Cass Elliot, the talented singer and member of the iconic group The Mamas & The Papas, recently made a memorable appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. However, her return to the show after a previous incident was met with anticipation and a bit of concern. Just a couple of weeks ago, Cass had collapsed backstage just minutes before her scheduled performance. She had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, causing quite a stir. But now, she’s back on the show, looking fine and ready to talk about what happened.
As Cass sat down with Johnny Carson, he jokingly asked if The Tonight Show was a jinx for her. Cass clarified that she wasn’t even present on her last scheduled appearance. The unfortunate incident occurred as she was leaving the show, outside in the studio lot. There was a tilted sewer grate, and her foot slipped on it, causing her to fall and hit her head. She had to be rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Cass humorously referred to the hospital as the “guest of NBC,” as it was just across the street from the studio. Despite the scare, she assured everyone that everything turned out to be fine.
However, the incident that happened a couple of weeks ago was a bit different. Cass explained that she had been feeling unwell that day, with a bad headache and low blood sugar levels. She described the feeling as having “the vapors,” a term used in the past to describe a general feeling of being unwell or lightheaded. Unfortunately, her condition worsened, and she ended up spending four days in the hospital. The incident made the news, which worried Cass as her mother didn’t know about it until she saw it on TV. Thankfully, Cass received an outpouring of support and well-wishes from fans and friends alike.
As the conversation continued, Cass shared that she had been traveling extensively since November and had only recently returned home. She confessed that although performing on stage was fun, she often found herself getting bored during downtime. To pass the time, Cass admitted to being an avid soap opera watcher. She revealed her love for shows like “Days of Our Lives” and “General Hospital.” Cass found the stories to be a great release, as they often portrayed troubles much worse than anything happening in her own life.
Johnny Carson chimed in with some soap opera trivia, recalling a classic moment from a show where a character spent four weeks in a flashback sequence within a revolving door. This anecdote got Cass amused and nostalgic, reminiscing about the quirks and exaggerated storylines of soap operas. They both laughed and realized that soap operas often centered around complicated love triangles and dramatic situations that audiences couldn’t help but get hooked on.
The conversation took a turn as Carson brought up Cass’s appearance on another famous show, “The Dating Game.” Cass became animated and filled with laughter, sharing her experience. She jokingly mentioned that she was more nervous about choosing a date on the show than actually performing on stage. She expressed her disappointment with the choices, deeming them “lame.” Cass playfully mocked the generic questions given on the show, often leading to comical situations. However, Cass also shared a heartwarming story of a friend who had found love on “The Dating Game” and went on to marry the person they chose.
As the interview concluded, Johnny Carson thanked Cass for her time and expressed his relief to see her in good health. Cass thanked everyone who had sent her cards and well wishes during her hospitalization. She ended the interview by expressing her gratitude and delight to be back home after her extensive travels.
Cass Elliot‘s appearance on The Tonight Show was a true testament to her resilience and infectious spirit. Despite the challenges she faced, both on and off the stage, Cass continued to entertain and spread joy with her music and vibrant personality.
Originally aired on May 7, 1974
