Amazon Prime has posted a pretty clean version of this special. I was too busy to watch tv much when this aired in 1976. Even though it features the premiere of Kiss on tv the special is a quirky dedication to some of the 1976 era decline in variety shows. It might even have been the kiss of death.
Paul Lynde starts off with "What is the Scariest Day of the Year coming up? Election Day, and this was when Gerald Ford, an Un-Elected President was running.
Paul Lynde is one of those guys who was so unique that he never fit into anything. In the case of this special, they actually wrote it so he does fit. In fact, he throws a fit. The surprise is with the big name cast, ABC didn't find a way to get Samantha (Liz Montgomery) into it. There are some great moments besides the fans of Kiss songs one of which is spun on iit's head.
Betty White does a great cameo as "Miss Halloween". Tim Conway is okay in this though not on a par with his work on Carol Burnett. I think he had to stick with script here and has almost no improv which is his strength. Donnie and Marie put Paul "in the can" at the start, and that is a hint where this is going.
Getting Margaret Hamilton to reprise her movie roles is a real blast from the past. I warn the kids who might happen upon this after seeing the Wizard of Oz, no she didn't really melt in 1939. Hamilton never really got her due in films even though she was a really good actress. She does really well here.
Witchy Poo from Sid and Marty Krofts Saturday morning shows with her is actually an inspiring pair of witches. Now days, folks of lower stature might take offense to some of the humor with the butler but hey, this is October,1976 and since Carter was being elected President next month, things were not as scary as normal.
Lynde does sneak in one good Halloween Election joke, but it's harmless. After watching this, it's a good thing it might not have gotten high ratings. It might have killed Disco and Travolta's career before it could ever get started.
Paul Lynde starts off with "What is the Scariest Day of the Year coming up? Election Day, and this was when Gerald Ford, an Un-Elected President was running.
Paul Lynde is one of those guys who was so unique that he never fit into anything. In the case of this special, they actually wrote it so he does fit. In fact, he throws a fit. The surprise is with the big name cast, ABC didn't find a way to get Samantha (Liz Montgomery) into it. There are some great moments besides the fans of Kiss songs one of which is spun on iit's head.
Betty White does a great cameo as "Miss Halloween". Tim Conway is okay in this though not on a par with his work on Carol Burnett. I think he had to stick with script here and has almost no improv which is his strength. Donnie and Marie put Paul "in the can" at the start, and that is a hint where this is going.
Getting Margaret Hamilton to reprise her movie roles is a real blast from the past. I warn the kids who might happen upon this after seeing the Wizard of Oz, no she didn't really melt in 1939. Hamilton never really got her due in films even though she was a really good actress. She does really well here.
Witchy Poo from Sid and Marty Krofts Saturday morning shows with her is actually an inspiring pair of witches. Now days, folks of lower stature might take offense to some of the humor with the butler but hey, this is October,1976 and since Carter was being elected President next month, things were not as scary as normal.
Lynde does sneak in one good Halloween Election joke, but it's harmless. After watching this, it's a good thing it might not have gotten high ratings. It might have killed Disco and Travolta's career before it could ever get started.