Anissa Jones interview on The Dick Cavett Show - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

80s Dude · 11-25-2022, 11:50 PM

She was the only 11 when she did this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU0DlH3GAtE

paul.austin · 04-21-2023, 01:28 AM

No, she was not "11" when this interview happened in 1971. She was forced to lie on-screen to Dick by CBS.

damon strong · 04-29-2023, 10:41 AM

Anissa would have turned 13 in March of 1971, so she couldn't have been 11 at the time. She would have been 12, going on 13.

stevea · 04-29-2023, 08:53 PM

In the intro. Cavett says she is 12.

Yes, later she says she's 11. But, yes, she would have been 12.

stevea · 04-29-2023, 08:58 PM

She seems kind of shy--he had a hard time drawing her out; even then she was probably another troubled child actress.

Another sad ending, a few years later.

paul.austin · 04-30-2023, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

She seems kind of shy--he had a hard time drawing her out; even then she was probably another troubled child actress.

Another sad ending, a few years later.

Some of her contemporaries e.g. Pamelyn Ferdin, still treat Anissa's shyness as "rudeness" and Pamelyn bad-mouthed her on FB last year.

I think Anissa's druggie "friends" are worse than Anissa ever was - that morning in Oceanside after they realized that she was dead, a few of them helped themselves to the jewelry she had on and took - stole - her car.

biffbronson · 04-01-2026, 10:20 AM

It was a memorable interview for several reasons. Anissa comments that Sammy Davis Jr. is wearing "funny" shoes. Davis asks her about that "cat" she works with on FA, referring to Johnny Whitaker, as to their real-life relationship.

Regarding Ferdin, I think it's been in extremely poor taste the way she's attacked Anissa's character. First of all, they were very young when they interacted; second, their experience together was very limited; third, who can say what pressures Anissa was under during FA; fourth, the chance to meet again as adults was snuffed out; and finally, it's just terrible to speak ill of the deceased, if that person has not harmed you (or anyone). Ferdin ignores any possible reconciliatory interaction later on, which as she knows could never have taken place.

paul.austin · 04-01-2026, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

It was a memorable interview for several reasons. Anissa comments that Sammy Davis Jr. is wearing "funny" shoes. Davis asks her about that "cat" she works with on FA, referring to Johnny Whitaker, as to their real-life relationship.

Regarding Ferdin, I think it's been in extremely poor taste the way she's attacked Anissa's character. First of all, they were very young when they interacted; second, their experience together was very limited; third, who can say what pressures Anissa was under during FA; fourth, the chance to meet again as adults was snuffed out; and finally, it's just terrible to speak ill of the deceased, if that person has not harmed you (or anyone). Ferdin ignores any possible reconciliatory interaction later on, which as she knows could never have taken place.

Heather Menzies went on a similar anti-Anissa rant on FB about a year before Menzies died of brain cancer.

Given that Ferdin once accused a mom and dad of murdering their daughter (who had been killed by a coyote) .... *trails off*

Menzies, though?

11-25-2022, 11:50 PM	#1
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,827	Anissa Jones interview on The Dick Cavett Show She was the only 11 when she did this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU0DlH3GAtE

04-21-2023, 01:28 AM	#2
paul.austin Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 22, 2012 Posts: 674	No, she was not "11" when this interview happened in 1971. She was forced to lie on-screen to Dick by CBS.
	__________________ www.bbc.co.uk\letterfromamerica Last edited by paul.austin; 04-03-2026 at 02:36 AM.

04-29-2023, 10:41 AM	#3
damon strong Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 17, 2010 Location: Toronto ontario Posts: 143	Anissa would have turned 13 in March of 1971, so she couldn't have been 11 at the time. She would have been 12, going on 13.

04-29-2023, 08:53 PM	#4
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,081	In the intro. Cavett says she is 12. Yes, later she says she's 11. But, yes, she would have been 12.

04-29-2023, 08:58 PM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,081	She seems kind of shy--he had a hard time drawing her out; even then she was probably another troubled child actress. Another sad ending, a few years later.

04-01-2026, 10:20 AM	#7
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,591	It was a memorable interview for several reasons. Anissa comments that Sammy Davis Jr. is wearing "funny" shoes. Davis asks her about that "cat" she works with on FA, referring to Johnny Whitaker, as to their real-life relationship. Regarding Ferdin, I think it's been in extremely poor taste the way she's attacked Anissa's character. First of all, they were very young when they interacted; second, their experience together was very limited; third, who can say what pressures Anissa was under during FA; fourth, the chance to meet again as adults was snuffed out; and finally, it's just terrible to speak ill of the deceased, if that person has not harmed you (or anyone). Ferdin ignores any possible reconciliatory interaction later on, which as she knows could never have taken place.