PaleyArchive ColorBars TopBanner2

TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {BURT REYNOLDS, ACE TRUCKING COMPANY, ART CARNEY, DOM DELUISE} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are comedian Dom DeLuise, actor Burt Reynolds, actor Art Carney and comedy troupe Ace Trucking Company.

In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the arrival of Yom Kippur; plans for a nationwide income tax cut; President Gerald Ford's intentions to begin wearing contact lenses; the growing problem of inflation; Nelson Rockefeller's vice-presidential confirmation process; back-to-back nights of football and the dangers they pose to American marriages; and a report about the perils of caffeine consumption. Carson and announcer Ed McMahon chat about their upcoming anniversary special and McMahon's participation in an upcoming charity tennis tournament. Having just interviewed 1974's Miss America, Shirley Cothran, Carson comments on the famously challenging interview questions posed to contestants during the competition and suggests a few unorthodox queries for future contests.

DeLuise then takes the stage and comments on Carson and McMahon's effortless banter; his recent two-month period spent performing on the road; the challenges of training his new dog, who "doesn't speak English"; and his kids' great affection for their new pet. He then attempts to perform a "magic trick" learned from Roy Clark involving raw eggs and glasses of water, and though the stunt is more or less a success, the evening devolves into mischief as DeLuise and Carson pelt one another – and McMahon – with the eggs.

Reynolds adds to the mêlée as he takes the stage with a can of whipped cream, and he eventually talks with Carson about his new comedy film "The Longest Yard" (1974), from which a clip is shown; his unusual leather outfit; feigning toughness on the "Yard" set while doing his own stunts; filming alongside real prisoners, whom he ensured were paid in more than "cigarettes"; a complicated scene involving a feather-clad showgirl in his new film "At Long Last Love" (1975); and serving as best man to his stand-in, who had a Western-themed wedding on horseback.

Carney, Reynolds' co-star in "W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings" (1975) then takes the stage and pretends to be inebriated, much to DeLuise and Reynolds' amusement. Carson attempts to regain control by inquiring about his new film "Harry and Tonto" (1974). Carney changes clothes and plays a number on the piano, and is then joined by Carson for an imperfect rendition of "Candy and Cake."

The Ace Trucking Company – consisting of Fred Willard, Michael Mislove, George Memmoli and Bill Saluga – takes the stage for a sketch entitled "Professor Koffka's Kollege of Komedy Knowledge," in which an exasperated professor tries to teach three bumbling students the finer points of humor, including physical comedy, joke monologues and how to handle hecklers, with middling success. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: September 26, 1974 11:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:24:24
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:76803
  • GENRE: Talk/Interview
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety; Music
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Banquet frozen dinners
    • TV - Commercials - Big Wally cleaning solution
    • TV - Commercials - Excedrin P.M. painkillers
    • TV - Commercials - Johnson Step Saver floor cleaner
    • TV - Commercials - Lennox air conditioning/heating systems
    • TV - Commercials - Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate morsels
    • TV - Commercials - Nytol sleep tablets
    • TV - Commercials - Ozite carpeting
    • TV - Commercials - PocketWeather Radio portable devices
    • TV - Commercials - Revlon Great Blushers cosmetics
    • TV - Commercials - Scott's Liquid Gold floor stripper and cleaner
    • TV - Commercials - Skippy dog food
    • TV - Commercials - Taster's Choice freeze-dried coffee
    • TV - Commercials - Ultra Ban anti-perspirant lotion
    • TV - Commercials - Wamsutta bed linens
    • TV - Promos - "Chico and the Man"
    • TV - Promos - "The Wayne Newton Special"
    • TV - Promos - NFL

CREDITS

  • Fred de Cordova … Producer
  • Peter Lassally … Associate Producer
  • Dick Manley … Commercial Producer
  • Bobby Quinn … Director
  • Hank Bradford … Writer
  • Tom Moore … Writer
  • Eric Cohen … Writer
  • George Tricker … Writer
  • Pat McCormick … Writer
  • Raymond Siller … Writer
  • NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
  • Doc Severinsen … Conductor
  • Johnny Carson … Host
  • Ed McMahon … Announcer
  • Art Carney … Guest, Performer
  • Fred Willard … Guest, Performer
  • Michael Mislove … Guest, Performer
  • George Memmoli … Guest, Performer
  • Bill Saluga … Guest, Performer
  • Burt Reynolds … Guest
  • Dom DeLuise … Guest
  • Ace Trucking Company … Guest
  • Roy Clark
  • Shirley Cothran
  • Gerald Ford
  • Nelson Rockefeller