TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {ANTHONY NEWLEY; JAN STEPHENSON; RAY JOHNSON; FREDDIE PRINZE} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are singer Anthony Newley, comedian Freddie Prinze, Australian golf star Jan Stephenson and ex-convict-turned-activist Ray Johnson. In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the unimpressive new crop of TV shows for the 1976 fall season; the "demise" of several popular TV characters; a "Bionic Woman" / "Six Million Dollar Man" crossover episode; the ongoing public transportation strike; President and First Lady Ford's speculation about their daughter Susan's love life; Presidential hopeful Jimmy Carter's "whistle-stop tour" of America; and Walter Mondale and Bob Dole's efforts on the campaign trail.

Next, co-host Ed McMahon welcomes defected Russian comedian "Shecky Ivanovich," played by Carson, and questions him about his career in comedy in his famously restrictive country, wondering if he is secretly a double agent and curious about his plans for his new American life.

The first guest, Newley, takes the stage and performs a medley that includes "You Must Remember This," "What is This Thing Called Love," "As Time Goes By," "Some of These Days," "When Your Lover Has Gone" and "You Made Me Love You." He sits down and chats with Carson about his views on marijuana; his early career as a teenage singer; whether he still finds performing to be a challenge; his appreciation for his enjoyable, well-paying career; and his memories of his disastrous opening night in Nottingham, England as director and star of the musical "The Good Old Bad Old Days." He then performs "Teach the Children."

Next, Prinze sits down with Carson and discusses his recent national concert tour; his dislike of flying and idea to bring his own snacks onto an airplane; Hurricane Belle's effect on New York City; his recent performances with Tony Orlando; hints about the improved scripts, one of which he wrote himself, for the third season of "Chico and the Man"; his upcoming made-for-TV movie "The Million-Dollar Rip-Off" (1976), filmed in Chicago; and his confidence in Muhammad Ali's victory over Ken Norton in their upcoming bout.

Stephenson takes the stage and comments on her recent wins and losses; her sense of anxiety about losing considerable money over small mistakes, due to the high values of certain putts and scores; the rising sums of prize money for golfers; her sense that male and female golfers should not have equal purses "yet," given the greater popularity of men's golf; her interest in swimming, tennis and surfing before turning to golf full-time; her strong emotions on the course; why she has "no patience" for teaching golf to others; why she has not become an American citizen despite her love of living in California; the challenges of finding romance on a busy travel schedule; and her frequent phone calls to friends and family while on the road.

The final guest, Johnson, joins the others onstage and comments on his recent decision to file for a pardon in order to regain certain rights denied to ex-cons; his "moment of nostalgia" when acting in a robbery scene in an anti-crime documentary; his past preference for jury trials, given his talent for lying about his crimes; his experiences playing golf in prison; and his views on the ongoing flaws of the judicial and penal systems. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: NBC
• DATE: September 21, 1976 11:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:15:29
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:83013
• GENRE: Talk/Interview
• SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety
• SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - Delta Airlines
  • TV - Commercials - Excedrin P.M. painkillers
  • TV - Commercials - Gaines Top Choice dog food
  • TV - Commercials - Green Giant frozen peas with butter sauce
  • TV - Commercials - Heinz tomato ketchup
  • TV - Commercials - Pillsbury Oven Lovin' dinner rolls
  • TV - Commercials - Pillsbury wiener wrap
  • TV - Commercials - Purina Meow Mix cat food
  • TV - Commercials - RCA ColorTrak television system
  • TV - Commercials - Revlon Natural Wonder crease-proof eye shadow
  • TV - Commercials - Spray 'n' Wash stain remover
  • TV - Commercials - Spring Air mattresses
  • TV - Commercials - StarKist tuna fish
  • TV - Commercials - Stove Top stuffing
  • TV - Commercials - Summer's Eve feminine products
  • TV - Commercials - United States Post Office change of address kits
  • TV - Commercials - Windex glass cleaner
  • TV - Promos - "The Million-Dollar Rip-Off"
  • TV - Promos - "The Quest"

CREDITS

• Fred de Cordova … Producer
• Peter Lassally … Associate Producer
• Dick Manley … Commercial Producer
• Bobby Quinn … Director
• Pat McCormick … Writer
• Raymond Siller … Writer
• Norman Liebmann … Writer
• Terry Hart … Writer
• Hal Goodman … Writer
• Larry Klein … Writer
• The NBC Orchestra … Music by
• Doc Severinsen … Conductor
• Johnny Carson … Host
• Ed McMahon … Co-Host
• Anthony Newley … Guest, Performer
• Freddie Prinze … Guest
• Jan Stephenson … Guest
• Ray Johnson … Guest
• Muhammad Ali
• Jimmy Carter
• Betty Ford
• Gerald Ford
• Susan Ford
• Ken Norton
• Tony Orlando