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TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {CHEVY CHASE, RICHARD PRYOR, MARILYN SOKOL, JAMES HAMPTON} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are comedian Chevy Chase, comedian Richard Pryor, actress Marilyn Sokol and actor James Hampton. In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: Alex Haley's 1976 novel "Roots" and its highly successful miniseries adaptation, which aired in January; a reminder that the show is filmed in scenic Burbank; General Motors' recent troubles with lawsuits; the four-part interview between David Frost and former President Nixon, currently airing on "another network"; guidelines for purchasing non-defective eggs; and truckers' wives' anger at the apparently tempting presence of female drivers.

McMahon then chats with cantankerous senior citizen "Aunt Blabby," who informs him that she has become the editor-in-chief of a newspaper for the elderly and describes their various articles and sections, growing quickly impatient with McMahon's amused questions.

The first guest, Chase, then joins Carson onstage and comments on the following topics: his television special, "The Chevy Chase Show," set to air on the following night and from which a clip is shown; his interest in the Frost/Nixon interviews; why he chose to leave "Saturday Night Live" at the end of its first season, having only been contracted for one year; his marriage to Jacqueline Carlin, present in the audience, and their experience working together on "SNL" and his special; his early work experience writing for the Smothers Brothers; a serious injury caused by one of his trademark pratfalls on "SNL"; his early athletic experience and memories of his first successful "comedy fall"; a demonstration of his physical-comedy prowess; and his upcoming additional specials for NBC.

Pryor then joins Carson and Chase onstage and discusses the following: his own program, "The Richard Pryor Special," set to air back-to-back with Chase's; his recent divorce and troubles with California's community property law; his dislike of the content restrictions of television and producer Burt Sugarman's role in negotiating with NBC; his plans to visit his hometown of Peoria, Illinois to see family; and his upcoming plans to shoot a film in Detroit.

Next, Sokol sits down with Carson and comments on the following topics: her previous appearance on the show, in which she memorably mooned the audience; a witty comment from writer Neil Simon about the incident when she arrived on the set of "The Goodbye Girl" (1977) the following day; her current series "All That Glitters" and the show's noteworthy use of gender role-reversal; a bizarre backstage encounter with a "female Gabby Hayes" with dreams of appearing on "The Gong Show"; and youthful inspiration for her acting career from "Your Show of Shows." Sokol then sings part of the "Look for the Union Label" commercial jingle, followed by "Ah, My Sister."

The final guest, Hampton, then takes the stage and discusses the following: his unmemorable nature despite his prolific acting career; his somewhat-successful attempts to be recognized by tourists at Disneyland; encounters with "fans" who are unsure of his name; and his decision to take an acting role on a religious charity show to which he was then compelled to donate his salary. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: May 5, 1977 11:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:24:23
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:84153
  • GENRE: Talk/Interview
  • SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Comedy; Talk/Interview; Comedy
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Haggar men's clothing
    • TV - Commercials - Houbigant Essence Rare perfume
    • TV - Commercials - Jaymar apparel
    • TV - Commercials - K-Mart stores
    • TV - Commercials - Liquid Drano drain cleaner
    • TV - Commercials - Nestle cookie mix
    • TV - Commercials - O Cedar brooms
    • TV - Commercials - Revlon Charlie fragrances
    • TV - Commercials - Revlon Flex shampoo and conditioner
    • TV - Commercials - Rival crock pots
    • TV - Commercials - Scholl exercise sandals
    • TV - Commercials - Sheraton-Universal hotel
    • TV - Commercials - United Airlines
    • TV - Commercials - Visine eye drops
    • TV - Commercials - West Bend electric wok
    • TV - Commercials - Wishbone salad dressing
    • TV - Promos - "The Chevy Chase Show"
    • TV - Promos - "The Richard Pryor Special"

CREDITS

  • The NBC Orchestra … Music by
  • Doc Severinsen … Conductor
  • Johnny Carson … Host
  • Ed McMahon … Co-Host
  • Chevy Chase … Guest
  • Richard Pryor … Guest
  • Marilyn Sokol … Guest
  • James Hampton … Guest
  • Jacqueline Carlin
  • David Frost
  • Alex Haley
  • Richard Nixon
  • Neil Simon
  • The Smothers Brothers
  • Burt Sugarman