| Initial airdate: | Oct 2, 1981 |
| Initial broadcaster: | Syndicated |
| Country of production: | USA |
| Duration: | 1 hour 5 mins |
| Type: | performance/interview |
Merv’s
first words are to compliment Olivia on her “early Roman” dress calling
it a “definite mini.” Olivia points out that she is wearing shorts
underneath so she’s “decent”. He also comments on her 10s: “tenth year
in showbusiness,” “tenth album” and even calling Olivia herself “a 10”.
As Olivia points out it’s actually her sixteenth year in showbusiness
but ten years of hits.
Merv impresses Olivia with
his choice of favourite song of hers – “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”
Olivia recorded this in 1976 (for her Making A Good Thing Better 1977
album) before Evita even came to America. When she first heard the song
she decided she really wanted to record it. Her producer John Farrar
was in Australia at the time and he flew especially to Vancouver. They
recorded it there in one day with a hundred-piece orchestra.
Unfortunately, Olivia couldn't release her version as a single because
she was on the same record label as the original Evita version.
They
show footage of Olivia receiving her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
and her slightly cheeky speech thanking the Chamber of Commerce for
“agreeing on something” which raises a laugh from the audience.
John
Travolta joins Olivia later in the show. They discuss whether fame has
changed either of them. Olivia reckons that it changes your life but it
doesn't change you inside. John Travolta disagrees and says, “It
changed me. I’m happier.” This gets a big laugh from everyone. John is
very relaxed during this show, he was noted for his shyness at the
time. He even says, “with this group I feel outgoing.”
An
appearance by the Carpenters also adds to the evening especially now
Karen is no longer with us. Olivia, Karen and Richard first met in
London at Annabel’s in the early 70s. Karen and Olivia talk about a
recent boating trip they took together with their partners. Olivia
suffered from seasickness, the boat broke and they had to spend the
night in a cockroach-filled hotel. Despite this they seemed to have had
a great time!
Olivia performs The Promise, Make A
Move On Me and they show the Physical video. Olivia mentions the two
songs that mean something personal to her on the new Physical album:
Silvery Rain and of course The Promise.
Other
guests were fellow Australian Rick Springfield and dolphin expert Toni
Lilly. At the end there’s a cake in the shape of “10” for 10 years of
hits or in fact Olivia being a 10!
