Laugh In 1977... with Robin Williams

What can one say about the 1977 revival of “Laugh In”?

Everything.

There’s little information online about this one-season wonder, which was actually a series of six monthly "specials." Producer George Schlatter is finally releasing them on YouTube. It’s the first time these episodes have been widely available since a 1979 rerun (after Robin Williams became a megastar).

It’s easy to spot several key differences between this version and the original, 1968-73 series. Dan Rowan and Dick Martin were not invited to host in ’77 (which led to their successful lawsuit), nor was announcer Gary Owens. Their unifying presence is sorely missed. Previous head writer Paul Keyes has been replaced by Digby Wolfe, a writer on the original series. He also created the notorious “Turn On” for Schlatter. In the new series, his British sensibilities give much of the show an odd, almost cutesy edge, in my opinion. Strange, since comedy genius Merrill Markoe is listed as one of the writers.

With better material, the cast might have succeeded. They’re certainly talented and many had successful careers: Ben Powers (later of “Good Times”), Wayland Flowers and Madame, Bill Rafferty (of Schlatter’s “Real People”), stand-ups Lenny Schultz and Ed Bluestone, legendary artist/writer Sergio Aragonés, and of course, Robin Williams.

Williams is actually little seen in the first episode, but his screen time rapidly increased after that (though still in far too many straight, supporting roles). There’s actually a lot more time for Lenny Schultz, and his portions of the show might be the best known since he included them on his personal sizzle reel. For years, that was the only “Laugh In” ’77 content available online (though I recall briefly seeing part of episode three posted, as well as a network promo for the 1979 rerun). The “Happy Days” episode which provided Williams' big break (“My Favorite Orkan”) aired just 20 days after “Laugh In” ended its run.

The 1977 show retained the “looks at the news” segment, the closing joke wall and even the cocktail party (now with disco music). However, it relied on far too many Anita Bryant and Billy Carter jokes. The hippie artist vibe of the '60s has been replaced by theater kid energy, and the writing was still too on-the-nose at times. There was also a great deal of repetition. How many times do we need to hear Barry Goldwater stiffly intoning “I can dig it"? Or Cindy Williams’ mega-hilarious “these people are nuts”? It’s easy to see why the show didn’t catch on... and scheduling might also have been a factor.

Episode 1, hosted by Bette Davis, aired at 8 p.m. on Labor Day -- September 5 – of 1977 against “CBS Galaxy,” a fall preview/variety show hosted by Dick Van Dyke. At the same time, ABC burned off the second of two pilots for the John Byner caper comedy, “McNamara's Band” (the first had aired May 11). Apparently low priority for all three networks.

When “Laugh In” episode 2 bowed on October 10, it competed with two shows destined for quick cancellation: “Logan's Run” on CBS and ABC’s hour-long sitcom “The San Pedro Beach Bums” from Mr. Comedy himself, Aaron Spelling. The host was Bea Arthur, then in her final season of playing “Maude.” She was actually nominated for two Emmys that year: one for "Maude" and one for this episode (Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music), losing the former to Jean Stapleton and the latter to Gilda Radner on SNL.

For episode 3, the show shifted to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2. The lead-in of “Grizzly Adams” was likely meaningless, as “Laugh In” was now up against the top-rated “Charlie's Angels” on ABC. CBS was showing the 1975 Charles Bronson western “Breakheart Pass.” Frank Sinatra hosted this show, and George Schlatter can briefly be seen near the end, coaching the Chairman.

Episode 4 aired Dec. 20, a Tuesday, against two major hits: “Three’s Company” on ABC and “MASH” on CBS. At 9:30 p.m., ABC offered “Fish” and CBS started the TV movie “Tell Me My Name,” but the damage that night was already done.

Episode 5 on Feb. 1, 1978 was back to Wednesday at 9 p.m…. until President Carter planned an address at that time. Following the address, “Laugh In” once again faced “Charlie’s Angels” as well as the Joanne Woodward TV movie, “See How She Runs” on CBS.

A week later, episode 6 faced the same competition: “Charlie’s Angels” and a CBS TV movie (“Ruby and Oswald”). This episode has been listed as both a rerun and a “best of” compilation. It's actually a new episode with a lot of material that must have been saved from the previous tapings. This episode was nominated for an Emmy for tape editing.

Thus ended new “Laugh In” content until the show’s 1993 reunion special. None of the 1977 cast was featured in the reunion, and some had even passed away or left Hollywood. (It's unfortunate, because Ben Powers and Ed Bluestone are the undiscovered gems of this show, for me).

Michael Sklar died in 1984 after a career working in visual and jewelry art, on stage and in two (pre-“Laugh In”) Andy Warhol films.

June Gable has had a long career on Broadway and television, with recurring roles on “Friends” and “Dream On.”

Kim Braden, daughter of British/Canadian actors Bernard Braden and Barbara Kelly, popped up in the “Star Trek” universe during her television career in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Antoinette Atell (billed as “Toad” on “Laugh In”) is an acting coach who now goes by Toni.

Nancy Bleiweiss has followed a similar career path in Palm Springs.

Jim Giovanni, who came to the show with friend Robin Williams, passed away in 2016 after decades as a touring stand-up based in his native San Francisco.

British actress Claire Faulconbridge had a long running role on the UK series, “Crossroads.”

As for the guest stars, the table is below compiled from imdb:

Some of these guests are among NBC’s few stars of the time: James Garner, Rich Little, Robert Conrad. Others seem to be trying to expand into television from another arena: Tina Turner and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were successful; Seals & Crofts soon broke up. Ralph Nader, by the way, looks like his segments were shot for the original series… perhaps it’s the video quality. Or his infamous suit. He looks more youthful than he did hosting SNL that same year. Jack L. Harrell is listed as a guest, which is surprising: he functions more as a castmember/announcer. He previously played small roles and was the announcer for “Sonny & Cher”!

Episode 6 is not listed above, as IMDB credits all of the stars above except: Nader, Harrell, Conrad, Roddy Macdowall, Shirley Maclaine, Susan Ford, Bella Abzug and Henry Winkler (whose appearance in ep. 1 was literally a few seconds, hugging Bette Davis). Gore Vidal is only credited for episode 6, in segments which were shot in his office and are actually pretty engaging.