A young Leno dreams of one day changing these curtains. (‘The Tonight Show,’ 1977)
This time on A Johnny Carson Moment we take a trip back in time to March 2nd, 1977 and catch Jay Leno in his first appearance on The Tonight Show. 15 years later Leno would take over from Carson as host of the show and enjoy 22 years in that position. Do the time warp.
Previously on A Johnny Carson Moment: Andy Kaufman’s Elvis transformation
Behind each Sprite factory grows a grove of Lymon trees.
“Lymon is the secret of Sprite”
Our Daily 70s Spot is a Sprite commercial featuring a country music hoedown. And Lymon. Lots of Lymon – that freakish, magical mix of lemon and lime. Commercial aired in 1977.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Tic Tac ‘mouth whack’ (1977)
‘Kotch’ opening title, 1971
Kotch, the only film directed by Jack Lemmon, hit theaters in September of 1971. The movie stars Lemmon’s buddy, Walter Matthau as Joseph Kotcher, a retired salesman who befriends a pregnant teenager played by Deborah Winters. This charming comedic drama deals with old age, loneliness and changing moral values.
I viewed Kotch this evening, and while I wouldn’t call the film a classic, the always charismatic Matthau is a pleasure to watch and he received an Academy Award nomination for his role. Larry Linville, later to co-star in M.A.S.H., has a small but effective part (in his first movie role) as Winters’ brother.
Walter Matthau and Deborah Winters (‘Kotch,’ 1971)
The TV trailer below lists the film as rated “GP,” for “Parental Guidance.” A few years later the designation was changed to “PG.”
Previously on Trailer Tuesday: ‘Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid’ (1973)
“Berry on one side and cherry on the other.” (Eric Laneuville for Tic Tac, 1977)
“There’s only one Tic Tac. The original mouth whack.”
Our Daily 70s spot contains no innuendo whatsoever. It’s for Tic Tac breath mints and was part of their ‘mouth whack’ campaign. The actor at the end of the spot is Eric Laneuville of Room 222 and The White Shadow. Commercial aired in 1977.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: ‘The FBI’ ABC promo (1972)
“Make it last all night…” (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1978)
Happy Monday, musical maniacs. Here’s a good one. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performing “American Girl” live on the UK’s Old Grey Whistle Test in 1978.
“American Girl” was recorded on July 4th, 1976, the American Bicentennial, and appeared on Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ self-titled debut L.P. of November ’76.
Previously, on Music for Monday: The Rolling Stones, ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll’ (live ’75)
Inspector Lewis Erskine in action on ‘The FBI.’ (1972)
“Efrem Zimbalist Jr. stars in ‘The FBI.'”
Here’s an action-packed Daily 70s Spot for the start of a new week. Check out an ABC promo for the TV series “The FBI.” The detective series ran from 1965 to 1974. This particular commercial aired on New Year’s Day, 1972.
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Pepsi ‘Live!’ (1973)