TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {JAMES GARNER, REGIS PHILBIN, DOC SEVERINSEN AND XEBRON} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. His guests for this program are TV host Regis Philbin and actor James Garner.
In his opening monologue, a somewhat tongue-tied Carson touches upon the following topics, among others: Thanksgiving and the challenge of returning to diets after the big meal; California's rainy season; Congress' holiday recess; and the rapid approach of Christmas and the strange gifts found in catalogs. Next, announcer Ed McMahon chats with ill-tempered Aunt Blabby, who complains about troublesome Director of the Office of Management and Budget David Stockman and the government's serious financial issues; her Thanksgiving and football-watching habits; and whether she experiences depression during the holiday season. She also shares a few poems, though stubbornly refuses to expand upon McMahon's questions about her family history.
The first guest, Garner, takes the stage and discuses the fallacious tabloid rumors that he has a "crippling disease"; though explains that he broke nine ribs while performing a stunt for "Bret Maverick," the new revival of his classic 1957 TV series, causing filming to shut down for several weeks; the extreme popularity of Westerns during the time of "Maverick's" original run; his sense that the character is now "ready to settle down"; working with country singer-songwriter Ed Bruce, who also acts; why he couldn't convincingly play a "heavy"; and his thoughts on his daughter Gigi's singing career.
Next, Philbin joins Carson and discusses his decision to leave his series "A.M. Los Angeles" to join "the big time" and head his own variety/interview series, "The Regis Philbin Show" (which would prove short-lived); his annoyance with detailed network meetings for every small aspect of the show; the decision to eschew a live band and interview guests from "all walks of life," including a butcher; the need to provide disclaimers when interviewing alleged psychics and astrologers; and his appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York alongside McMahon, who then wowed Philbin with his influential level of celebrity and his speedy holiday dinner aboard a private flight back to the West Coast.
Finally, bandleader Doc Severinsen and his band Xebron, who are soon to head out on tour, perform a lively musical number. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 27, 1981 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:04
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:45054
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety; Music
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Alpo dog food
- TV - Commercials - Bell System telephone services
- TV - Commercials - Clairol Final Net hairspray
- TV - Commercials - Dana Canoe men's fragrance
- TV - Commercials - Dristan cold medication
- TV - Commercials - Excedrin Extra Strength pain reliever
- TV - Commercials - Green Giant vegetables
- TV - Commercials - Heinz ketchup
- TV - Commercials - Hoover vacuum cleaners
- TV - Commercials - Lipton seasonings
- TV - Commercials - Norelco Clean Air filter machines
- TV - Commercials - Sears stores
- TV - Promos - "Bret Maverick"
- TV - Promos - "CHiPs"
- TV - Promos - "Of Mice and Men"
- TV - Promos - "SCTV Comedy Network"
CREDITS
- NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Announcer
- James Garner … Guest
- Regis Philbin … Guest
- Ed Bruce
- Gigi Garner
- David Stockman