Rona Barrett and Sir Clement Freud go at it on Jack Paar Tonite - 8/24/1973

When I read that Sir Clement Freud - British broadcaster and writer and grandson of Sigmund - had died on April 15th, I remembered this priceless dust up on Jack Paar's Tonite program. This was the genius of the original talk show format - you mixed, shook and stirred your personalities together and often got real sparks... and Jack was loving every minute of it!

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Entertainment

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• Clement
• Freud
• Jack
• Paar
• Rona
• Barrett
• Peggy
• Cass
• Talk
• Gossip
• Variety
• TV

[defundthewar]

Where is this from- who is selling this- and why is it in black & white? I used to watch this show, it was 1973, and it was in color.

This type of thing could never have happened on Johnny Carson's show, which was more glitzy, but more predictable. Paar was more homespun, but he- and the show- could be volatile, as it was here. Question is whether Paar and Freud, who had known each other for years, planned this attack on Barrett. Of the 4 in this clip, only Barrett is still alive.

[ohbutyes]

The show did air in color - this is a kinescope of the program - the original tape was probably used over again. They usually gave you a kinescope of the show if you requested a copy - most people didn't have a U-Matic tape machine.

[ohbutyes]

To answer your other question - I don't think it was set up - she clearly was trying to go after him - what did she expect when you try to match wits with somebody named Freud!

[defundthewar]

But where did you get it? I would really like to have a set of Paar's 1973 shows.

Rona didn't go after Clement, she innocently (and foolishly) tried to tie her cheesy book to "Mister Freud" and

asked Clement what his grandfather would think of it... as if either Freud would read such things! I think it's possible that Paar, who was catty and liked public feuds, may have told his old friend Clement to tangle with her, but it's just a theory. In an event, it's very entertaining!

[ohbutyes]

I got it from a film collector many years ago - I have no idea of its origin - it's the only one I've ever seen.

[corporalclegg07]

i think Clement wins this one.

[ohbutyes]

when she cops out and says "we were only kidding" the look on his face is priceless... you could tell he was having none of it...

[TheRealKappaX2]

Wow. Great clip. She was pretty arrogant. Go Clement!!

[JTPolo101]

I had never really heard of this gentleman . I do remember reading about his passing recently. After this clip, i would love to know more about him. he sounds like a great fella. I could never stand that those gossip columnists like Rona and her ilk. good for him to tell her off.

[slowdream101]

RB was much better than the idiots at Tmz and other such broadcasts that pollute the networks today

[createdbythefather]

Clement Freud on form!

[NFitalianGuy]

@yggdrasil89 This British Boor is very condescending because his Grandfather was freud and Freud blamed everything on every thing and everyone other than the Patients he treated.

[NFitalianGuy]

Rona Barrett back then inherited the Gossip columnist throne of Louella Parson and Hedda Hopper.. Havent seen her on tv in a long time.. But back in the day columnists like her were feared... I am surprised they had that much power of the studios and stars..

[cremeofthereich]

This remains priceless entertainment every time I stop by. Thanks for posting it. Just shows how rancid Barrett was and it was good to see her get wiped across the floor by Sir Clement.

[Onlymusical]

This is the first clip I've seen recently from "Jack Paar Tonite," a show that alternated week to week with the other greatest talk show host, Dick Cavett, and something else, I forget what (a sports show or something?). The alternating didn't work for viewer habits and the inferior Carson wound up doing better in ratings, plus the set (invented by Paar when he preceded Carson as Tonight Show host) being reversed and being so plain and far from the wall behind it somehow hurt the ambiance.

[delamesa]

Its very sad, but one of the facts of life about direct to tape shows from this era is that not many of them survive. Several years of Carson shows were erased for the same reason. One of Paar's great talents was knowing who to put together in order to create an explosive outcome. His expressions show that he's enjoying every minute of the fireworks.

[yggdrasil89]

Wow one thing I've found with interview shows in the 70's - there are nearly always awkward moments or silences...

[hughwilson86]

this is such a good clip. it is fascinating to watch an intelligent, articulate man express such a valid argument. clement freud is a complete legend, everyone should read his autobiography 'Freud Ego'.

p.s. great upload.