The Morning Program (November 3, 1987)

Most of an episode of CBS Morning News' short-lived partner show, The Morning Program, hosted by Mariette Hartley and Rolland Smith.
Mark McEwen provides the weather, Mike Binder gives some laughs, the audience is polled on a couple questions (with a technical difficulty on one), and the video wraps up with an interview with L.A. Law stars Susan Ratton and Michele Green.

[@hrtvfan2870]

16:09 Glaring error on the part of Mariette Hartley when she read the list of correspondents for 60 Minutes in 1977. Harry Reasoner was at ABC, midway through the ill-fated teaming with Barbara Walters, and would not return to 60 Minutes until the following year.

[@bsfan6150]

Bob Saget had already been fired when this episode aired and was probably doing the classic sitcom Full House, while his friend Mike Binder does his stand up routine, introduced by Mark instead of Bob.

[@richardgazinia5482]

This was broadcast on my 22nd Birthday.

[@bufnyfan1]

This was another attempt by CBS to improve their early morning show ratings as compared to NBC's Today show and ABC's GMA--this show was supposed to be more of an "entertainment" type show as opposed to just straight news and interviews--it failed miserably. One thing I remember was that this show gave Bob Saget his start and created the idea behind America's Funniest Home Videos. Roland Smith and Mariette Hartley (seen in this clip) were ultimately replaced by Harry Smith and Susan Sullivan

[@jasonbezis1467]

You meant "Kathleen Sullivan" instead of "Susan Sullivan" (but actress Susan Sullivan would've been an interesting co-host).

[@bufnyfan1]

@@jasonbezis1467 Yea--I meant Kathleen Sullivan. I believe she actually first worked for ABC then she was hired by CBS to salvage the morning show (after the Hartley fiasco). I remember she was extremely difficult to work with at one time and ultimately was fired by CBS

[@davebevpeffer4176]

Rolland did his best while Mariette was trying WAY too hard.