Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. On this program, the guests include performers and authors Tony Martin and Cyd Charisse, comedian Charlie Callas, news reporter Nancy Dickerson, and "chicken catchers" James McNamara and Gary Olson. In his opening monologue, Carson comments on the following topics, among others: the drastic differences in weather across the nation; Taco Bell raising the price on "natural gas"; why NBC is canceling shows so quickly; an NBC executive's plan to win the ratings war; what has happened since the NBC commissary got new management; President-elect Jimmy Carter's plans for choosing his cabinet; and why Billy Carter lost a recent election for mayor of Plains, Georgia. In the next segment, announcer Ed McMahon assists Carson as he reads a newspaper article's "dos" and "don'ts" for sidewalk Santa Clauses, after which Carson makes his own additions. Carson's first guest, Los Angeles Animal Regulation Department officer McNamara, joins him to touch on such topics as: a 1969 accident on the Hollywood Freeway involving a truck carrying chickens, leading to roosters and hens taking up residence in the nearby brush; working for the Animal Regulation Department; how he tries to trap the cunning chickens; why it is so hard to catch a chicken; what is bringing the "chicken caper" to an end; suggestions he has received to capture the chickens, including getting them drunk; and what will eventually happen to the chickens. Then, Animal Regulation Department officer Olson displays a new chicken trap he has helped create and some trapping problems he has faced during his career. Next, Martin performs "What I Did for Love" from "A Chorus Line." Afterward, Martin and his wife Charisse, join Carson to touch on such topics as: having their vintage film clips incorporated into NBC's recent fiftieth anniversary show; working with hoofers Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Dan Dailey; their backgrounds and the various stage names they have had over the years; their friendship and working relationship with comedian Jack Benny; at what age children should get involved in ballet; when they first met; how Howard Hughes inadvertently ended up paying for their honeymoon; other humorous details about Hughes; their new book, "The Two of Us"; and how they are able to live and work together. Carson's next guest, Callas, joins him to touch on such topics as: playing a hit man on the television show "Switch"; having been an usher at a Washington Heights movie theater; whether he has ever thought about altering the size of his large nose; and his impressions of Peter Falk (as Columbo), Charles Bronson, and Humphrey Bogart, among others. Carson's final guest, Dickerson, joins him to touch on such topics as: the cold temperature in the green room; her new book "Among Those Present"; whether the book has anything "juicy" in it; the political intrigue of Washington, D.C.; being one of the first women reporters in Washington; tokenism in the news; whether politicians are more comfortable talking to female reporters; who she would most like to interview, why Richard Nixon won't make small talk with reporters; her having dated John F. Kennedy; a "rumor" about her relationship with Lyndon Johnson; her interplay with other presidents; and how history will deal with Gerald Ford. Also, McMahon does an in-studio commercial for Alpo dog food. Includes commercials.