TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {CHARLES NELSON REILLY, MARK HAMILL, EUGENE FODOR, DR. WILLIAM A. NOLEN} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are comedian Charles Nelson Reilly, actor Mark Hamill, violinist Eugene Fodor, and Dr. William A. Nolen.

In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: Burt Reynolds' infamous dating life; the "weird" weather in California for the holiday season; announcer Ed McMahon's unusual Christmas shopping habits; the extreme exclusivity of the famed Rodeo Drive boutiques; the evergreen problem of packages lost in the mail; President Carter's many press conferences; former President Ford's recent comments about a tax cut; Governor Jerry Brown's frugal trip to England; and the Los Angeles Rams' creative approach to playing in cold weather.

Carson then discusses the official rules of the National Football League, including the referee's many distinctive gestures, and then "suggests" several more additions to the list.

Carson notes that intended guest Dolly Parton has had to reschedule due to illness and then introduces her last-minute replacement, Reilly, who chats with Carson about Parton's infamous wig collection, compared to his one lone toupee; why some balding men attempt to disguise their use of a hairpiece; a harrowing incident during a film shoot involving the bad combination of a helicopter and a wig; his impoverished childhood and lack of heat within the home; his poor eyesight and subsequent disinterest in athletics; and why he was considered "odd" by his family, including his talents on the accordion.

Next, Hamill takes the stage and discusses his wildly successful new science-fiction film "Star Wars" (1977); how writer/director George Lucas was inspired by Buck Rogers and other classic Western stories; the cast's recent visit to the White House; the film's unexpected financial success, even before opening overseas; the challenging dialogue, including a tongue-twisting line that he begged to have removed; how some of the film's main actors, including David Prowse (Darth Vader), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2), are not enjoying newfound fame because of their very concealing costumes; and a funny story about Alec Guinness' prank on co-star Jack Purvis, a "waist-high Don Rickles." A clip from "Star Wars" is also shown.

Fodor takes the stage and performs a musical number, after which he thanks Carson for his frequent promotion of classical music and discusses his belief that "the natural approach" is the best way to master an instrument, and why horses from colder climates provide the best hair for a violin bow. Fodor then also performs the march from "The Love of Three Oranges" by Sergei Prokofiev.

Finally, Nolen joins Carson and discusses why "elective surgery" is a misleading term; a story of a man whose heart stopped 13 times during an operation and his thoughts while hovering close to death; Nolen's own bypass surgery; and why women in England are often forced to wait for pain-relieving hysterectomies because of certain medical laws. Includes commercials.

Details

• NETWORK: NBC
• DATE: November 29, 1977 11:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:15:06
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:84451
• GENRE: Talk/Interview
• SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety; Music
• SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - BVD underwear
  • TV - Commercials - Gaines Top Choice dog food
  • TV - Commercials - Green Giant Le Sueur early peas
  • TV - Commercials - Isotoner gloves
  • TV - Commercials - JCPenney sweaters
  • TV - Commercials - Lipton tea
  • TV - Commercials - Masumi perfume
  • TV - Commercials - Pillsbury sugar cookies
  • TV - Commercials - Presto appliances
  • TV - Commercials - RCA ColorTrak televisions
  • TV - Commercials - Sears stores
  • TV - Commercials - Sunbeam Groomer Razor 8000 electric shavers
  • TV - Commercials - United Airlines
  • TV - Commercials - WaterPik One Step at a Time smoking cessation products

CREDITS

• NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
• Doc Severinsen … Conductor
• Johnny Carson … Host
• Ed McMahon … Announcer
• Eugene Fodor … Guest, Performer
• Charles Nelson Reilly … Guest
• Mark Hamill … Guest
• William A. Nolen … Guest
• Kenny Baker
• Jerry Brown
• Jimmy Carter
• Anthony Daniels
• Alec Guinness
• Gerald Ford
• George Lucas
• Burt Reynolds
• Dolly Parton
• David Prowse
• Sergei Prokofiev
• Jack Purvis