MIDDAY WITH BILL BOGGS {REDD FOXX; LITTLE RICHARD} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of talk shows hosted by Bill Boggs. In this installment, Boggs chats with comedian/actor Redd Foxx and musician Little Richard. This asset opens roughly 15 minutes into the program already in progress.
Boggs first welcomes Foxx, and topics discussed include: his trademark gravelly voice, which he jokingly compares to that of pal Louis Armstrong; his 1970s "party albums," which were recorded at a friend's house with an audience of churchgoing associates, many of whom were somewhat shocked by his racy material; how he inspired many other comedians' similar record releases; his friendship with pioneering stand-up comedian Jackie "Moms" Mabley; how he helped to create the part of cranky Fred Sanford, named for his own late brother and inspired by other family members, on "Sanford and Son," adapted from the British series "Steptoe and Son"; how wealth and fame have affected him; his preference for working over vacationing; how he handles bad performances or lackluster audiences; dealing with his menagerie of 14 dogs and approximately 50 rabbits while splitting his time between Las Vegas and California; and his demonstration of the Fred Sanford walk.
Next, Little Richard joins Boggs and discusses his new autobiography "The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Quasar of Rock," co-written with Charles White; his worldwide travels as a religious evangelist; why he has currently given up, though not quite "denounced," his rock 'n' roll life; his praise for Tina Turner, who is still active as a performer; his sense of himself as an "architect" who helped to create the "building" of modern music; his love for disc jockey and music promoter Alan Freed, despite Freed's involvement with the payola scandal; inspiration for his outrageous stage demeanor and style; his sense of having been swindled financially throughout his career, and denied royalties and other profits; his plans to use the earnings from his book to construct a rest home for older entertainers; memories of meeting "great fans" The Beatles, prior to their great fame; how they and other groups like the Rolling Stones rejuvenated "old music" on their way to the top; the book's frank discussion of his extensive drug use, and how religious faith helped him to quit "overnight" after the deaths of several friends and family members; and his evolving views on homosexuality, including the belief that "they're human beings" like any other.
Phone calls and questions from viewers then touch upon such further topics as: his use of the term "the real thing" before "rock 'n' roll" became the popular phrase; why his 1956 musical film "The Girl Can't Help It" was almost an early version of a music video; and the importance of positive thinking and strong faith in beating addiction.
Little Richard and Boggs then go to the piano, where Richard comments on his unusual nonsensical lyrics, such as those in "Tutti-Frutti," some of which were created to replace more "risqué" lines; how his drag outfits and wild attire made him seem less "threatening" in racist environments; his family's thoughts on his stage persona; comparisons to similarly flamboyant pianist Liberace; his honest thoughts on other popular artists, including praise for Elvis Presley, alleged rival Chuck Berry, and the "underrated" Fats Domino; the current whereabouts of his stage costumes; and what three albums he might buy in a record shop at that moment. Despite not having played the piano for some time, he demonstrates a bit of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 1999
- RUNNING TIME: 0:46:11
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 135403
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - News/Talk; LGBTQ+ Collection; Talk/Interview; Comedians; Music
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Paul Noble … Executive Producer
- Gwen Barrett … Producer
- Jackie Vernaglia … Associate Producer
- Louis P. Levine … Director
- Victor Gil de LaMadrid … Reporter
- Bill Boggs … Host
- Redd Foxx … Guest
- Little Richard (see also: Richard Penniman) … Guest
- Louis Armstrong
- Beatles, The
- Chuck Berry
- Fats Domino (see also: Antoine Domino, Jr.)
- Alan Freed
- Mahalia Jackson
- Liberace (see also: Wladziu Liberace)
- Jackie "Moms" Mabley (see also: Loretta Aiken)
- Elvis Presley
- Tina Turner
- Charles White