None the less, this 2-Disc collection of the several
appearances by John Lennon and his controversial wife Yoko Ono, is
without doubt a true piece of television history. Dick
Cavett was certainly no Johnny Carson, he was no Letterman and judging
by his interviewing techniques, he's lucky even to even be considered
no Rove McManus. But, for whatever reason, Cavett secured some of the
most sought after interviews of music legends on his public television
show during the 1970's. From Hendrix to Joplin, The Rolling
Stones to Ray Charles to the interviews with the man in question John
Lennon, Cavett was one of the few tonight show's which allowed
musicians "couch time" as opposed to simply marginalize performers to
the last five minutes of a show. Cavett doesn't have to probe too
deeply in the first of the interviews (recorded on Sep 11th, 1971).
Lennon is in relatively high spirits, newly unburdened of The Beatles
(his first TV appearance since the split)- and a new solo album to plug
"Imagine" - Lennon gradually eases into the conversation with a dry
humour which he became famous for during his Beatle years as "The Funny
One". So much is discussed: British TV, the misuse of public protests,
global overpopulation, Native Americans, Lennons' favourite
illustrators (Thurber) and John & Yoko's films. Lennon was
well known (post-Beatles) for his dislike of discussing "The Good Ol'
Days," yet Cavett somehow manages to subtlety maneuverer the
conversation into that territory on numerous occasions. While Lennon
makes Cavett work for the first ten minutes or so (Cavett is clearly
nervous, with sweat dripping from his forehead quite steadily early on
in the interview) eventually there is a much looser story which emerges.
Yoko, while soft spoken, is clearly relaxed with Cavett which eases
Lennon into being able to be extremely intellectual and humorous
(however, this could be due to the amount of cigarettes and scotch that
both consume throughout proceedings). By Lennons' third
appearance in May 1972, the mood isn't so light hearted. John was at
the beginning of a four year battle against deportation, and Yoko was
trying to find her daughter from a previous marriage who had been
stolen by her former husband. Legal documents are discussed on air,
with Yoko's pleas to find her daughter censored by the network (via
title cards to hide the photo of Kyoko, and the audio being turned off
for almost a minute as she explains her plight). Just prior to the
episode, network executives also ordered John's performance of the song
"Woman Is The Nigger Of The World" to be edited out of the show. However, due to a protest from Cavett himself, the song was eventually
included with a disclaimer shown before it. This is a fantastic
bit of music history. While those unfamiliar with Lennon's work may not
get as much out of this as real music lovers, there are still some
fantastic television moments here (even if they are hidden in between
the constant "Ums", "Ahs" and numerous awkward interviewing techniques
of Cavett). Lennon once sung "Life is what happens when you're
busy making other plans". If that is the case, be sure to make time to
look at these interviews at least once. It's part of history, and
worthy of being part of your life. So keep your plans on hold for just
a little longer. EXTRAS There is
a bonus featurette "Cavett and The Lennons" which has a much older
Cavett (age has not been kind to his once charming looks) talking about
his relationship with John and Yoko. However, nothing will beat Yoko's performance on Disc 2, which is certainly not one of music history's finest moments. Conclusion:
Movie 75% Extras: 65% 
| 
