I was the series editor for The Joey Bishop (talk) Show, on ABC late night, as I had been on its equally short run predecessor, The Les Crane Show. The Crane show originated in New York as a genuine alternative to the other late night talk shows like Tonight. ABC got cold feet, decided to make the show more conventional, and moved it to Hollywood.
With nothing to distinguish itself from the competition, the tamed down Les Crane Show met a swift death. ABC needed someone new to front the Crane show and hit upon Joey Bishop. The brass were hoping that some of the Rat Pack heat would rub off.
It didn't. In fact, Joey was cold -- rather than cool.
I also need to correct the credits listed in this site. Regis Philbin was the series announcer/foil for the run of the show, not a three time guest as posted. The casting of Regis and Joey made for an odd, and not very humorous pairing.
Joey always seemed uncomfortable as ringmaster. His deadpan act was designed to react to outrageous actions. The show had little in the way of the outrageous about it, leaving Joey with little to react to.
Regis had yet to find the style he would develop a decade later as a morning talk host is Los Angeles, first on KHJ, and then on KABC. The KABC show was moved to New York and syndicated, where it still runs today.
The idea of Regis playing second banana to Joey, a second banana himself, made for a weak relationship in an even weaker show.
The somewhat brittle, but always interesting Dick Cavett took over the time slot, the show was moved to New York, and the guests much more interesting. The Dick Cavett Show, in its prime, was infinitely more interesting than Joey's mercifully short run.
Arye (AKA Leslie) Michael Bender
With nothing to distinguish itself from the competition, the tamed down Les Crane Show met a swift death. ABC needed someone new to front the Crane show and hit upon Joey Bishop. The brass were hoping that some of the Rat Pack heat would rub off.
It didn't. In fact, Joey was cold -- rather than cool.
I also need to correct the credits listed in this site. Regis Philbin was the series announcer/foil for the run of the show, not a three time guest as posted. The casting of Regis and Joey made for an odd, and not very humorous pairing.
Joey always seemed uncomfortable as ringmaster. His deadpan act was designed to react to outrageous actions. The show had little in the way of the outrageous about it, leaving Joey with little to react to.
Regis had yet to find the style he would develop a decade later as a morning talk host is Los Angeles, first on KHJ, and then on KABC. The KABC show was moved to New York and syndicated, where it still runs today.
The idea of Regis playing second banana to Joey, a second banana himself, made for a weak relationship in an even weaker show.
The somewhat brittle, but always interesting Dick Cavett took over the time slot, the show was moved to New York, and the guests much more interesting. The Dick Cavett Show, in its prime, was infinitely more interesting than Joey's mercifully short run.
Arye (AKA Leslie) Michael Bender