprising revelation that President Richard Nixon has been covertly recording all conversations in the Oval Office; an unusual story of a mortician's premature arrival at a client's home; and an English zoo's innovative idea for prompting its chimpanzees to procreate.
"Carnac the Magnificent" stops by for some of his uncanny predictions, after which Carson briefly chats with announcer Doc Severinsen, in for an absent Ed McMahon, about the artistry of tobacco-spitting.
The first guest, Blake, joins Carson to discuss his unusually dapper attire; how he quit smoking with the help of an illegal "gangster" acupuncturist; the story of an unexpected prostate exam; his slightly explicit belt buckle and why images of "hugging and kissing" are forbidden on television, whereas violence is widely permissible; his role in the new film "Electra Glide in Blue" (1973), from which several clips are shown; working with "lunatic" stuntman Bill Hickman, who also worked on "The French Connection" (1971); his dislike of the challenging motorcycle scenes; the surprising romantic advantages of portraying a policeman; and a memorable scene from the film involving buxom co-star Jeannine Riley and a meal of raw eggs.
Newman sings "The Last Blues Song" and offers a joke about the expectations of prayer, chats about her own experiences with acupuncture and insomnia; whether exercise is an aid or a deterrent to a good night's sleep; and her husband Adolph Green's surefire sleep cure.
Atkins plays a number from his new album and then sits with Carson to discuss "making it look easy" and engaging with the audience; his singing abilities; his golf and ham-radio hobbies; his recent appearance with Arthur Fielder and the Boston Pops; why primetime television appearances aren't always ideal for musicians; and how he injured his knee on an elaborate stage set. He also performs "The Odd Folks of Okracoke."
Finally, Uhnak joins the guests and comments on her own insomnia issues; her ironically titled novel "Law and Order," inspired by her time as an NYPD officer; fan mail and "nut mail" from people who may or may not have read the book, including a seven-page missive condemning her "dirty mouth"; her time as a transit authority cop, during which she arrested many "strange" passengers, including an elderly flasher; and her advice to women for surviving assault scenarios. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: July 18, 1973 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:24:07
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:76155
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety; Music
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Dial soap
- TV - Commercials - Excedrin P.M. painkillers
- TV - Commercials - French's mustard
- TV - Commercials - Kellogg's cereals
- TV - Commercials - Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Lens Mate eye drops
- TV - Commercials - Mitchum anti-perspirant
- TV - Commercials - Nestea teas
- TV - Commercials - Pizza Hut restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Revlon Flex Shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Salad Crispins croutons
- TV - Commercials - Sanka decaffeinated coffee
- TV - Commercials - Scott's Liquid Gold wood cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Vanquish headache medicine
CREDITS
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Doc Severinsen … Announcer
- Robert Blake … Guest
- Phyllis Newman … Guest
- Chet Atkins … Guest
- Dorothy Uhnak … Guest
- Boston Pops, The
- Arthur Fiedler
- Adolph Green
- Bill Hickman
- Jeannine Riley
- Richard Nixon