LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS {PHYLLIS DILLER; PERCY ROSS; RYAN O'NEAL; DONALD SUTHERLAND; ED MIRVISH; MICHELE LEE} (TV)
Summary
One in this documentary series, hosted by Robin Leach, examining the glamorous lives and careers of various celebrities and noteworthy individuals.
In this episode, Leach first interviews comedian Phyllis Diller, who has lived in her Tudor-style California home for 19 years. She comments on her late-night writing habits; spending time with her adult children; her close friendship with "guru" Bob Hope; having daily "queenly teas" in her "Gothic alcove"; her extensive wardrobe and why she dresses differently for her assorted "beaux"; and why she loves driving herself in her retro-styled Excalibur automobile.
Next, at People magazine's tenth anniversary party, Leach interviews actress Morgan Brittany of the ABC drama series "Glitter," magazine publisher Chris Meigher and others about the publication's popularity and longtime success. Leach then profiles entrepreneur Percy Ross, who has made millions from his company Poly-Tech and has developed a reputation for "unusual philanthropy." He gave away over a thousand bicycles to impoverished children at Christmas in 1977, earning praise from former Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, and now receives thousands of letters – some sincere, other dubious and "pushy" – in his "Thanks a Million" newspaper column, through which he assists various needy individuals, including an elderly woman in need of a hearing aid. Known for handing out his signature silver dollars, Ross allows himself occasional personal indulgences, such as a limousine that previously belonged to Howard Hughes.
Next, actor Donald Sutherland discusses his love of sailing, where there is "no second chance" to save one's life in perilous conditions; his happy marriage to actress Francine Racette, with whom he has three children; and his great love of wine and watching Canadian baseball games. Producer, manager and "star maker" Jay Bernstein, known for "discovering" celebrities like Farrah Fawcett and Suzanne Somers, comments on his ability to observe potential talent; actor Edward Albert Jr., son of "Roman Holiday" (1954) star Eddie Albert, comments on Bernstein's helpful assistance and knowledge. Bernstein, who currently lives in Carole Lombard's former home and collects antique walking canes, acknowledges that "fame is fleeting."
Actor Ryan O'Neal sits down with Leach in Deauville, France and explains that he turned to acting after concluding that it was "easier" than dangerous stuntman work and got his start on the nighttime serial "Peyton Place," followed by the hit movie "Love Story" (1970). O'Neal comments on his great fondness for his latest film, "Irreconcilable Differences" (1984), explaining how it positively affected his own sometimes turbulent family life.
Artist Eugenia de Serigny discusses her "interchangeable" jewelry designs, sold for five and six figures at the famous O.J. Perrin boutique in Paris. Next, singer Sam Harris discusses his 13-week winning streak on "Star Search" and his great relief at being named the grand champion after the long competition period. He states that his everyday life has not changed significantly since his ascent to fame, noting that his newfound success could come to an abrupt end at any moment.
In the mailbag segment, the average bank-account amounts of citizens of various American states are revealed. Next, "Honest" Ed Mirvish of Toronto, known for his flamboyant personal style and brightly lit, eye-catching storefronts, discusses his various businesses, including a "bargain basement" store and a restaurant filled with unusual antiques. Having purchased and refurbished Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theater in 1963, Mirvish has also recently purchased, sight unseen, London's famous Royal Victoria Hall, known as "The Old Vic."
Finally, actress Michele Lee discusses her desire to "de-glamorize" recreational drug use, including her "Knots Landing" character Karen Fairgate MacKenzie's painful struggles with addiction in the show's fifth season. Lee comments on her testimony before Congress and her friendship with former First Lady Betty Ford, known for her addiction activism, and describes herself as a "compulsive neurotic" who enjoys spending time with son David Farentino, decorating her own home, singing and playing music on her computerized piano, and taking photographs. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: Syndication
- DATE: November 30, 1983 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:53:13
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:30851
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Hollywood; Wealth; Celebrities
- SERIES RUN: Syndicated - TV series, 1984-1995
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Appedrine weight loss pills
- TV - Commercials - Bold 3 laundry detergent
- TV - Commercials - Duracell batteries
- TV - Commercials - Extra Strength Dexatrim appetite control capsules
- TV - Commercials - Green Giant Niblets golden corn
- TV - Commercials - Ivory shampoo and conditioner
- TV - Commercials - JCPenney stores
- TV - Commercials - Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate morsels
- TV - Commercials - Revlon Flex Shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Slim-Fast diet drinks
- TV - Commercials - Star Kist 9-Lives cat food
CREDITS
- Robin Leach … Executive Producer, Writer
- Jim Cross … Supervising Producer, Director
- Alyson Daniels … Associate Producer
- Kay Richards … Field Producer
- Al Masini … Created by
- Denise A. Gordon … Director
- Cynthia Tivers … Director
- Bruce Cook … Director
- Helaine Swerdloff-Ross … Director
- Malcolm Boyes … Writer
- Jeff Samuels … Writer
- Norman Gimbel … Theme Music by
- Bill Conti … Theme Music by
- Robin Leach … Host
- David Perry … Narrator
- Phyllis Diller … Interviewee
- Morgan Brittany … Interviewee
- Chris Meigher … Interviewee
- Percy Ross … Interviewee
- Donald Sutherland … Interviewee
- Jay Bernstein … Interviewee
- Edward Albert Jr. … Interviewee
- Ryan O'Neal … Interviewee
- Eugenia de Serigny … Interviewee
- Sam Harris … Interviewee
- Ed Mirvish … Interviewee
- Michele Lee … Interviewee
- David Farentino
- Farrah Fawcett
- Betty Ford
- Bob Hope
- Howard Hughes
- Hubert Humphrey
- Carole Lombard
- Francine Racette
- Suzanne Somers