Tuesday 26 April 2016

38 YEARS AGO: 'RINGO' TV SPECIAL AIRS

In April 1978, Ringo Starr was behind an hour-long TV special simply called Ringo. Built around a Prince and the Pauper-style premise, the show looked a lot like many other variety programs from the era, right down to its eternal cheesiness.

The special begins with a mock press conference featuring George Harrison, whose first line — “I think it was the trousers” — references All You Need Is Cash, the recently aired TV movie starring the mock Beatles group, the Rutles. Harrison says he’s there to clear up any rumors surrounding Starr’s upcoming concert. He battles a barrage of questions from “the press,” setting the stage.

The show’s lead character, played by Starr, is named “Ognir Rats” (get it? That’s “Ringo Starr” backward, missing one of the “r”s). He’s a lonely guy, but the real Ringo proposes that they swap lives. And from there, Ringo takes a decidedly cornball path, introducing a C-list cast worthy of The Love Boat.

For the next hour, various song-and-dance numbers,they all feature Ringo, who runs through Beatles songs, solo hits and more. Hear Carrie Fisher duet with Ringo on “You’re Sixteen”, Check out the film with the stars: Art Carney, Angie Dickinson, Mike Douglas, Vincent Price and John Ritter.


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