Karen Carpenter - Bruce Forsyth's Big Night - "Christmas Show" - 1978

Karen Carpenter was a guest on Bruce Forsyth's Big Night "Christmas Show" which was broadcast Christmas Eve, 1978.
Presented here is the complete Part 4 of that show where
Karen sings the following live:
Please Mr Postman
Merry Christmas, Darling
I Need To Be In Love
Christmas Medley (Duet with Bruce)

[@greggles2412]

I recently had lunch with one of the producers of this very show. He told me that, through clever editing, the parts with Bruce had an audience in attendance - But the musical numbers didn’t. You can see these cuts if you really look for them. But anyway - During the recording of Karen’s songs, execs and producers stood at the back of the studio. As she performed, my producer pal says he looked around at his colleagues… They were either mouth-agape, hypnotised or in tears. All totally blown away by this incredible woman’s talent. Let’s face it - Who wouldn’t be?

[@77hogwarts]

Thank you for this. Now I'm in tears.

[@greggles2412]

Tears tinged with happiness, I hope.

[@Highinsight7]

how beautiful... I too, would be in tears....

[@briank10101]

It probably softened the bitterness people were feeling with the coal strikes going on in the UK at the time.

[@UniqueInterpretations]

The love so many people still feel for this woman is absolutely heartwarming, and for those of us who didn't get to experience her during her lifetime, her voice is for the ages.

[@allenf.5907]

I got to see them in 74 - which was a big touring year for them. She, Richard and the band were AMAZING.

[@gvalley07]

Best rendition of "I Need To Be In Love", hands down. The studio audience loves her and she surely appreciates it. What a talent.

[@lvelez1999]

This was Karen's favorite song pf theirs. It spoke what she had inside her

[@Spicymaddog8943]

I met Karen and I've never met anyone as humble and selfless and beautiful in all my life she was and still is truly amazing and wonderful, what an amazing woman and angel she is and always will be love you forever Karen ❤❤❤️❤️🌹

[@abbett]

Her best performance of "I Need To Be In Love". So powerful. 😢

[@MrDuboce]

I love how she played with the phrasing and timing. She was so secure in her performances at this point in her career. She was stunning.

[@lvelez1999]

Sometimes, Karen said, she would cry on stage while singing it

[@SueRosalie]

Richard said it was her favourite song

[@divaslive6953]

And this is all live singing..... my goodness.... im speechless.... none can compare to Karen's voice, she's in a league of her own and she's a masterclass of her own....❤💚

[@ChuckHackney]

How on God's green earth can that voice sound better live than in a recordind studio. How? Karen's did. No other singer in modern music can make that claim. Karen can. The voice of the ages. Timeless. Incomparable. Spiritual. Angelic.

[@MrDuboce]

Her voice just knocks me out, stunning, beautiful, perfect.

[@stephjoy714]

I couldn’t agree with you more! She gave an absolutely stunning and flawless performance and I feel the best vocals of those songs she sang. I keep rewatching her sing Merry Christmas Darling, as it’s the warmth and comfort we would all want this holiday season. And I Need to Be in Love was incredible! 👏🏼❤️🎶🎤

[@greggles2412]

LWT productions had incredible sound quality, unlike any other studios. So this, combined with Karen’s incredible voice, resulted in this unbeatable performance. Merry Christmas, Darling… I mean WOW.

[@johngraham5543]

Karen was simply the BEST Singer that this world has ever known! An absolute miracle from GOD!

[@lvelez1999]

Because God, our Heavenly Father, is Ah-Maz-ing! ✝️

[@SteveBrant55]

This is my first time hearing Karen Carpenter sing Christmas songs live. I love the Christmas album she and Richard released in 1978. So, finding this today (Nov 30, 2023) is very special. Thank you!

[@bruschmidt9943]

Karen was/is a National Treasure.

[@briank10101]

I think a lot of the Christmas recordings were earlier this same year, 1978, so these recordings would be fresh on her mind when performing live.

[@davebuehner4307]

Karen seemed to be nearly at home with comedy as with singing or drumming. So much talent!

[@monilaninetynine3811]

It's a shame that people can't leave some of their talent when they leave. There are so many untalented hacks in the world today.

[@RitaSora]

I could not agree more!! I love Karen's voice but her comedy still makes me laugh.Her comedic timing was spot on and she was so natural! I was a kid when they started out and now in my 60's still laughing at Karen's comedy.What a talented lady! Miss her so much!❤

[@allenf.5907]

She could do it all.

[@piscesempress1978]

She was so adorable. I only wish she seen herself like we see her, beautiful!! She was NEVER heavy or fat. She was a normal woman!! I just wish she was still here to sing , I Hope she is finally resting in peace. RIP both Bruce and Karen.

[@UncleDeesYT]

I couldn't agree more with you

[@danieltilley4187]

I totally agree with you. But I honestly believe someone was envious of her talent and made her feel bad about herself.

[@lauraverbruggen1027]

​, Hi, I'm sorry but that was not the case at all, when they released the song, Close to you, they went nr 1 for lots of weeks, they were not known at all and someone wrote in a paper, Both Richie, her brother, and HIS CHUBBY SISTER have now a great hit... And that was IT for her... She thought of herself as super ugly and started to diet like crazy, didn't eat anymore. she had to perform in the front as lead singer... So everyone saw her.... and had to look amazing and as thin as possible... It's a whole story and even a movie about her.... You can find it all on the internet.... 💔💔💋💋💞💞🌹🌹

[@tomschmitz-dj1fg]

ULTIMATE vocalist and storyteller who sang to us and NOT at us...

[@divaslive6953]

look at Bruce face when KC singing White Christmas, he was just keep looking at her and mesmerized by her beauty and voice. he don't want to interrupt her. ❤💖❤

[@ChuckHackney]

God what we lost when she died.

[@that70sgirl90]

Karen just had that ability to make you feel like you were the only person in the room that she was singing to. Thank goodness for KZbin and people like you who enjoy some of the finest music. I wish they would bring back the older shows like this and show them on TV. That's the first time I ever got to see that whole show since it aired. Thanks you for the memories, the laughter., and the tears. 😪 Merry Christmas to you and to everyone! May your Blessings be Great!! 🎄 🙏 Thank you for sharing 💖

[@Dastardly_X]

🎄 💫 🎄

[@greevooo]

Her low notes bring me to tears every time

[@RitaSora]

Today 3-2-22 Happy 72nd Birthday Karen! We will always celebrate you! Such a great voice and sooo funny.I watch this clip over and over! It never gets old! Thanks for all you do to keep Karen's memory alive!

[@RitaSora]

Feb 4, 2022 Today.Karen's 39th Anniversary.Will always Love her! Thanks for keeping her memory alive! Miss You Karen!

[@ChuckHackney]

Gives us a glimpse of a rather impish personality. Makes Karen even more angelically awesome

[@ivonnevermeer3600]

Beautiful songs from a lovely lady with the voice of an angel, hope she is happier in heaven 🙏

[@daedalus7677]

What a gem of a find! Terrific! Thank you for posting this. I remember the original broadcast in the UK.☃⛄

[@MarcusStaAnaBurSelF]

This is at a much higher quality! So fantastic and marvelous.❤️. It truly is gratifying to have heard such wonders of music in my borrowed lifetime from God. These kinds of music done by the Carpenters sounds so iconic and revolutionary. It takes me to a place in my memory full of bliss and paradise. It’s too wholesome, cute, innocent, pure and too clean cut, listening to the Carpenters makes me feel like a little 8 year old kid. I bet it makes the oldest people feel young inside when listening to Carpenters music. I’m currently 16 years old, I’m going to grow old spending most of my life, filling each and every step of the way, listening to one Carpenters song to another, after I’ve done listening to every song, I will repeat it over and over again, I’ll stop listening to the Carpenters the day that I’ll die. She lied like a trooper here, making up stories about how Richard didn’t show up. But she was righteous for doing it because she cared for her older brother’s reputation. (If you don’t know, in the documentaries made about the Carpenters, Richard didn’t show up here because he was in rehabilitation for his addiction to Quaaludes, he got reliant to it because it helps him sleep easier).

[@Dastardly_X]

🌟

[@shannonlewis8906]

See her light up when he brings up her drumming. Also, I don’t think she was hating the attention without Richard. It was all about her, and that was NEVER the case. ❤

[@Ryan-wd4hn]

I love the friendly banter, and of course they both sing beautifully!

[@gabrielainda3536]

I love you Karen, I love you like no other artist in my life.

[@captainfantastic9158]

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's THE CARPENTER!" In another universe, in another dimension, this episode of The Bruce Forsythe Show was the beginning of Karen Carpenter's solo career. Karen of course had to tell Bruce a little white lie about Richard having the flu when he was really cleaning up his prescription pill problem, but as much she loved and respected her big bro, one gets the feeling she loved flying solo for the first time in her life! Look at how the camera loves her and what a natural actress she is: just before "I Need To Be In Love" she's all smiles--then during the performance, she inhabits this tortuous song as if it's a part of her very soul. Then she's all smiles and jokes with Bruce again! Karen could have handled drama as well as comedy! And of course, Karen was a twenty-four-karat sweetheart: "Merry Christmas, Brucie!" And the looks she gives @16.04 and @20.45 melt my heart. So in the perfect world, following this appearance, Karen takes time off to PROPERLY deal with her anorexia nervosa problem, because she has a serious long game plan here. After two years of continued therapy and increasingly good health, she works on her first solo album. If A&M still refuses to release it because they simply want her to get back with Richard and keep her in that "Carpenters" box, Karen and impresario Quincy Jones, who was a true champion of it, shop it around to other labels. It's released and does moderate business, but it encourages Karen to make a sophomore disc trying to get the "formula" right. She eventually hits upon said formula and dominates the 80s and 90s as the leading lady of adult contemporary pop, dabbling in dance, country, and rock. Unfortunately, in THIS world, no one gave her any support at all to stretch her wings and do something that was just for her as it was a threat to the brand. No one seemed to understand how badly this affected her life and her decision-making. Thus, Karen Carpenter died as one of the most influential voices in the history of the world, but with very little power herself. REST IN POWER, KAREN.

[@bertanelson8062]

Nicely thought out & written. Thanks.

[@captainfantastic9158]

@@bertanelson8062 Thank you for acknowledging what I wrote. It's a touchy subject to be sure, but Karen deserved far more in her lifetime than she received.

[@craigjones9372]

"Unfortunately, in THIS world, no one gave her any support at all to stretch her wings and do something that was just for her as it was a threat to the brand. " What a disgusting judgement on something you could not possibly know. All of this is.

[@captainfantastic9158]

@@craigjones9372 What's more disgusting is that Karen Carpenter is no longer here for the reasons I stated.

[@craigjones9372]

@@captainfantastic9158 No, it's that you declare why that is based on nothing at all. Her tragic death doesn't entitle you to spew blame on people you know nothing about, particularly on her brother. It could be argued that Karen Carpenter's problem was too much career rather than not enough. Your suggestion that if only she had a solo career instead of being bound to her brother she would have flourished is revolting.

[@77hogwarts]

I feel that this was Karen's best performance in this, the Carpenter's best song. I get teary every time I watch it. "The money's in the basement," she once said, with reference to the deep tone of her voice. For Karen, the money was also in the melancholy. For me, I am torn between being grateful for her career and being bitter that she wasn't given more time.

[@SteveL2012]

The performance of I need to be in Love is so poignant and heart-rending. She is so thin here and clearly in the throes of anorexia. Her vocal expression and eyes are so very sad during the song. She had little time left. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MBSprinter]

😢

[@tompaul2591]

If this was late 78, she had about 4 years and a couple months left. But yes so frail.

[@planetJRB]

Thank you for this Billy 🥰

[@rosanagenovese6383]

I love Karen ! Beautiful music !

[@Danny_Delorean]

11:50 it breaks my heart every time she rolled her eyes because she honestly felt no one loved her…how wrong she was even after her death…she is beloved by so many people ❤

[@countquackula8539]

I thought she rolled her eyes because she was trying to remember the lyrics to the song.

[@nantz023]

​@@countquackula8539its not.. thats her favorite song of all.

[@monilaninetynine3811]

She probably looks down sometimes and says, "Damn. I was loved after all🙄."

[@johnadam5179]

This is really Karen at her best in the later 70's. What a trooper. The show must go on! )

[@guidobollig1915]

One of the best Woman all over the world

[@JayLS]

Amazing! Thanks so much Billy :) Just listen to the ovation after I Need to Be in Love!

[@ionthetarget]

Richard was weeks away from drug rehab and Karen was a total trouper. I miss her still.

[@marjoriestclair]

She looks so gaunt here. Makeup cannot hide it. I loved her. Still do. Always will. So sad. What a voice.

[@stuartpaulsmith3186]

The shots of her from the side really show there is nothing of her. She really is skin and bone 😢

[@davecurry8180]

I'll never be talent like this again people don't appreciate nothing like this now

[@klauskarnath8233]

Oh my good...this is Music...this is the Sound of the World...

[@pattibrooks1907]

I was 22 when this aired on TV and have been a Carpenters fan since I was like 15 in 1971 had thier records but lost them once I moved to the trailer now I moved to a apartment so maybe I can find some at the thrift stores !

[@that70sgirl90]

My son and I went to some used vinyl stores in our area and we were able to find all of The Carpenter's albums. We didn't stop until we found two complete sets, one for my son and one for my daughter. Someday when I'm not here, they can put on those Carpenter's records and remember all wonderful memories we shared, shopping for those used vinyls.Good Luck. I Hope you can find some.

[@1487.]

Hi Paul I was 12 years old when I saw them in concert in 1973 took pictures but lost them when we moved also saw them in 1978 at the MGM I could tell Richard Carpenter was not having a good day but the professional that he is they pulled it together

[@pattibrooks1907]

@@1487. Im Patti not Paul and Im a girl .

[@1487.]

I'm sorry patti... I should have put my glasses on. Bless your heart

[@RitaSora]

Priceless! Love this clip.Watch it all the time for the last few months.Karen was so funny, quick witted, great comedic timing.Best singer ever in my opinion.She was a great dancer to.Love You since day 1 Karen.Miss you so much!

[@catnip824]

AND DRUMMER!

[@RitaSora]

@@catnip824 Yes a fantasic drummer! 🙂

[@RitaSora]

@@catnip824 Yes Karen was a great drummer!🙂

[@lvelez1999]

And drummer 🥁 just a beautiful heart

[@tylersikora894]

This is why karen is all my alltime favorite female singer! She could do an upbeat pop like postman, go to the elegant and warm merry Christmas darling, to the haunting I need to be in love, while under the effects of anorexia! Maybe her illness made her greatness! She looks so thin and frail here! God bless her and for this channell for keeping her legacy alive!

[@lvelez1999]

No her illness did not make her greatness. God did that when He made her and gave her those gifts to her to bless the world with ❤ 🎶🎵 ✝️

[@krmccarrell]

Have you heard the saying that television puts 10 pounds on a person? And to think she looks so very thin here!!

[@randalbridges1897]

So beautiful...Karen is sure missed. Thank You for Sharing

[@DavidGlover-s7x]

Legend. Never see the likes of her in my lifetime.

[@cathyn3477]

She was great by herself ❤❤

[@victor.arte8594]

Thank you so much for this video. I love the Carpenters. I m brazilian.

[@poohbearrichie72]

At 14:05 when she sings 'fool enough to think thats what I'll find' that little laugh is sad and cute at the same time...

[@johnburns4017]

The quality of the video recording after 46 years is amazing. Done on the superior PAL system at the time. Now all digital.

[@mikehumble1120]

Perfect... Just perfect

[@peterhille5221]

The best voice ever.

[@Dastardly_X]

Very cool 🌟 💫 🌟

[@BCNbananas]

She sounds GREAT...obviously very thin. However, she looks better than she would just 2 years later. I bet she loved the line "I know I ask perfection from a quite imperfect world".

[@rosangelaferreira5576]

A voz mais linda 💓 que ja ouvir 💖

[@tonyacook8966]

Karen was AMAZING on his show ❤ It breaks my heart how thin she was her 😭💔 She sounded fantabulous as usual though! Wasn't this around the time Rich was in rehab and Karen said he said he had the "flu" ? She was a great sister!!

[@Tatortot318]

The Puffy pants and blouse trying to hide the weight loss.....Miss her..

[@michaelbarlow6610]

@ Tonya Cook. Yes supposedly the reason Karen's brother Richard Carpenter didn't appear on this TV show with Karen and the Carpenters' band was because he was in or about to enter the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas to get detoxed from his addiction to sleeping pills.

[@tonyacook8966]

@@michaelbarlow6610 That's exactly what I thought!

[@adriandowningiii8395]

@@michaelbarlow6610 Thanks for your input, Richard just was not able to perform as he would just start shaking really bad from the Quaalude withdrawal side effects. Peter Knight was the guy who covered for Richard and actually, the piano player in this video, Peter Knight, helped work on the "A Christmas Portrait" album as an arranger and such on a few songs as Richard had problems in the studio as well. Richard went into rehab in Topeka Kansas on January 10, 1979 and the preliminary meeting for admission I believe was on December 12, 1978. So on December 11 Karen flew over to the UK and did a couple radio shows then Karen flew to Topeka Kansas on December 12 for Richard's pre-admission then Karen flew back to London (UK) to tape this show on December 14, 1978.

[@michaelbarlow6610]

@@tonyacook8966 . Richard Carpenter once stated that the album, "Christmas Portrait" was really his sister Karen Carpenter's first solo album, because his involvement in the production of that album was limited to selecting the order of the songs on that album and singing the opening lyrics of the hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".

[@alancooper9417]

Beautiful

[@monilaninetynine3811]

Karen was such a special girl and a great talent. I just wish she had stuck around longer.

[@deanswanson5233]

That' was so sweet luv u karen

[@MedullarisConus]

We will always remember her😭

[@wichienpaesuwan6629]

Love every songs of carpenters🥰🥰🥰

[@klauskarnath8233]

Karen 's Voice is amazing and when She only talks it is Sound without Music.

[@MrDuboce]

THAT VOICE ....WOW

[@emilylobaton2850]

Naalala ko xmas song teendyer pa ako 70s Carpenters

[@klauskarnath8233]

Thank you Karen👌

[@islewait6107]

The stark difference from her 1971 performance and here in 1978 are so blatant that what happened happened because everyone remained silent when silence was spelling out doom for Karen.It is much more sad knowing that they watched it happening and chose to do nothing. So much like it is still now.🙏

[@adriandowningiii8395]

Awesome Billy. Thanks so much for sharing this better quality version. There actually was a coin toss with an Eisenhower silver dollar. The dollar fell off the wrist and Jerry Weintraub picked it up and put it under his hand. Before the coin toss I said to Karen, "say heads I win. Tails you lose". The toss was heads and Karen did the show and tails the show was cancelled. Karen called heads (she always called heads) and then the toss and falling off the wrist and Jerry picking it up. Then after Jerry picked it up Jerry said "I'll give you anything you want if you say this is heads and do the show" Karen then asked Jerry if Jerry would give Richard time off so that Richard could deal with his pill problem. Jerry agreed. The dollar was on tails. Jerry kept his word and Karen did the show without Richard. Karen started the show on December 11, 1978 and then flew to Topeka Kansas on December 12 to be with Richard for Richard's pre-admission into Meninger's. Then Karen flew back to London and finished the Bruce show taping on December 14, 1978. I saw Karen on the 18th and she mentioned that I was 'famous' over there but we didn't get the show over here in the US. Because Karen was nervous about Richard shaking and being in bad shape before she left (Richard couldn't hold a glass of water without it shaking all over the place) Karen asked Bruce to say my nickname, Ace, on the show as I usually helped calm her down. Richard started at Meninger's on January 10, 1979. Oops, and honestly, Karen could say Brooth Forthyth, but she had a hard time trying to say Bruce Forsyth. And edit 2 for reference here, Karen weighed 104 pounds. Her cheeks are full and not hollow. As a reference too, Karen weighed under 90 pounds during the Beechwood 4-5789 video filmed in April 1982.

[@michaeltnewyorknights8413]

Are you sure she weighs 104 here..she looks very thin and her face looks far more drawn than the London Concert only 2 years prior.

[@adriandowningiii8395]

@@michaeltnewyorknights8413 thanks, yes I'm sure she weighed around 104 as I was there at the coin toss on December 11th before Karen left. My nickname is Ace which should help explain something about the Bruce's Big Night Out show.

[@catnip824]

I always thought that Richard and Karen had the slightest of speech impediments, lisping at times. That she couldn't say, "Bruce Forsyth" is indicative of that.

[@adriandowningiii8395]

@@catnip824 Karen and Richard both had large tongues and a slight overbite on top. Thlightly thluring the eth I mean s sound at times.

[@lvelez1999]

​@@michaeltnewyorknights8413no she didn't weigh 104 here. Absolutely not. This guys story is on Instagram too. Only God, knows if it is true. I can't assume. He even has a pic on Instagram, claiming it is Karen, when clearly, it is not. Let her rest in Peace ✝️

[@rgaryc1111]

This was just after Richard went for treatment for his Quaalude addiction. It obviously was stressing Karen as she is extremely thin here. She also was not honest with Bruce about Richard's absence, but who could blame her? Karen actually looked better for their 1980 music TV special. Even with the weight loss, she sounds superb in her rendition of I Need To Be In Love.

[@monilaninetynine3811]

It wouldn't have been appropriate for her to tell her brother's business. Sometimes, a white lie is necessary.

[@lvelez1999]

What a Gift of God

[@scottpoppiti]

A prayer to an angel in heaven up above

[@ernestcassler2505]

Love her still 💗

[@tywilliamnash5078]

I never knew this existed and I’ve only just seen it today June 3rd 2024 9:44 pm .

[@tywilliamnash5078]

This is essentially a one woman show . Brava ! Good on her !!

[@deanswanson5233]

My sister a I sat in front and guess they knew we where family I could sing every word

[@genefossee5561]

Poor darling. Miss her so much. I remember exactly where I was when I heard she passed. 😢

[@briank10101]

If someone with AI video enhancement experience could upscale this to near HD quality it would be even more amazing. The good source quality on this should make this possible.

[@davidhedges7186]

I think Richard Carpenter was going into rehab about this time. Karen was a real trooper and did the show without him. Wow, what a special lady!

[@gabrielofficial7859]

💓💓💓💓💓💓

[@k9nick]

I've watched this several times over the years. My eyes still water up. What a waste. If only someone, but hey.. I know exactly what i was doing. Feb 1983. 5 am. I was sitting in my truck after driving all night, waiting for the depot door to open to back my truck in. Came on the radio, just been announced, Karen Carpenter has died. I couldnt believe it.

[@oscarm5896]

Adorable Karen, que pena que hayas partido tan joven!!!!!!!

[@Lucidleo-li8yu]

Anyone who watched or participated in this performance at the time who didn't immediately realize that this wonderful and talented young woman was in the midst of a critical life and death crisis should be ashamed of themselves for not doing something to get this legend the help she needed. I realize it was a different time and eating disorders weren't well understood but anyone with eyes could see something was very wrong here! This was like watching a skeleton performing... So sad and tragic. Such a needless waste of an unparalleled and amazing talent.

[@pauline9580]

Can I just say that as a recovering anorexic for over 30 years that I've had family,friends all trying to to talk,cajole,threaten,and unless you want to help yourself nothing and I mean nothing can help you when you are in that struggle.

[@gerarddobinson566]

This is hard too watch..letting herself go. I think fame killed her..

[@pauline9580]

@@gerarddobinson566 she might have been a shop assistant and still would be susceptible to this disease,as it's usually because of your upbringing not that she was famous.

[@michaeltnewyorknights8413]

@@gerarddobinson566 definitely not.

[@LLacle63]

@@pauline9580 you're absolutely right I've been through it myself.

[@0437690]

What an amazing live show without lip singing which most of singers do now

[@johnburns4017]

It was mimed for sure.

[@MrMFHORN]

Forsyth would have been over the moon having Kaz on the show.

[@johnholliday5874]

Quite a find here, Billy.

[@robertwagner7936]

Herakules is coming to town 4 the glory ov this woman here dancing queen Freya Karen carpenter

[@garfieldharrison510]

It's sad to know that she was wasting away. Her voice was still amazing regardless. I know for these variety shows they would pre record. It doesn't matter. She sounds great. It's kind of weird not seeing her Brother. Karen has a body in reality. She was built like an hour glass in reality. But she felt that was not an image she wanted to be remember for. I felt looking at some of the early clips from 73 or 74 she looked amazing. But, our great mind can fool us. Maybe she read some crazy critic review referring to her as chubby. She wasn't chubby. Today they call it thick. Which many women embrace today. Sorry you struggled Karen with who you were as a human being. You were more than your Avatar here on Earth. Thanks for the Beautiful music.

[@catherinecepuder3520]

Karen and Richard Carpenter were certainly two halves of a whole, a musical duo like no other. So sad that Karen would pass in1983. just five years after this recording in 1978. From her appearance in this video it is obvious that she was suffering from anorexia, her weight at lowest point was 80lb. So little was understood about the disease of Anorexia Nervosa at the time. Karen's close friend Petula Clark was said to have been direct with Karen when she exclaimed quote: "I don't know what you are doing....but stop it". During a BBC interview with Sue Lawley another blunt question was directed at Karen when she was asked "Was she suffering from the slimmer's disease Anorexia Nervosa? " Of course she said "No, she was just "pooped". The final outcome was so tragic for everyone, but most of all for Richard Carpenter, I'm sure to this day he feels the loss. God bless them, their music will live on and their spirits will reunite for eternity.

[@johnburns4017]

There is Yoo Tube vid with Englishman John Adrian, Karen's boyfriend for a while. He was with her in 1976, being forced to split under threat of being fired by A&M in late 1976 early 1977. He immediately met a girl who he married quite quickly, so all worked out for him. He said he saw her next at this 1978 show saying _"I noticed she was sick",_ adding _"she was so thin, pale, and frail looking. It was not very nice". "I remember her as a very normal person."_ BTW, Karen's father was English as were her grandparents who lived in England.

[@scottpoppiti6543]

She reminds me of Ann Margaret what a beautiful girl and a sweet voice lu miss u girl

[@girlygirl402]

I think she would’ve been a great actress too. it’s such a shame, but she saved so many girls lives❤

[@johnspencer5062]

sad to see her disappearing, what a wonderful person.

[@ontheroadhome4796]

She was there without Richard. If you look closely Richard is not the one on keyboards. He was in a treatment facility at that time and she made up that he was home sick in bed with the flu. She was there by herself with other band members. Her voice never faltered. But, her weight was so dangerously thin. I know at one time she said she weighed 78 pounds. That's not a healthy weight for any adult.

[@RoofLight00]

Bless her, she looks painfully thin here. But her voice was intact and Beautiful, note perfect. A singers singer, there are very few….

[@Thursdaym2]

Just Karen!

[@poohbearrichie72]

At 16:16 Karen lights up talking about her beloved drums but isn't it telling how she says 'Richard is touchy' about who she plays the piano with? Is that a subtle hint about how controlling Richard was even when he is not there? But Karen comes alive and is so funny when she's allowed to be 😊

[@htershane]

Can you imagine Karen playing the heacdline slot at Glastonbury?

[@cgeorge6786]

Oh my God she is skin and bones here. She needed help. Such a sad story.

[@ThisLoveIsSweet]

This is bizarre but it was new to me so I enjoyed it. Not sure I would watch it again. I've always avoided the shorter clip (Please Mr Postman) because Karen looks so unhealthy. She sounds amazing though.

[@monilaninetynine3811]

It can get disturbing watching this lovely young woman wasting away. I don't really enjoy watching her later performances (circa the early 80s) because it's a reminder that the end is near. But I am able to enjoy this one.

[@michaeltnewyorknights8413]

@@monilaninetynine3811 this is late 78, essentially 1 year shy of the early eighties. I'm guessing you're enjoying the performance specifically because visually she's clearly anorexic here

[@lvelez1999]

​@@michaeltnewyorknights8413why would he enjoy seeing her be anorexic?

[@scottpoppiti]

Lu Karen

[@scottpoppiti]

Is that Karen Anne beneath the stars

[@hansigrunwald3838]

engelsgleiche Stimme....unverwechselbar

[@ArsPraestigium]

Where was Richard?

[@adriandowningiii8395]

Good question. Except for December 12, 1978, Richard was back at home dealing with his Quaalude problem. Karen flew over to the UK on December 11 for a radio interview and then Karen and Richard met in Topeka Kansas for Richard's pre-admission meeting for Meninger's Clinic on December 12 then Karen flew back out to London (UK) to tape the Bruce Forsyth show on December 14th. Peter Knight was the guy that filled in for Richard during the show and Peter had also worked on a few of the tracks for the Carpenters "A Christmas Portrait" album. Peter was versatile like Richard as well with arranging and such too and not just "the piano player". Edit, oops, Richard entered Meninger's Clinic on January 10, 1979.

[@monilaninetynine3811]

Rehabbing

[@thepreacher5934]

There's a nut in the comment section claiming to have had a relationship with Karen when he was 14. Remove his damn comment.

[@noemitorres7077]

Do you know him? He has blog with texts telling this weird story

[@thepreacher5934]

@@noemitorres7077 I don't know him. But I can tell he's possessed and full of lies His YT channel is Adrian Downing III

[@noemitorres7077]

@@thepreacher5934 He repeats in the video the same story he wrote in the blog. He seems to be obssesed with Karen Carpenter.

[@lvelez1999]

​@@noemitorres7077I'm not sure where the comment is but I saw a similar long comment on Instagram from someone. I mean, only God, knows if it's true or not. Sounds off

[@lvelez1999]

Like does he call his last name "Downing," because Karen and Richard lived in "Downy?"

[@robertwagner7936]

Hercules is comin to town Abba amen

[@PhilipEnglandYT]

Has this ever been released on DVD?

[@carpentersism]

No, was never released on DVD... Broadcast once never to be repeated!

[@lvelez1999]

I wish it was on a cd, DVD or both​@@carpentersism

[@TighelanderII]

Richard was dealing with a Quaalude addiction.