TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {MUHAMMAD ALI; ROGER MILLER; ROBERT BLAKE; CAROL WAYNE} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are boxing champion Muhammad Ali, actor Robert Blake, singer-songwriter Roger Miller, and actress Carol Wayne.
In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the previous night's "hostile" audience; Burbank's extremely rainy weather; and an interesting report of "therapy by laughter." Co-host Ed McMahon then tells Carson about his recent experience as host M.C. of Frank Sinatra's inter-collegiate golf tournament.
The first guest, Ali, takes the stage and comments on his upcoming bout against Anglo-Australian boxer Joe Bugner, whom Ali predicts that he will beat in the seventh round (he actually won in the twelfth); his previous appearance on the show and correct prediction about his match against Bob Foster; his dislike of Vegas, as he does not gamble and prefers to go to bed early; his disinterest in Ring magazine's rankings of himself and other boxers; his opinions on the recent Joe Frazier-George Foreman fight, including Frazier's unusual fighting technique and his sense that Frazier "underestimated" Foreman; whether Foreman has usurped him as "the champion of the people"; his guesses about the longevity of his athletic career; his appreciation of Carson's avoidance of "the tough questions"; the worldwide broadcasts of his fight against Bugner, including a screening at the upscale Seattle Opera House; his training schedule and eating habits; how he avoids getting "punch-drunk" from too many blows to the head; his hopes for a large family; and his interest in using his fame and fortune to uplift the black community.
Next, the Mighty Carson Art Players perform a sketch entitled "The Poseidon Thing," parodying the 1972 disaster film about the overturned ocean liner. Carson portrays the mischievous captain, who puts the oddball survivors on his "ship list" and tries to devise a means of escape from the doomed ship, though it soon becomes clear that he is more interested in romancing an attractive passenger, portrayed by Wayne.
The next guest, Blake, then takes the stage and alarms Carson with his apparent heavy inebriation, though he soon reveals that it was merely a put-on and discusses his recent film "Corky" (1972), which he refers to as a "mystery movie" because of the studio's refusal to allow him to bring a clip onto the show and its possible lack of a release; a funny story about his nude scene in "Tell Them Willie Boy is Here" (1969) alongside Katherine Ross; his uncharacteristically formal attire; his skepticism about "primal scream therapy"; and his views on "sick" exercise habits.
Miller performs "(The Day I Jumped) From Uncle Harvey's Plane" and then chats with Carson about the frequently sad nature of country songs; a funny story about a friend's slapstick encounter with a snake and his wife's subsequent misunderstanding; his upcoming role as presenter at the Grammy Awards, having already won eleven trophies himself; whether he gets tired of performing his hit songs; his return to songwriting after a four-year break; why he enjoys being famous; his methods of dealing with anger; and his work on the upcoming Disney film "Robin Hood" (1973). He then performs the movie's opening song, "Oo-De-Lally."
The final guest, Wayne, sits down with Carson and discusses her recent purchase of a trading post store, complete with bizarre products for sale; her trip to the Grand Canyon with husband Barry Feinstein and boat ride "up" the Colorado River; her recent trip to the eye doctor; and her enjoyment of being recognized and signing autographs. Miller then notes that he once worked as a tour guide at the Grand Canyon. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: February 8, 1973 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:23:41
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:73557
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Alpo dog food
- TV - Commercials - Budweiser beers
- TV - Commercials - Calgon bath oil beads
- TV - Commercials - Celanese Fortrel polyester attire
- TV - Commercials - Confidets feminine napkins
- TV - Commercials - Contac cold medication
- TV - Commercials - General Mills Chex cereals
- TV - Commercials - Home Emergency Ladies' Help instructional manual
- TV - Commercials - Kellogg's Product 19 cereal
- TV - Commercials - National Potato Promotion Board
- TV - Commercials - Revlon Flex shampoo and conditioner
- TV - Commercials - Viva paper towels
- TV - Promos - "The Andromeda Strain"
CREDITS
- Fred de Cordova … Producer
- Peter Lassally … Associate Producer
- Dick Manley … Commercial Producer
- Bobby Quinn … Director
- Hank Bradford … Writer
- Tom Moore … Writer
- Eric Cohen … Writer
- George Tricker … Writer
- The NBC Orchestra … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Co-Host
- Roger Miller … Guest, Performer
- Muhammad Ali … Guest
- Robert Blake … Guest
- Carol Wayne … Guest
- Joe Bugner
- Barry Feinstein
- George Foreman
- Bob Foster
- Joe Frazier
- Katherine Ross
- Frank Sinatra