“That Show” with Joan Rivers 1968

In 1968, Joan Rivers became the host of her first talk show, a syndicated half-hour that only lasted one season. Each of the 18 episodes from 1968-69 compiled here focus on a single theme (nudism, interior decorating, women's hats, and, presciently, cosmetic surgery). Rivers kicked things off with a monologue and then kibitzed with an expert on the subject as well as a celebrity guest. While the guest list often feels like the manifest on a Love Boat episode (Florence Henderson, Kitty Carlisle, Shecky Greene, Orson Bean), sometimes the odd couple pairings paid off, such as Johnny Carson and a woman who runs a nudist camp, Soupy Sales with a hat designer, and Jerry Lewis challenging a parenting expert (Lewis recommends that parents “smack” their children). Unseen since going off the air more than 40 years ago (and just as well), That Show is of interest mainly as a career footnote for the indefatigable Rivers. Optional. (D. Liebenson)