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TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS, JANE FONDA, ROGER VADIM, FLIP WILSON} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. On this program, the guests include The Smothers Brothers, Jennifer Warren (aka Jennifer Warnes), Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim, Flip Wilson and the cast of "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" (1969). In his opening monologue, Carson comments on the following topics, among others: the show's temporary move to Los Angeles from its usual home at NBC Studios in New York; the mysterious antics of Howard Hughes, who has not been seen in public for many months; and L.A.'s great love of football.

After a brief installment of "Miss Matic and the Professor," Carson performs his "Carnac the Magnificent" sketch, reminding an amused McMahon that his magical answers "need no comment." The first guests, Dick and Tom Smothers, then join Carson onstage to discuss the following: Dick's love of auto racing; Tom's recent decision to shave his trademark mustache; their ongoing "battle" with CBS' censors and Carson's own experience having sketches cut for content; CBS' refusal to bleep out unfavorable language because of the possibility of lip-reading viewers; and how their shows are often shown in full in Canada, which has less stringent censorship policies.

The Mighty Carson Art Players then perform a series of television commercials "the way they'd like to see them just once," including a run-in with the Jolly Green Giant, an annoying reporter's questions about hair cream, and a little boy's ill-timed comments on toothpaste. The Smothers Brothers then continue their conversation with Carson, touching upon such topics as: a recent short film made with director Charles Braverman about U.S. history and the 1968 elections (which is shown to the studio audience but is not included on this asset); and their involvement with a West Coast production of the musical "Hair" at the newly-renovated and "out of sight" Earl Carroll Theatre.

Jennifer Warren (aka Jennifer Warnes), who stars in "Hair," performs The Rolling Stones' "I Am Waiting," featured on her album "I Can Remember Everything." Dick Smothers then discusses the American Road Race of Champions, which features amateur race-car drivers competing for a non-monetary prize.

The next guest, Jane Fonda, then takes the stage and discusses the following: her six-week-old daughter Vanessa and an interesting horoscope about the baby's future; her sense that America is becoming more culturally uncensored; censorship of her new film "Barbarella" (1968) in France, generally considered to be a liberal country; her belief that the "wild, crazy picture" will not traumatize young viewers, and her husband Vadim's approval of "Hair" and its brief use of nudity.

The Smothers Brothers joke that they were responsible for a recent incident in Palm Springs in which a pornographic film was inexplicably screened on daytime television. Vadim then joins his wife onstage and discusses his native country of France's "bad system" for rating movies, which can be arbitrarily censored at the board members' discretion; the strangely varied reactions to sexual content versus those to violent imagery in films; and his current break from filmmaking and recent fishing adventures.

Flip Wilson then performs a stand-up routine featuring his famous character Geraldine and her two love interests, and then relates a tale of a hot-headed young man's encounter with a much larger man whom, according to his list, he believes he can defeat in a fight. As Wilson sits down with Carson, they are joined by Elliott Gould, Dyan Cannon, Robert Culp and Natalie Wood, who discuss their new film "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," which deals frankly with partner-swapping and sexual liberation. They touch upon such topics as: Culp's recent absence from films due to his role on the series "I Spy"; their uncertainty about the "main scenes" and ending of the film, which have not yet been filmed or written; the "groovy writing couple" behind the film, Paul Mazursky and Larry Tucker; and why the film is not "dirty" but is instead about love. Tom Smothers briefly acts as Carson's co-host as he closes the show. Includes several public-service announcements. (This is a black-and-white copy of a color program; most pre-1973 episodes of "The Tonight Show" have been lost due to the network's habit of reusing tapes.)

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: November 19, 1968 11:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:13:21
  • COLOR/B&W: B&W
  • CATALOG ID: B:42234
  • GENRE: Talk/Interview
  • SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Comedy; Talk/Interview; Comedy
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - PSA - Congress education segment
    • TV - PSA - Department of Defense credit information
    • TV - PSA - Military records organization tips

CREDITS

  • Johnny Carson … Host
  • Ed McMahon … Co-Host
  • The Smothers Brothers … Guest
  • Jennifer Warnes … Guest
  • Jane Fonda … Guest
  • Roger Vadim … Guest
  • Flip Wilson … Guest
  • Elliott Gould … Guest
  • Dyan Cannon … Guest
  • Robert Culp … Guest
  • Natalie Wood … Guest
  • Charles Braverman
  • Howard Hughes
  • Paul Mazursky
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Larry Tucker