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TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {COLLEEN MCCULLOUGH, DON RICKLES, ELI WALLACH, LOU BROCK} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are St. Louis Cardinals baseball player Lou Brock, comedian Don Rickles, actor Eli Wallach, and Australian author Colleen McCullough.

In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the arrival of Labor Day; co-host Ed McMahon's absence to prepare for an upcoming telethon; bandleader Tommy Newsom's snappy new suit; the perks of shooting in Burbank; the day's historical anniversaries, including the first coast-to-coast passenger flight; President Jimmy Carter's praise for Director of the Office of Management and Business Bert Lance; and plans for new laws regarding undocumented immigrants. Severinsen then introduces "Floyd R. Turbo," who complains about "pinko" NBC's previous segment denouncing the neutron bomb, arguing that its destructive powers can be used for good.

The first guest, Brock, takes the stage with his 893rd stolen base, with which he broke Ty Cobb's record of 892, and discusses his unusual path to his baseball career; his "biggest" steal in 1964, which outranks his recent record-breaking steal; the importance of knowing other pitchers' and catchers' personal styles on the field; why catchers often rely on sound rather than sight; Cobb's impressive batting average; how Japanese-Chinese player Sadaharu Oh recently broke Hank Aaron's home-run record and the different rules and styles in Asian baseball; and why Brock himself has never stolen home plate.

Next, Rickles takes the stage in casual attire and chats about the renewal of his comedy series "C.P.O. Sharkey"; some baseball "tips" and praise for Brock's talents; his disdain for the "ratings jazz" and the "ego trip" that comes with a successful television show; his joint birthday celebration with longtime friend Bob Newhart and his wife Virginia Quinn; his upcoming comedy special "Us Against the World," which features McMahon, among many others; and Rickles' and Carson's respective time in the Navy.

Wallach then joins Carson and the other guests to discuss his wife Anne Jackson's fearless attitude upon forgetting lines onstage; a memorable incident in which he and Jackson were involved in a car crash while on his way to appearing in a play; his recent role in "The Deep" (1977), for which he did not shoot any underwater scenes; his role as Napoleon Bonaparte in the "turkey" of a film "The Adventures of Gerard" (1970); and his habit of acting alongside Jackson, including in the midst of their marital disagreements.

Finally, McCullough sits down with Carson and discusses her excitement at sitting beside Gene Kelly at a recent Hollywood bash; her wildly successful new novel "The Thorn Birds," the film rights to which have just been purchased by Warner Brothers for an undisclosed sum; her lack of say in the casting process; how her life has changed since the book's success, including the perks of staying in hotels; her status as an "old maid"; her writing process and habit of "testing" her work on her friends; the title's basis in a parable about a songbird that intentionally impales itself; and media rumors about her alleged pregnancy and views on men. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: September 1, 1977 11:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:15:39
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:84424
  • GENRE: Talk/Interview
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - 9 Lives Square Meal cat food
    • TV - Commercials - Allstate insurance
    • TV - Commercials - Alpo dog food
    • TV - Commercials - American Standard plumbing fixtures
    • TV - Commercials - Banquet frozen chicken
    • TV - Commercials - Curity Curad bandages
    • TV - Commercials - Garanimals young people's clothes
    • TV - Commercials - Hefty garbage bags
    • TV - Commercials - Hotpoint washing machines
    • TV - Commercials - Kodak Eastman 910 adhesive
    • TV - Commercials - Maxwell House coffee
    • TV - Commercials - Mayflower moving kits
    • TV - Commercials - Pillsbury Figurines diet snacks
    • TV - Commercials - Pillsbury Frosting Supreme
    • TV - Commercials - Revlon Natural Wonder make-up
    • TV - Commercials - Taster's Choice freeze-dried coffee
    • TV - Promos - "Laugh-In"

CREDITS

  • NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
  • Tommy Newsom … Conductor
  • Johnny Carson … Host
  • Doc Severinsen … Announcer
  • Lou Brock … Guest
  • Don Rickles … Guest
  • Eli Wallach … Guest
  • Colleen McCullough … Guest
  • Hank Aaron
  • Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Jimmy Carter
  • Ty Cobb
  • Anne Jackson
  • Gene Kelly
  • Bert Lance
  • Ed McMahon
  • Bob Newhart
  • Sadaharu Oh
  • Virginia Quinn