TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {CRISPIN GLOVER, GORE VIDAL, K.D. LANG & THE RECLINES} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are actor Crispin Glover, author Gore Vidal, and musical group k.d. lang and The Reclines.
In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: actor Bruce Willis' recent arrest after a noisy party at his home; bandleader Doc Severinsen's trip abroad; the previous night's Miss Universe pageant; new suggestive evidence of Democratic candidate Gary Hart's extramarital affair with author Donna Rice; Joan Collins' ongoing divorce proceedings; tension between famed televangelists Jim Bakker and Jerry Falwell; the latest on the "Break of Dawn," the tugboat left in New York Harbor as several states squabble over ownership of its garbage contents; and the ongoing Iran-Contra hearings.
Next, Carson displays some headlines from the newspaper, including an odd advertisement for an unarmed submarine for sale and a piece about four young inventors who recently appeared on "The Tonight Show" and subsequently described the host as "almost a comedian." Carson then jokes about buying a number of extravagant items, including a "mink mop" and a "solid gold hamburger," from the Tammy Faye and Jim Bakkers' auction in the aftermath of the PTL ("Praise the Lord") scandal.
The first guest, Glover, takes the stage and discusses "looping" his dialogue for "Back to the Future" (1985) after losing his voice out of nervousness; his "interesting" high-rise home, which provides a panoramic view of Los Angeles; his reasons for painting part of his home black; his thoughts on playing a 47-year-old in "Future," with comparisons to the horror film "Eraserhead" (1977); and the strong responses to his controversial new film "River's Edge" (1987), in which he plays a teenager entangled in a murder. He then presents Carson with an unusual music box-like art piece.
Next, Vidal joins Carson to discuss his new historical novel "Empire," which he describes as a commentary on the current "unraveling" state of American society; whether Americans are learning from the past; his thoughts on Bakker and Hart's poor handling of cheating; why most Americans are likely disinterested in politicians' personal lives; his thoughts on large corporations' strong financial control over politicians and media outlets, which prevents discussion of "real politics"; his praise for Democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson's sensible financial ideas; misconceptions about the Constitution, including Thomas Jefferson's dislike of the presidential system, and why America should instead have "a ceremonial president"; his speculation about the near future, including why an economic depression will put a stop to the arms race; the United States' "inevitable" alliance with Soviet Russia; and Japan's growth as a superpower.
Finally, k.d. lang and The Recliners perform "In Care of the Blues." Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: May 27, 1987 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:51:03
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:43762
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety; Music
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Busch beer
- TV - Commercials - Colgate toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Equal sweetener
- TV - Commercials - Gillette Good News razors
- TV - Commercials - Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Lawry's marinades
- TV - Commercials - Lifesavers candies
- TV - Commercials - Magic Chef appliances
- TV - Commercials - Olympus Infinity cameras
- TV - Commercials - Polaroid Spectra System camera
- TV - Commercials - Post Grape-Nuts cereal
- TV - Commercials - Stroh's beer
- TV - Commercials - Visa credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Wishbone salad dressings
- TV - Promos - "Late Night With David Letterman"
- TV - Promos - "The Incredible Ida Early"
- TV - Promos - "The Long Hot Summer"
- TV - Promos - "Two Fathers' Justice"
CREDITS
- NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Announcer
- Crispin Glover … Guest
- Gore Vidal … Guest
- k.d. lang and the Reclines … Guest, Performer
- Jim Bakker
- Tammy Faye Bakker
- Joan Collins
- Jerry Falwell
- Gary Hart
- Jesse Jackson
- Ronald Reagan
- Bruce Willis