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: Governor and Mrs. Ronald Reagan. George Burns, Diahann Carroll.                                    

Jack Benny displays his groovy new look in this 1969 TV special.  

Dupe of #8353.                    

Jack Benny displays his groovy new look in this 1969 TV special.         

Jack Benny is roasted by "roastmakers" Johnny Carson, George Burns, Ed Sullivan, Alan King, Milton Berle, Phil Harris, Dennis Day and Vice President Spiro Agnew.      

Duplicate of 796.                     

Jack Benny is roasted by "roastmakers" Johnny Carson, George Burns, Ed Sullivan, Alan King, Milton Berle, Phil Harris, Dennis Day and Vice President Spiro Agnew.   

Dupe of #796.           

June 25, 1970-August 27, 1970. An hour of nostalgia, hosted by Louis Nye, with Chuck McCann, Bob (Elliott) and Ray (Goulding), and bandleaders from the 1930's. Jack Elliot orchestra.  

Harry James and Helen Forrest in a return appearance. Sketches: The Great Voodini (Chuck McCann) is tied to a burning stake; Little Orphan Annie throws a party; a visit with Erich Von Director (Loius Nye). Radio dialogue: George Burns and Gracie Allen. 

Highlights: Harry: "Two O'Clock Jump," Helen: "I Had the Craziest Dream," Alan: "In the Still of the Night," Laara: "Why Was I Born?" Olive: "Ain't She Sweet?" "South Rampart Street Parade" by the Jack Elliott orchestra         

John Wayne and an all-star cast tell the story of America. 

Host: John Wayne.      

Duplicate of 9357.       

John Wayne's first TV special is a journey through American history with music, comedy, and more than two-dozen guest stars.
John's guests include Jack Benny as a citizen asking George Washington (Lorne Greene) about that dollar he supposedly threw across the Potomac, Bob Hope and Ann-Margret entertaining the troops at Valley Forge, printer Red Skelton discussing dissent with apprentice Tom Smothers, Lucille Ball as Miss Liberty, and Bing Crosby as Mark Twain, philosophizing with freed slave Frederick Douglass (Roscoe Lee Browne).
Also: Michael Landon as Peter Minuit, buying Manhattan Island from Indian Dan Blocker, Dean Martin as inventor Eli Whitney, Celeste Holm and Dennis Weaver as the parents of young Abe Lincoln, brothers Rick and David Nelson fighting on opposite sides in the Civil War, Phyllis Diller as a 19th-century presidential candidate, Dan Rowan and Dick Martin as the Wright Brothers.
Songs: Johnny Cash: "Ribbon Of Steel," Glen Campbell: "This Is A Great Country," Roy Clark: "Oh Suzanna," Leslie Uggams: "Clementine," Doddletown Pipers: "The Declaration." All: "God Bless America."                           

John Wayne and an all-star cast tell the story of America. 

Host: John Wayne.                        

Special: George Burns, Tina Cole of "My Three Sons" and the Hager twins from "Hee Haw" join the Osmonds on their first TV special. George gives the boys a few tips on putting on a show over and demonstrates his rapid-fire delivery of a song.  

Osmond Brothers Songs include:
"He Ain't Heavy," "He's My Brother," Find 'Em, Fool  Em, Forget 'Em," "Hello to Everybody." 

George Burns sings, "High Society."

Includes one commercial for the sponsor, The Geni Organ. 


 The Hagers sing, "Lookin' Out My Back Door."    

NOTE: In the opening of the show, the announcer mentions that Peter Falk will be a guest. However he does not appear on the broadcast.    

                

December 29th,1969-January 1st,1975 (ABC) 

Dick Cavett is back on television as ABC's new entrant in the late-night race. The format is desk and sofa five nights a week like the Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin shows. As Cavett sees it, it's the chemistry that counts. His forte:an articulate way with an interview, plus approaches to comedy that range from youthful innocence to the cynicism of WC.Fields. 

Guest: George Burns 

June 7th, 1971: J.I. Rodale's Onstage Death 

As noted in Cavett's autobiography, (pg321-323) on June 7th, 1971, publisher J.I. Rodale, an advocate of organic farming, died of a heart attack during taping. Cavett was speaking with journalist Pete Hamill when Rodale began to make a snoring noise. Cavett's reaction to this is contested-he claims that both he and Hamill realized immediately that something was wrong, while other accounts have him addressing the unconscious man "Are we boring you, Mr. Rodale?" The audience did not realize anything was seriously wrong until Cavett asked (avoiding the cliche) "Is there a doctor in the audience?"      

The program was never aired and a rerun aired in its place. The following night, June 8th, 1971 (George Burns is a guest) Cavett describes his reaction at length as to what happened during last night's taping regarding J.I. Rodale's death and discusses the incident.
An audio aircheck of this opening exists; it is archived in the collection of Archival Television Audio, Inc. (www.atvaudio.com).                                                                

A David Frost retrospective from previous shows: Bing Crosby, Julie Andrews, Maurice Chevalier, Bob Hope, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, George
Burns, Jack Benny, Liza Minnelli, Sophia Loren, Johnny Carson, Flip Wilson, Bill Cosby, Pearl Bailey, and Danny Kaye are viewed via video tape highlights.             

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: George Burns, Don Ho, Richard Harris.

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. 
                                                                     

The lost art of radio comedy is examined with audio excerpts from Radio's past, including Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, George Burns, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Fred Allen, Bing Crosby, Jim Jordan, Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Parker Fennelly, Peter Donald, Harry Bailey, Ken Roberts, and Al Bernie. Produced by Perry Miller Adato.  

See entry # 1114 for details.           

The New York Mets play the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Roberto Clemente gets his 3,000th and final major league base hit, a fourth inning double off of Mets pitcher Jon Matlock. Final Score: Pirates 5, Mets 0. 7 1/2 innings only, but no scoring innings are missed.  Game is broadcast on WKAJ 102.3 FM radio from Saratoga Springs New York.
All commercials recorded including spots with George Burns, Lee Trevino, and Bing Crosby chairman of the Arthritis Foundation. 
NOTE: Original broadcast transmitted with a slight hum (commercials and station identifications have no hum). After the top of the eight inning an announcer interrupts broadcast and states that "we are experiencing technical difficulties." Music is played at which point this audio air check concludes.                                      

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 welcomes guests Governor Ronald Reagan, Joey Bishop, George Burns, Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles, Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Dinah Shore, Jack Benny, Dean Martin and President of NBC Don Durgin.   

Duplicate of #1119.          

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: Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, George Burns.
Sub host: Joey Bishop. 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

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's guests are George Burns, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Carl Reiner.                       

Ann-Margret dedicates this special to her father in this edited version of her Las Vegas night club act.                        

Johnny Carson is the target for roasters Dean Martin, Jack Benny, George Burns, Bob Newhart, Redd Foxx, Sen. Hubert Humphrey, Bette Davis, Doc Severinson, Dionne Warwick, Dom DeLuise, Mike Connors, Jack Klugman, Tony Randall, Joey Bishop, Wilt Chamberlain, Kent McCord, Martin Milner, Ruth Buzzi, Howard Cosell, Jonathan Winters, Rich Little and Foster Brooks.   

Duplicate of #2107.          

A satirical stroll down an adult version of "Sesame Street." Other outstanding segments include a testimonial roast with Rich Little playing all the participants. 

Duplicate of #5020.                      

This musical/variety television special brings together some of the greatest showstoppers in entertainment history. Featured are Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, George Burns, The Jackson Five, George Gobel, The Mills Brothers, Pat Boone, Tiny Tim, The Pointer Sisters, Patty Andrews and others.              

This musical/variety television special brings together some of the greatest showstoppers in entertainment history. Featured are Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, George Burns, The Jackson Five, George Gobel, The Mills Brothers, Pat Boone, Tiny Tim, The Pointer Sisters, Patty Andrews and others.   
A touch of nostalgia with entertainers from the 30s to the 70s. George Burns and Carol Channing in a "Burns And Allen" routine. 
Musical highlights and performers: "Hello Dolly" medley...Pearl Bailey, Carol Channing
"Bill Bailey"...Pearl Bailey
"Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend"...Carol Channing
"Love Letters In The Sand"...Pat Boone
"Paper Doll"... Mills Brothers
"ABC"... Jackson Five
"Tip Toe Through The Tulips With Me"...Tiny Tim
Other musical highlights: "Get It Together", "Never Can Say Goodbye," "Daddy's Home." 

Duplicate of 7301.                                     

Milton Berle serves as Master Of Ceremonies for this salute to Steve Allen, celebrating 25 years on television. One of the pioneers of early television.    

Dick Tufeld-Announcer.                                 

A comedy /variety special honoring Jack Benny's second exodus from television. Jack does a comic monologue which includes a cameo appearance by Johnny Carson, Jack Webb and Harry Morgan question Jack about a crime, and a skit with Jack and George Burns as Roman Statues. Other guests are Don Rickles, Dinah Shore, and Redd Foxx. 
                     Music Highlights
"Heartbeat It's A Lovebeat" and "Abracadabra"-De Franco Family
"You Gotta See Momma Every Night"-Dinah Shore
"It Had To Be You"-Dinah Shore 

Duplicate of 17592.

                                                                           

A comedy /variety special honoring Jack Benny's second exodus from television. Jack does a comic monologue which includes a cameo appearance by Johnny Carson, Jack Webb and Harry Morgan question Jack about a crime, and a skit with Jack and George Burns as Roman Statues. Other guests are Don Rickles, Dinah Shore, and Redd Foxx. 
                     Music Highlights
"Heartbeat It's A Lovebeat" and "Abracadabra"-De Franco Family
"You Gotta See Momma Every Night"-Dinah Shore
"It Had To Be You"-Dinah Shore 

                                                              

January 13, 1975-May 26, 1975. This was the first broadcast of the series. After the Smothers Brothers had series on CBS and ABC, they entered the arena again on NBC in this short lived noncontroversial variety show.    

Duplicate of #4661.         

The 1975 Entertainer Of The Year Awards.

Host: Jackie Gleason      

Duplicate of #9995.                    

The 1975 Entertainer Of The Year Awards.

Host: Jackie Gleason             

The 1975 Entertainment Hall Of Fame Awards. 

Host: Gene Kelly.                    

February 2, 1976-May 18, 1976. This was "The Rich Little Special" broadcast. Rich Little hosted his own hour-long comedy-variety series. Other regulars included Charlotte Rae, R. G. Brown, Julie McWhirter, Joe Baker, and Mel Bishop.             

February 16, 1975-January 4, 1976. Cher returned to host this musical variety series with a special preview broadcast on February 12. Also featured on the "Cher" show was Gailard Sartain, Steve Martin, and Terri Garr.  

This broadcast, the last of the series, was a re-run, originally broadcast December 14, 1975.