Hide Article Text (OCR)
TV specials wellpresented in prime timeYin-edi-and30)an-srserin,ise.istsida,ch-he-forme:issuingforSO)mafhe30)ing(D.fd-ing(C)aletdeBy RICK DU BROWHOLLYWOOD (UPI)—NBC-TV Wednesday night gave viewers a taste of what might well become a part of television’s future—a prime time lineup composed entirely of special programs.The network offered four one-shot shows: One by Bill Cosby, another by Johnny Carson, a third by Diana Ross and The Supremes, and the fourth a musical-variety tribute to artist Norman Rockwell.Cosby’s show, a half-hour cartoon entry based on characters from his monologues| was entitled “Hey, Hey, Hey—It’s Fat Albert,” and was charming. Furthermore, it was a unique contribution: The first animated network show this viewer remembers in which virtually all the characters were Negro — certainly a development that is important for black children who usually find no one who represents them in video cartoons.The basic plot of Cosby’s' Wednesday show, for which he! did various voices, concerned! efforts by neighborhood kids to: get big, fat Albert to play on their side in a football game against some cocky challen-, gers. My own favorite part of| the show came when the boys went to see a triple feature “Wolf Man” movie presentation at the local theater. It was here that Cosby’s remarkable feel for boyhood memories was just plain delightful, and true.Carson’s hour, meanwhile, was all comedy, with Gporge C.Scott, Maureen Stapleton and Marian Mercer rounding out the exceptional • cast. There were two high points. One was Carson’s famous “Deputy John” routine, about a television children’s show host who turns up for work with a terrific hangover.The other, surprisingly, was a wholly serious, brief vignette showing a video pitchman in one of those offensive ads in which children are exhorted to tell their parents to go out and buy them an expensive toy—say $25 or $30. As the camera pulled back from the television screen, it showed a Negro mother and her children in their home, where obviously no one could afford $25 or $30 toys.The Carson hour also had excellent moments in an awards ceremony for sleazy films. But at other times, the cast was often superior to some of the material it got to work with. All four principals are fine farceurs, and Neil Simon should have been the head writer.Miss Ross and the Supremes, meanwhile, teamed again with the Temptations in an hour musical aimed right at their large following. And the Rockwell tribute had its best moments when the personable, modest artist came on to chat with host Jonathan Winters, and when his drawings were seen. Dick Smothers and Michele Lee joined with Winters in various numbers built around the famous illustrations.WAS! ports s can Pi
Newspaper Details
Redlands Daily Facts
Redlands, California, US
Thu, Nov 13, 1969
Page 26
Full Page
Clipped by
Anthony V.
USA 13 Apr 2019
Other Publications Near Redlands, California
Redlands Daily Facts
