Dick Cavett's Most Memorable Guests | Big Think
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- Опубликовано: 1 июн 2024
- Dick Cavett's Most Memorable Guests
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From the almost mythical presence of Groucho Marx and a surprisingly pleasant sit-down with Bobby Fischer to the unique intelligence of John Lennon, the legendary host has shared the stage with some of the most distinctive figures of the 20th century.
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DICK CAVETT:
Dick Cavett was the host of “The Dick Cavett Show” and the co-author of two books, “Cavett” (1974) and “Eye on Cavett” (1983). He has appeared on Broadway in “Otherwise Engaged,” “Into the Woods” and as narrator in “The Rocky Horror Show,” and has made guest appearances in movies and on TV shows including “Forrest Gump” and “The Simpsons.” He currently operates a blog for the “Opinionator” section of the New York Times. Mr. Cavett lives in New York City and Montauk, N.Y.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Question: Who was your favorite guest?
Dick Cavett: I should say that Groucho meant the most to me. I missed him as a kid, I grew up on the game show, my generation, my dad's generation grew up on the Marx Brother's movies and then, You Bet Your Life, but I had it the other way around. And we were in Hollywood once when I was a kid, about 10, visiting relatives and the farmer's market, I bought a chicken leg at one of those stands, and the lady said, "Hey, kid, you should've been here about two minutes ago, Groucho Marx was standing right where you are." And I thought, "There is no God. There is no God, or he would've not let me pee or stopped doing something I did, but to get here two minutes earlier and meet Groucho Marx." But I met him many years later, and for quite a number of years, so that was nice.
Leaving a party once, I went to movies with him, I can't believe it, I went to plays with him, I had dinner at his house and worked for him two weeks once. He didn't really much care for Hollywood society, or actors. He loved writers, he loved to hang out with writers, he was a born writer. And leaving a party once in California, he says, "Let's get out of here," and sneaking out and the hostess came over and said, "Well, Groucho, leaving so soon?" He said, "I've had a wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Anyway, there you are.
Question: How did you get along with Bobby Fischer?
Dick Cavett: Bobby Fischer the chess artist, yes. I got along great with, I think I loved Bobby Fischer, he was such a sweet guy and such an absolute total diametrical contrast to the horror that he became with paranoid schizophrenia and wild hair and having his fillings removed because he thought nefarious types were sending messages to his head. He went completely nuts and I wish I had known when he might have been verging on it, I would've found him and tried to help him or get him to some, did nobody try to get him any therapy or any, whatever he needed, I don't know. I just lost touch with him and the next thing I learned, it was all over, virtually. He was brilliant on the show, he had a great sense of humor on the show, and he was obviously a genius and obviously had certain sides of him that were undeveloped, because his life was chess. Sometimes he stayed up all night and the next day, with all he knew, studying chess, studying more chess, older chess, other country's chess, it was a sad case of a man with, apparently a fragile mental condition who tipped over into madness. But I sure liked him and I wish I'd called him up and gone to movies with him or something, because it got so he would only do my show, he didn't like other people that he was on with, he said, and he did it three or four times before and after the match.
Question: What was John Lennon like?
Dick Cavett: He wasn't like anything, he was unique. I've always wanted to hear somebody say that, and I picked you as the victim. I liked John, I didn't get to know him a lot. Almost all the time I spent with him was on the show, but also a couple other meetings and I'm still looking for two long letters he wrote me and I met him, of course, when I went down to the courthouses that we see on Law and Order to talk, to say he shouldn't be deported. I didn't have the wit to say, the president should, but he sort of was later, so that's okay. But a highly intelligent, very available guy. Very accessible, easy to talk to the first time you met him, it was that old thing, you felt like you'd known him a while, that kind of thing.
Read the dull transcript at bigthink.com/videos/dick-cave...
The amount of interesting people he's spoken to is insane
And they were usually fascinating conversations of some depth (given the time limitations of television). Extremely rare, these days--on or off television.
Oh Yes
He got Bobby Fischer to relax and let his guard down... that’s some talent.
That and Miles Davis, you have to be on a level of affability otherwise unseen to make such a vast spectrum of notably ‘difficult’ people comfortable
Damn right he did!
Yeah I could tell he only liked doing Dick Cavett's show and Cavett confirmed here that Bobby told him that. And he came across as likable on his show. He wasn't always in those days because he came off as arrogant to the world.
I’m from the Uk but love watching his interviews on RUclips. He asked interesting questions and let his guests speak and was always respectful of them. I could listen for hours. No drama or sensationalism, just intelligent interviews. My favourite is the one with Janis Joplin. There was chemistry between them and listening to it, you get the feeling they liked and respected each other.
Gotta remember that. "I've had a wonderful evening.....but this isn't it." lol
,,,,,, but this wasn't it ;)
How to insult someone & make them laugh too ..
You didn’t.
One of GROUCHO MARX's most famous lines.....incredible
When Orson Welles started interviewing him on his own show. I loved that.
I found St Exuperay because of Orson Welles and Dick Cavett!
Sophia Lauren did the same thing
I once lived in Orson Welles townhouse mansion in Manhattan, New York City. Orson had donated the mansion to this youth program I belonged to. I got to live there for a while and it was gorgeous, with high ceilings, a pool table, backyard, and state of the art kitchen. It is 4 floors. Orson was really a good man. RIP.
A little information about Mr. Welles' bath tub, please?
@@akrenwinkle By the time I was living there, there was only a stand up shower upstairs and a regular restroom downstairs and no elevator and it was a private house. Not a building with different apartment.
Where is this in Manhattan? I would love to visit being Orson is one of my favorite directors
Dick cavett seems a genuinely nice and descent guy loved the reruns of his shows , every star he interviewed always seemed at ease, fantastic talent Mr cavett...
Agreed. I think Johnny and Cavett were the best two talk show hosts in my opinion. Different styles but GREAT interviewers.
Frank Sulka decent hosts, but both had their demons, Cavett has suffered life long depression and Carson wasn’t a very nice guy, especially when he was drinking, he was also a womanizer.
Yes! He had the amazingly rare gift of basic human respect and empathy that allowed guests to open up easily to him and even share personal things very comfortably. He knew this made a difference in people’s lives and always gave celebrities a platform to share their human sides. Magnificent man. ❤️
Decent
I honestly don't believe it's an overstatement to say that his program showcases everything that's gone wrong with interview programs since, especially in the U.S.
Really great and they hold up beautifully.
Dick Cavett demonstrated wit, intelligence and taste on his shows. These are qualities largely missing on TV these days.
I really love his dry, witty sense of humour. And he tells great stories!
This man IS history!!! Such a collection of history has past through his experience that it's enthralling to thing about.
Dick's little jokes he peppers throughout his talking are all so sylistically similar to one another. And unique compared to anyone else. He really has a unique definition to his jokes.
I sure wish he'd make a comeback. Nostalgia sells big-time.
Surprised Alan Alda hasn't gotten him on Clear+Vivid yet. That would be a fun conversation.
He's one of the few smart celebrities that knew when to call it quits and NOT come back...Just like Lucy, just like Carol Burnett...They all stopped while they were at the top. People can discover and appreciate them on RUclips and other platforms...That way they can see them at their best.
@@MrCherbear1990 They all quit for different reasons. I believe Cavett got tired of his show and ran out of good or interesting guests to interview. You could see his disinterest in some of his later programs. Cavett often said, "who are the Orson Welles, Katharine Hepburn and Robert Mitchum in today's group of actors?" Good question.
Cavett's old boss, Jack Paar, gave him the best piece of advice: "Kid, don't make it an interview and have a clip board and become David Frost and ask 'what was you greatest role?' or 'what was your greatest game?' Make it a conversation." Great advice.
James Anthony Is he still alive?
@@winnifredforbes8712 Cavett? Yes.
Classic Groucho line - "I had a wonderful evening. ...But this wasn't it." - and only about two people were around to hear it.
George Harrison wit and dry sense of humor is similar to Dick's. It is my favorite Dick Cavett interview.
I read a story about how Marlon Brando was in New York on 9/11, and wanted to get back to California, so he and a friend drove the 3000 miles back since flights were cancelled. His traveling companion was frustrated because Marlon wanted to “stop at every Burger King and KFC” along the way!
One of his best shows was with Betty Davis. I loved watching his shows when I was younger and is wonderful to resee them on RUclips.
I'd truly love to sit, listen, and talk with him for just as long as he wanted sometime. He makes so many small observations that show what an interesting guy he is. He truly sees how funny it all can be.
He was the perfect host - funny, charming, welcoming, non-judgmental. He made people feel important as people, not just their fame, and was never fawning or patronizing. When he disapproved of something they said, he wasn’t confrontational, but the things he said in response showed he disapproved, but it was in a subtle way. No mistaking it, but hard to prove. (Ex: Chad Everett’s comments that caused Lily Tomlin to walk off.). It’s no wonder some well-known’s would go only in his show.
Exactly 👏👏❤️❤️
Dick Cavett is fantastic I love his style of interviewing his humour and relaxed style .
The way he said “Jagger” always appealed to me, with that nonchalant, near Southern drawl, like how a rockstar’s name ought to be said.
Wow, his voice has only gotten better since the 70s, and that's no easy feat.
I absolutely admire and respect him with all my heart. It would be a dream come true to meet him.
SAME ❤️
Dick's a dick
Saw him on 54th and Fifth some years back. He'd been talking to his agent. I had to interrupt. He graciously allowed me to tell him he was one of my absolute favorites, that I loved the PBS show. "Oh, you're the one," he quipped. I added that I thought the show failed being too esoteric in nature. "Buddy Hackett, esoteric?" He replied. I'll never forget the wonderful brief moment. I love you, Dick Cavett.
He is the best!! I would love for him to do a show again!
Interviewing Jimi Hendrix must have been sooooooo cool!
Dick Cavett made a fool of himself again ! ' Well There You Go '
bobby fischer is my favorite of those. Long live the King.
TheOriginalMoc -- Me too. By far.
I loved him.
Too bad, but Dick couldn't have done anything for Bobby Fischer. Paranoid Schizophrenia isn't gradual. You go to sleep "normal", and you wake up nuts. it generally happens between the ages between 18 & 24. Witnessed it happen to a guy in my platoon, when I was in the Army.
Thanks a lot, Dick Cavett! I just simply love you and you’re a genius talk show host along with Johnny Carson.❤️🌹😁
Two of Cavett's all time most fascinating guests were Katherine Hepburn & Richard Burton. Hepburn was smart, interesting, funny, 64, and unabashedly flirtatious with Cavett.
Burton had this beautiful deep baritone speaking voice and was as riveting a story teller as I've ever heard. Both shows are on youtube and very much worth people's time.
Lake Michigan is
Haven't seen the Hepburn one but Burton's is riveting.
This was when 'celebrities' were stars. Talented. Interesting. Intelligent.
Welles was my favorite. Funny, great storyteller, smart, with great command of the English language
I love his interview with Katharine Hepburn, it was her first TV interview. You could tell Cavett was star struck by her and grateful she was there. So many comments on it said she was rude to prop her feet on a table, but I'm sure Cavett didn't care at all.
@@dalekdx The feet on the table feat shows the immediate level of informal comfort she was feeling with DC, someone her sister knew well, saw as a friend, and thought KH'd like - and she clearly did.
Brings back many memories such a nice looking man
What an adorable senior he became. So, so attractive.
Thanks for sharing this! Dick Cavette is Awesooome 🤙
One of the finest talk show hosts of all time.
As a youngster (10-12 yo) I could not appreciate or even understand the Dick Cavett show..I mean how interesting could it be to listen to grownups talk? But, wow! How amazing to listen and watch his iconic interviews! His work is a national treasure!
144Donn pretty crazy how he’s still around, he seems like four generations older than he is because of the diversity of his guests
Who wouldn't want to meet and chat with Groucho? He was the peoples entertainer.
He forgot to mention Forrest Gump :-)
Great speaking voice and his humanity shines through. Sadly we didn't see him here in the UK but thanks to youtube, we can now see how masterfully he allowed his guests time and space to speak. So unlike the crass guest appearances that only ever facilitate 'advertising' on the new film, book etc.
100% correct Kentishtowncowboy.
People rate Parkinson in the UK...don't know why.
He sounds like a Woman ...
Talk about UNIQUE? Mr. Cavett, you are in that club of wondrously unique people, who ALWAYS DELIVERED and never bored your guests or audience.
Thank you deeply!
👽🛸
He still has youth in his eyes, and smile
Please Dick, release all of Bobby's appearances on your show, you say it was 3 or 4 times, and all we get is the 7 minute snippet the was released right after Bobby died. thanks in advance!!!
+I want to watch those too !!
yes, I want to see that bobby fischer.
My opinion: one of the greatest interviewers ever.
My opinion: an interesting interviewee.
Fact: I really like him and could listen for a long while, regardless of which side of the mic he was on.
I haven't seen many Dick Cavett interviews but the the interviews with Bette Davis and Veronica Lake were terrific.
My favorite Cavett guest is Jimi Hendrix, who was shy and humble but spontaneous and playful once Cavett got him going.
great interview with a true comedic wit and genius at what he did best.
Not Funny at all ..
Back when talk shows didn’t try to be funny every sentence. Back when people had attention spans that could handle unrehearsed introspective dialogue.
People still have attention spans that can handle unrehearsed introspective dialogues, TV and talk show producers just haven’t realized it. That’s why tv is dying and people go watch a 2-3 hour joe organ podcast.
My error, generalization. “People”as in median intellect and attention span.
There is obviously an appetite for this type of programming for many.
Phase Converter 135 amp 208 V Yes, I suppose you’re correct there. I was trying to be hopeful but I was ignoring the other reason TV is dying, young don’t watch it in favor of things like tiktok that plays 10-30 second videos.
The two guests I remember most vividly from Dick Cavett's PBS were Clive James - I've become a fan of just about everything he's written - and John Gielgud. Cavett did what no other American talk show host would ever have done: he asked if Gielgud would recite a poem. Gielgud obliged with "Bredon Hill" from A.E. Housman's "A Shropshire Lad," reducing himself to tears at the end - he wasn't the only one.
In summertime on Bredon
The bells they sound so clear;
Round both the shires they ring them
In steeples far and near,
A happy noise to hear.
Here of a Sunday morning
My love and I would lie,
And see the coloured counties,
And hear the larks so high
About us in the sky.
The bells would ring to call her
In valleys miles away;
"Come all to church, good people;
Good people come and pray."
But here my love would stay.
And I would turn and answer
Among the springing thyme,
"Oh, peal upon our wedding,
And we will hear the chime,
And come to church in time."
But when the snows at Christmas
On Bredon top were strown,
My love rose up so early
And stole out unbeknown
And went to church alone.
They tolled the one bell only,
Groom there was none to see,
The mourners followed after,
And so to church went she,
And would not wait for me.
The bells they sound on Bredon,
And still the steeples hum,
"Come all to church, good people," --
Oh, noisy bells, be dumb;
I hear you, I will come.
of course everyone knows Olivier...but Richardson...Gielgud...and Laughton..just to name a few were the equal of Olivier all..coming from the London stage..
I like his interviewing style...one of the best.
This man is a treasure!
I love Dick Cavet one of my favorite guests of all time was Katherine Hepburn she was older and had by then began showing the effects of Bells Palsy i think that's what she had but she still sharp as a tack near the end of the interview he asked her to autograph her book and she started and asked what his name was I also loved Groucho Marx and Bette Davis and many more
The Hepburn interview was great ... the way she flirted with him was hilarious!
Great host.
Lovely man. Brando thought so too, I think.
Oh, I came here because I thought he was gonna talk about LITTLE RICHARD'S memorable appearance on The Dick Cavett Show AND that show also included football great Jim Brown. Wow!
Recently came across his interviews with Welles. Charming, generous, fascinating.
Someone DIE on the show? What are you talking about?? Yes.
6:15 He talks about it.
@@dalekdx nobody special was quoting him ya ding dong
The first show of his that I stayed up to watch was when Salvador Dali was on. My favorite artist when I was 14 in 1968.
I knew Groucho Marx's literary agent. He inscribed in a copy of his book for her: "To Julia who taught me that agent is not necessarily a four letter word."
My favorite R. Shaw movie is "Swashbuckler". Released after Jaws it was so great seeing a pirate movie in the 70's..
He and Robert Shaw were close friends. Dick used to visit him at his home in Ireland. Always wondered where and how their close friendship began.
A True Legend and the Absolute BEST talk show host!
I love the last part, when he disparages eye-witness testimony.
Always had heard the name Dick Cavett, but never knew much about him until I saw one of his interviews with Bobby Fischer. I can see why Fischer would only interview with Cavett, Cavett had such a great sense of humor and got along so well with Fischer.
There was a part in his interview with Fischer before Fischer's match with Spassky where Cavett asked if Fischer was a genius in all aspects or if it was more focused, and Cavett gave an example about the word 'staple' and how he could make words out of it with ease, and he fired off palet and plates and others and it was pretty impressive. But it just seemed to show Bobby had a human side, and that Cavett was honestly a really bright guy. And that really made me love Cavett, and I can really see why Fischer liked him too. He was a genuine guy, his shows weren't like other talk shows. It felt real, unscripted, and he was really smart and friendly.
*_0:40_**_ "And I thought there is no God" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA absolute legend xd_*
loved his show great interview,er
Wish we'd had him on British TV, a witty, charming man
...You had that Parkinson guy.
@@MrJm323Parkinson .. indeed 🙄. Patronising twat he was ( recently died )
Dick had an amazing career with his TV show bringing guests such as Janis Joplin and others who died before their time and some old time stars who were pretty much were retired. A great show.
One of the absolute few who got to interview Mae West on TV. The real Mae West became very moving when speaking of her mother's death. During lighter side of interview she had Dick Cavett giggling like a hormonal teenager.
Fischer was a troubled soul. Dick Cavett brought out the best in him when they encountered each other. I have never seen Bobby more at ease during an interview than with Dick. Dick was a great presenter who these modern day, political-monkies (coburt, fallon, conan and oliver for example) could learn a lot from.
Cavett claimed Colbert to be the best possible choice, on CNN.
I agree! I also liked Johnny Carson...funny without the politics.
@@donnabittner69 nobody ever knew Carsons politics
Doug Chertoff, yes ! Wasn't that wonderful! You could actually watch TV and laugh. All ages!
Now, all the late night hosts do is apologize about something they did 20 years ago!
@@youtubecontributions5328 I didn't know he was on there that many times. He really was hot in 1972 with the championship.
Cavett is my favorite and just a few days ago I was bringing my father to physical therapy and not realizing till I heard his voice he was sitting right next to me and before I had a chance to really say anything to him my father came over embarrassingly he said you look familiar and Cavett jokingly came back with I'm Frank Sinatra or my brother is Frank Sinatra , my father's reply and I'm Johnny Mathis ? as he was carted into physical therapy.
Wow ❤️🥰
I'm Sure Dick Cavett loved this little comedy interchange. Marvelous.😂🇺🇸🇩🇰🙏📽️
I quite envy people who live long and fulfilled lives. Their like royalty somehow. A living encyclopedia. There's nothing that beats hearing the story first hand from someone who was there.
Truth Indeed
He was pure talk show, and in that category, Cavatt was the best . All, including Carson, just had to put themselves in skits, a semi stand up act to start the show...but Cavett never did those things. He was as good if not better than Carson as a talk show host. He just was superb as a host in getting anyone to spill the beans as we say. Cavitt is class.
I'm not sure Cavett has been fully appreciated - a multi faceted, extremely perceptive, most importantly, highly ironic, black humoured person. Absolutely hilarious interviews often unbeknownst to his audience
Truth Indeed, He hasn't. Terrible SMH
One of the last great interviewers.
The Brando interview was amazing
I keep watching Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal interview. Also Lester Maddox and Jim Brown 😁
i bet one of his memorable was the one with robert mitchum,
Many guests fell asleep right in the middle of an interview. One even wore his pajamas and brought a pillow and conked out right on the couch.
Egad! What a repository of popular cultural history from 50's on, this man is a true national treasure could listen to his stories forever.
His voice is the same. For some reason, I feel relaxed when he's talking, like a cool grandpa :)
I've always loved his voice. And he seems so intelligent.
I know..Dick is one of my favorites😁😄🎥🎬
We snuck an 8mm camera into the DICK CAVETT SHOW when he had Charles Aznavour and the Hollywood 10
I like watching his interviews on you tube , he has the best of the best
Buddy Rich , Aldos Huxley , Wes Montgomery , Robbie Robertson, Asimov, Bacall, chogyam trungpa , Bell ( helicopter) , Jerry Garcia , John Cage , Bernstein .
A great man.
What ?
Dick Cavett. Such a dry sense of humour. Had some real great people on his show. Nice guy.
That chilling interview with Michael MacDonald after he ice pick muttered his wife and two little girls. Grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
I want to see the interview with Wernher von Braun. A little bit of it was shown on the PBS documentary "Chasing the Moon."
Thank you dick Cavett. You are an American treasure!!
i'm here for bobby fischer!
I hope this man makes it to heaven, ... it will be a much more interesting place with people like him around.
Jesus is the way . No one gets to heaven but by Jesus . Repent and call upon Him NOW.
There is no god
@@jaliscodiss haha
The sad thing is that you will never know how wrong you believers are, because you will be dead and gone.
@@Dalsemien ... well that it shouldn't matter aside from looking past your individual death no?
he's very bright , but this format is how interviews should be conducted - someone speaking to written questions and then prompted to continue if necessary , would be fantastic ! no egomaniac hosts !
I would like to have the opportunity to meet Cavett before he dies. Seems like a very good man.
Amen 🙏🏻
They both loved food that’s the connection
He did have Great guest on his show.
I had always heard that Bobby was on Dick's Show around 3 times? Too bad we only have this 7 minute clip that he has released. How do we get him to release more footage!! Please Dick! Please!! thanks in advance!:-)
Dick said that bobby was four times on the show!
@@youtubecontributions5328 The 12-21-72 was on line once cause I've seen it! Bobby is wearing a very bright purple or orange suit, and I remember him chatting with Tony Randall. The 8-4-72 appearance sounds very strange, as Bobby was in Iceland playing Spassky in August of 1972!! The 1-4-72 has been on line for years. Have never of course seen the 8-5-71. Hey thanks for changing in!! Caveat was in town a few years back, wanted to see him and get to talk with him about these shows but never made it. Thanks again!!
Holy cow, Dick Cavett is still alive. Why wasn't the Tonight Show given to him..
Sir cavett I love you .ty for not tainted with commercialism
.
Candide by Leonard bernstein was the theme from the show
More specifically it was "Glitter and Be Gay" from Candide.
I wrote A lyric to the theme Dick Dick Dick Cavette Show Fred Foy is the announcer you know Dick makes the talk show flow with music and wit until he is on NET for a go ...
...you get a free copy of his book when you show
Back when talk shows and talk show hosts were great,the complete opposite of today.
Lucille Ball also thought something similar about HER tooth fillings...along the lines of receiving radio broadcasts, don't forget. Loved in Cavett's interview where Fischer told him that crushing his opponent's ego was his favorite point in a match, where he knew he'd won...after all...it's just an ego, right?
What Cavett says about wishing he'd gone out to eat and watch movies with Bobby Fischer...that's fairly haunting--if more people had done that for Bobby, he'd doubtless have turned out a helluva lot more socially adept, and not had been forced into the nightmare that his life became.
M D, Happens All the time, Antenna(s), Metal/Mineral, Transceiver/Receiver, Disimilar Metals, Etc...; M Lucille did not think("thought") she heard that, She did Hear it via teeth..., at least a few times!
@@danthefan5378 Lucy made the whole story up..Mythbusters proved it was impossible.
@@bgpcdoctor One man did try to take Bobby out to baseball games and get him to do more than just chess constantly and be a father figure and later when the man said Bobby didn't have a sane bone in his body, Bobby was upset and called him a joowish snake. His son is a reporter and said to him at the Icelandic press conference after he got out of prison that basically his father was right. This seemed to hit Bobby hard because he fell silent.
He went to school where I lived for the last 5? years...I'll never tell. His Parents taught school here as well.
+Chas S , Sweet!
Love Cavett