The Chevy Chase Show

When I was in 8th Grade, Chevy Chase was a hero of mine in 1976. Despite all the hype and support of the fledging FOX Network, "The Chevy Chase Show" revealed Chevy Chase as a petty man who had become what he once mocked.

The Goldie Hawn interview is a legend of bad taste. I remember Dan Aykroyd being a guest on the show. At least Aykroyd provided some dignity to his old co star. Aykroyd sang "Rubber Biscuit." Chase kept saying, "Boy we used to have a good time." And at point, Chevy Chase went from cool to Merv Griffin!

Given his public meltdowns as of late, we have come to see that Chevy Chase's source of comedy was not cleverness, but self loathing. Like his old SNL writer, mean spirited humor does not appeal to individuals beyond the 8th Grade.

Probably the worst,most uncomfortable show I've ever watched but yet I kept coming back because I couldn't believe I was actually watching such an unbelievable disaster. Love the old Chevy but talk show host was not for him. Chevy had absolutely no idea what to do or say at any point. I remember being completely boxed back in my early 20's and coming home and watching this with my jaw down to the floor in absolute amazement. Definitely check out the episode where Goldie Hawn sings Happy Birthday to Chevy. I could feel myself sweating because I was so uncomfortable for him. So bad, so very very bad.

I remember waiting in anticipation for this series to start. Always a fan of his, I knew that his show would be a little different and more entertaining, (read: less dry), than the offerings that were available. I thought "The Pat Sajak Show" was the worst new talk show by the way.

He held the traditional talk show stage with a few differences. He moved about his stage with ease and with the same style that people are expecting from him.

He differed from his contemporaries by only focusing on 2 guests per night. Let the viewer see and hear more about his guests than other talk show hosts at the time.

The only low-light of his short lived program was a despicable, rude appearance by Corben Bernsen. He came in straight away criticizing Chevy and, in the worst mannered ungrateful way, gave back his appearance gift he thought was cheap, and marched off the stage.

Others view this program as terrible. I believe it is because Chevy is unique in his talent. And, it is some of the more simple and base forms of entertainment. To some people, he's too staid in his style.

It's hard to believe that seven years have passed since I watched the unbelievably awkward "Chevy Chase Show". I think only the sadistic could have really enjoyed viewing it, such was Chevy Chase's discomfort doing something he clearly was ill prepared for. The first show opened with a bit where Chevy was putting his handprints on the walk of fame and wound up falling in. Immediately I knew we were in trouble. Little did I know that that would be the highlight of the show.

The interview with Goldie Hawn, the first guest, has to go down as the most painful, cringe-inducing interview ever seen on national TV. It certainly is the worst I've ever seen. Chevy was so nervous and his questions were so inane that even Goldie seemed to sense the disaster that was occurring. He engaged in the kind of graceless small talk that would be tedious at a cocktail party, let alone a talk show being viewed by millions. He was just trying to survive and that doesn't lead to pleasant viewing. When I think back on it now, I agree with some of the comments made that it is a sort of cult item, particularly that first show. Enough time has passed where it can be enjoyed as a "so bad it's good" form of entertainment. But while watching it the first time, I know I, and probably quite a few others, just felt sorry for Chevy. He was in way over his head. It does make me appreciate other talk show hosts more, though. It takes special skills and abilities, some probably inborn, to make it all look easy.

I watched a few more shows after that first one-though I can't remember any of the guests-and Chevy did improve somewhat. At least he seemed to relax a little-a "little". Still, even as early as the second show, the only reason to tune in was to see how bad it was going to be. And that incentive was only good for a couple of shows. After that, it was just dull.

"The Chevy Chase Show" was doomed within the first five minutes of the first show. It ranks as one of the most humiliating professional moments in any entertainer's career and, to this day, when I think of Chevy Chase, his show is what stands out in my mind. It taints his whole career for me and undoes a lot of the good that Caddyshack and the Vacation movies had done for that career.

This was an under rated show. It was easily one of the best shows ever. The comedy was rich and drop dead funny. Chevy Chase, with the power of "funny" delivers a hour of on the floor laughing. The skits often made me have random outbursts of chuckles for the next month. And the monologue, well I wish I knew the secret because it was too funny to even repeat. Chevy Chase is a comic genius that needs to be stopped or I will die of laughter. And to all you people out there that criticize this work of art are just plain jealous. Chevy, if you are reading this, don't listen to them. They want your talent but won't get it. This show was brilliant. Chevy brought outstanding wit to the interviews and had perfect timing. This show will always hold a legacy of memories and an impact to the comic world and heart for internity.