1959-02-15, NBC, 00 min.
Steve Allen Presents The Hollywood Merit Awards.
1962-01-28, WCBS, 16 min.
Sid Caesar stands in for ailing Ed Sullivan. Guests introduced are Connie Francis and Frank Gorshin.
1962-06-17, WCBS, 26 min.
Nipsey Russell, Eagle and Man, Frank Gorshin, Robert Goulet and Dave Brubeck perform.
1962-06-19, WNBC, 10 min.
Frank Gorshin is Steve Lawrence's guest.
1962-08-23, KNBC, 15 min.
July 26, 1962-September 13, 1962; July 25, 1963-September 12, 1963.
Hosted by Vic Damone, this half-hour musical variety show was a summer replacement for "Hazel" for two seasons.
Host Vic Damone
Guests
Frank Gorshin (comedian-impressionist)
Jack Jones (singer)
Laurindo Almeida (Brazilian jazz guitarist)
Ruth Olay (West Coast Jazz singer)
Jack Marshall (lutentist)
Highlights:
Joined in progress, Jack Jones singing "Lollipops and Roses."
Later he sings "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World."
Singer of Jazz, Ruth Olay sings one number. It is a rare example of her television guest starring appearances (1957-1963). The song opens with an introduction to a Jazz instrumental with a narrator stating:
"You've got to flip for St. Louis. They got there from cardinals to seals to chimpanzees. Society cats who make the scene at the Chase Hotel. And, the kind of cats who dig back alley joints."
Ruth Olay sings:
"One name that walks right by my door today,
That man, man, walks right by my door today,
No let up. Just get goin' on his way.
Always thinking I can't hold on much more.
I can't hold on much more,
Seems like everyday I love you more than the day before.
You've been gone two years. I hope it ain't a gonna be two years more,
I need lovin bad, I'm keeping' mine in store.
Yea, when you come home I'm gonna lock you up baby like I did before, in a small pad up the California shore. And tell them all you've gone...
And lock this door and throw away the keys."
There are two solo performances by classical guitarist
Laurindo Almeida, including "Bad and the Beautiful."
Impressionist Frank Gorshin imitates Marlon Brando and Boris Karloff. Also, he sings "Mack the Knife."
NOTE:
THIS AUDIO RECORDING HAS INTERMITTENT ISSUES. IT IS A VERY DISCERNABLE, RECORDED DIRECT LINE AIR CHECK WITH EXCELLENT CLEAN PLAYBACK TONE AND VOLUME BUT THE OVER 60 YEAR OLD AUDIO TAPE HAS "CUPPING" ISSUES AND INTERMITTANTLY THE RECORDED PLAYBACK AUDIO PRODUCES A VERY SLIGHT "WOBBLING SOUND EFFECT."
HOWEVER, ENJOYABLE LISTENING TO SUCH RARE "UNAVAILABLE" PROGRAMMING.
1963-01-12, WPIX, 58 min.
The 25th Anniversary of the March of Dimes is celebrated. Hosted by Dick Powell, guest artists include Morey Amsterdam, Pearl Bailey, Richard Chamberlain, Bing Crosby, Lionel Hampton, Dean Martin, Andre Previn, Juliet Prowse, Rose Marie, Dick Van Dyke, Jane Wyatt, Ed Wynn, Connie Stevens, Neville Brand, Don Knotts, Soupy Sales, Cara Williams and Frank Gorshin.
1963-10-13, WCBS, 6 min.
Impressionist Frank Gorshin does a classic routine, "Actors in Heaven."
1964-02-09, WCBS, 59 min.
Ed Sullivan presents the USA television debut of the Beatles. This was to be the highest rated program of the 1963-1964 season. The Beatles sing five songs. Also on the show are Georgia Brown, Tessie O'Shea and impressionist Frank Gorshin. All original commercials are included in this complete historic broadcast, including the KENT cigarette commercial eliminated when this broadcast was originally converted to digital mastering, and not seen/heard since this broadcast originally aired.
1964-07-20, WNBC, 34 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.
Guest host Pat Boone welcomes his guests Debbie Reynolds, Frank Gorshin and Jack Palance.
1966-01-12, ABC, 29 min.
January 12th, 1966-March 14th, 1968 (ABC)
Fictional Gotham City is the home of Bruce Wayne, an eccentric Millionaire, and his ward Dick Grayson. Together, the masked duo caped crusaders team up to fight various kinds of crime in Gotham City. By the fall of 1966, the show began to suffer from low ratings and was canceled in March of 1968. Many famous celebrities appeared as guest stars on the show including Art Carney, Burgess Meredith, Cesar Romero, Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, and Lee Meriwether. Madge Blake appeared as Dick Grayson's aunt. Alan Napier appeared as Alfred, Bruce Wayne's butler, and the only person aware of Batman and Robin's true identity. The first episode of the series aired on February 12th, 1966 with Frank Gorshin portraying The Riddler. The show is based on the cartoon crimefighter created by Bob Kane in 1939.
Series Premiere.
1966-03-07, WNBC, 52 min.
September 27, 1962-September 3, 1967 (NBC); September 20, 1969-July 17, 1971 (NBC); 1976 (Syndicated). In 1962, Williams was finally given a fall series on NBC; the hour show lasted five seasons and featured The New Christy Minstrels and the Osmond Brothers. His third NBC series, which premiered in 1969, featured comics Charlie Callas and Irwin Corey, along with Janos Prohaska; the hour show lasted another two seasons. In 1976, Williams hosted a syndicated series, entitled "Andy." The half-hour show featured puppeteer Wayland Flowers.
1966-03-25, WNBC, 52 min.
January 7, 1966-April 22, 1966. Variety show hosted by Sammy Davis Jr.
1966-08-03, WCBS, 57 min.
June 22, 1966-September 7, 1966 (CBS); 1968 (Syndicated). The first of pop singer John Gary's variety hours was a summer replacement for "The Danny Kaye Show." The second show was a syndicated effort and featured Sammy Spear's Orchestra.
1966-09-29, 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).
1966-10-09, WCBS, 52 min.
Rock Hudson makes his TV singing debut. An hour of variety including sketches about computers, lonely souls, and the first day of school.
1966-11-01, 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.
1966-12-12, WNBC, 27 min.
September 12, 1966-December 26, 1966. Country and western singer Roger Miller hosted his own half-hour musical variety series.
1967-02-09, 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).
1967-02-25, CBS, 00 min.
Gene Kelly emcee's Jackie's 51st birthday.
1967-10-28, WCBS, 52 min.
September 29, 1962-September 12, 1970. Jackie Gleason was a fixture on CBS for most of two decades. In the fall of 1962 Gleason was back to a Saturday slot, which he occupied for another eight seasons. From 1962 to 1966 it was called "Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine," and featured topical comedy sketches as well as musical numbers. One of Gleason's characters, Joe the Bartender, appeared regularly. Addressing the camera as his patron, Joe told a few jokes before calling out the tipsy Crazy Guggenheim from the back room. Guggenheim, played by Frank Fontaine, traded quips with Joe and then sang a song. Sue Ann Langdon was also featured regularly. In 1966 Gleason moved the operation to Miami Beach. The show was retitled "The Jackie Gleason Show." For the first time in almost a decade, production of "The Honeymooners" was resumed. Gleason was reunited with Art Carney; Sheila MacRae and Jane Kean were added to play Alice and Trixie. Many of these later "Honeymooners" sketches ran a full hour, and the accent was now on music.
1968-01-08, WCBS, 37 min.
September 11, 1967-August 9, 1978. A popular variety hour hosted by Carol Burnett. On her own show, she brought together a group of talented supporting players: Harvey Korman, Lyle Waggoner, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, and Dick Van Dyke.
Carol welcomes guests Lana Turner, Julia Child, impressionist Frank Gorshin who sings impersonations. Lana meets Lyle Waggoner.
1968-03-07, NBC, 52 min.
Debbie Reynolds stars in her own hour of music and comedy.
Duplicate of # 7047
At an Army base, Debbie is the leader of an all-girl orchestra who gets help from two soldiers Bob Hope and Jim Nabors. Frank Gorshin joins her for a double-edge tour de force: a spoof of the movie classic "Grand Hotel" and 11 famous actors. Bobby Darin and Debbie portray a hip Las Vegas couple. Donald O'Connor and Debbie sing and dance numbers from their movies, and scenes from the films provide the backdrop.
Nelson Riddle Orchestra.
Highlights:
"Happy Days Are Here Again" "I Like You."- Debbie
"Mame"- Jim Nabors
"Jackson," "Hold On,I'm A'Comin," "First There Is A Mountain," "Baby Don't Leave Me," "Always,"- Debbie, Bobby Darin.
"Singing In The Rain," "The Tender Trap," "Make 'Em Laugh," " Good Morning," "I Ain't Down Yet,"- Debbie, Donald O'Connor.
1968-03-07, NBC, 00 min.
Debbie Reynolds stars in her own hour of music and comedy.
1968-10-19, WCBS, 52 min.
July 4, 1967-August 29, 1967. This program is a repeat of the show from August 1, 1967. This repeat aired on WNEW Ch. 5 a year later. This summer variety hour had no regulars. Reruns were syndicated in 1968 and 1969.
1968-12-26, 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.
1969-02-04, WABC, 52 min.
September 24, 1968-May 20, 1969. This was the "Our First Fight" 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.
1969-06-18, WNBC, 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.
1969-11-09, 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.
1969-11-27, NBC, 120 min.
The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, one of the world's largest parades, is presented by the U.S. based department store chain Macy's. The parade started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit (with both parades being four years younger than Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade). The two-hour parade is held in Manhattan from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thanksgiving Day, and has been televised nationally on NBC since 1952. Employees at Macy's department stores have the option of marching in the parade.
The 43rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade telecast live from New York City.
Hosts; Lorne Green and Betty White who would co-host The Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade from 1963 to 1972.
Scheduled to appear are Anita Gillette, Julie Wilson, Teresa Graves, David Hartman, The Four Seasons, Frank Gorshin, and The New York Mets Championship Baseball team.
The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, one of the world's largest parades, is presented by the U.S. based department store chain Macy's.The parade started in 1924,tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit (with both parades being four years younger than Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade). The two-hour parade is held in Manhattan from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thanksgiving Day, and has been televised nationally on NBC since 1952. Employees at Macy's department stores have the option of marching in the parade.
It should come as no surprise that many of the telecasts from the 1950s thru the early 1970's are lost, or not known to presently exist in any broadcast form, and only TWO pre-1980 parade exists in full. One archived segment of the November 22, 1973 NBC MACY's THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE resides at The Paley Center for Media, and a segment of the November 26, 1959 CBS coverage of the THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE is archived at The Paley Center for Media. Not one pre-1980 TV Thanksgiving Day Parade is archived by The Library of Congress or by UCLA Film & Television Archive.
Network broadcast Kinescopes and Video were either discarded, wiped, or never recorded. Video recording software (3/4" U-Matic) was first released to the Public at great cost in 1971, and the Betamax (1975) and JVC VHS (1976) gave the public a means to record television broadcasts off the air, but, to date, it seems nobody at home elected to record a complete parade and kept it making the 1971-1979 parades more likely to be found possibly only as clips than the 1952-1971 parades. Certain footage from old telecasts has been shown in anniversary specials, showing that some still exist. Bootleg copies circa 1980 to the present have been posted on You Tube...most all playback reflecting poor to fair quality till the 2000's.
During the first television years, the parade went through changes. Many of the parade's most iconic balloons were introduced in this period, such as Popeye, Bullwinkle, the Happy Dragon, Underdog, Smokey Bear, Linus the Lionhearted, Sinclair's Dino, and the first two Snoopy balloons. The toy float concept was introduced in the 1960s, with a turkey-shaped one, introduced in 1973, eventually becoming parade mascot Tom Turkey.
A few notable lost parades include the 1956 parade (when Mighty Mouse crashed at Herald Square), 1965 (the debut of Underdog), and 1971 (when all the balloons had to be removed due to bad weather).
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (partially found NBC broadcasts of parade; 1953-1980)
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual event held in New York City every Thanksgiving Day. The Parade was founded in 1924 as a Christmas pageant by Macy's immigrant employees who wanted to celebrate the holiday, akin to parades held for special occasions in Europe. The Parade is perhaps best known for its iconic helium balloons that depict characters from pop culture such as cartoon characters, brand mascots, and original Macy's characters.
History
Since 1953, NBC has held the telecast rights to the Parade prior to this, CBS broadcasted the Parade. NBC's broadcast of the Parade traditionally lasts three hours, with the first hour dedicated to performances by Broadway musicals and the Parade progressing to the finish line. The other two hours consist of the Parade itself, which features giant balloons, floats, cultural performances, celebrity appearances, and musical/talent ensembles. The Parade ends with Santa Claus riding on his own float, signaling the unofficial arrival of the holiday season.
Hosts of the NBC telecast have included such personalities as Lorne Greene, Betty White (from 1963 to 1972), Kent McCord, Martin Milner (1973), Ed McMahon (from 1974 to 1981), Helen Reddy (1975), Bryant Gumbel (from 1977 to 1980 and 1982 to 1984).
Availability
Out of the 28 Parade broadcasts that aired on NBC between 1953 and 1980, only two (1959 & 1976) of them have surfaced in full. Video recording equipment was not readily available to the general public until 1971, meaning the 1953-1970 broadcasts have a lower chance of being found than the 1971-1980 broadcasts. Clips from various pre-1980 telecasts have been used in Parade anniversary specials produced by NBC, meaning at least parts of the broadcasts remain in the NBC archives.
Notably lost parades include the 1956 Parade (when all balloons succumbed to blustery winds, with Mighty Mouse crashing in front of NBC cameras), 1960 (the debut of the Happy Dragon, Macy's longest-running singular balloon to date) and 1971 (when all the balloons had to be removed due to heavy winds and rain).
Status List of Parades recorded (Kinescope/Video Tape/ Audio).
# Year Status Notes
01 1953 Lost
02 1954 Lost
03 1955 Lost
04 1956 Lost
05 1957 Lost Phil Gries founder of Archival Television Audio, Inc. filmed two minutes of color 8mm film at the parade capturing images of Bill "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd riding his horse Topper, the debut of the Popeye Balloon, and the Turkey Balloon, and the Soldier Balloon.
06 1958 Partially Found. Clips of the Spaceman balloon exist, and Phil Gries founder of Archival Television Audio, Inc. filmed three minutes of 8mm color film at the parade capturing images of actor George Montgomery on horseback, Benny Goodman and band float, and the Spaceman balloon navigated by crane (helium-in-flated balloons this one year was not used because the government missile program caused a cutback in helium supplies for civilian use),
07 1959 Found (Complete Kinescope)
08 1960 Lost
09 1961 Partially Found
A clip of one of the Marching Bands exist online. Partially Found Footage of Donald Duck was used as part of a special in 2011 and footage of Bullwinkle was used in 2016.
10 1962 Audio of the final five minutes ending including arrival of Santa Claus and sign off is archived in the collection of Archival Television Audio, Inc.
11 1963 Partially Found. Footage of the start was used as part of a special in 2011.
12 1964 Partially Found
13 1965 Partially Found. Footage of the Dino balloon and the Monroe Girls Corp exist online and can be viewed on You Tube and on Facebook.
14 1966 Audio Exists of the complete parade archived in
the collection of Archival Television audio, Inc. (two hours).
15 1967 Partially Found Audio of the Carlisle High School Marching Band and the first few seconds of The Happening's performance on the "Rock Candy Mountain" float exists on You Tube.
16 1968 Lost
17 1969 Partially Found Footage of the Broadway cast of Jimmy Performing exists, as does the complete audio air check archived in the collection of Archival Television Audio, Inc. (two hours).
18 1970 Partially Found Stills of Dino and Donald Duck exist.
19 1971 Partially Found.
20 1972 The complete audio air check of the parade is archived in the collection of Archival Television Audio, Inc. (two hours).
21 1973 The complete audio air check of the parade is archived in the collection of Archival Television Audio, Inc. (two hours).
22 1974 Partially Found
23 1975 Partially Found Audio of the Christian County High School Band exists on YouTube.
24 1976 Found, and the complete Audio Audio Air Check is archived in the collection of Archival Television Audio, Inc.
25 1977 The complete 173 minute TV Audio Air Check is archived in the collection of Archival Television Audio, Inc. (Partial NBC and CBS television broadcasts audio recoded as broadcast simultaneously).
26 1978 Partially Found CBS' unofficial airing of the
Parade is found; however, NBC's broadcast remains lost.
27 1979 Partially Found.
28 1980 Partially Lost. The majority of the 1980 Parade is found with approximately 30 minutes missing.
Surviving Videos:
|
The 1959 Parade, the oldest surviving parade in full.
The 1976 Parade, the 2nd oldest surviving parade in full.
Parts of the 1972 Parade.
The intro, band performances and Santa Claus from the 1979 Parade.
Wrangler Belles performance from the 1971 parade.
Wrangler Belles performance from the 1973 parade.
Wrangler Belles performance from the 1977 parade and longer introduction to the 1977 Parade.
The Broadway Cast of Jimmy Performing "The Mayor of New York" in 1969.
Diana Ross's famous appearance in 1979.
Sinclair's Dino in the 1965 Parade.
The Village People performance in 1978.
Tom Turkey, known in 1974 as the Toy Turkey, makes his second appearance.
The Patriot Band performance in 1978.
The Independence High School 76th Cavalry Band in 1978.
The Salem High School Marching Band performance and Santa Claus in 1977.
Mason Reese performance in 1975.
The Dover High School Tornado Band performance in 1972.
The Ohio Youth Choir in 1975
Audio of the Christian County High School Marching Colonels performance in 1975.
The Spring Branch Sr. High School Marching Band performance in 1974.
The Spring Branch Bruin Brigade performance in 1974.
Audio of the Carlisle High School Marching Band performance in 1967.
Short silent clips of the 1966 Parade.
1970-01-04, WCBS, 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.
Dupe of #2375.
1970-01-04, 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.
1970-11-11, WNBC, 52 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. This was the pilot for the series "The Kopykats." 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.
1971-04-19, NBC, 45 min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992.
Joey Bishop subs for Johnny Carson tonight.
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.
1971-04-19, 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.
Guest host: Joey Bishop. Guests: Billy Daniels, Don Rickles, Frank Gorshin, Alice Faye.
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.
1971-05-15, WABC, 52 min.
February 7, 1969-January 15, 1971. This broadcast was a Special. Tom Jones hosted his own musical variety hour, which also featured Big Jim Sullivan and The Ace Trucking Company.
1971-12-06, WCBS, 27 min.
1971 (Syndicated). On this half-hour musical series host Johnny Mann, together with the Johnny Mann Singers and assorted guests, sang the praises of the good old U.S.A.
1972-01-19, WABC, 52 min.
January 12, 1972-April 5, 1972. This was the first broadcast of the series. Seven segments of this thirteen-week comedy-variety series brought together a group of highly talented impressionists calling themselves The Kopykats: Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, Charlie Callas, Joe Baker and Fred Travalena (last four segments). Those segments were later syndicated under the title "The Kopykats." Guest hosts included Steve Lawrence (January 19), Orson Welles with Ron Moody (January 26), Ed Sullivan with Will Jordan (February 9), Raymond Burr (February 23), Robert Young (March 8), Debbie Reynolds (March 22) and Tony Curtis (April 5).
1972-01-26, WABC, 52 min.
January 12, 1972-April 5, 1972. Seven segments of this thirteen-week comedy-variety series brought together a group of highly talented impressionists calling themselves The Kopykats: Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, Charlie Callas, Joe Baker and Fred Travalena (last four segments). Those segments were later syndicated under the title "The Kopykats." Guest hosts included Steve Lawrence (January 19), Orson Welles with Ron Moody (January 26), Ed Sullivan with Will Jordan (February 9), Raymond Burr (February 23), Robert Young (March 8), Debbie Reynolds (March 22) and Tony Curtis (April 5).
1972-02-09, WABC, 52 min.
January 12, 1972-April 5, 1972. Seven segments of this thirteen-week comedy-variety series brought together a group of highly talented impressionists calling themselves The Kopykats: Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, Charlie Callas, Joe Baker and Fred Travalena (last four segments). Those segments were later syndicated under the title "The Kopykats." Guest hosts included Steve Lawrence (January 19), Orson Welles with Ron Moody (January 26), Ed Sullivan with Will Jordan (February 9), Raymond Burr (February 23), Robert Young (March 8), Debbie Reynolds (March 22) and Tony Curtis (April 5).
1972-02-23, WABC, 52 min.
January 12, 1972-April 5, 1972. Seven segments of this thirteen-week comedy-variety series brought together a group of highly talented impressionists calling themselves The Kopykats: Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, Charlie Callas, Joe Baker and Fred Travalena (last four segments). Those segments were later syndicated under the title "The Kopykats." Guest hosts included Steve Lawrence (January 19), Orson Welles with Ron Moody (January 26), Ed Sullivan with Will Jordan (February 9), Raymond Burr (February 23), Robert Young (March 8), Debbie Reynolds (March 22) and Tony Curtis (April 5).
1972-02-29, NBC, 60 min.
A salute to the Golden Age of musicals from the 1940's.
Host: Tennessee Ernie Ford.
1972-03-08, WABC, 52 min.
January 12, 1972-April 5, 1972. Seven segments of this thirteen-week comedy-variety series brought together a group of highly talented impressionists calling themselves The Kopykats: Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, Charlie Callas, Joe Baker and Fred Travalena (last four segments). Those segments were later syndicated under the title "The Kopykats." Guest hosts included Steve Lawrence (January 19), Orson Welles with Ron Moody (January 26), Ed Sullivan with Will Jordan (February 9), Raymond Burr (February 23), Robert Young (March 8), Debbie Reynolds (March 22) and Tony Curtis (April 5).
1972-03-22, WABC, 52 min.
January 12, 1972-April 5, 1972. Seven segments of this thirteen-week comedy-variety series brought together a group of highly talented impressionists calling themselves The Kopykats: Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, Charlie Callas, Joe Baker and Fred Travalena (last four segments). Those segments were later syndicated under the title "The Kopykats." Guest hosts included Steve Lawrence (January 19), Orson Welles with Ron Moody (January 26), Ed Sullivan with Will Jordan (February 9), Raymond Burr (February 23), Robert Young (March 8), Debbie Reynolds (March 22) and Tony Curtis (April 5).
1972-04-05, WABC, 52 min.
January 12, 1972-April 5, 1972. This was the final broadcast of the series. Seven segments of this thirteen-week comedy-variety series brought together a group of highly talented impressionists calling themselves The Kopykats: Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, Charlie Callas, Joe Baker and Fred Travalena (last four segments). Those segments were later syndicated under the title "The Kopykats." Guest hosts included Steve Lawrence (January 19), Orson Welles with Ron Moody (January 26), Ed Sullivan with Will Jordan (February 9), Raymond Burr (February 23), Robert Young (March 8), Debbie Reynolds (March 22) and Tony Curtis (April 5).
1973-01-15, WCBS, 27 min.
1971 (Syndicated). On this half-hour musical series host Johnny Mann, together with the Johnny Mann Singers and assorted guests, sang the praises of the good old U.S.A.
1973-12-15, WABC, min.
January 12, 1972-April 5, 1972. This was the final broadcast of the series. Seven segments of this thirteen-week comedy-variety series brought together a group of highly talented impressionists calling themselves The Kopykats: Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, George Kirby, Marilyn Michaels, Charlie Callas, Joe Baker and Fred Travalena (last four segments). Those segments were later syndicated under the title "The Kopykats." Guest hosts included Steve Lawrence (January 19), Orson Welles with Ron Moody (January 26), Ed Sullivan with Will Jordan (February 9), Raymond Burr (February 23), Robert Young (March 8), Debbie Reynolds (March 22) and Tony Curtis (April 5).
Host: Tony Curtis.
1974-03-18, WCBS, min.
The second annual AFI life achievement salute goes to 30 year veteran film actor James Cagney. Celebrity honors come from Doris Day, Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, California Governor Ronald Reagan, George C. Scott, John Wayne, Mae Clarke, Frank Gorshin, Bob Hope, George Segal, and Cicely Tyson. Frank Sinatra is the host. There are some commercials.
Duplicate of #827.
1974-03-18, WCBS, 80 min.
The second annual AFI life achievement salute goes to 30 year veteran film actor James Cagney. Celebrity honors come from Doris Day, Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, California Governor Ronald Reagan, George C. Scott, John Wayne, Mae Clarke, Frank Gorshin, Bob Hope, George Segal, and Cicely Tyson. Frank Sinatra is the host. There are some commercials.
1975-02-27, WNBC, 52 min.
Jackie Gleason plays the fatted calf to a host of roasters, including Gene Kelly, Milton Berle, Phyllis Diller, Art Carney, Sid Caesar, Danny Thomas, Frank Gorshin, Nipsey Russell, Audrey Meadows, Sheila MacRae and Foster Brooks in this "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
1975-02-27, NBC, 52 min.
Jackie Gleason plays the fatted calf to a host of roasters, including Gene Kelly, Milton Berle, Phyllis Diller, Art Carney, Sid Caesar, Danny Thomas, Frank Gorshin, Nipsey Russell, Audrey Meadows, Sheila MacRae and Foster Brooks in this "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
Dupe Of # 2120.
