TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, THE {TIM CONWAY, ROBBY BENSON, MARY-MARGARET HUMES, PAUL ERDMAN} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of late-night talk/variety programs hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson's guests for this program are comedian Tim Conway, actor/singer Robby Benson, actress Mary-Margaret Humes, and economist Paul Erdman.
In his opening monologue, Carson touches on the following topics, among others: why Burbank is an "underrated tourist mecca"; television's sweeps week; a "mob" gathered outside the White House; the arrival of Christmas in a mere 45 days; California Governor Jerry Brown's plans to run for president; the United States' attempts to "crack down" on Iran; and the popularity of alligator meat as a delicacy in Louisiana. After announcer Ed McMahon toasts the 204th "birthday" of the United States Marine Corps, Carson displays a number of "semi-antiques" found at flea markets, including old books and a gramophone, and then adds several other odd items, for which he suggests his own humorous descriptions.
The first guest, Conway, then joins Carson and discusses his new film "The Prize Fighter" (1979), which he co-wrote and will soon receive a limited U.S. release; the long production process; its setting in the 1930s; why many of his comedic films have been ignored by the "snobby" Academy Awards; his recent unfortunate experience being "traded" by now ex-wife Mary Anne Dalton; his friendships with other notable comedians; his real-life attempts at boxing, as seen in the film, an activity shared by Carson during his time in the Navy; and the challenge of creating choreography with real boxers. A clip from the film is shown.
Next, Benson takes the stage and performs "I Hear a Song," written by himself and dad Jerry Segal, and then chats with Carson about his 1977 film "One on One"; his feelings on being regarded as "cute"; his childhood acting career, starting with a television commercial at age three; the pros and cons of growing up in the showbiz world; his 1970 Broadway debut in "The Rothschilds," during the production of which his voice broke, leading to trouble with some of the songs; and why he generally does not take part in the Hollywood partying scene.
Humes then joins Carson and discusses her career as a "poster girl"; her appearance on the one-sheet for "Malibu High" (1979), despite not actually appearing in the film, thanks to an ill-timed car accident; her childhood in Watertown, New York; her experiences with beauty pageants; the unusual manner in which she found her manager; and plans to star in an upcoming sitcom as a young businesswoman with a secret double life.
Finally, Erdman chats with Carson about his "prophetic" 1973 novel "The Billion Dollar Sure Thing," which cast the Shah of Iran as an antagonist; the consequences of Iran's potential decision to cut off oil imports to other countries; comparisons to Saudi Arabia, America's biggest source of oil; whether Americans could voluntarily reduce oil usage; a possible return to coupon rationing; disagreements among economists; Erdman's thoughts on the need for "common sense"; why the current recession has "not even started," despite presidential hopeful Jimmy Carter's more optimistic assurances; the dangers of the devaluation of the U.S. dollar abroad; how he ended up in a "civilized" Swiss prison on fraud and mismanagement charges earlier in the 1970s; and why gold and silver prices are given to fluctuation. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 9, 1979 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:15:44
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:87614
- GENRE: Talk/Interview
- SUBJECT HEADING: Talk/Interview; Comedy/Variety; Music
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1962-1992
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - 7-Eleven convenience stores
- TV - Commercials - Bell Telephone services
- TV - Commercials - Campbell's Chunky soups
- TV - Commercials - Cie perfume
- TV - Commercials - Clairol Final Net hairspray
- TV - Commercials - Gabriel Touché board game
- TV - Commercials - Kleenex tissues
- TV - Commercials - La Choy Chinese food
- TV - Commercials - Maybelline Super Shiny lip gloss
- TV - Commercials - Paul Masson wines
- TV - Commercials - Presto PopcornNow popcorn popper
- TV - Commercials - Purina Special Dinners cat food
- TV - Commercials - Ralston Honey Bran cereal
- TV - Commercials - Revlon Salon Formula Color Silk hair care products
- TV - Commercials - Taster's Choice freeze-dried coffee
- TV - Commercials - Underalls Slenderalls control pantyhose
CREDITS
- Fred de Cordova … Producer
- Peter Lassally … Associate Producer
- Dick Manley … Commercial Producer
- Bobby Quinn … Director
- Raymond Siller … Writer
- Michael Barrie … Writer
- James Mulholland … Writer
- Pat McCormick … Writer
- Robert Smith … Writer
- Kevin Mulholland … Writer
- Hal Goodman … Writer
- Larry Klein … Writer
- NBC Orchestra, The … Music by
- Doc Severinsen … Conductor
- Johnny Carson … Host
- Ed McMahon … Announcer
- Robby Benson … Guest, Performer
- Tim Conway … Guest
- Mary-Margaret Humes … Guest
- Paul Erdman … Guest
- Jerry Brown
- Jimmy Carter
- Mary Anne Dalton
- Jerry Segal