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THIRD BARRY MANILOW SPECIAL, THE {GUEST: JOHN DENVER} (TV)

Summary

This televised concert special features the musical stylings of Barry Manilow along with special guest John Denver. The program opens as a nervous Manilow takes a "celebrity driving school" class and makes his way slowly along the hills of Los Angeles above the "Hollywood" sign. He makes it to the theatre and takes the stage to perform "Ready To Take A Chance Again," and then answers a few audience questions, then greeting some excited high school fan club members and singing "Weekend in New England." Next, he debuts a new song which he calls his "answer to disco," entitled "(Why Don't We Try) A Slow Dance," briefly dancing with a young fan from the crowd. Explaining that he dreams of someday making a feature film of his music, he performs "I Write the Songs" in a variety of styles in salute to the classic musicals, featuring "Gene and Bing" as well as Scottish-style dancers, fire-twirlers and denizens from the Emerald City. Manilow then plays around on the guitar and is joined by Denver, who sings "What's On Your Mind." They chat briefly about some unkind words from critics who have called their music "saccharine" and "corny," and then sing a medley of Everly Brothers songs, including "Bye Bye Love," "Cathy's Clown," "Let It Be Me," "'Til I Kissed You," "Bird Dog," "Wake Up Little Susie" and "All I Have to Do is Dream." Manilow then performs his classic "Copacabana," followed by "Even Now," and then bids the audience good night, closing with "Somewhere in the Night." Includes commercials.

Details

  • NETWORK: ABC
  • DATE: May 23, 1979 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:49:57
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:48040
  • GENRE: Music
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Music
  • SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1979
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Dr. Pepper soft drinks
    • TV - Commercials - Polaroid cameras

CREDITS

  • Miles Lourie … Executive Producer
  • Ernest Chambers … Producer, Writer
  • Barry Manilow … Producer, Writer
  • Don Mischer … Director
  • Kevin Carlisle … Choreographer
  • Barry Manilow … Performer
  • John Denver … Performer
  • Sandy Kenyon … Cast, Driving Instructor