TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {GREGORY PECK, EDGAR BERGEN, GEORGE GOBEL, JIM BOUTON} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are actor Gregory Peck, ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, comedian George Gobel and baseball player Jim Bouton.
In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the surprising revelation that President Carter's ne'er-do-well brother Billy in fact makes more money than his sibling; the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' departure from Spain; Carter's plans to decriminalize possession of an ounce or less of marijuana; and reports that monosodium glutamate, or MSG, a preservative found in many foods, may pose some health risks. Carson and announcer Ed McMahon then briefly discuss the show's upcoming 15th anniversary special.
First guest Peck takes the stage and discusses his new film "MacArthur" (1977), in which he portrays the famous World War II general; why the "theatrical" MacArthur only pulled out his iconic pipe for photo ops; his divisive and often mythologized persona and role in history; MacArthur's childhood as an Army brat and sense of West Point military academy as his "real home"; the many true and false anecdotes surrounding MacArthur, including a story featuring General George S. Patton; and Peck's decision to simply shave parts of his hair to portray the character. Clips and outtakes from the film are also shown.
Next, Bergen takes the stage with "Mortimer Snerd" and performs a comedic routine, after which he chats with Carson about why he does not often rehearse his routines; Mortimer's predecessor, "Charlie McCarthy," and why he was "retired"; his early career in vaudeville and talent for mimicry; how he performs his assorted voices; and his career in radio, during which many listeners genuinely believed his dummies to be separate individuals.
Next, Gobel joins Carson to discuss being frequently "mistaken" for the suave Peck; his memories of "playing strange places," like Bergen; his many appearances on "The Hollywood Squares" and frequent comical answers; his trip to Colorado Springs and encounter with a "lady barber"; his participation in a recent golf tournament; and the odd story of how he came to adopt – and then get rid of – a new pet.
Finally, Bouton, originally scheduled for the previous night's show, takes the stage and discusses dealing with drunken fans; his decision to return to baseball after seven years of retirement and time in sportscasting; his family's thoughts on his career moves, including his kids' annoyance at his reduced salary and their frequent relocations; regaining his pitching muscles and mastering the art of the knuckleball; interacting with his much younger teammates; the "little furor" surrounding his 1970 memoir, "Ball Four," and why some Major League players, including Mickey Mantle, still hold grudges about the embarrassing secrets revealed in the book. At his teammates' behest, Bouton uses the final thirty seconds of the broadcast to read out their names on the air. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: August 3, 1977 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:16:16
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:84405
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety; Actors and actresses; Ventriloquists
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - 9 Lives Square Meal cat food
- TV - Commercials - Bufferin painkillers
- TV - Commercials - Curity Curad bandages
- TV - Commercials - Delta Airlines
- TV - Commercials - Excedrin PM painkillers
- TV - Commercials - Heinz ketchup
- TV - Commercials - Kraft Squeeze Parkay margarine
- TV - Commercials - Pepperidge Farm cakes
- TV - Commercials - Peter Pan peanut butter
- TV - Commercials - Pillsbury Figurines diet bars
- TV - Commercials - Revlon Moon Drops lipstick
- TV - Commercials - Sears paints
- TV - Commercials - Shasta soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - Sheraton-Universal hotels
- TV - Commercials - Spray n’ Wash stain remover
- TV - Commercials - Visine eye drops
- TV - Commercials - Wishbone salad dressings
- TV - Promos - "Guilty or Innocent: The Sam Sheppard Murder Case"
- TV - Promos - "Tomorrow"
CREDITS
- NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Announcer
- Gregory Peck … Guest
- Edgar Bergen … Guest
- George Gobel … Guest
- Jim Bouton … Guest
- Billy Carter
- Jimmy Carter
- Christopher Columbus
- Douglas MacArthur
- Mickey Mantle
- George S. Patton