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.

 Alan King substitutes as host for Johnny Carson  with special guest, Bill Russell, recipient of  sportsman of the year honors.. 
                   

In Hollywood, Perry Como hosts the second annual awards. Perry's aide is swimmer Debbie Meyer, winner of four Olympic Gold Medals. Winners in eight categories are chosen by their fellow athletes; sportswriters choose the Pro Athlete of the Year. Nominees and celebrity presenters...Baseball, AL: Ken Harrelson, Red Sox; Frank Howard, Senators; Denny McLain, Tigers.
NL: Bob Gibson,Cardinals; Wille McCovey, Giants; Pete Rose, Reds.
Presenters: Danny Kaye, Roy Campanella, Joe Cronin. Basketball: Elgin Baylor,Lakers; Bill Russell, Celtics; Wes Unseld, Bullets. Presenters: Bill Cosby, Red Auerbach. 
Football: AFL: Lance Alworth, John Hadl, Chargers; Joe Namath, Jets; Paul Robinson, Bengals. NFL: Deacon Jones, Rams; Leroy Kelly, Browns; Earl Morrall, Colts. Presenters: Charlton Heston, Vince Lombardi, Sammy Baugh. Golf: Billy Casper, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino. Presenters: Jack Benny, Sam Snead. Hockey: Jean Beliveau, Canadiens; Gordie Howe, Red Wings; Bobby Hull, Black Hawks. Presenters: Art Linkletter, NHL President Clarence Campbell. Horse Racing: Braulio Baeza, Angel Cordero, Lafitt Pincay. Presenters: Kim Novak, Willie Shomaker.
Pro Athlete of the Year nominees: Denny McLain, Earl Morrall, Joe Namath. 
Sportscaster Vin Scully narrates films of the stars in action.                                                          

In Hollywood, Perry Como hosts the second annual awards. Perry's aide is swimmer Debbie Meyer, winner of four Olympic Gold Medals. Winners in eight categories are chosen by their fellow athletes; sportswriters choose the Pro Athlete of the Year. Nominees and celebrity presenters...Baseball, AL: Ken Harrelson, Red Sox; Frank Howard, Senators; Denny McLain, Tigers.
NL: Bob Gibson,Cardinals; Wille McCovey, Giants; Pete Rose, Reds.
Presenters: Danny Kaye, Roy Campanella, Joe Cronin. Basketball: Elgin Baylor,Lakers; Bill Russell, Celtics; Wes Unseld, Bullets. Presenters: Bill Cosby, Red Auerbach. 
Football: AFL: Lance Alworth, John Hadl, Chargers; Joe Namath, Jets; Paul Robinson, Bengals. NFL: Deacon Jones, Rams; Leroy Kelly, Browns; Earl Morrall, Colts. Presenters: Charlton Heston, Vince Lombardi, Sammy Baugh. Golf: Billy Casper, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino. Presenters: Jack Benny, Sam Snead. Hockey: Jean Beliveau, Canadiens; Gordie Howe, Red Wings; Bobby Hull, Black Hawks. Presenters: Art Linkletter, NHL President Clarence Campbell. Horse Racing: Braulio Baeza, Angel Cordero, Lafitt Pincay. Presenters: Kim Novak, Willie Shomaker.
Pro Athlete of the Year nominees: Denny McLain, Earl Morrall, Joe Namath. 
Sportscaster Vin Scully narrates films of the stars in action.   

Dupe of 7517                                                                    

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 W.C.Fields. 

Guests: Henny Youngman, Dr. Theodore Rubin, George Plimpton, and Bill Russell. 

David  Steinberg is guest  host standing in for Dick Cavett.

We hear Steinberg's entire monologue. Comedian Henny Youngman does a stand-up routine, and relates about his early years in show business. He idolized Milton Berle. 

George Plimpton discusses his research interviewing comedians including Woody Allen with his own objective to attempt stand-up comedy on his own. He demonstrates his "act" to the audience.  He states the most inventive and brilliant comedian of all is Jonathan Winters. 

The segment with Bill Russell runs 15 minutes.
Russell is introduced by Steinberg. He is persuaded to take a raw shack test (first thing that comes to his mind) by Steinberg. Bill describes his feelings about Wilt Chamberlin and states why he was so great (in a comedic conclusion Bill mentions that Wilt was the second best  player, ever). Russell talks about his initiative to be the first person to grow a beard as a player and how he got his reputation. Bill Russell and David Steinberg play one on one...Russell states his favorite shot a "dunk shot."

In a brief appearance, Dr. Theodore Rubin discusses his book, "Forever Thin." He states the myths about fat people, and defines "obese psychology."  

NOTE: Television commercials included.

NOTE: 15 SECOND SILENT GAP prior to David Steinberg's introduction of Dr. Theodore Rubin (track 29).
                                                                                                    

Muhammad Ali, Red Buttons, Henny Youngman, Alan King, Jack Carter, Sammy Davis Jr, George Kirby, Bill Russell, Carroll OConnor, Peter Lawford

Carroll O'Connor is host for this roasting of Sammy Davis, Jr       

Carroll O'Connor is host for this roasting of Sammy Davis, Jr.        

Celebrities gather to honor Sammy Davis, Jr. on this Frair's Roast.

Guest Roastmaster: Carroll O'Connor.             

September 17, 1970-June 27, 1974. A successful variety hour hosted by Flip Wilson. 

Repeat broadcast of October 12th, 1972.

Dupe Of # 2595.             

  A Special Report about Jackie Robinson by Howard Cosell on the day of Robinson's funeral (October 27, 1972).

Admiration of Brooklyn Dodger baseball player (1947-1956), on and off the field, by the people who knew him and admired him. This ABC TV Special is joined in progress. There are reminiscences by Ralph Branca, and  Bobby Bragan, teammates of Robinson in 1947...challenges for Jackie during his rookie year when he first played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. 
Other reflections are espoused by Buzzie Bavasi, Bill Veeck, Hank Aaron, Martin Stone, who was Jackie Robinson's attorney, Marian Logan, who worked with Jackie Robinson, basketball great Bill Russell, and eldest son of Jackie Robinson, David Robinson. 
 
At the funeral of Robinson, Jesse Jackson talks to Howard Cosell about the eulogy he just delivered.

Another segment included is an interview Howard Cosell had with Jackie Robinson as both were leaving the funeral of Gil Hodges (April 1972). Jackie looks back at his past and reflects on his life and career, including the tragic recent loss of his son Jackie Robinson Jr. 

NOTE: This SPECIAL Jackie Robinson tribute report produced by Howard Cosell is not only lost to history as a television broadcast, in any form, it is little known/remembered to even archivists that it ever was broadcast.                                                     

Howard Cosell is roasted. Featuring Milton Berle, Don Rickles, Steve Allen, David Steinberg, Ted Knight, Muhammad Ali, Merlin Olsen, Don Meredith, Bill Russell, Redd Foxx, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and Alex Karras.     

Duplicate of #6022.       

Sportscaster Howard Cosell is roasted. 

Host: David Steinberg. 

Ends Abruptly.