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Friday, April 8, 2016
The Tonight Show with guest host Gene Rayburn and featuring Dick DeBartolo (1965)
I was there that night or rather, at the other end of the cathode ray tube. It was a young student of comedy and a huge fan of The Tonight Show and I still remember that show clearly 50 years later. I was astounded how easily Gene Rayburn fit right into the host's chair as if he'd been doing it all his life. He did have all that experience working with Steve Allen during an earlier incarnation of The Tonight Show so that may have helped. Having a helluva lot of talent helped a too. I'm pretty sure he was never invited back to guest host again and and I'm pretty sure it was because he was too good at it.
I was there that night or rather, at the other end of the cathode ray tube. It was a young student of comedy and a huge fan of The Tonight Show and I still remember that program clearly 50 years later. I was astounded how easily Gene Rayburn fit right into the host's chair as if he'd been doing it all his life. He did have all that experience working with Steve Allen during an earlier incarnation of The Tonight Show so that may have helped. Having a helluva lot of talent helped.too. I'm pretty sure he was never invited back to guest host again and and I'm pretty sure it was because he was just too good at it.
Later? Dick DeBartolo was writing the questions on MATCH GAME when this show happened. That's how Gene Rayburn knew him. DeBartolo was also a major contributor to MAD magazine, from that time to the present day.
Dick later wrote the raunchier questions on Gene's MATCH GAME.
ReplyDeleteI was there that night or rather, at the other end of the cathode ray tube.
ReplyDeleteIt was a young student of comedy and a huge fan of The Tonight Show and I still remember that show clearly 50 years later. I was astounded how easily Gene Rayburn fit right into the host's chair as if he'd been doing it all his life. He did have all that experience working with Steve Allen during an earlier incarnation of The Tonight Show so that may have helped. Having a helluva lot of talent helped a too.
I'm pretty sure he was never invited back to guest host again and and I'm pretty sure it was because he was too good at it.
I was there that night or rather, at the other end of the cathode ray tube.
ReplyDeleteIt was a young student of comedy and a huge fan of The Tonight Show and I still remember that program clearly 50 years later. I was astounded how easily Gene Rayburn fit right into the host's chair as if he'd been doing it all his life. He did have all that experience working with Steve Allen during an earlier incarnation of The Tonight Show so that may have helped. Having a helluva lot of talent helped.too.
I'm pretty sure he was never invited back to guest host again and and I'm pretty sure it was because he was just too good at it.
Later?
ReplyDeleteDick DeBartolo was writing the questions on MATCH GAME when this show happened.
That's how Gene Rayburn knew him.
DeBartolo was also a major contributor to MAD magazine, from that time to the present day.
Dick DeBartolo was also a writer for Mad Magazine.
ReplyDeleteDick DeBartolo was also a writer for Mad Magazine.
ReplyDeleteThat was the best pratfall in the history of Tonight Show comedy. And I totally fell for it.
ReplyDeleteI remember Gene Rayburn and his hosting of the Match Game. You have a great blog, I really enjoy vintage and classics. :)
ReplyDeleteChecking in from North of the Border:
ReplyDeleteBought the book.....it's WONDERFUL!
2 Questions
Will there be a Candadian edition?
Why didn't you do it in THREE volumes?
;^)
Thanks MUCH for ALL your efforts.
Keep on chooglin'!