1968-10-24, NBC, min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
Guests are Carol Wayne and David Steinberg.
1968-10-25, WABC, 52 min.
January 5, 1968-April 26, 1968; September 27, 1968-January 31, 1969. This hour-long variety show was staged at a different military base each week and was hosted by a guest star.
Dean Jones guest host, broadcast at the Memphis Tennessee Naval Air Base Station.
1968-10-25, NBC, min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
Guests are Don Rickles and William Shatner.
1968-10-26, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). This was the "Halloween Show" broadcast. "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1968-10-26, ABC, min.
Continuing live coverage and closing ceremonies of the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico. Chris Schenkel reports.
Includes coverage of October 26th and 27th, 1968.
1968-10-27, WCBS, 52 min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
1968-10-27, WCBS, 52 min.
February 5, 1967-June 8, 1969. "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" was a breath of fresh air, but to CBS the Smothers Brothers seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the wrong things to say.
After the telecast of October 27, 1968 (from which a David Steinberg "sermonette" had generated much critical mail), CBS took the then unusual step of demanding that a tape of each upcoming show be prescreened for network affiliates by closed circuit.
1968-10-27, NBC, 27 min.
November 20, 1947-September 5, 1965 (primetime NBC); September 19, 1965-present (non-primetime NBC). Public affairs program which is the longest-running series on network television.
Democratic Presidential nominee Hubert H. Humphrey is interviewed by host Lawrence E. Spivak.
1968-10-27, CBS, min.
November 7th, 1954-April 20th, 1961. September 15th, 1963-Present.
The counterpart of NBC's "Meet The Press." Newsmakers are interviewed by a panel. CBS correspondent George Herman moderated the program from 1969 until September 1983 when he was replaced by Lesley Stahl. Bob Schieffer took over as moderator in 1991. Eventually, the panel of interviewers was dropped in favor of the program host conducting interviews of all guests.
Guest: GOP presidential candidate Richard Nixon.
Host: George Herman
1968-10-28, WCBS, 52 min.
September 25, 1962-June 23, 1970. One of television's most inventive and popular comedians, Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years, seven of them in a one-hour format, "The Red Skelton Hour" on CBS. Skelton began his television career on NBC September 30, 1951 with a half-hour filmed variety series lasting until June 21, 1953. He then began his CBS affiliation, and began hosting "The Red Skelton Show," a half-hour variety show broadcast live until October 18, 1960, and subsequently on videotape. This series aired from October 13, 1953, continuing until June 26, 1962. From July 21, 1954 through September 8, 1954, "The Red Skelton Revue" was broadcast live on CBS in a one-hour format. Red Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour taped format for his final series. "Red" as the show was known, premiered September 14, 1970. The first four broadcasts included introductions by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew (September 14, 1970), Dean Martin (September 21, 1970), Jack Benny (September 28, 1970), and Johnny Carson (October 5, 1970) who got his big break writing for Skelton in the early 1950's. Red Skelton's last first-run regularly scheduled television program aired on March 15, 1971.
1968-10-29, WABC, 52 min.
September 24, 1968-May 20, 1969. This was the "Moving In" broadcast. Television's only musical comedy series. "That's Life" starred Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker. Also featured were Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
1968-10-30, CBS, 57 min.
December 27, 1967-May 22, 1969. Jonathan Winters as host of a Wednesday-night variety hour. Joining him were Abby Dalton, Cliff Arquette, Pamela Rodgers, Alice Ghostley and Paul Lynde.
1968-10-31, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1968-10-31, NBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974.
A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
Dupe Of # 1959.
1968-11-00, NBC, min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
Day after election.
1968-11-01, WABC, 52 min.
January 5, 1968-April 26, 1968; September 27, 1968-January 31, 1969. This hour-long variety show was staged at a different military base each week and was hosted by a guest star.
Bob Crane guest host, broadcast at the Elgin Air Force Base in Florida.
1968-11-01, ABC, min.
September 27th,1968-January 31st,1969-(ABC)
Half-hour series that was part quiz show and part variety show. Rickles spent most of the show trading insults with other celebrities and the quiz show contestants.
Tonight's guest is actor Lorne Greene.
1968-11-01, NBC, min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
Comedian Woody Allen subs for Johnny Carson. Guest: James Earl Jones and animal trainer Henry Trefflich, and Vic Perry who shows Woody slightg of hand card manipulation
1968-11-03, WCBS, 52 min.
September 15, 1968-December 22, 1968. Variety hour hosted by Phyllis Diller, featuring Norm Crosby and Rip Taylor.
1968-11-03, WCBS, 52 min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
1968-11-03, NBC, 27 min.
November 20, 1947-September 5, 1965 (primetime NBC); September 19, 1965-present (non-primetime NBC). Public affairs program which is the longest-running series on network television.
Republican Presidential nominee Richard M. Nixon is interviewed by host Lawrence E. Spivak.
1968-11-03, CBS, min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half-year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Host: Ed Sullivan.
1968-11-06, NBC, 90 min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
Host: Johnny Carson.
Guests: Bill Cosby, Carol Burnett, Racquel Welch, Dick Fosbury. Includes commercials.
NOTE: This specific TONIGHT SHOW may only contain an opening monologue by Johnny Carson.
Other content, as listed, will have to be monitored and confirmed upon your order request.
1968-11-07, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1968-11-07, NBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974.
A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
Dupe Of # 1960.
1968-11-08, WABC, 52 min.
January 5, 1968-April 26, 1968; September 27, 1968-January 31, 1969. This hour-long variety show was staged at a different military base each week and was hosted by a guest star.
Jimmy Dean guest host, broadcast at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
1968-11-10, WCBS, 52 min.
September 15, 1968-December 22, 1968. Variety hour hosted by Phyllis Diller, featuring Norm Crosby and Rip Taylor.
1968-11-10, CBS, min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half-year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Host: Ed Sullivan. Guest: Comedian and toastmaster George Jessel.
1968-11-12, WCBS, 52 min.
September 25, 1962-June 23, 1970. One of television's most inventive and popular comedians, Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years, seven of them in a one-hour format, "The Red Skelton Hour" on CBS. Skelton began his television career on NBC September 30, 1951 with a half-hour filmed variety series lasting until June 21, 1953. He then began his CBS affiliation, and began hosting "The Red Skelton Show," a half-hour variety show broadcast live until October 18, 1960, and subsequently on videotape. This series aired from October 13, 1953, continuing until June 26, 1962. From July 21, 1954 through September 8, 1954, "The Red Skelton Revue" was broadcast live on CBS in a one-hour format. Red Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour taped format for his final series. "Red" as the show was known, premiered September 14, 1970. The first four broadcasts included introductions by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew (September 14, 1970), Dean Martin (September 21, 1970), Jack Benny (September 28, 1970), and Johnny Carson (October 5, 1970) who got his big break writing for Skelton in the early 1950's. Red Skelton's last first-run regularly scheduled television program aired on March 15, 1971.
1968-11-12, WABC, 52 min.
September 24, 1968-May 20, 1969. This was the "Life In Suburbia" broadcast. Television's only musical comedy series. "That's Life" starred Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker. Also featured were Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
1968-11-12, NBC, min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970s, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
Host: Johnny Carson.
Guest: Don Rickles. Walter Kiernan subbing for Ed McMahon as announcer.
1968-11-13, CBS, 57 min.
December 27, 1967-May 22, 1969. Jonathan Winters as host of a Wednesday-night variety hour. Joining him were Abby Dalton, Cliff Arquette, Pamela Rodgers, Alice Ghostley and Paul Lynde.
1968-11-13, WNBC, 52 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. This was the "Comedy 2001" broadcast. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
1968-11-13, NBC, 52 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week. "Comedy 2001, Give Or Take a Few Weeks" is the theme of the broadcast.
Steve Allen is the host for "Comedy 2001, Give Or Take a Few Weeks."
Duplicate Of #3557.
1968-11-14, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1968-11-14, SYN, min.
October 1, 1962-March 29, 1963 (NBC); 1965-1969 (Syndicated); August 18, 1969-February 11, 1972 (CBS); 1972-1986 (Syndicated).
Guest: Mort Sahl.
1968-11-17, NBC, 52 min.
September 15, 1968-December 22, 1968.
Variety hour hosted by Phyllis Diller, featuring Norm Crosby and Rip Taylor.
Guests: Maureen O'Hara, making a rare TV appearance, Noel Harrison and Hines, Hines & Dad.
Maureen faces Phyllis in a tennis match that becomes a lesson in gamesmanship and takes part in a soap-opera spoof.
Noel and Phyllis try to smuggle a feather past a customs official.
A final salute to lexicographer Noah Webster.
HIGHLIGHTS:
"Finian's Rainbow" meledy..............................Maureen O'Hara
"Country Boy"..................................................Noel Harrison
"Singing in the Rain".....................................Hines, Hines & Dad
"The Minute Waltz"..........................................Rip Taylor
"Just One More Dance"..................Phyllis Diller & Noel Harrison
1968-11-17, NBC, 105 min.
This taped special became one of the most controversial and memorable programs in television history when NBC due to programming commitments broke away from the New York Jets-Oakland Raiders game to begin the Heidi broadcast. The Raiders went on to score two touchdowns in nine seconds to come from behind and beat the Jets 43-32.
Heidi was an NBC made for television film version of the 1880 novel.
1968-11-19, WCBS, 52 min.
September 25, 1962-June 23, 1970. One of television's most inventive and popular comedians, Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years, seven of them in a one-hour format, "The Red Skelton Hour" on CBS. Skelton began his television career on NBC September 30, 1951 with a half-hour filmed variety series lasting until June 21, 1953. He then began his CBS affiliation, and began hosting "The Red Skelton Show," a half-hour variety show broadcast live until October 18, 1960, and subsequently on videotape. This series aired from October 13, 1953, continuing until June 26, 1962. From July 21, 1954 through September 8, 1954, "The Red Skelton Revue" was broadcast live on CBS in a one-hour format. Red Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour taped format for his final series. "Red" as the show was known, premiered September 14, 1970. The first four broadcasts included introductions by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew (September 14, 1970), Dean Martin (September 21, 1970), Jack Benny (September 28, 1970), and Johnny Carson (October 5, 1970) who got his big break writing for Skelton in the early 1950's. Red Skelton's last first-run regularly scheduled television program aired on March 15, 1971.
1968-11-19, WABC, 52 min.
September 24, 1968-May 20, 1969. This was the "Our First Baby" broadcast. Television's only musical comedy series. "That's Life" starred Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker. Also featured were Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
1968-11-20, CBS, 57 min.
December 27, 1967-May 22, 1969. Jonathan Winters as host of a Wednesday-night variety hour. Joining him were Abby Dalton, Cliff Arquette, Pamela Rodgers, Alice Ghostley and Paul Lynde.
1968-11-20, NBC, min.
The stars of country music gather for the second annual country music awards and the first ever to be telecast.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans serve as hosts.
Note: Numerous sources indicate the tape-delayed ceremony aired on November 20th, 1968. However, several newspaper television listings indicate the tape-delayed ceremony aired on October 30th, 1968.
1968-11-21, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1968-11-21, , min.
News roundup of the day for November 21st, 1968.
1968-11-22, WABC, 52 min.
January 5, 1968-April 26, 1968; September 27, 1968-January 31, 1969. This hour-long variety show was staged at a different military base each week and was hosted by a guest star.
Flip Wilson guest host, broadcast at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida.
1968-11-22, , min.
News events for November 22nd, 1968. This is the 5th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
1968-11-22, NBC, min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
Johnny Carson: Host
This broadcast is a rerun of July 12th, 1968.
Guests: Don Adams, Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller, and Bob Crane. Also featuring "The Mighty Carson Art Players."
See 7-12-68 for more details.
1968-11-23, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). This program is a repeat of the "Thanksgiving Show" broadcast that aired on November 26, 1966. "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1968-11-23, WNBC, 52 min.
Animated filmed musical Thanksgiving fantasy based on the whimsical diary of Willum, a mouse, who was with the Pilgrims on their 1620 voyage to the New World; with Tennessee Ernie Ford as narrator and the voice of Willum, with as other voices, John Gary (as John Alden), Eddie Albert (as Miles Standish) and Joanie Sommers (as Priscilla Mullins).
1968-11-24, WCBS, 52 min.
September 15, 1968-December 22, 1968. Variety hour hosted by Phyllis Diller, featuring Norm Crosby and Rip Taylor.