Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program, filmed in New York, are soccer superstar Pelé, actress/singer Debbie Reynolds, singer/songwriter Harry Chapin and novelist Jerzy Kozinski. In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the rainy NYC weather; staying at the Essex House hotel; his loyalty to New York sports teams; Abraham Beame's decision to run for mayor at age 67; and updates on the Watergate scandal.

Carson ventures into the crowd for a round of "Stump the Band," and as ever, co-host Ed McMahon and bandleader Doc Severinsen are defeated by the audience members' odd requests. The first guest, Pelé, then joins Carson and, in a mixture of English, Portuguese and Spanish, chats with Carson about his real name, Edson Arantes do Nascimento; his interest in soccer from a young age; a high-price offer from Italy; and his academic background. Pelé then attempts to teach Carson some soccer techniques, including how to "juggle" the ball with one's head and his own signature "bicycle kick" move, though Carson proves somewhat inexpert.

Next, Reynolds takes the stage and discusses her current role in the Broadway musical "Irene"; her longtime acquaintance with former actress Nancy Reagan, who attended "Irene" with Governor Reagan earlier that day; her hopes for musical Hollywood films to make a comeback; a recent tribute to Fred Astaire, who has formally retired from dancing; Reynolds' nervousness in departing Hollywood for her first stage performance; why she played the French horn in high school; her teenage daughter Carrie Fisher's role in the chorus of "Irene"; why New York is "culturally faster" and better for the study of acting than Los Angeles; and the high ticket sales for "Irene."

Chapin performs "Mr. Tanner," after which Kozinski sits down with Carson and comments on his role in the International PEN (Poets, Essayists and Novelists) association for writers; his disdain for the recent popularity of racy novels, seemingly inspired by Xaviera Hollander's 1971 memoir "The Happy Hooker"; why he finds sexually-explicit material to be boring and "as technical as the Yellow Pages"; and his disapproval of censorship. Includes commercials and promos.