1977-11-23, 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 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.
Johnny's guests are Burt Reynolds, Johnny Mathis, Jane Seymour, and Frederick Brisson.
1977-11-25, ABC, 60 min.
A special reuniting the stars of The Partridge Family and My Three Sons.
1977-11-29, SYN, 60 min.
1963-1982 (SYNDICATED). Mike Douglas hosted one of television's longest-running talk shows (19 years). Each week Douglas was joined by a different co-host. In 1967, "The Mike Douglas Show" became the first syndicated talk show to win an Emmy Award.
Broadcast from 1963-1978 in Philadelphia
Broadcast from 1978-1982 in Los Angeles
Guest Tony Orlando discusses the death of Freddie Prinze.
This program includes the final 60 minutes only. Excerpt.
1977-12-20, NBC, 52 min.
Special: Host Chuck Barris brings amateur acts from "The Gong Show" to complement music and comedy by celebrities (including a routine by Redd Foxx). Highlights include: "In a Lifetime" by The Temptations, "Victim of Romance" by Michelle Phillips, "Shake a Hand" by Linda Hopkins, "On and On" by Stephen Bishop, "Be My Life's Companion" by The Mills Brothers, and "It's a Game" by The Bay City Rollers.
1977-12-30, ABC, 90 min.
A tribute to actor Henry Fonda with film clips and anecdotes from directors and co-stars.
Host: Burgess Meredith
1978-00-00, , min.
Donna Fargo, Roy Clark, Freddy Fender, Oak Ridge Boys, Vikki Carr, Mel Tillis.
1978-01-02, WROW, 210 min.
Live radio broadcast of the 1978 Cotton Bowl game from Dallas, Texas between the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame vs. the Texas Longhorns. Quarterback Joe Montana led the Irish to a stunning 38-10 win over the favored previously unbeaten Southwest Conference champions. The win gave Notre Dame the National college football championship for 1977.
1978-01-13, ABC, 00 min.
Entertainers from all facets of show business selected in a nationwide survey, perform.
Host: Buddy Ebsen.
1978-01-15, WNEW, 52 min.
Country stars joining Roy Clark for a songfest at his ranch in Tulsa, Oklahoma, include Mel Tillis, Vikki Carr, Freddy Fender, Donna Fargo and the Oak Ridge Boys. Music: "Are You From Dixie?" and "Southern Nights."
1978-02-07, NBC, min.
NBC presented six specials, aired at different times, the first broadcast February 7, 1978. Other broadcasts aired include August 8 & 16, 1978. Not widely referenced or remembered.
Familiar faces join forces with newcomers in this comedy hour, still being edited at press time. In sketches, Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Martha Raye and Lloyd Nolan depict life aboard a cruise ship; and Connie Stevens interviews George Washington's brother (Will Geer) and Abraham Lincoln's brother (Robert Guillaume). Also: skits, monologues and blackouts with stand-up comics Skip Stephenson and Tom Dreesen, Rose Marie, Marcia Wallace.
Duplicate of 6708.
1978-02-07, WNBC, 120 min.
The comedy of insult dominates this two-hour tribute. Host Dean Martin heads the list of 20 celebrities, including Gene Kelly-who shows clips of Sinatra and himself singing and dancing in "Anchors Aweigh" (1945), "On the Town" (1949) and Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (1949); Peter Falk, who does a routine as Columbo; Ruth Buzzi, who appears as her "Laugh-In" character Gladys, the "president of the first Frank Sinatra fan club"; and Jonathan Winters as Elwood Suggins, "the bus driver on Sinatra's concert tours." Also: stand-up spots by former California governor Ronald Reagan, George Burns, James Stewart, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, Flip Wilson, Dom DeLuise, Charlie Callas, Telly Savalas, LaWanda Page, Orson Welles, Don Rickles, Red Buttons, Rich Little, Jack Klugman and Ernest Borgnine.
Duplicate of 2134.
1978-02-07, WNBC, 120 min.
The comedy of insult dominates this two-hour tribute. Host Dean Martin heads the list of 20 celebrities, including Gene Kelly-who shows clips of Sinatra and himself singing and dancing in "Anchors Aweigh" (1945), "On the Town" (1949) and Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (1949); Peter Falk, who does a routine as Columbo; Ruth Buzzi, who appears as her "Laugh-In" character Gladys, the "president of the first Frank Sinatra fan club"; and Jonathan Winters as Elwood Suggins, "the bus driver on Sinatra's concert tours." Also: stand-up spots by former California governor Ronald Reagan, George Burns, James Stewart, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, Flip Wilson, Dom DeLuise, Charlie Callas, Telly Savalas, LaWanda Page, Orson Welles, Don Rickles, Red Buttons, Rich Little, Jack Klugman and Ernest Borgnine.
Duplicate of 2134.
1978-02-07, NBC, 00 min.
Various celebrities roast Frank Sinatra. See #2134 for details.
1978-02-07, NBC, 60 min.
NBC presented six specials, aired at different times, the first broadcast February 7, 1978. Other broadcasts aired include August 8 & 16, 1978. Not widely referenced or remembered.
Familiar faces join forces with newcomers in this comedy hour, still being edited at press time. In sketches, Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Martha Raye and Lloyd Nolan depict life aboard a cruise ship; and Connie Stevens interviews George Washington's brother (Will Geer) and Abraham Lincoln's brother (Robert Guillaume). Also: skits, monologues and blackouts with stand-up comics Skip Stephenson and Tom Dreesen, Rose Marie, Marcia Wallace.
1978-02-07, WNBC, 100 min.
The comedy of insult dominates this two-hour tribute. Host Dean Martin heads the list of 20 celebrities, including Gene Kelly-who shows clips of Sinatra and himself singing and dancing in "Anchors Aweigh" (1945), "On the Town" (1949) and Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (1949); Peter Falk, who does a routine as Columbo; Ruth Buzzi, who appears as her "Laugh-In" character Gladys, the "president of the first Frank Sinatra fan club"; and Jonathan Winters as Elwood Suggins, "the bus driver on Sinatra's concert tours." Also: stand-up spots by former California governor Ronald Reagan, George Burns, James Stewart, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, Flip Wilson, Dom DeLuise, Charlie Callas, Telly Savalas, LaWanda Page, Orson Welles, Don Rickles, Red Buttons, Rich Little, Jack Klugman and Ernest Borgnine.
1978-02-15, SYN, 90 min.
October 1, 1962-March 29, 1963 (NBC); 1965-1969 (Syndicated); August 18, 1969-February 11, 1972 (CBS); 1972-1986 (Syndicated)
Guests: Freddie Sales, Phyllis Diller, Bobby Vinton, Miss Miller.
1978-03-15, WBAY, 101 min.
Tributes to Henry Fonda are given by daughter Jane Fonda, son Peter Fonda, Bette Davis, James Stewart, Lucille Ball, Jack Lemmon, Charlton Heston, Barbara Stanwyck, Kirk Douglas, Gregory Peck, Richard Burton, James Garner, Fred MacMurray, Marsha Mason, Dorothy McGuire, Lloyd Nolan, Jane Alexander, James Dunn, Lillian Gish, Ron Howard, Richard Widmark and Billy Dee Williams.
1978-03-23, WNEW, 81 min.
October 1, 1962-March 29, 1963 (NBC); 1965-1969 (Syndicated); August 18, 1969-February 11, 1972 (CBS); 1972-1986 (Syndicated).
1978-04-03, WABC, min.
Bob Hope for the 22nd time as Master of Ceremonies, hosts the 50th Anniversary of The Academy Awards. Fifty-two presenters and award winners making stage appearances include John Travolta, Vanessa Redgrave, Paddy Chayevsky, Mark Hamill, Paul Williams, Jody Foster, Debbie Boone, William Holden, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Fontaine, Raquel Welch, Kirk Douglas, Jane Powell, Billy Dee Williams, Cicely Tyson, Sammy Davis Jr., Greer Garson, Henry Winkler, Eva Marie Saint, Jack Valenti, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Johnny Green, Henry Mancini, John Williams, Jonathan Tunick, Vilmos Zsigmond, Jon Voight, Goldie Hawn, Bette Davis, Charlton Heston, Marvin Hamlish, Maggie Booth, Olivia de Havilland, Farrah Fawcett Majors, Marcello Mastroianni, Aretha Franklin, Fred Astaire, Walter Mirisch, Stanley Kramer, King Vidor, Marshall Brickman, Alvin Sargent, Janet Gaynor, Diane Keaton, Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson and Richard Dreyfuss.
Duplicate of #853.
1978-04-03, WABC, 157 min.
Bob Hope for the 22nd time as Master of Ceremonies, hosts the 50th Anniversary of The Academy Awards. Fifty-two presenters and award winners making stage appearances include John Travolta, Vanessa Redgrave, Paddy Chayevsky, Mark Hamill, Paul Williams, Jody Foster, Debbie Boone, William Holden, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Fontaine, Raquel Welch, Kirk Douglas, Jane Powell, Billy Dee Williams, Cicely Tyson, Sammy Davis Jr., Greer Garson, Henry Winkler, Eva Marie Saint, Jack Valenti, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Johnny Green, Henry Mancini, John Williams, Jonathan Tunick, Vilmos Zsigmond, Jon Voight, Goldie Hawn, Bette Davis, Charlton Heston, Marvin Hamlish, Maggie Booth, Olivia de Havilland, Farrah Fawcett Majors, Marcello Mastroianni, Aretha Franklin, Fred Astaire, Walter Mirisch, Stanley Kramer, King Vidor, Marshall Brickman, Alvin Sargent, Janet Gaynor, Diane Keaton, Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson and Richard Dreyfuss.
1978-04-03, ABC, 210 min.
The 50th Annual Academy Awards presentation, telecast live from The Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in Los Angeles, California. This was Bob Hope's 19th and final time as Master Of Ceremonies.
1978-04-07, CBS, 120 min.
Performers are honored as chosen by viewers.
Hosts: George Burns and Bernadette Peters.
1978-04-07, WABC, 52 min.
January 23, 1976-January 19, 1979. This program is a repeat of the show from September 23, 1977 which featured the "Star Wars" characters C-3PO, R2-D2, Darth Vader, etc. The first variety hour hosted by a brother-and-sister team. Additional regulars included Jim Connell and Hank Garcia.
1978-05-10, WNBC, min.
The Oscar winner gets the insult treatment. Among those dishing it out to James Stewart are four of his movie costars: host Dean Martin ("Bandolero," 1968), June Allyson ("The Glenn Miller Story," 1954), Janet Leigh ("The Naked Spur," 1953) and Henry Fonda ("On Our Merry Way," 1948, and "Firecreek," 1968). Fonda also introduces clips of Stewart in "Rose Marie" (1936), his second screen role; "Born to Dance" (1936), in which he sings Cole Porter's "Easy to Love"; "Ziegfeld Girl" (1941); "The Stratton Story" (1949); and "The Philadelphia Story" (1941), which earned Stewart his Oscar. Also on hand: George Burns, Greer Garson, Lucille Ball, Sen. Barry Goldwater, Milton Berle, Orson Welles, Don Rickles, Mickey Rooney, Eddie Albert, Tony Randall, Foster Brooks, Red Buttons, LaWanda Page, Ruth Buzzi, Jesse White and Rich Little.
Duplicate of 2130.
1978-05-10, WNBC, 120 min.
The Oscar winner gets the insult treatment. Among those dishing it out to James Stewart are four of his movie costars: host Dean Martin ("Bandolero," 1968), June Allyson ("The Glenn Miller Story," 1954), Janet Leigh ("The Naked Spur," 1953) and Henry Fonda ("On Our Merry Way," 1948, and "Firecreek," 1968). Fonda also introduces clips of Stewart in "Rose Marie" (1936), his second screen role; "Born to Dance" (1936), in which he sings Cole Porter's "Easy to Love"; "Ziegfeld Girl" (1941); "The Stratton Story" (1949); and "The Philadelphia Story" (1941), which earned Stewart his Oscar. Also on hand: George Burns, Greer Garson, Lucille Ball, Sen. Barry Goldwater, Milton Berle, Orson Welles, Don Rickles, Mickey Rooney, Eddie Albert, Tony Randall, Foster Brooks, Red Buttons, LaWanda Page, Ruth Buzzi, Jesse White and Rich Little.
1978-06-22, CBS, 120 min.
Celebrities are honored as chosen by the viewers.
Host: Buddy Ebsen.
1978-08-04, WNBC, 78 min.
"The Midnight Special" provided taped in-concert popular music. The emphasis was on rock and roll and, when the series first went on the air everyone was a guest star - there was no regular host. This program is a repeat of the show from August 19, 1972.
1978-08-07, SYN, 33 min.
October 1, 1962-March 29, 1963 (NBC); 1965-1969 (Syndicated); August 18, 1969-February 11, 1972 (CBS); 1972-1986 (Syndicated)
Guests: Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Fred Astaire, Deney Terrio.
1978-09-08, NBC, 90 min.
February 2, 1973-May 1, 1981. Network's first regularly scheduled attempt at late-night-late programming. Wolfman Jack announcer.
Hosts K.C. & the Sunshine Band are joined by guests Paul McCartney & Wings, Donna Summer, Cheryl Ladd, Teddy Pendergrass and Jimmy "Bo" Horne. Included: a salute to Otis Redding.
Musical Highlights:
- Medley of hits ... K.C., Band
- "I've Had Enough" ... Paul, Wings
- "Last Dance," "I Love You" ... Donna
- "Think It Over," "Lady Gray" ... Cheryl
1978-09-17, CBS, min.
The 30th Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast from the Pasedena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. Top shows of the night were The Rockford Files and All In The Family, which won its fourth Emmy for best comedy series. Both Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton were awarded best lead actor and actress respectively for their work on All In The Family. Rita Moreno became the third person to capture all four major awards (Tony, Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy).
Host: Alan Alda.
1978-09-17, WNBC, 27 min.
1978-1980 (Syndicated). Norm Crosby hosted this half-hour series, a showcase for standup comics, known and unknown.
1978-09-18, WCBS, 27 min.
1976-1981 (Syndicated). The Muppets, created by Jim Henson and company, starred in their own half-hour comedy-variety show. Each week a guest celebrity appeared. The most popular first-run syndicated series in TV history.
1978-10-04, WNBC, 27 min.
1977-1981 (SYNDICATED). A half-hour musical series, "Sha Na Na" was named for its hosts including Lenny Baker, Johnny Contardo, Denny Greene, Jocko Marcellino, Danny McBride, Chico Ryan, Scott Simon, Scott Powell, Don York, and Jon Bauman. Among those featured on the show were Jane Dulo, Pamela Myers, Avery Schreiber, Kenneth Mars, and Soupy Sales.
1978-10-05, SYN, min.
1963-1982 (SYNDICATED). Mike Douglas hosted one of television's longest-running talk shows (19 years). Each week Douglas was joined by a different co-host. In 1967, "The Mike Douglas Show" became the first syndicated talk show to win an Emmy Award.
Broadcast from 1963-1978 in Philadelphia
Broadcast from 1978-1982 in Los Angeles
Guests: Jimmy Stewart, and Fred and Katie Macmurray.
1978-10-17, SYN, 54 min.
October 1, 1962-March 29, 1963 (NBC); 1965-1969 (Syndicated); August 18, 1969-February 11, 1972 (CBS); 1972-1986 (Syndicated)
Guests: Raymond Burr, Freddie Sales, and Anne Murray.
Anne sings "You needed me."
Merv sings "As Time Goes By."
Mort Lindsay orchestra.
1978-10-24, WCBS, 27 min.
1975-1978 (Syndicated). Hosted by singer Bobby Vinton, this half-hour musical variety series was produced in Toronto.
1978-12-07, CBS, 60 min.
An all-star cast pays tribute to actor Jimmy Stewart.
1978-12-29, WABC, 52 min.
January 23, 1976-January 19, 1979. The first variety hour hosted by a brother-and-sister team. Additional regulars included Jim Connell and Hank Garcia.
1979-01-10, CBS, 90 min.
The 9th Annual Entertainer of the Year Awards, hosted by Jackie Gleason. Starring: Ann-Margret, Debby Boone, Carol Burnett, Red Buttons, Alan Corey, Buddy Ebsen, The Fercos, The Folies Bergere Dancers, Larry Gatlin, Doug Henning, Grace Jones, Lassie, Norman Lear, Rich Little, Sparky Lyle, Chuck Mangione, Steve Martin, Andrea McArdle, Lee Meriwether, Dolly Parton, Chita Rivera, Shields & Yarnell, Willie Tyler & Lester.
1979-01-10, CBS, 90 min.
The 10th Annual Entertainer of the Year Awards, hosted by George Burns. Starring: David Copperfield, Wayland Flowers & Madame Mitzi Gaynor, Gilda Radner, Kenny Rogers, Doc Severinsen, Red Skelton, Suzanne Somers, Donna Summer, Rip Taylor, Gino Vannelli, The Village People, Dottie West, and Robin Williams.
1979-01-10, CBS, 90 min.
The 1979 Entertainer Of The Year Awards.
Host: Jackie Gleason.
1979-01-22, WCBS, 52 min.
With dry wit, a show business great marks his 100th birthday- 17 years early. Burns, who actually surpassed his 100th birthday in January of 1996 banters with many show business friends.
1979-01-22, WCBS, min.
With dry wit, a show business great marks his 100th birthday- 17 years early. Burns, who actually surpassed his 100th birthday in January of 1996 banters with many show business friends.
Duplicate of 5254.
1979-03-06, WCBS, 27 min.
1975-1978 (Syndicated). Hosted by singer Bobby Vinton, this half-hour musical variety series was produced in Toronto.
1979-03-12, WCBS, 70 min.
The most celebrated of the American directors, Alfred Hitchcock, receives the American Film Institute Life Achievement
Award. Also on hand to extend tribute are
James Stewart, Francois Truffaut, Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, and John Houseman.
1979-03-12, WCBS, min.
The most celebrated of the American directors, Alfred Hitchcock, receives the American Film Institute Life Achievement
Award. Also on hand to extend tribute are
James Stewart, Francois Truffaut, Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, and John Houseman.
Duplicate of 1157.
1979-05-22, CBS, 60 min.
Singer Helen Reddy welcomes guests Jane Fonda and Elliott Gould in this variety special.
1979-05-28, WCBS, 27 min.
1976-1981 (Syndicated). The Muppets, created by Jim Henson and company, starred in their own half-hour comedy-variety show. Each week a guest celebrity appeared. The most popular first-run syndicated series in TV history.
1979-10-07, NBC, min.
Best of The Dean Martin Show variety special.
Guests: Some in archive footage: Louis Armstrong, Ann-Margret, Jack Benny, Shirley Booth, Victor Borge, Raymond Burr, Ruth Buzzi, Johnny Carson, Suzy Cadham, Dom DeLuise, Jimmy Durante, Dale Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, Greg Garrison, Goldie Hawn, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Ken Lane, Gordon MacRae, Ed McMahon, Kay Medford, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Orson Welles, James Stewart, Roy Rogers.
1979-11-25, WABC, 78 min.
Santa Claus, his red nose reindeer Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman team up at a seaside Fourth of July circus, in this musical animated adventure. Original songs by Johnny Marks, known for writing the classic song "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer." A holiday movie Christmas special.