When Lennon visited Cavett
Timely flashback of ex-Beatle on DVD Talk show thrived during 1970s ferment
NEW YORK—“ I dream of us being an old couple on the south coast of Ireland,” says John Lennon, seated onstage next to wife Yoko Ono. Then, in a “ When I’m SixtyFour” burst of playfulness, he adopts a crinkly voice and pretends to reminisce about this night in 1971: “ I remember when we were on Dick Cavett!’’
Things would go differently, of course. On Dec. 8, 1980 — coming up to 25 years ago — Lennon was shot by a madman outside his Manhattan apartment. The new DVD The John & Yoko Collection includes the The Dick Cavett Show
program that aired Sept. 11, 1971, which finds Lennon, 30, looking forward to his new life as an ex- Beatle with his artist- bride.
It’s a revealing visit with Lennon and the woman he clearly loved (although, tweaking a popular catchphrase of the time, he jokes that ‘‘ love is having to say you’re sorry every five minutes’’). In those days, Cavett was known as the go- to guy for clever TV conversation. He was a puckish former joke writer for Jack Paar and Johnny Carson with blond good looks and a Yale degree. He brought on guests with worthwhile things to say. But despite a loyal following, Cavett failed to rally enough late- night viewers to suit ABC. His reign as a Monday- throughFriday fixture began in 1969 and lasted just three years. Even so, he made the most of the cultural and political ferment that coincided with his run. Decades later, as DVD sets of Cavett’s comic and musician guests emerge, the shows crackle with immediacy and the unexpected — even for Cavett, who turns 69 on Saturday.
“ I watched one of the Lennon programs yesterday,” he mused, “ and he looks so alive! I had this sort of a mini- sliver of a thought, ‘ Let’s see, now where does he live these days?’ All that charm, and verbal dexterity, a real sense of joy and foolishness and fun.
“ And then it suddenly hit me.’’ On a return visit that aired in May 1972 ( also in the DVD set), John and Yoko discuss their legal battles with the U. S. government, which for years was bent on throwing him out of the country ( a fight he would ultimately win). They also explain the intent behind Lennon’s bold new song, ‘‘ Woman is the Nigger of the World,” then perform it, although afterwards, at ABC’s behest, Cavett tacked on a viewer alert.
‘‘ I notice watching now how my mouth was saying it, but my manner was indicating ‘ I don’t believe a word of this.’ ’’