October 18, 1994. Burt Reynolds was always a great talk show guest. Also on this episode was Dave Thomas, founder of Wendys, talking about orphans and the value of education.
What made Tom great......and standing out from all the rest, was that there was no audience to play to, to get cheap, quick jokes---it was truly a conversation, back and forth, and a sincere interview---which was stellar. Tom was always prepared, knew about the person, their book, movie, whatever. Tom was the best interviewer ever, by FAR. The lack of an audience allowed for real conversation.
Watching these interviews are great. I loved the Late Late Show and would regularly watch it back in the day when I was in grad school. This is like a time warp for me in a good way. It’s now actually a reminder for me of how life was simpler and frankly better in many ways. Thank you for posting these.
Great video. I miss his show. Used to watch when I was in High School and forgo sleep. His show had real conversation that lasted longer than 3 minutes.
Tom Snyder. What I liked best is probably that he didn't care too much about himself as much as he would crack his guests' info. He got inside data that no one else could or else cared just by being straightforward! Got his 20'th century interviews to MEAN something! Kudos!😊
God bless Tom Snyder and his interviews: we are so much blessed. He wasn't perfect (thank God) and fuxked us all up to meet the minds of whoever. AND he was prepared! Best interviewever of ALL time!
It was really nice of Tom to cut away when Burt started getting choked up about Dinah, by claiming it was time for a commercial. What a perceptive, sensitive man Tom Snyder was.
Tom Snyder was always my favorite. He was such a good interviewer and somebody that made you feel like he was your friend. Now we have a bunch of comedians who constantly get political and are just plain hateful people. Americans care about the interview and good stories, not the stupid politics.
I used to like watching late night, especially Tom, who brought real interviewing to the table. Not a monologue of dumb jokes, silly skits, or mandatory sycophantic laughter from an off camera sidekick. I know he could make himself look foolish by interviewing rock musicians, or at times seemed terse, but he made up for those things by skillfully maneuvering interviews and actually allowing guests to speak.
Mr. Thomas was an amazing success story! This is a man that knew how to work. VERY hard! Gee I think that also is a key to success? You think? lol! Walked out of an elevator in Las Vegas years ago and he was standing there. Quite frail. I didn't say anything to him but it was an honor!
Tom was a staple every day here in SoCal when he did the news on KNBC with Kelly Lange, Ross Porter, Bryant Gumble and John Barbour. Jess Marlow was on before at 5 pm and John Schubeck later at 11. ❤
Bert Reynolds might have been funny and a great star but Dave Thomas is a hero! I remember these shows before Letterman bought the show and they were like a real secret gem. Bert Reynolds used to call in drunk, Dave Letterman used to call in and disguise his voice and play different characters. Takes me to my happy place. Wow that’s 25 years ago.
Loved how you called this a “secret gem”. It was to me personally. Back in 94 while struggling for cash while finishing college I had four things get me through the day....gym, Wendy’s Chili and I could not wait for Tom Snyder and Wings to come on at night. It was just something to look forward to get to the next day.
Thank you Kevin for posting the clip. My father and I loved to watch Reynolds' films. Even when the films were not good. Burt R was our comfort food! My father and Mr. Reynolds are dead.This interview was great! I am Canadian and Dave Thomas was not Bob Mckenzie of SCTV!! I did read Thomas' book. Thank you !
I miss you tom I remember 80"s 90"s Yong boy didnt know much english I like intellual sincere people in that time so many but not anymore don't see people like you anymore on tv that's why I didn't watch TV anymore
I remember eating Tom almost ever night hated it when the show was finished after great interviews like these and had to wait another 23 hours for the next.
Agreed! But deep down, he was always a really sensitive guy, who also suffered from bouts of anxiety. So he sometimes took things harder than others. He is missed, for sure.
I remember when he was on the Tonight Show. As you'll recall, at the end of the show, each guest would plug his/her latest project. And Tom Snyder, being between projects, said," Folks, tomorrow's election day. So get out and vote. 'Cause if you don't vote, you can't bitch. And, boy, do I like to bitch " . And then, THE LAUGH.
When I was living in LA and my Mom came to visit, we were on Sunset Blvd in Beverly Hills. My Mom asked what kind of a car was beside us? I said it's a Rolls Royce Corniche, after about a minute my Mom said well that was Dinah Shore, I guess she likes to see the USA in a Chevrolet, but Beverly Hills in a Rolls Royce.
At 16 minutes in when Burt mentions the movie he's in , The Maddening , directed by John Huston's son ... That's Tony Houston who I had the pleasure to hang out with back around 1989 . He was the kindest , nicest person and also had a good sense of humor ... very down-to-earth and a real gentleman . He wrote the screenplay for the movie and I forget if he directed or produced along with his dad John Huston for James Joyce's The Dead ... sister Angelica played the lead female . It's a different kind of story and very real in Ireland over 100 years ago . There might be some clips of it here on the tube . He spoke about falconry and I hear that's what he does now full-time and does not do film anymore .
My grandson worked at Wendy's in 1979. The horror stories he'd come home with about food preparation there were hair raising. The chili meat is from overcooked or broken patties that sit beneath the grill in a pail while flies feed on it. Other things were just as bad.
Thanks for uploading these Snyder episodes. I particularly liked this one. I find Dave Thomas rather fascinating. Do you happen to have the Snyder interview of Fred Rogers?
The director that Burt Reynolds hit was Dick Richards (Farwell, My Lovely) on the set of 1987's Heat. It was a troubled production from the word "go" with screenwriter William Goldman wanting to take his name off the project, but unfortunately the WGA wouldn't allow it. After all, he did write the book it was based on, too. Years later, Brian DePalma was set to remake Heat, but he dropped out and hack director Simon West stepped in and filmed it with Jason Statham starring and they ended up changing the title to Wild Card. It was no improvement.
Unlike so many overrated and sensitive actors in this day and age... Burt never let his ego consume him. You have to laugh at yourself and let things roll off your back. When you know who you are. When you're content in your own skin. That's how you live.
LOL! Yes he said, "It'll die out here like a sack full of dead babies." Dead baby jokes on TV. Man I miss Tom Snyder and the way we all used to be free to speak our minds. Now you have to walk on eggshells and hope no one calls you out on some shit.
While Guest Hosting for Carson, Burt was asked by an audience member..."Is that your real hair?" Burt replied....."I paid $3000 for this toupee. You bet it's Mine",or words to that effect
I never really cared for Burt, too cocky & full of himself. I always loved Tom Snyder, his laughter always made me laugh, plus a great interviewer, good looking, smart, I wish I had met him - RIP Tom ♥️♥️💯♥️♥️ And I've always respected Dave Thomas, worked hard all his life, loving God & helping people
You don't have to like Burt, but he helped way more people than Dave Thomas whose major contribution was to expanding waistlines in the obesity and heart disease epidemic in America.
Deliverance was a huge commercial and critical success and established Reynolds as a bonafide movie star. He had become a household name because of his sophisticated and soulful performance as businessman and outdoorsman Lewis Medlock in that widely regarded terrifying adventure film of 1972 .
Seems like he’s in a lotta pain with his Jaw. Or he’s own some Pain killers drying his mouth out and causing his strange behavior. Poor Burt those pills took his smile and laugh .
I always wonder where people ended up in Hell or Heaven. If you think it's a joke oh my gosh there are people screaming in hell because they didn't choose Jesus they thought it was a joke
You're absolutely right, it's no joke, it's either heaven or hell depending if you accepted ( heaven) or hell ( if Jesus is rejected, pity the souls ending up in hell
