April 17, 1967 - December 26, 1969
Joey Bishop is host of this week-night-talk show originating live from Hollywood. Announcer and sidekick is Regis Philbin. Johnny Mann conducts the orchestra.
The ABC Late Night chair had previously been occupied by Les Crane when the show was called THE LES CRANE SHOW, and later by a succession of guest hosts (when it was called NIGHTLIFE).
Joey Bishop pays tribute to Mr. Television, Milton Berle. There is a montage of The Texaco Star Theater, starring Milton Berle.
The original Ink Spot, Bill Kenny sings a duet with Bishop. They sing "If I Didn't Care."
Note: Reel 109 recorded by Phil Gries
Bishop gave it a two & half year run but he was never able to beat Johnny Carson in the ratings, and in late November, 1969 Joey was fired by ABC. Bishop had one more month to fulfill with the show, but decided to walk out, a similar deja vu moment on TV when Jack Paar walked off his TONIGHT SHOW 13 years before.
Dick Cavett then took over the ABC late night seat after the final JOEY BISHOP SHOW which aired December 26, 1969, closing out the decade of the 60's.
