On This Day in 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono Co-Host Mike Douglas’ Talk Show for One Week
via Kino Lorber / YouTube
In early 1972, a special week of television took place when national talk show host Mike Douglas invited John Lennon and Yoko Ono to co-host his show. For five consecutive days, the pair shared the set with Douglas and took part in a mix of performances and interviews. The shows followed a variety format that included multiple guests, with some selections made by Lennon and Ono themselves. The five broadcasts, now available on video as a five-cassette box on Rhino, run about 75 minutes each after commercial breaks are edited out. This unique series remains an interesting slice of music and TV history.
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Lennon and Ono’s Week on Air: Diverse Guests and Musical Highlights
During that week, Lennon and Ono were featured throughout each broadcast, although they were interviewed only for parts of every show. Their segments usually appeared near the beginning and lasted only a few minutes, leaving time for other guests. The show maintained its usual format with several different personalities per hour. Some guests included figures like Jerry Rubin and Black Panther Bobby Seale, alongside names such as Ralph Nader, comedian George Carlin, and filmmaker Barbara Loden. More traditional guests like U.S. Surgeon General Jesse Steinfeld and comedian Louis Nye also appeared, creating a diverse mix.
The musical portions of the broadcasts varied widely in quality. Lennon performed several tracks with Elephant’s Memory, and the songs, though spontaneous, often sounded awkward. On day three, there were duets between Chuck Berry and Lennon on “Memphis” and “Johnny B. Goode.” At one point, Yoko insensitively puts in some of her avant-garde backing vocals, yet Berry is gracious enough not to let on if he is disturbed. These moments show a mix of raw energy and unpolished performances that marked the week.
Insightful Interactions and Controversial Guests: Lennon’s TV Appearance with Ono
Mike Douglas conducted brief interviews with Lennon and Ono at the start of each show. These segments were often interesting but did not probe very deep into their thoughts. It would have been useful if one entire show had been devoted solely to the two icons, or if their question-and-answer session with the audience had been extended. Lennon’s responses about “How Do You Sleep” and his relationship to Paul McCartney are especially interesting, hinting at a side of his personality not often seen on TV.
The selection of additional guests brought further controversy and interest to the broadcasts. For example, “Bobby Seale is reasonable and unthreatening” when explaining the Black Panthers’ goals to improve inner-city African-American life. Meanwhile, “Jerry Rubin is feisty but by no means totally off the mark” in his critiques of U.S. defense and domestic policy. These appearances contrasted sharply with the calm presence of Lennon and the more enigmatic air of Ono, creating a dynamic that reflected the changing times.
Throughout the week, the mix of interviews, musical performances, and guest appearances made the show a notable event. Lennon comes off as a likable, benign figure, a contrast to the aggressive tone of some recent Rolling Stone interviews. Yoko Ono remains enigmatic yet clear in her thoughts. Although the format required frequent commercial breaks and rapid guest changes, the week-long special offers a rare look at two of rock’s most famous figures sharing the spotlight with a variety of other voices.
