TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {BOB HOPE, MICHAEL LANDON, MARILYN SOKOL, KENNY ROGERS} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are comedian Bob Hope, actor Michael Landon, actress Marilyn Sokol and musician Kenny Rogers.
In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: the intriguing David Frost/Richard Nixon interviews; President Jimmy Carter's efforts to hike minimum wage; recent raises for White House staffers; dubious new rules regarding ethics for congressmen; "Charlie's Angels" reruns; actor Robert Blake's decision to leave his popular cop series "Baretta"; and the largely ignored Los Angeles mayoral race.
Next, the Mighty Carson Art Players perform a sketch in which two "candidates," Mr. Linguine and Mr. Pastrami (Carson), engage in a debate to determine who should be the new Godfather of the Cosa Nostra. Mafia lieutenants offer a series of questions as the candidates describe their plans for raising crime levels and creating a "Jimmy Hoffa scholarship," among other things. After the sketch, Carson explains that 61 residents of Essex, California, a small mountain town with no television signal, will sample "The Tonight Show" for the first time as guests on the following evening's program. He also displays a Venezuelan newspaper in which his own photo erroneously accompanies a story about E. Howard Hunt, the intelligence officer who recently completed his prison sentence for his part in the Watergate conspiracy.
The first guest, Landon, joins Carson to chat about ubiquitous, worldwide reruns of his famous Western series "Bonanza," which concluded in 1973; his currently successful series "Little House on the Prairie"; his early guest spots on a number of different Westerns; a funny incident involving his son's Cub Scout troop and "The Rifleman" star Chuck Connors; Carson's long-ago encounter with Connors on his series "Who Do You Trust?"; experiences with stunts and fight scenes, usually aided by stuntmen; funny memories of costuming woes on "Bonanza"; his role as chairman of the Easter Seals charity; and how his seven healthy children inspired him to participate in the organization and its annual telethon.
Next, Hope takes the stage and shares a funny story about an encounter with a starstruck motorist; his upcoming variety special, a tribute to vaudeville, along such stars as Lucille Ball, Jack Albertson and Bernadette Peters, from which several scenes and outtakes are shown; Bing Crosby's recent fall, leading to a ruptured disc; and his upcoming appearance at a Writers' Guild dinner.
Sokol joins Carson and discusses her role as a "peripheral Muppeteer" in a couple of projects; being recognized by fans thanks to her "Tonight Show" appearances, including by some acquaintances interested in her showbiz connections; and her talent for funny voices and outrageous characters, including a hyperactive little girl who ends up showing more to the audience than intended.
Finally, Rogers performs "Lucille" and then chats with Carson about his apparent vocal similarities to Burl Ives; how he got "caught up in jazz for a while" despite being predominantly known as a country artist; and a story about his non-musical mother Lucille's dislike of that particular song, as she feels it portrays "her" negatively. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: March 24, 1977 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:15:52
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:83994
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety; Actors and actresses; Music
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - 9 Lives cat food
- TV - Commercials - Borateem detergent
- TV - Commercials - Haggar slacks
- TV - Commercials - Jobe's Tree and Shrub Spikes
- TV - Commercials - Parkay margarine
- TV - Commercials - Pillsbury Plus cake mix
- TV - Commercials - Presto appliances
- TV - Commercials - Revlon nail polish
- TV - Commercials - Schlitz beer
- TV - Commercials - Simmons Beautyrest mattresses
- TV - Commercials - Spray n’ Wash stain remover
- TV - Commercials - Tender Chunks canned ham
- TV - Commercials - United Airlines
- TV - Commercials - Water Pik dental hygiene product
- TV - Commercials - West Bend electric wok
- TV - Promos - "Flight to Holocaust"
CREDITS
- NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Announcer
- Kenny Rogers … Guest, Performer
- Michael Landon … Guest
- Bob Hope … Guest
- Marilyn Sokol … Guest
- Mighty Carson Art Players, The … Performer
- Jack Albertson
- Lucille Ball
- Robert Blake
- Jimmy Carter
- Chuck Connors
- Bing Crosby
- David Frost
- E. Howard Hunt
- Burl Ives
- Richard Nixon
- Bernadette Peters