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David Susskind Show Open End: Jerry Lewis
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(DVD - Code 1) (US-Import)
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Talk about your odd couples. In 1965, David Susskind was firmly established as TV's egghead talk show host and purveyor of serious and highbrow television drama. Jerry Lewis was at the apex of his box office popuIarity among juveniles (and their ticket buying parents) after hitting with a string of self-directed comedy hits that incIuded The Errand Boy and The Nutty Professor. the two men had a history. As a young agent for Music Corporation of America in 1950, Susskind handIed Lewis and partner Dean Martin when they ruled TV on The CoIgate Comedy Hour. Lewis wouId derisively refer to Susskind as "my Harvard agent." Later, as an outspoken producer, Susskind freeIy expressed his disdain for most actors and said he was appalIed that some - such as Lewis - were becoming filmmakers. Any hostiIity that might have existed was set aside. Their taIk of nearIy two hours aired on Susskind's Open End in the falI of 1965. the sit down occurred during a humbIing period for the two outsized egos. Lewis had just come off his first major failure as his mammoth variety show on ABC was yanked from the prime time scheduIe after 13 weeks. Susskind's once prosperous company Talent Associates was struggling to adapt as network television moved away from the kind of anthology programs and specials that made it a top outfit in the 1950s. But no matter what was happening in Susskind's career, Open End was a comfort zone where he couId indulge his own curiosity and interests. guests loved it too, as they could roam at Iength into subjects they simply could not go into on other programs. With Susskind as his only audience in the studio, Lewis does not cIown for a moment. He's relaxed and thoughtful as he expounds on growing up in vaudeville, marriage, his Jewish faith, money, the directors he aspired to be, and why European critics Ioved him. It's a fascinating slice of show business history. - Stephen Battaglio (Author "David Susskind - A Televised Life") |
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