This is so horrible. People have to eat, but Karen and Richard did not have to eat this way, after they had already sold 60 million or so albums. My brothers and I were Carpenters fans. Happily, we were completely unaware of this show. John Davidson was the king of schlock, schmaltz, and lots of things that begin with sch. Do not associate this show with disco. Richard hated disco because, comprehensive of a musician as he was, 160 beats per minute did not quite fit into his vocabulary.
In this 1978 show, we can really see how skeletally thin Karen is, even thinner than slim Suzanne Somers. In their dance routine, Karen's side profile is scary stick-thin. I always wondered, too, if John Davidson had a thing for Karen. There's U-tube clip when he hosted Tonight Show & interviewed Karen & Richard. And he was guest on their 1980 "Music, Music, Music" show - sang & danced with Karen. Never saw Richard dance before - no musicality in his feet or hips, plus he hated disco.
Thanks so much for posting this. I've been waiting years to hear Karen & John sing "The Old Fashioned Way" again... not to mention see everybody dancing the Hustle! Ah, the Seventies. And how is it that Suzanne Somers looks the same today as she did then? Maybe she IS an alien.
This is so horrible. People have to eat, but Karen and Richard did not have to eat this way, after they had already sold 60 million or so albums. My brothers and I were Carpenters fans. Happily, we were completely unaware of this show. John Davidson was the king of schlock, schmaltz, and lots of things that begin with sch. Do not associate this show with disco. Richard hated disco because, comprehensive of a musician as he was, 160 beats per minute did not quite fit into his vocabulary.
MatteoNW 2 months ago
KAREN KNEW HOW TO DANCE REALLY WELL!!, I MISS HER SO MUCH!!
MANUELFARINELLI 2 months ago
Richard hated disco - he must have completely hated doing this silly show.
steveatl40 3 months ago
I love seeing Karen dance. She was a natural. And her dress is beautiful!
arfies 11 months ago
In this 1978 show, we can really see how skeletally thin Karen is, even thinner than slim Suzanne Somers. In their dance routine, Karen's side profile is scary stick-thin. I always wondered, too, if John Davidson had a thing for Karen. There's U-tube clip when he hosted Tonight Show & interviewed Karen & Richard. And he was guest on their 1980 "Music, Music, Music" show - sang & danced with Karen. Never saw Richard dance before - no musicality in his feet or hips, plus he hated disco.
devydu 1 year ago
@devydu I think I heard John went on a few dates with Karen.
arfies 11 months ago
6:05 LOL... Karen is way more into it than Richard!
arfies 1 year ago
I didn't know Suzanne Somer could sing. I wanna buy this dvd.
hoorano 1 year ago
I never saw their specials back then because I worked evenings. I never knew what an accomplished live performer Karen was. She was a natural.
casey3234 1 year ago
Karen, lovely and talented as always. She never wound up looking goofy and awkward the way Richard did.
John Davidson seems to truly be taken with the Great Ms. K.
improvguru 1 year ago
love it! Too bad this wasn't on their records.
karencarpenterfan1 2 years ago
Good heavens, we can't have a 1978 Variety Special without the Disco Dancing!!
Bpothik 2 years ago 3
HAha!!!i love her beautiful eyes
aprilshey16 3 years ago 5
i wished karen was my girlfriend, back in the days
sneyder69 4 years ago 5
I always wished i could sing with karen on stage...=)
sisterlead02 4 years ago 4
I wish so :)
Krichardvn94 2 years ago
super singer
GeorgeHumperty 4 years ago 2
Thanks so much for posting this. I've been waiting years to hear Karen & John sing "The Old Fashioned Way" again... not to mention see everybody dancing the Hustle! Ah, the Seventies. And how is it that Suzanne Somers looks the same today as she did then? Maybe she IS an alien.
OceanKingNY 5 years ago 2