Rango (1967)

Well, after posting the oddball Tim Conway - Ernie Anderson comedy records a couple weeks ago, I thought it might be fun to take a look at this obscurity. Between his success on McHale's Navy and The Carol Burnett Show, Tim Conway starred in this western sitcom that lasted only half of the 66-67 season on ABC. Guy Marks who had just finished a stint on The Joey Bishop Show (the sitcom, not the talk show) was co-star. Complete with commercials. A lot of familiar names in the production credits of this one.

Jackie Gleason related Mystery Guests on What's My Line?

Some swell person on YouTube has been posting several different "Mystery Guest" segments from What's My Line? that have to do with either The Honeymooners or The Jackie Gleason Show. Check these out (a couple of 'em were posted here earlier this week).
Jackie Gleason
Art Carney

Audrey Meadows

Frank Fontaine

The June Taylor Dancers

Viva Cuba: Fidel Castro and Pierre Trudeau (1976)

A CBC News Documentary hosted by Don McNeill with appearances from the crotchety former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

What's My Line with mystery guests The Smothers Brothers (1967)

The Smothers Brothers appear on What's My Line? to

The Steve Allen Show with guests Foster Brooks and Jayne Meadows (1970)

He & She with guest star Charles Lane (1967)

Here is an obscure sitcom that aired on CBS in the 1967-68 season. Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss were real life husband and wife when they were cast in their roles as spouses on the program. It had future Mary Tyler Moore Show talents Jay Sandrich directing many episodes and Jack Cassidy playing the egocentric star of the TV Show Jetman - based on the comic strip that Richard Benjamin's character created. Cassidy's character seems to be a predecessor to Ted Baxter on MTM and, in fact, Cassidy once guest starred as Ted Baxter's brother on MTM. He & She also featured folk-singer turned actor and one time Smothers Brothers writer Hamilton Camp. Other unique comedy character actors appeared as well, such as Jack Sheldon and Larry Storch. This episode features the prolific and instantly recognizable character actor Charles Lane as the immigration official.

Mickey Rooney struggles with "A Piece of Shit"

Dinah! with guests Henry Winkler and David Bowie (1976) - Footage Offline - 05/23/09

The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson with guest The Backwards Talker (1988)

Cesar et les Romains (1965)

From Montreal television in the mid-sixties, les Romains were a pretty big deal for a while and most of their records are pretty good - some consisting of some fairly gritty garage, believe it or not.

The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson with guest Don Rickles (1984)

Yet another Carson appearance for Don Rickles. Watch several more by clicking on Don Rickles' name below.

Buster Keaton Plays a Little Love Song (1965)

If the clip doesn't work go here.

I have no idea what this is from, if it's actually from a movie or if it's home movie footage taken backstage somwhere, I dunno. What we do know is it is Buster Keaton and it is an appropriate clip for Valentine's Day at Classic Television Showbiz. Update: Okay, it is a clip from a good looking National Film Board of Canada documentary called Buster Keaton Rides Again - available in either VHS or DVD formats at every public library in Canada - i'll be checking it out promptly tomorrow. The NFB gave great B&W treatment to notables during this era, everyone from Paul Anka to Don Messer. Director of this film, John Spotton, was editor of the Paul Anka feature. All of these films are great.

The Love Experts with panelists David Letterman and Soupy Sales (1978)

Happy Valentines.

The Love Experts with panelists Soupy Sales and Geoff Edwards (1978)