Ralph Rector on the Tonight Show
Last week, I showcased Ralph Rector (1898-1985), the World Championship Cow Chip Throw promoter, affectionately called Mr. Cow Chip. My Great Aunt Virginia told me about Ralph’s national television experiences. How do I find more?
Southern Illinoisian, December 24, 19781TV Schedule. Southern Illinoisian (Carbondale IL). December 24, 1978, page 55.
The Daily Oklahoman, October 22, 19782Kelley, Ed. “Big Boy Basks on Center Stage.” The Daily Oklahoman. October 22, 1978. Mention of Ralph Rector is at the end of the article in Section A, page 2, column 1.
1978 Interview
The Oklahoma Historical Society Archives has two different oral history interviews with Ralph Rector. These 2 “Living Legends” cassette tapes were made in September 1978 and November 1984. Beaver County Historian Berenice Jackson interviewed Ralph each time.
A final portion of the 1978 interview is dedicated to Ralph’s time on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carlson. Ralph detailed the initial call from the show’s staff in July, as well as his trip to California for the August show-taping.
Both Ralph and his wife , Evelyn (Harrington), were flown first class to Burbank, California on August 2, 1978. The show paid for a nice hotel, all meals, and limousine transportation to-from the studio.
August 3rd, Ralph arrived at the studio for rehearsal and practiced throwing chips. The demonstration was to be a featured part of his time on The Tonight Show. Unfortunately, the other guests ran longer than expected and Ralph did not have the opportunity to appear on the show that night.
However, Ralph was added to the line-up for the following night. That show aired on Friday, August 4, 1978 (Season 15, episode 211) and featured these other guests: comedian George Carlin, actor Charles Frank, and the “Queen of Las Vegas,” Lola Falana.
Ralph Rector and Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Clip
For many years, I looked for this episode of The Tonight Show. Wouldn’t it be a delight to see and hear Great Uncle Ralph banter with Johnny Carson?
So, I scoured the Internet, YouTube, VHS tape collections, thrift stores, and libraries in search of a copy of this show. Perhaps because of the caliber of the more-famous guests, this particular episode was not included in the best-of-Carson compilations. No copy was available.
When making plans to visit the Oklahoma State Archives to listen to the 1978 interview tape, I made one last attempt to find a video clip of Uncle Ralph. In March of 2024, I contacted the Carson Entertainment Group via email.
Two months later, I received a reply from Jeff Sotzing, Johnny Carson’s nephew and the manager of the company. He offered the clip if I signed and returned a “personal use agreement.”
Yes, please!
Six weeks later, Mr. Sotzing sent an email reply with a link to download the clip.
What a treat to watch Ralph Rector on the show!
Let’s View it Together
If you want to see the clip, you’ll have to get together with me in person. The stipulations of the personal use agreement prohibit me from uploading it to the Internet. Send me a message and we’ll have a Watch Party.
Yes, Ralph Rector presented a spray-painted cow chip award to Johnny Carson
SOURCES
- 1TV Schedule. Southern Illinoisian (Carbondale IL). December 24, 1978, page 55.
- 2Kelley, Ed. “Big Boy Basks on Center Stage.” The Daily Oklahoman. October 22, 1978. Mention of Ralph Rector is at the end of the article in Section A, page 2, column 1.