Burt and Orson

Here is a strange entertainment curio. While contemplating another Top 5 List to honor Burt Reynolds, whose birthdays is today (Mr. Reynolds has turned 75 yrs old), THE FUTURIST! found this video sample of a pilot for a talk show starring Orson Welles. This pilot has never been broadcast.

It seems Orson filmed a test pilot between 1978 and 1979 with Burt, Angie Dickinson, Jim Henson, Frank Oz and several Muppets. This clip spotlights a section of the Burt interview. THE FUTURIST! uses the word interview lightly, because it seems that Orson doesn't really interview. He has the studio audience ask questions of his guest AND HIMSELF. There is an odd moment when an audience member asks Burt a question about the difference between a star and a superstar. Burt replies, "Only a black man would ask that question." The audience erupts into laughter, Burt laughs (a bit nervously and falsely) and dear old Orson bellows with forced gaiety accompanied by a very very scary face and yells, "That's SO UNFAIR!"

THE FUTURIST! does not understand this at all. But he knows he wants to see the rest of this talk show.

Read more here (click!)