The Diahann Carroll Show (1976)
In late summer of 1976 (August
14 through September 4), Diahann Carroll hosted her own music and variety
show on CBS. Four one hour specials was taped during one single week! Diahann
performed, acted, chatted with guest stars and showed off one fantastic dress
after another. Said Diahann at the time: "Variety television demands
that you give everything you have. It's not like being in a movie where you
concentrate on giving the best of your acting talents, or performing in a
concert setting where all your energy goes into singing. When you are starring
in a variety show you have to do all those things and even more.There's singing,
you have to show whatever comedic talent you have and then you have to relate
to all of the special guests, who have taken the time out to be with you."
The
guest stars included Telly Savalas, Sammy Davis Jr., Jon Lucien, George Benson,
Betty White, Marvin Hamlisch and Johnny Mathis. Songs performed by Diahann
included not only standards, but also by 1976 popular hits, like "This Is
It" and "Mr. Melody". She also included tributes to Duke Ellington, Ethel
Waters, Josephine Baker and a medley (performed together with Sammy Davis
Jr.) of songs from Porgy and Bess.
The series was co-produced by her then husband
Robert A. DeLeon, via the production company SuMo, a company he and Diahann
had formed. (Sadly, Mr. DeLeon died less than a year after this series
was taped.)
In a 1976 JET magazine, Diahann said,
"Considering the facts that we filmed four one-hour shows in only five days,
I must say that I am very proud of what we have. It will give America's viewers
a chance to see a number of things that you usually don't find on television
and we as Black people will be seen in a setting that is sophisticated and
not the standard situation comedies which we find so much of. /.../ It was
hard work, but I wouldn't have missed the experience for the world and I hope
that television audiences will feel as good about the shows as we do."
Pictures
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