TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {RICHARD PRYOR, RICHARD JENI, PETE FOUNTAIN} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are comedian Richard Pryor, comedian Richard Jeni and jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain. In his opening monologue, Carson comments on the following topics, among others: model Jessica Hahn's plastic surgery; a strange tabloid story about a beloved kids' TV character; Michael Dukakis' unusual Presidential campaign; Bush's potential running mates, including actor Clint Eastwood; the possibility of the Three Stooges appearing on a postage stamp; and some unsurprising news about Hertz car rental company's fraudulent methods.
Carson announces that Doc Severinsen and his band are going on tour, and then comments on a story about American ambassador to Germany Vernon Walters' pointed and not-so-secret note to President Bush, which was photographed and enlarged by a reporter's camera. He performs a bit in which he reads out other "hidden" and scandalous notes passed to and from famous figures captured on film.
Pryor then joins Carson onstage and discusses the following: his most recent and very short-lived fifth marriage, which may have been "jinxed" by Carson's presence at the wedding reception; his ex's false claim to the newspaper that he was suffering from AIDS; his large house, in which he now lives alone; his decision to consult doctors about his self-destructive behavior and admission that he had a relapse with alcohol; the challenges of the single-parent life; his panic over his daughter Rain's role in the stage musical "Hair," which involves a nude group scene; his upcoming film with frequent co-star Gene Wilder; his recent bout of depression and decision not to come on "The Tonight Show" for a time; and his enjoyment of the recent film "A Fish Called Wanda" (1988).
Next, Jeni performs a stand-up routine in which he discusses how Canada is like "New York backwards"; Miami's bilingual habits; the lonely experience of being on the road; his late-night habit of watching bad movies like "Jaws: The Revenge" (1987); and his explanation of its deeply illogical plot. Fountain then performs with the NBC Orchestra, including the number "It Had to Be You." Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: August 5, 1988 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:50:43
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:43726
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Comedy; Talk/Interview; Comedy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - American Express Travelers Cheques
- TV - Commercials - Baskin-Robbins ice cream
- TV - Commercials - EverReady Conductor batteries
- TV - Commercials - Final Net hair spray
- TV - Commercials - K-Mart stores
- TV - Commercials - Kotex tampons
- TV - Commercials - People magazine
- TV - Commercials - Pontiac automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Price Pfister faucets
- TV - Commercials - Rust-Oleum protective enamel
- TV - Commercials - The National Bowling Council
- TV - Commercials - Visa credit cards
- TV - Promos - "Friday Night Videos"
- TV - Promos - "Late Night With David Letterman"
- TV - Promos - "Tucker: The Man and His Dream" motion picture
CREDITS
- The NBC Orchestra … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Co-Host
- Pete Fountain … Guest, Performer
- Richard Jeni … Guest, Performer
- Richard Pryor … Guest
- George H.W. Bush
- Michael Dukakis
- Clint Eastwood
- Jessica Hahn
- Rain Pryor
- The Three Stooges
- Vernon A. Walters
- Gene Wilder