Word: formatting
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Dial-the-Radio. The trend away from packaged format continues, and the direction is toward talk, talk, talk. Joe Pyne, who gives his viewers a thrill by insulting guests, is running on 46 stations. David Susskind's discussion show hits 17 stations. William F. Buckley Jr., on 20 stations, commands one of the more intelligent talk shows. Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty is a regular chatterbox on local TV, joshing away with Pierre Salinger or George Jessel, and Comic Mort Sahl has found a Los Angeles TV soapbox from which to harangue an avid following with his prophecies...
...just plain relax. They have followed the puerile plot lines of the regular adventure and comedy programs only to find themselves despairing once again in the land of déjà vu. "In all these series," says Johnny Carson, "the characters are predictable, the dialogue is predictable, the format is predictable. The audience is interested in something where they don't know what's going to happen next...
...Freer Format. Lesser-known prospects get screened at pre-interview sessions. Comedienne Joan Rivers was rejected six times before she was considered ready; she has been on 18 times since. After the talent is selected, Tonight staffers rough out a crib sheet for Carson, proposing possible lines of questioning and the guest's likely answers. Carson rarely talks to the guests beforehand, lest "they leave their fight in the gymnasium...
...contrary. On the other hand, Carson did fire Tonight Producer Art Stark, who was also a close friend and associate for eleven years. Explains McMahon: "Art was more fixed in his idea of the show. Johnny has a freer idea-more explosive." Staffers say that Carson insisted on format changes-chiefly bits that would allow him to get out of his chair for more skits and business with guests-and that Stark was all for adhering to the successful formula...
Introducing Idols. Bishop, himself a first-rate stand-up comic and successful pinch hitter for Carson in the past, could not seem to find his way. Using roughly the same format as Tonight, Bishop provided little more than late-hour tedium for viewers. His guests included Buddy Greco and Sonny and Cher. Debbie Reynolds talked about Girl Scouts; Danny Thomas kidded around to little effect. Everybody plugged everybody's newest picture, recording or TV show. Bishop introduced his rabbi and a priest, and kept referring to his jitters, which needed no introduction. Dragging his microphone into the studio audience...