TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {CLORIS LEACHMAN, MARCEL MARCEAU, PETE FOUNTAIN, JIMMY GRIPPO} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are actress Cloris Leachman, mime performer Marcel Marceau, clarinetist Pete Fountain, and magician Jimmy Grippo.
In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the recent spate of television series "rip-offs" of motion pictures; the wild weather in California, including snow in Palm Springs; actor Lee Marvin's legal troubles with his former companion Michelle Triola; President Jimmy Carter's new life in the White House; former President Richard Nixon's meetings with Chinese Vice-Premier Deng Xiaoping; the recent collapse of Italy's latest government; and Patricia Hearst's release from prison. Next, co-host Ed McMahon interviews "Mr. Feekler," a clueless building superintendent (Carson) who somehow failed to notice that one of his tenants was the vicious "Al Killer," a murderer who targeted individuals named "Al," despite the many suspicious hints about his behavior.
The first guest, Leachman, takes the stage and discusses her varied acting roles, including that of the icy Mrs. Jaffrey in the current series "Backstairs at the White House"; the character's similarities to a deleted scene from "Young Frankenstein" (1974); memories of her teenage audition for a radio show; inspiration from her "imaginative" mother; the challenges of television "counter-programming" and her habit of watching several shows at once; the importance of "not waiting for anyone else" to live one's own life; her role as trucker Darla Jean in "Willa" (1979); her views of Carter's "classy" decision to invite the disgraced Nixon back into the White House; the dangers of margarine and other processed food items; and her exceptional driving talents, unlike those of her character in "The North Avenue Irregulars" (1979), from which a clip is shown.
Next, Marceau sits down with Carson and comments on the importance of timing and reading the audience's reactions to score laughs; how he creates the "weight" of invisible objects and forces in his acts; his sense that mime is an "inborn gift" which must then be honed with training; the need for "musicality" in one's movements; and his current eleventh tour of the U.S., to which he has added a "seven deadly sins" piece. Marceau then demonstrates a scene depicting a trip to an amusement park with children, and then invites Carson and Leachman to join him in "making a cake."
Fountain then performs two numbers from his latest album, "Alive in New Orleans." Finally, Grippo sits down with Carson, McMahon and Leachman to demonstrate a few card tricks, culminating in Carson finding his own card in Grippo's pocket, sealed in an envelope. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: February 1, 1979 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:15:56
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:86737
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Alpo beef-flavored dog food
- TV - Commercials - Clairol Crazy Curl curling iron
- TV - Commercials - Clairol Herbal Essence shampoo
- TV - Commercials - E.F. Hutton financial services
- TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Fresca soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - Heinz deep fries
- TV - Commercials - Mayflower moving kits
- TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Pillsbury cinnamon rolls
- TV - Commercials - Purina Special Dinners cat food
- TV - Commercials - Purina dog food
- TV - Commercials - Revlon Cream-On Blush cosmetics
- TV - Commercials - Tone skin care bar
- TV - Commercials - Vidal Sassoon hair products
CREDITS
- NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Co-Host
- Pete Fountain … Guest, Performer
- Jimmy Grippo … Guest, Performer
- Cloris Leachman … Guest
- Marcel Marceau … Guest
- Jimmy Carter
- Patricia Hearst
- Lee Marvin
- Richard Nixon
- Michelle Triola
- Deng Xiaoping