TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {TONY RANDALL; OZZIE NELSON; HARRIET NELSON; JERRY VAN DYKE; WILLIAM PETER BLATTY} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are actor Tony Randall, actors/musicians Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, comedian Jerry Van Dyke and author William Peter Blatty.
In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the high number of football games currently airing on television, to the annoyance of housewives everywhere, and the frequent appearances of sportscaster Howard Cosell; a low-rated Democratic telethon; and the latest marital woes of Attorney General John N. Mitchell and wife Martha.
Carson and announcer Ed McMahon then chat about the show's upcoming 11th anniversary, as well as their own 15-year landmark, and Carson reads out Cosmopolitan magazine's list of tips for avoiding being mugged, to which Carson adds several new suggestions.
The first guest, Randall, takes the stage and sings a number, "When Banana Skins Are Falling (I'll Come Sliding Back To You)", from his new comedy/music album "The Odd Couple Sings." He then chats with Carson about the album's success, including his uncertainty about the mechanics of the Billboard music charts; his great love of opera, which often features bawdy storylines; his opinions on the National Football League's blackout policies, which forbids non-sold-out games from airing on television; the unusual and surprisingly funny story of his mother's brief "death" after the actual death of one of her brothers; and why he personally fears aging more than death, including his fears of losing his career and his appeal to young women.
Next, the Nelsons join Carson to discuss their new series "Ozzie's Girls," a spin-off of their classic "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet"; their long careers and the relative ease of playing "themselves" onscreen; many viewers' confusion about the fictional Ozzie's profession, and the decision to "phase out" the early storyline about Ozzie and Harriet's work as a bandleader and singer respectively; Carson's one-time appearance as an "honorary" Nelson family member; portraying many different characters on the early radio version of their famous show; their 1952 feature film "Here Come the Nelsons," directed by "Tonight Show" director Fred de Cordova; and memories of working with Humphrey Bogart. Ozzie then sings "Under the North Dakota Moon."
Van Dyke then performs a "dumb" stand-up routine set to Frankie Laine's country song "Mule Train," after which he chats with Carson about his use of comedic fake teeth and an unfortunate experience with a broken ankle.
Finally, Blatty joins Carson to discuss his new autobiography "I'll Tell Them I Remember You," including his views on paranormal phenomena and his spiritual connection with his late mother Mary, who died in 1967; funny stories about the strong-willed and highly opinionated Mary, an illiterate immigrant from Lebanon; and her clever "strategies" for saving money on things like rent and public transit fare. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: September 18, 1973 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:13:57
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:76209
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety; Music
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Beaumont by Florsheim shoes
- TV - Commercials - Brim decaffeinated coffee
- TV - Commercials - Budweiser beers
- TV - Commercials - Celanese Arnel apparel
- TV - Commercials - DuPont Teflon II cookware
- TV - Commercials - Dutch Masters cigars
- TV - Commercials - Hush Puppies shoes
- TV - Commercials - Isotoner gloves
- TV - Commercials - Kodak photographs prints
- TV - Commercials - Lavoris mouthwash
- TV - Commercials - Naturalizer shoes
- TV - Commercials - Pillsbury Fruit 'n Crunch snacks
- TV - Commercials - Scott's Liquid Gold wood cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Simmons Beautyrest mattresses
- TV - Commercials - Tang breakfast drink
- TV - Commercials - United Airlines
CREDITS
- NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Announcer
- Tony Randall … Guest, Performer
- Ozzie Nelson … Guest, Performer
- Jerry Van Dyke … Guest, Performer
- Harriet Nelson … Guest
- William Peter Blatty … Guest
- Humphrey Bogart
- Howard Cosell
- Fred de Cordova
- Frankie Laine
- John N. Mitchell
- Martha Mitchell