On a memorable episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on May 6, 1981, the legendary talk show host welcomed special guests Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach. The atmosphere was electric as the audience erupted in applause for the beloved celebrities.
During the interview, Carson jokingly asked Starr about the plethora of silly buttons on his clothing. Starr playfully responded, “I feel like I’ve been here all seasons!” The lighthearted banter set the tone for an entertaining conversation.
Carson inquired about the type of music Starr enjoyed listening to during his downtime. Starr revealed that his music preferences were eclectic, stating, “We listen to a lot of different music. Chopin, Van Morrison… whatever the people are wearing at the time.” The audience chuckled at Starr’s witty response.
The conversation swiftly turned to a picture Starr and Bach had recently been a part of called “Caveman.” Starr proudly shared that it was his idea to do the film, which he described as a prehistoric comedy. The comedic nature of the movie was evident in the dialogue, with Starr joking that there were only 15 words spoken in the entire film. The audience laughed along with the charismatic duo as they shared their excitement about the upcoming release.
The interview took an entertaining turn when a scene from “Caveman” was shown to the audience. As the clip played, the audience erupted in laughter at the quirky and playful nature of the movie. Carson jokingly remarked, “Well, as you can see, that’s the silliest picture I’ve ever seen!” The light-hearted atmosphere continued to captivate viewers.
Carson then delved into the unique process of making “Caveman.” He asked Starr if the majority of the dialogue was improvised or scripted. Starr revealed that the writers, Carl Gottlieb and Lu Rudy DeLuca, had written just 15 words for the film. Starr and Bach were tasked with pronouncing the words correctly, while the rest of the dialogue was left up to their improvisation. The audience marveled at the creativity and spontaneity required for such a comedic endeavor.
As the interview drew to a close, Carson inquired about Starr’s future plans. The musician stated that, aside from promoting “Caveman,” he and Bach planned to enjoy a well-deserved holiday in July. The audience applauded their upcoming vacation plans, showing their support for the beloved couple.
Carson couldn’t resist asking Starr about the possibility of a Beatles reunion. Starr shared his weariness with the constant speculation surrounding a reunion and clarified that the recent collaboration with George Harrison was not a deliberate tribute to John Lennon. The audience was delighted by Starr’s candid response and laughed along with his humorous anecdotes.
The interview concluded with Carson expressing his well wishes for the success of “Caveman” and for Starr and Bach’s happiness. The lively conversation provided an engaging glimpse into the lives and careers of two beloved celebrities.
As viewers eagerly awaited the release of “Caveman,” the interview on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson left a lasting impression of the dynamic and entertaining personalities of Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach.
