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TV - Specials / Variety Show guest appearances

 

Airdate
Network
Show
11/24/1949
CBS
The Ed Wynn Show
12/8/1949
CBS
The Ed Wynn Show
1/7/1962
synd
New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers
2/25/1962
KTTV
Stop Arthritis Telethon
4/12/1962
KHJ
Thalian Circus Benefit
4/17/1964
NBC
Bob Hope Comedy Special
5/25/1964
NBC
16th Annual Emmy Awards
9/13/1964
ABC
ABC's Wide World of Entertainment
10/17/1964
NBC
A Purex Dinah Shore Special
1/1/1965
synd
The Big Little Show
2/6/1965
ABC
The Hollywood Palace
10/23/1965
ABC
The Hollywood Palace
1/31/1966
NBC
The Andy Williams Show
5/22/1966
CBS
18th Annual Emmy Awards
9/9/1966
ABC
The Milton Berle Show
11/29/1967
NBC
The Bob Hope Show
early 68
ABC
American Sportsman 
1968
synd
Portrait Of A Star
6/23/1968
KHJ
Pat Boone Celebrity Golf Classic
11/6/1968
NBC
Chrysler Presents The Bob Hope Comedy Special
11/14/1968
NBC
The Dean Martin Show
12/6/1968
ABC
The Don Rickles Show
1/13/1969
NBC
Laugh-In
9/10/1969
NBC
Monsanto Night Presents Lena Horne
9/25/1969
NBC
The Dean Martin Show
2/7/1970
ABC
The Hollywood Palace
8/10/1970
BBC
The World of Bob Hope
9/27/1970
CBS
The Tim Conway Comedy Hour
11/4/1970
NBC
Bell System Family Theater "Highlights Of The Ice Capades"
11/18/1970
NBC
The Kraft Music Hall "Don Adams Investigates The Detectives"
5/9/1971
NBC
The 23rd Annual Emmy Awards
7/22/1972
WBAL
Flood Relief Telethon
9/14/1973
NBC
NFL Awards Show
9/15/1973
NBC
Democratic National Telethon - America Goes Public
12/4/1973
NBC
A Show Business Salute To Milton Berle
4/5/1974
NBC
The Dean Martin Comedy Hour
8/22/1974
synd?
Bill Daily's Hocus Pocus Gang
4/8/1975
NBC
Bob Hope Special - Gillette Cavalcade of Champions
3/5/1976
NBC
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope In "Joys: A Comedy Whodunit"
1/10/1977
CBS
Circus Of The Stars
6/12/1977
ABC
The Hidden Universe: The Brain 
3/5/1978
NBC
TV: The Fabulous 50's
9/17/1978
?
30th Annual Emmy Awards
5/6/1979
NBC
The Best of Dean
1979-80 
synd
Biography

 

 

Show Details

 


THE ED WYNN SHOW

Broadcast date: 11/24/49

Network: CBS

Notes: Dorothy Prebel, who occasionally called upon 18-year old David for local print modeling jobs, was responsible for getting him work on the show. Details about what he did is not known.  Production paperwork indicates he might have been in the 1/10/49 show as well.

THE ED WYNN SHOW

Broadcast date: 12/8/49

Network: CBS

Notes: Young Janssen had a repeat appearance two weeks later which also required him to work the day before for rehearsal. Evidently only his hand could be seen in the live broadcast.

The mother of Cher, Georgina Holt, also appeared on one or more of these Wynn broadcasts. In an interview (Chicago Tribune 2/15/76) she revealed that she did Speidel watch commercials on the show. Unable to find a babysitter for then-3 year old, Georgia had to bring her daughter to the broadcast and while she was working "David Janssen used to hold Cher on his lap".


NEW MARCH OF DIMES PRESENTS: THE SCENE STEALERS

Broadcast date: 1/7/62

Network: syndicated

Directed by Jack Shea
Produced by Edward A. Franck

Notes:
Features a skit in which Buster Keaton and Ed Wynn hitch a ride onto Janssen's white Caddy convertible in order to sneak onto a studio lot.

Actors donated their time and talent for the March of Dimes.

Filmed at Paramount.

Janssen had this dialogue:

Studio Guard: "Good afternoon, Mr. Janssen"
JANSSEN: "Where am I shooting today?"
Studio Guard: "You're on stage 5"
JANSSEN:"Thank you"

This program is available for viewing in New York and Los Angeles at the Museum of Television and Radio.


STOP ARTHRITIS TELETHON

Broadcast date: 2/25/62

Network: KTTV (local LA television)

Notes: A benefit for the Southern California chapter of the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation.


THALIAN CIRCUS BENEFIT

Broadcast date: 4/12/62

Network: KHJ (local LA television)

Notes: a benefit aired from LA's Sports Arena


BOB HOPE COMEDY SPECIAL

Broadcast date: 4/17/64

Network: NBC

Notes: Fifth annual TV Guide awards were presented on this show. THE FUGITIVE won for favorite new show. Janssen won favorite male star of the year and a silver bowl trophy.

In his acceptance speech he joked, "All I can think of at the moment is don't speak into the bowl." He continued in earnest, "My thanks to the people who voted for us, of course, and also for Quinn Martin, our Executive Producer."  (thanks Diane Q)

From NBC Burbank, the show also had entertainment by Tony Randall, Martha Raye, and Jack Jones. Inger Stevens won for female star.


16TH ANNUAL EMMY AWARDS

Broadcast date: 5/25/64

Network: NBC

Notes:
Is seen sitting in the audience in two shots in the opening credits.

Was introduced by Joey Bishop. Janssen presented an award to Jerry Paris. His noticeably awkward seriousness and confusion over exiting caused Bishop to remark, "Do you get the feeling David Janssen wasn't too happy to be here?"

On the same broadcast he was nominated for Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role of a Series. A clip of THE FUGITIVE was shown. Co-nominees were Richard Boone, Dean Jagger, George C. Scott, Dick Van Dyke. Lost to Dick Van Dyke.

This program is available for viewing in New York and Los Angeles at the Museum of Television and Radio.


ABC'S WIDE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT

Broadcast date: 9/13/64

Network: ABC

Directed by Dwight Hemion
Produced by Gary Smith, Dwight Hemion
Executive producer: Nick Vanoff

Notes:
1-hour ABC fall season preview show hosted by Bing Crosby. Janssen sang the song "Style" with Crosby and Mickey Rooney.

Filmed on the stages of "The Hollywood Palace."


A PUREX DINAH SHORE SPECIAL

Broadcast date: 10/17/64

Network: NBC

Executive Producer: Henry Jaffe
Producer: Roger Gimbel
Director: Clark Jones

Notes:
1-hour special with George Gobel and Rose-Marie, Missy Shore, and Nupe Rose Marie. 1 sketch about teenagers, 1 about hot-rods, one of which was a wild, funny bit with Gobel themed to Janssen's FUGITIVE role. Janssen sang twice.

THE BIG LITTLE SHOW

Broadcast date: 1/1/65

Network: syndicated (30 m.)

Directed by Jack Shea
Produced by Edward A. Franck

Written by John Bradford and Bruce Pennington

Notes:
Another March of Dimes fundraising special. Airdate in LA (aired 4:30pm on KTLA) . Another source lists 1/25/65. Also with Bob Hope, Lena Horne, Connie Stevens. Hosted by Robert Taylor. Janssen filmed his comedy segment in July of 1964.


THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE

Broadcast date: 2/6/65

Network: ABC

Notes:
Host.

A sketch with Janssen interviewing a prison warden (Tim Conway) from this program is available on DVD on MPI's video's Tim Conway Timeless Comedy.

Sketches also include a basketball game with Conway, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and Vic Damone against the Hollywood Globetrotters. Edie Adams is also on this show. Raquel Welch appears on at the end of this show as a billboard girl - she has just started her movie contract with 20th Century - Fox and completed her 1st day of shooting on "FANTASTIC VOYAGE."

Taped 1/31/65. Production #19 of the 64-65 season.


THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE

Broadcast date: 10/23/65

Network: ABC

Notes:
Show hosted by Milton Berle. Janssen does an un-billed walk-on towards the end of the show.

Earlier in the show Mike McGivney, a quick-change actor doing an abbreviated version of "Oliver Twist," appeared. The final skit was a wacky satire of this act. Berle does the quick changes (helped by two men shrouded in black) and plays a variety of parts. Guest Bill Dana comes back as Fagin, Abbe Lane as Nancy, Maury Wills as the Artful Dodger. At the end, Berle in polka-dot shorts points a gun towards a closet door saying "Come out or I'll shoot." A man draped in black wearing a top hat and covering his face enters. Janssen reveals himself saying,"Alright, I'm tired of hiding..."

The band plays THE FUGITIVE theme.

At end of show Berle says "and especially I want to thank my very good friend David Janssen and I hope he has a very big success with his new album The Hidden Island."

This program is available for viewing in New York and Los Angeles at the Museum of Television and Radio.

 

THE ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW

Broadcast date: 1/31/66

Network: NBC

Notes:

The broadcast of this show was in fact the live ceremony of the 23rd Annual Golden Globe awards on which Janssen won for most popular male personality in television. Announced by Phyllis Diller and handed the award by host Williams, Janssen seemed genuinely humbled. His speech was short and sincere:

"Thank you, Andy, thank you. Well I really don't have a prepared speech. I now know why everyone says thank you. That's what I really feel and that's what I mean. Thank you to the Foreign Press. Thank you very much."

Show was from the Ambassador Hotel's Coconut Grove.


18TH ANNUAL EMMY AWARDS

Broadcast date: 5/22/66

Network: CBS

Notes:
Live from the Hollywood Paladium.

Janssen was introduced by Danny Kaye along with co-presenter Anne Francis. They gave acting awards to both Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. There was a tinge of irony in this since Janssen hadn't won one, and several years earlier Moore was the uncredited faceless actress in his series RICHARD DIAMOND.

THE MILTON BERLE SHOW

Broadcast date: 9/9/66

Network: ABC

Notes:
Premiere show.

Janssen appeared with Lucille Ball and singers Bobby Vinton and Donna Loren.


THE BOB HOPE SHOW

Broadcast date: 11/29/67

Network: NBC

Directed by Jack Shea

Notes:
Hour-long special with Elke Sommer and Jack Jones.

Taped at Pauley Pavilion, UCLA
The cast is featured in an unevenly funny sketch about a UCLA football player. For a segment on Look Magazine's All -American Awards, O. J. Simpson is introduced as the star USC running back.


AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

Broadcast date: early 68

Network: ABC

Notes: A filmed lion safari in Tanzania with Governor John Connelly and Phil Harris


PORTRAIT OF A STAR

Broadcast date: 1968

Network: syndication

Notes: An filmed interview conducted by director Ralph Nelson with film clips. Show number 10 in the series.


PAT BOONE CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC

Broadcast date: 6/23/68

Network: KHJ (local LA television)

Notes: A broadcast of a celebrity-pro golf game emanating from Seattle's Ocean Shores.


CHRYSLER PRESENTS THE BOB HOPE COMEDY SPECIAL

Broadcast date: 11/6/68

Network: NBC

Directed by Dick McDonough

Notes:
Aka "Road To The Moon."

Direct from Houston Mission control and with the Apollo 7 Astronauts (Walter Schirra, Don Eisele, and Walter Cunningham) and special guest Barbara Eden.

Featured an astronaut skit where he played a Captian to Hope's sloppy Sgt. Swine.


THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW

Broadcast date: 11/14/68

Network: NBC

Notes: Other guests were Lainie Kazan, Minnie Pearl, and Stanley Myron Handelman.


THE DON RICKLES SHOW

Broadcast date: 12/6/68

Network: ABC (30m.)

Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions

Exec producers: Joseph Scandone and Harris Katleman

Produced by Frank Wayne

Directed by Dick Carson

Music composed and condcted by Vic Mizzy

in association with Mindy Beth Productions

show #11

Notes: Believed to have been taped late October/early November 1968.

Rickles screwed up the cue card reading for David's introduction. The first segment had the 2 of them with announcer/sidekick Pat McCormick talking from chairs in front of the live audience. Their recent work together on the movie WHERE IT'S AT was discussed and a clip was shown.

The one comedy skit took place in the fictional general store of Janssen's hometown of Naponee, Nebraska. Rickles went off on the local crackerbarrel philosophers played by the uncredited Sterling Holloway, Percy Helton, and Chubby Johnson amongst others. All were depicted as strange farmer/hicks.

In the wrap up Janssen said of the sketch. "Nebraska I'm sure was thrilled and Naponee I know was because there are not that many people there." Janssen continued, "I don't know how many television sets there are but they were thrilled that we mentioned their name and that you wanted them on your show tonight." One wonders. As Janssen left the stage, Rickles said, "He's a biggie---big, big star."

A pre-"Laugh In" Lily Tomlin starred in a commercial for All Detergent airing with this show.

This program is available for viewing thru UCLA's Film and Television Archive (reference VA22035)


LAUGH-IN

Broadcast date: 1/13/69

Network: NBC

Notes: Peter Lawford and Paul Winchell were hosts. Janssen may have been grabbed by "Laugh-In" producers while at NBC Burbank for another taping. A brief uncredited cameo at the beginning of the show is with Ruth Buzzi in her Gladys Ormphby spinster get up.

The blackout skit was a play on words on the popular Jantzen suimsuit company which Janssen, in fact, may have had a short advertising contract with in the early 1960's.

JANSSEN (alone on stage): So I said to myself, 'Self.."

BUZZI (entering): Mr. "Jantzen"

JANSSEN: Yes, what is it?

BUZZI: I've been wearing one of your bathing suits for years..

JANSSEN (pushing her away): Good, good, good. Don't tell anybody...

Later in the show Janssen is cut to solo saying: "I don't even know what a bippy is..."


MONSANTO NIGHT PRESENTS LENA HORNE

Broadcast date: 9/10/69

Network: NBC

Notes:
Producer/director: Bob Henry

Janssen sings "I've Been To Town"

O.C. Smith also a guest.


THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW

Broadcast date: 9/25/69

Network: NBC

Directed by Greg Garrison

Notes:
Sketches included:

-Janssen explaining the game of chess to Dean Martin using the Golddiggers as the pieces. See clip.

-Janssen as a welfare interviewer with Elke Sommer as the always-pregnant recipient.

-Janssen as a detective in a trench coat trying to coax a not-ready-to-come out criminal (Martin) who's under a hairdryer and doing his nails.

-An innuendo-packed skit with Janssen and Dean as two traveling salesmen visiting a farmer's daughter (Elke Sommer). A Dean Martin highlights show rebroadcast this sketch (THE BEST OF DEAN airing 5/6/79). It also was included on the Dean Martin Variety Show highlights DVD.

Charles Nelson Reilly and Charles Rice III also appear in the show.

Show #502


THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE

Broadcast date: 2/7/70

Network: ABC

Notes: Final show of the series. Features clip introduced by Bing Crosby of Janssen and the then-unknown Raquel Welch originally broadcast 2/6/65.

THE WORLD OF BOB HOPE

Broadcast date: 8/10/70

Network: BBC (in the United Kingdom)

Notes: Documentary on Bob Hope made for British television features a bearded Janssen in rehearsal for a May 1970 benefit at the Houston Astrodome. In it he rehearses a song.


THE TIM CONWAY COMEDY HOUR

Broadcast date: 9/27/70 (1 hr.)

Network: CBS

Notes: A sketch playing "Blue Beauty," a pirate who kidnaps Barbara Feldon, a damsel betrothed to Tim Conway. Another where Janssen is a patient to Feldon's nurse and Conway's "old man" doctor.


BELL SYSTEM FAMILY THEATER "HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ICE CAPADES"

Broadcast date: 11/4/70

Network: NBC

Directed by Walter Miller
Produced by Sid Smith

Notes:
Hour-long special with Janssen the host, and Florence Henderson, a special guest star.

Featured an opening 'astrological' production number. Did a costumed production number "Luck Be A Lady Tonight" on skates.

Taped at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Featured ice clown Freddie Trenkler and champion Tim Wood.


THE KRAFT MUSIC HALL "DON ADAMS INVESTIGATES THE DETECTIVES"

Broadcast date: 11/18/70

Network: NBC

Notes: Other guests were Raymond Burr, Will Jordan, Elisha Cook, Jr.

In one skit Janssen played a character called 'Tony Romeo'. Another skit was a "Dragnet" sendoff with Janssen doing Jack Webb, Don Adams doing the Harry Morgan part, and Raymond Burr as the bad guy.


THE 23RD ANNUAL EMMY AWARDS

Broadcast date: 5/9/71

Network: NBC

Notes:
A presenter with Suzanne Pleshette.

Host Johnny Carson introduces Janssen as "a man who jogged through 5 years of television to become one of the biggest stars of our industry and next year O'Hara United States Treasury...."

Janssen arrived and had moment of confusion finding his cue cards ("Is it my turn? Oh, there they are."). Presented awards for Best Actor and Actress in a Single Role. Seemed more interested in making private comments to his friend Pleshette (thinking microphones were turned off), than in carrying out his presenter duties.

When, George C. Scott, a no show, was announced by Pleshette for "The Prize," Janssen mumbled to her, "I told you." And when the Colleen Dewhurst clip for Best Actress was on the screen, DJ said something like "Want to sell me 10% of the line?"

This program is available for viewing in New York and Los Angeles at the Museum of Television and Radio.


FLOOD RELIEF TELETHON

Broadcast date: 7/22/72 (6 hrs.)

Network: locally produced by WBAL-TV Baltimore.

Notes:
Janssen helped friend Bob Hope by flying to Baltimore to appear on his telethon to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Agnes. The 6-hour telethon was broadcast to 19 other cities in 6 states and raised over $2 million.

Merv Griffin served as a co-host and John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Steve Allen, and Joe Namath, and First Lady Pat Nixon were others who participated. Zsa Zsa Gabor, Fess Parker, and Mike Douglas also were scheduled to appear.


NFL AWARDS SHOW

aka "NFL Players Association Awards Dinner"

Broadcast date: 9/14/73

Network: NBC (1 hr.)

Notes: Peter Falk and Buddy Hackett co-hosted. Timex sponsored.

The salute to the outstanding players of the 1972 football season also guest starred Cloris Leachman, Telly Savalas, Jack Klugman, Lloyd Haynes, Alex Karras, and Don Shula.


DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL TELETHON - AMERICA GOES PUBLIC

Broadcast date: 9/15/73

Network: NBC

Directed by Grey Lockwood
Producers Bernie Kukoff, Jeff Harris

Notes:
An 8-hr. primetime program which ran from 7pm on a Saturday until 3am on Sunday.


A SHOW BUSINESS SALUTE TO MILTON BERLE

Broadcast date: 12/4/73

Network: NBC

Notes: Show celebrated Berle's 60 th year in Show Business.

Appeared in a song-and-dance number with Jackie Cooper, Chuck Connors, and Mike Douglas wearing Texaco outfits.


THE DEAN MARTIN COMEDY HOUR

Broadcast date: 4/5/74

Network: NBC

Notes:
An hour-long Joe Namath roast. Other roasters are Angie Dickinson, Joey Bishop, Rich Little, Corbett Monica, Dr. Joyce Brothers.

Others included football personalities Don Meredith, Jets coach Weeb Eubank, University of Alabama coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant, opposition players Dick Butkus and Jim Plunkett, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Foster Brooks, Charlie Callas and Slappy White.

BILL DAILY'S HOCUS POCUS GANG

Broadcast date: 8/22/74 (Chicago airdate)

Network: syndicated

Notes:
A variety show taped at Six Flags Over Georgia. Bob Newhart, Carl Ballantine, Harry Blackstone Jr., Maureen McGovern, Chuck Jones, and the Marty Kroft Puppets rounded out the cast.

BOB HOPE SPECIAL - GILLETTE CAVALCADE OF CHAMPIONS

Broadcast date: 4/8/75

Network: NBC

Directed by Dick McDonough

Notes: Hope co-hosted with Barbara Walters. Janssen co-starred with Steve Allen, Dyan Cannon, Eva Gabor, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Alan King, Dean Martin, Jennifer O'Neill, and Tony Randall. In a short segment, Janssen was co-presented with Bob Hope an award to Lou Brock.


BOB HOPE SPECIAL: BOB HOPE IN "JOYS: A COMEDY WHODUNIT"

Broadcast date: 3/5/76

Network: NBC

Directed by Dick McDonough
Producers Bob Hope, Hal Kanter

Notes: Hope hires 6 TV detectives to solve a series of mysterious disappearances at his house. Janssen, as Harry O, is killed off early in a cast which included Angie Dickinson (Pepper Martin), Mike Connors (Mannix), Jim Hutton (Ellery Queen), Telly Savalas (Kojak), Abe Vigoda (Fish). 90 minutes.


CIRCUS OF THE STARS

Broadcast date: 1/10/77

Network: CBS

Directed by Sidney Smith and Tony Charmoli

Executive Producer Bob Stivers
Producers Bill Waters, Dan Kibbee, Dominique Perrin, Bob Finkel
Host John Forsythe

Notes:
2 -hour special taped on November 20, 1976 at Santa Monica Civic Center. Premiere episode of the series.

Janssen did what the LA Times called a "lackluster dagger-throwing number", throwing at "Wonder Woman" Lynda Carter.

Ringmasters Jack Cassidy, Bernadette Peters, George Hamilton, and Jean-Pierre Aumont. (2 hours)        


THE HIDDEN UNIVERSE: THE BRAIN

Broadcast date: 6/12/77

Network: ABC

Notes: Janssen narrated this ABC News Special written, produced, and directed by Tom Bywaters.


TV: THE FABULOUS 50'S

Broadcast date: 3/5/78 

Network: NBC

Directed by Johnathan Lucas
Producers Henry Jaffe, Draper Lewis, and David Lawrence

Notes:
Janssen hosted the drama show section. A clip of RICHARD DIAMOND was included. Co-hosts were Lucille Ball, Michael Landon, Mary Martin, Dinah Shore, and Red Skelton. (90 minutes).

Produced by Henry Jaffe in association with 20th Century-Fox.


30TH ANNUAL EMMY AWARDS

Broadcast date:9/17/78

Network: ?

Notes:
Presenter of the award for the Best Writing in a Drama Series. Gave a particularly gravelly and slow delivery of his lines. Janssen was seated behind a desk and in front of a typewriter.

Friend Steve Allen was nominated, but Gerald Green won for "Holocaust." When it became clear the winner was not present to accept, Janssen was awkwardly stuck with egg on his face.

THE BEST OF DEAN

Broadcast date:5/6/79

Network: NBC

Notes:
A highlights show which reran a clip of Janssen and Dean Martin as two traveling salesmen visiting a farmer's daughter played by Elke Sommer. It originally aired 10 years earlier on 9/25/69.


BIOGRAPHY        

Broadcast date: 1979-1980 season

Network: syndicated

Notes: Janssen served as narrator in a revival of the series with segments featuring the likes of Idi Amin and Walt Disney.
 

 

Unverified/Mis-attributed

 

 

 

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