The Mike Douglas Show with guest Sly Stone - In the world of the internet, footage previously sought after for decades can suddenly make an appearance out of nowhere. The teenage Frank Zappa appearing on The Steve Allen Show to "play the bicycle" is a good example. Then just as fast, in the world of the internet, that footage can suddenly disappear, usually at the behest of lawyers, never to be seen again. Not quite a year ago, there was some marvelous footage of Sly Stone appearing on The Dick Cavett Show, his coke nose glistening under the bright studio lights, while he spoke nonsense in a drug-induced haze. Another clip of Stone on Cavett had him sharing the panel with Muhammad Ali who at one point told Sly to shut up because, "You're making [Black people] look bad in front of millions of white folk." This clip comes a few years later and Douglas asks why he never sees Sly Stone on any of the talk shows. Stone refers to having "a reputation." Stone has things more together in this interview, making the footage slightly less fun than the aforementioned, but it is entertaining regardless.
The Joe Pyne Show - There isn't much left to say about old man Pyne other than he was a total asshole with a totally entertaining show. Pyne had more left-wing guests on than anybody else I can think of who had a talk show in the sixties - bizarre, seeing as how he was one of the most vocally right-wing around. Unlike the talking heads on the right of today, Pyne gave the guests he disagreed with a great deal of time to make their point... and then proceeded to insult them. This entertaining episode found its way onto the internet the other day.
Kiddie-A-Go-Go - This Chicago kiddie program that had kindergarteners movin' it to garage rock bands has since found cult status. Watch this full fifteen minute episode and you'll find out why.
The Bob Hope Special with guest Telly Savalas - This should be pretty self-explanatory - provided you're familiar with Savalas' many horrible attempts at singing and the handful of LPs he released during the height of his fame. Let's see how far you can get through the labored "comedic" back and forth that Hope and Savalas exchange before breaking into song.
The Joke's On Us with Nipsey Russell, Jack Carter, Marty Allen and Maurice LaMarche - I'm pretty sure the "us" in the title of this, one of the worst game shows you'll ever see, is the viewing audience. It features a panel of old forgotten comedians, the guy who went on to voice Brain in Pinky and the Brain, a more-painful-than-usual Monty Hall and plenty of casio synthesizer in the background.
60 Minutes profiles Mad Magazine - In the late eighties, Morely Safer brought the 60 Minutes cameras to the offices of Mad Magazine to tape an interview with eccentric and legendary Mad (and EC Comics) publisher William M. Gaines and three of the most enduring members of the Usual Gang of Idiots. It's an insightful look into the likes of a publication that invented the punk rock attitude and a style of publishing that, since Gaines' passing, we're unlikely to ever see again.
To Tell the Truth featuring William M. Gaines - Here's another great Mad Magazine moment, this one hitting the internet a couple hours ago (Monday, January 14th, 2 am). A panel including Bill Cullen and Gene Rayburn asks, "Will the real publisher of Mad Magazine, please stand up?" A rare gem!
Thanks for these, Kliph. Do you know if Paul Krassner's famous "debate" with Joe Pyne is circulating out there?
Posted by: Cornelius | January 13, 2008 at 06:36 PM