As I delve into the captivating narrative of the 1972 John and Yoko’s television appearances, it’s evident that we are witnessing a poignant slice of history unfold. At 90 years old, Ralph Nader, with his keen insight and wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of political activism, serves as our guide through this intriguing time capsule.
Picture this: Reflect on an era when only three major U.S. TV networks existed, and a daytime talk show could attract up to 40 million viewers each week – that’s over one-fifth of the population at the time! Now, envision a broadcast environment where a well-liked figure from afternoon television, who had followers in both conservative and liberal regions, might face potential audience loss by inviting as co-hosts a famous duo renowned for their radical views. It’s almost audible how the executives would react: “We’ll lose the housewives!
However, the event actually took place in February 1972: John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who had recently written their human rights protest song “Attica State” following the tragic prison riot and criticizing the nation’s judicial and penal systems, spent an entire week as guests on The Mike Douglas Show. They were allowed to bring whomever they wanted to discuss a variety of topics, including politics, biofeedback therapy, macrobiotic diets, among others. Erik Nelson’s documentary Daytime Revolution serves as an engaging snapshot of this daring attempt to introduce the counterculture to mainstream America.
Two years prior, The Beatles disbanded, and during that time, Lennon continued to shine as a worldwide music icon. However, his wife, Ono, was still somewhat controversial at the time. Some longtime fans attributed the band’s breakup, whether justly or not, to Ono, who was viewed as an intrusive influence when she started accompanying Lennon during recording sessions.
However, the unusual pairing of the couple proved to be remarkably harmonious due to their mutual compatibility and Douglas’ inherent warmth and expertise. Lennon’s charisma played a significant role; he often acted as a soothing intermediary between Douglas and their visitors, helping to ease any initial apprehensions.
In the initial conversation of their five-part series, when Douglas queries what topics they’d discuss throughout the week, Lennon and Ono propose “Love, peace, dialogue, feminism, racism, prison reform, drugs.” This indicates that their artistic and political beliefs are closely linked, and they aim to disseminate their messages. If Douglas harbors any doubts about how well these subjects might resonate with his viewers, he doesn’t show it.
Initially, Douglas might seem out of sync with Lennon and Ono in terms of age and mentality. This notion is reinforced by his rendition of “Michelle” by The Beatles, which he performs in a lounge-act style as an opening act. However, Douglas’ receptivity mirrors the relaxed spontaneity of Lennon and Ono, making their collaboration successful.
Despite Douglas’s disagreement with Jerry Rubin’s radical views, fearing he might introduce disruption, the host maintains respect and openness as Rubin discusses rallying America’s disillusioned youth to oppose Nixon. This instance is one of many that highlight how people from polarized political standpoints can engage in meaningful dialogue without hostility, a stark contrast to today’s atmosphere filled with intense anger.
Douglas often appears enthusiastic about interacting with guests who are not part of his usual circle, or taking part in Ono’s collaborative art ventures – such as the daily reassembly of a shattered teacup. The environment is friendly yet open and educational, featuring notable figures like Ralph Nader, Bobby Seale from the Black Panthers, and comedian George Carlin.
Additionally, there are lesser-known individuals such as biofeedback researcher Gary Schwarz, who attaches everyone to electrodes to gauge their internal reactions to music. Also present is avant-garde musician David Rosenboom, macrobiotic chef Hilary Redleaf conducting a cooking demonstration of hijiki pockets, and folk singer/activists Nobuko Miyamoto and Chris Iijima, who go by the name Yellow Pearl. Their touching song “We Are the Children,” composed over 50 years ago, continues to convey a message that remains relevant today.
In modern times, Miyamoto, Schwarz, Rosenboom, and Redleaf are among a few special guests who provide commentary as they rewatch their old appearances on the show. They reminisce about their shock when they received the call to perform with Lennon and Ono. Miyamoto tells an amusing story of standing up against the director’s attempts to censor some controversial lyrics, while Redleaf proudly shows her receipt for her $100 payment (which she cashed).
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reminisce with starstruck, hard-to-believe delight when thinking about Vivian Reed. She gracefully performed the soulful gospel hymn “His Eye is on the Sparrow” on one of the episodes. You see, Vivian and Douglas had a shared history in Las Vegas, making her a cherished connection between our host’s familiar territory and that of Lennon and Ono, with frequent guest Carlin.
Nader, who was 37 back then and now turns 90, provides insight into why those past events were so groundbreaking. In his 1972 speech, he suggested a practical guide for politically and socially active students to mobilize, emphasizing the importance of a mature understanding of citizenship. During a recent interview, he humorously echoed Lennon and Ono’s sentiments by urging younger generations to exercise their right to vote, stressing that healthy skepticism is more beneficial than cynicism in politics.
A notable detail in this scenario is the behind-the-scenes role of Roger Ailes, who had climbed the ranks from publicist to producer on the show. Given his past interaction with Nixon when Nixon was a guest – an event that eventually led to him working on Nixon’s first presidential campaign – Nader humorously remarks that Ailes seemed to be meticulously observing every facet of the television production process, perhaps thinking, “I will ensure that television becomes a powerful instrument for right-wing politics in the future.
The documentary lacks information about viewership changes during that particular week or any potential complaints from syndication stations airing the show. However, valuable insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives are offered by longtime associate producer E.V. Di Massa, who was 24 at the time of the broadcasts.
Although Lennon’s work leans more towards social activism than music, he occasionally reflects on his time with the Beatles, his upbringing, and his early musical influences. It’s said that he compared the basement studio in Philadelphia where ‘The Mike Douglas Show’ was taped to the famous early Beatles venue The Cavern in Liverpool. Interestingly, he gave a slight compliment for McCartney’s first albums with Wings, although this was a year before their success with ‘Band on the Run’.
As a music enthusiast, Ono’s musical interludes might be a bit challenging for some ears, but they certainly hold value as unique, time-capsule tunes. Lennon’s heartfelt rendition of “Imagine” at the piano brings the song back to its original essence, stripping away layers of saccharine covers that have been around for decades.
The standout moment musically speaking is when Lennon, for the first time, encounters one of his idols, Chuck Berry. Dressed sharp in a purple-trimmed shirt with fringe and pristine white pants, he certainly looked the part of a suave cat. During their joint performance of “Memphis, Tennessee,” Berry showcases his iconic duckwalk on guitar, and it’s a joy to see both bands’ expressions brighten. The spontaneity of these musical sequences makes the experience even more enjoyable.
The incorporation of historical news clips, such as Nixon’s visit to China, false information about Vietnam, fear-mongering about marijuana, and protests against school busing, could flow better, however, these clips serve as the main attraction in this presentation.
In recent times, there have been numerous documentaries about Lennon. Just a month ago, both “One to One: John & Yoko” and “TWST: Things We Said Today” were premiered at the Venice Film Festival. The former is an up-close account of a year in his life, while the latter provides an experimental portrayal of the Beatles’ 1965 concert at Shea Stadium. This summary of a unique and heartfelt attempt to clarify utopian ideals for conservative audiences through television presents an intriguing look into a different era in our nation’s history.
After the broadcasts, it’s mentioned that within a few weeks, the Nixon administration took steps to silence the couple, leading to a three-year legal fight when Lennon was threatened with deportation. This event was also featured in another documentary titled “The U.S. vs. John Lennon,” which came out in 2006.
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2024-10-05 22:55