| RetroFlections |
Editor’s Note: Sometimes casting one mind back can be entertaining. Two opportunities for a little retroflection are
The Tomorrow Show hosted by Tom Snyder, which highlights his segments dedicated to punk rock and Dick Cavett’s
Rock Icons. Both are available of DVD released by the Shout Factory.
The Tomorrow Show hosted by Tom Snyder, which highlights his segments dedicated to punk rock and Dick Cavett’s
Rock Icons. Both are available of DVD released by the Shout Factory.
The Dick Cavett Show – Rock Icons
By: D. E. Keith
As the sixties slipped into the seventies the Dick Cavett Show hit the airwaves.
Unlike the not-so-hip tonight show hosted by Johnny Carson, Cavett was different.
He was younger, in an intellectual geeky sort of way. I’ll admit his interviewing
style left a lot to be desired, but it was more his quirky style than a conscience
effort to ask stupid or inane questions. Cavett was sincerely shy in his approach
and I think that worked to his advantage when dealing with artists who were shy
or reclusive in a one-on-one setting - or just plain stoned .
When you’re the # 2 guy in the late show ratings war, you can dare to take risks.
Cavett did both politically and musically. At that point in time, television rarely
embraced political or radical ideas. Rock’n Roll and anti war sentiments were
considered over the top for mainstream media, but Cavett had the balls to go
out on a limb. More than once, Jane Fonda appeared on his show, for extensive
interviews and discussion of her anti-war activities. Senator John Kerry also
appeared on Cavett’s show to discuss and debate his views as a returning
Vietnam veteran in 1971.
By: D. E. Keith
As the sixties slipped into the seventies the Dick Cavett Show hit the airwaves.
Unlike the not-so-hip tonight show hosted by Johnny Carson, Cavett was different.
He was younger, in an intellectual geeky sort of way. I’ll admit his interviewing
style left a lot to be desired, but it was more his quirky style than a conscience
effort to ask stupid or inane questions. Cavett was sincerely shy in his approach
and I think that worked to his advantage when dealing with artists who were shy
or reclusive in a one-on-one setting - or just plain stoned .
When you’re the # 2 guy in the late show ratings war, you can dare to take risks.
Cavett did both politically and musically. At that point in time, television rarely
embraced political or radical ideas. Rock’n Roll and anti war sentiments were
considered over the top for mainstream media, but Cavett had the balls to go
out on a limb. More than once, Jane Fonda appeared on his show, for extensive
interviews and discussion of her anti-war activities. Senator John Kerry also
appeared on Cavett’s show to discuss and debate his views as a returning
Vietnam veteran in 1971.
| The Tomorrow Show Pulls In The Punks By: D. E. Keith |
I’m sure most of you have no idea as to who Tom Snyder is, or that he
hosted a late night talk show entitled The Tomorrow Show in the 1970’s and
80’s. Only a handful of you might remember him via Dan Akyroid’s parody
on Saturday Night Live in the mid-70’s.
Snyder wasn’t the hippest guy on television, but he did try to be open to new
experiences if not new ideas. On occasion, Snyder hosted various punk
rockers in the mid-70’s and early 80’s including The Clash (which oddly
doesn’t appear on this collection). Shock Factory has released the
Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder – Punk /New-Wave encounters on DVD.
In all its glory, the appearances and interviews with artists like Patti Smith,
Elis Costello, The Ramones and Iggy Pop are all unique and interesting for
its time. Snyder interviews with punk royalty are surreal and comical as are
some of the not-so-serious discussions on the state of rock’n roll and the
impact of punk music on the whole genre. Key highlights include:
hosted a late night talk show entitled The Tomorrow Show in the 1970’s and
80’s. Only a handful of you might remember him via Dan Akyroid’s parody
on Saturday Night Live in the mid-70’s.
Snyder wasn’t the hippest guy on television, but he did try to be open to new
experiences if not new ideas. On occasion, Snyder hosted various punk
rockers in the mid-70’s and early 80’s including The Clash (which oddly
doesn’t appear on this collection). Shock Factory has released the
Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder – Punk /New-Wave encounters on DVD.
In all its glory, the appearances and interviews with artists like Patti Smith,
Elis Costello, The Ramones and Iggy Pop are all unique and interesting for
its time. Snyder interviews with punk royalty are surreal and comical as are
some of the not-so-serious discussions on the state of rock’n roll and the
impact of punk music on the whole genre. Key highlights include:
1. An insightful sit-down interview with Patti Smith - Not to be missed.
2. The Ramones performance and interview. The interview suffers along due in part to fill-in host Kelly Lange.
3. The no-so-insightful panel discussion: Punk rocks impact on music. Panelist include: Snyder, Kim Fowler,
Bill Graham, Robert Hilburn, Joan Jett and Pail Weller.
4. Performances and interviews with Iggy Pop, Elis Costello, The Jam, Wendy O’Williams and The Plasmatics
and PIL a.k.a. John Lydon – who proves once again what a rude talentless asshole he’s always been.
Love it or hate The Tomorrow Show - this DVD offers up a rare treasure collection of rock history everyone
should experience at least once.
2. The Ramones performance and interview. The interview suffers along due in part to fill-in host Kelly Lange.
3. The no-so-insightful panel discussion: Punk rocks impact on music. Panelist include: Snyder, Kim Fowler,
Bill Graham, Robert Hilburn, Joan Jett and Pail Weller.
4. Performances and interviews with Iggy Pop, Elis Costello, The Jam, Wendy O’Williams and The Plasmatics
and PIL a.k.a. John Lydon – who proves once again what a rude talentless asshole he’s always been.
Love it or hate The Tomorrow Show - this DVD offers up a rare treasure collection of rock history everyone
should experience at least once.
| ©Indietude.com 2006 |
In the early days of Rock’n Roll, artists had an unwritten policy regarding certain shows and venues.
1. You don’t play Las Vegas (it was waayyyy different in those days)
2. You don’t play The Tonight show with Johnny Carson
The times were very different and the reasons were obvious, but rock artists did appear on Cavett’s show. They
seemed to be no worse for wear from the experience. Both John Lennon and Janis Joplin seemed to enjoy the
experience very much.
Shout Factory’s DVD entitled ‘Rock Icons’ is a treasure trove of legendary Rock hero’s who helped change the face
of late night variety viewing. The collection also allows the viewer to experience the 90-minute shows in their entirety.
It also shows how lacking or vaporous today’s late night viewing has become. Today you only get to experience some
shallow minded entertainer for about 10 minutes (to make room for all those commercials) and then they’re gone. On
Cavett’s (and Carson’s) show, each guest just moved over to make room for the next guest and all were encouraged
to converse.
Some very entertaining moments surfaced between guests, proving the point that people with various viewpoints
spoke civilly and with respect. Some of the incredible highlights include:
- Various appearances by Janis Joplin. Joplin seemed to enjoy the group discussions very much and expressed her
views concisely. The most precious moment was when she appeared with Racquel Welsh who proved beyond a
shadow of a doubt why she’s only known for the size of her boobs. Watching the segments with Joplin just made
me miss her presence all the more.
- The 1972 interviews with the Rolling Stones (which is incomplete). The collection only features Jagger’s interview
and if memory serves – is incomplete also. What’s missing is the famous Bill Wyman mini-interview with him smoking
a joint on national TV... Priceless.
- Performances and interview with David Bowie circa 1974 /Diamond Dogs phase.
- Performance and interview with George Harrison after the Beatles break-up and his benefit concert for Bangladesh.
- Post Woodstock show featuring performances by the Jefferson Airplane, Joni Mitchell, David Crosby & Stephen Stills.
- Performance and interviews with Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon.
What’s missing in this collection is Jimi Hendrix. If memory serves, he made an appearance on Cavett’s show a little
after Woodstock, and of course the appearances of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The latter appears on a separate
DVD release, which I hope to highlight in the coming months.
All in all – it’s a solid collection. Yeah, the clothes might look a little funky and dated, but Cavett’s show was cutting
edge for a whole new rock generation. Cavett exuded enough humor, charm and intelligence to let these artists
express themselves without the usual crap about their hair and dress.
If ever young artist want an education in rock history, this is a good place to start. For those of us who saw it the first
time around, this release is a nice memory trip. It also reminds us how vapid television late night talk is today.
1. You don’t play Las Vegas (it was waayyyy different in those days)
2. You don’t play The Tonight show with Johnny Carson
The times were very different and the reasons were obvious, but rock artists did appear on Cavett’s show. They
seemed to be no worse for wear from the experience. Both John Lennon and Janis Joplin seemed to enjoy the
experience very much.
Shout Factory’s DVD entitled ‘Rock Icons’ is a treasure trove of legendary Rock hero’s who helped change the face
of late night variety viewing. The collection also allows the viewer to experience the 90-minute shows in their entirety.
It also shows how lacking or vaporous today’s late night viewing has become. Today you only get to experience some
shallow minded entertainer for about 10 minutes (to make room for all those commercials) and then they’re gone. On
Cavett’s (and Carson’s) show, each guest just moved over to make room for the next guest and all were encouraged
to converse.
Some very entertaining moments surfaced between guests, proving the point that people with various viewpoints
spoke civilly and with respect. Some of the incredible highlights include:
- Various appearances by Janis Joplin. Joplin seemed to enjoy the group discussions very much and expressed her
views concisely. The most precious moment was when she appeared with Racquel Welsh who proved beyond a
shadow of a doubt why she’s only known for the size of her boobs. Watching the segments with Joplin just made
me miss her presence all the more.
- The 1972 interviews with the Rolling Stones (which is incomplete). The collection only features Jagger’s interview
and if memory serves – is incomplete also. What’s missing is the famous Bill Wyman mini-interview with him smoking
a joint on national TV... Priceless.
- Performances and interview with David Bowie circa 1974 /Diamond Dogs phase.
- Performance and interview with George Harrison after the Beatles break-up and his benefit concert for Bangladesh.
- Post Woodstock show featuring performances by the Jefferson Airplane, Joni Mitchell, David Crosby & Stephen Stills.
- Performance and interviews with Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon.
What’s missing in this collection is Jimi Hendrix. If memory serves, he made an appearance on Cavett’s show a little
after Woodstock, and of course the appearances of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The latter appears on a separate
DVD release, which I hope to highlight in the coming months.
All in all – it’s a solid collection. Yeah, the clothes might look a little funky and dated, but Cavett’s show was cutting
edge for a whole new rock generation. Cavett exuded enough humor, charm and intelligence to let these artists
express themselves without the usual crap about their hair and dress.
If ever young artist want an education in rock history, this is a good place to start. For those of us who saw it the first
time around, this release is a nice memory trip. It also reminds us how vapid television late night talk is today.
