35 Years Ago Today: The Kramdens & Nortons Return to TV

[Brian Damage]

February 2nd, 1976 - "Honeymooners Second Honeymoon" airs on ABC TV

[MrBand]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

February 2nd, 1976 - "Honeymooners Second Honeymoon" airs on ABC TV

Also on this night, WPIX in NY preceeded the ABC special with an hour special hosted by Joyce Randolph. She introduced the episodes "Trapped" and "Please Leave the Premises." IIRC, she was superimposed over a still of the Kramden kitchen.

TV Guide called some of the jokes in the ABC special "stale," but said that Gleason & Carney's performances often transcended the material, particularly when they got drunk on grape juice.

The other big duo TV reunion aired one night earlier on CBS, when Sonny & Cher, divorced but failed in solo series, gave the act one more try. Somehow the scripted putdowns seemed meaner because of the divorce and the revived show didn't last long.

[GQ28]

I think I'll watch that tonight...

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

February 2nd, 1976 - "Honeymooners Second Honeymoon" airs on ABC TV

Wonder why the original actress who played Trixie wasn't involved?

[MrBand]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Wonder why the original actress who played Trixie wasn't involved?

The story goes that it was decided to give the Honeymooners another try at the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Jackie Gleason. Since Miss Randolph was not in attendance but Miss Kean was, the former was not asked to participate. Of course, this version does not account for the fact that Shiela MacRae WAS at the roast, but did not get involoved.

[TVFactFan]

A certain sportscaster always made a reference to the honeymooners by saying

"Goodnight everybody, Sheila McCrae"


WHat program was that from?

[GQ28]

Originally Posted by MrBand

The story goes that it was decided to give the Honeymooners another try at the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Jackie Gleason. Since Miss Randolph was not in attendance but Miss Kean was, the former was not asked to participate. Of course, this version does not account for the fact that Shiela MacRae WAS at the roast, but did not get involoved.

Audrey was the only true Alice. She's the one that made that character famous. People identify with Audrey more. The classic line up. Seeing Gleason,Meadows and Carney together again was magical. I don't think that the specials would have been sucessful with out that trio. Sheila was only doing the role because Audrey wasn't willing to relocate to Miami.