Chevy Chase Talks Cocaine Parties | The Dick Cavett Show

Dick and Chevy talk about the 'cocaine parties' that take place in Hollywood.
Date aired - October 19th 1978 - Chevy Chase
For clip licensing opportunities please visit www.globalimageworks.com/the-...
Dick Cavett has been nominated for eleven Emmy awards (the most recent in 2012 for the HBO special, Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again), and won three. Spanning five decades, Dick Cavett’s television career has defined excellence in the interview format. He started at ABC in 1968, and also enjoyed success on PBS, USA, and CNBC.
His most recent television successes were the September 2014 PBS special, Dick Cavett’s Watergate, followed April 2015 by Dick Cavett’s Vietnam. He has appeared in movies, tv specials, tv commercials, and several Broadway plays. He starred in an off-Broadway production ofHellman v. McCarthy in 2014 and reprised the role at Theatre 40 in LA February 2015.
Cavett has published four books beginning with Cavett (1974) and Eye on Cavett (1983), co-authored with Christopher Porterfield. His two recent books -- Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets (2010) and Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic moments, and Assorted Hijinks(October 2014) are both collections of his online opinion column, written for The New York Times since 2007. Additionally, he has written for The New Yorker, TV Guide, Vanity Fair, and elsewhere.
#thedickcavettshow

[@geneobrien8907]

"With cocaine you feel like a new man after doing a couple of lines, the problem is that after a few minutes the new man wants to do a couple of lines!" - George Carlin

[@ibelieveinsomething3895]

What a way to say it!

[@ashleyonix4622]

Can someone explain it to me pls

[@geneobrien8907]

@@ashleyonix4622 When you snort some coke it gives you a really enjoyable high but it wears down rather quickly, so you do some more to regain that initial high. This process continues until the coke runs out. George Carlin described this in a clever way by saying that coke made you feel like a new man and that after a short while, that "new man" wants more coke.

[@ashleyonix4622]

@@geneobrien8907 Oh wow okay I totally get it now. I just don’t know much about that drug 😂 thank you for explaining

[@geneobrien8907]

@@ashleyonix4622 You should know that as enjoyable as it can be, cocaine is an insidious drug. Certainly, not everyone who uses it develops a problem but it can take over the users life and turn them into someone unrecognizable to their former self.

[@TheTruthKiwi]

The charisma and machismo Chevy had back in the day was impressive. I bet he went to some pretty out there parties back then.

[@lunchbag_larry]

all those old school SNL guys were tough guys. Apparently Dan Akroyd used to get in a LOT of bar fights. Belushi too.

[@TheTruthKiwi]

@@lunchbag_larry I can imagine Belushi getting into barfights but Akroyd seems like too nice a guy.

[@Holisticaca]

he was streets ahead

[@mikemccabe1594]

All that Charisma and Machismo is a direct symptom of the Cocaine.

[@davesnyder3939]

Sudden Arrival nah, you just must not have ever experienced what amphetamines can do to you. He’s right.

[@Kroko84]

I think Chevy Chase would have made a great Han Solo. That role belongs to Harrison Ford now, of course, but I think Chevy Chase would have had it in him too.

[@katakis1]

Damn, I wasn't the only one who got serious Harrison Ford vibes from this Interview

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

Naa-ah, it's misleading, in that his voice is similar to Harrison Ford's; Chevy as Han Solo would trip over his feet at a bad time, and get killed by a stormtrooper, and the Empire would crush the Rebellion.

[@Davej82]

Yeah, when you mentioned this. He seems like the mix between Harrison Ford and Jar Jar Binks here :)

[@totalrobot]

I just pictured it in my mind.... And yes. You are quite astute. Good observation.

[@paulorlando5877]

Heard Burt Reynolds was up for the part of Han Solo!

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

This guy has a very intense layer of rage beneath him.

[@Rhythmicons]

I bet it's not so difficult to let loose too.

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

@@Rhythmicons I always thought his anger and rage on screen was acting, but now I see that guy just acts like himself. If only we could all be so lucky.

[@Rhythmicons]

​@@We_Are_Borg_478 You can see his gears turning alright!

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

@@Rhythmicons Haha!

[@Alexs.2599]

Well he was abused as a child by his mother and stepfather. The bitch would lock him in the closet for hours. So yeah he would have those issues, Chevy can be mean when he wants to be. Sometimes he has been nasty to people. Still like him though.

[@RedHoodOutlaws]

He was a movie star here. However you feel about him later, he was young, hip, and charismatic. Totally see why he blew up through the 80s.

[@jesseolson3142]

Vacation movies were good I love them. Problem is Beverly DeAngelo cant stand him so that will never happen again. The guy is a fucking asshole a lot of people say. They turn down a lot of money because they wont work with him

[@piranhaattack4836]

@@jesseolson3142 oh dude apparently on the set of caddy shack chevy was a total dick to Bill Murray they’d always get into fights behind the scenes

[@monkeyb1820]

@@piranhaattack4836 I've read that they got along on Caddyshack, and actually reconciled quite a bit b/c they did get into a fight at snl (Bill arrived in season 2, Chevy may have been hosting or doing some stuff with them, but they were goaded into a fight).

[@kristengonzalez9890]

And he was gooood looking 👍🏼

[@timopint1125]

@@piranhaattack4836 everyone hated him back in the 80s but he was a cashcow.

[@deepfriedgamer5586]

Dude this guy was streets ahead

[@SonnyGTA]

HUUUH? STREETS?!?!?

[@michaeltavares7190]

Lmfaoooo

[@MrCyfert]

@@SonnyGTA if you gotta ask you're streets behind

[@hkchrism]

SonnyGTA your car get stolen GTA?

[@wingman7877]

Stop trying to make that a saying

[@hankstopher]

In the 70’s cocaine and quaaludes were as American as apple pie and bourbon.

[@cherisebauguss6966]

Let’s talk misdemeanor

[@patricias5122]

For rich people.

[@TheTruthKiwi]

Still is but they're a bit more low key about it these days.

[@mysoncrumphaseveryinjury3853]

@@TheTruthKiwi Nowadays it would rather be fentanyl

[@darkhighwayman1757]

Ill take Bourbon anyday

[@Eye2Eye24]

Chevy chase was that dude as a kid growing up in the 80's and 90's. He was a rebel and a savage and funny.

[@spenser9908]

He seems very Jeff Winger-esque

[@paarthbatra8619]

like father like son

[@jada90]

Well Pierce always did say he was cool as Jeff back in the day

[@joeedgar634]

Joel McHale plays Chevy Chase in A Futile and Stupid Gesture

[@codyquinn8646]

He sounds just like him

[@crawl27]

🤯

[@mistuhjangles1384]

Chevy Chase and Gene Wilder are masters of timing and delivery. Even when he did get serious he was still funny AF.

[@chuckshipley9917]

I wonder why Chevy didn't want to talk about his cocaine use on national TV?

[@southsideman4891]

What did he really expect with those questions????

[@nickford3328]

Back when it was real journalism

[@tomshanks4092]

Nick Ford 😂😂😂 such a standard comment on clips pre-nineties when in reality this guy is asking terrrrrrrrible questions

[@felixicon]

Again Cavet as Twat comander

[@cbikle]

A dangerous question where the wrong answer could get your or a friend's house raided by the DEA. And coke use was kinda-sorta taboo to talk about even in the pre-"Just Say No" 70's.

[@sniffableandirresistble]

0:50 "let's talk misdemeanors" meaning clearly dial it back ...hahaha

[@deckofcards87]

You can see how much happier Chevy was before the electrocution incident that would happen four years after this. It's been a rough ride for him, but I'm really happy to hear that lately he's conquered his PTSD and addiction problem and is willing to act again. The man is a comedic legend!

[@stephenproulx175]

Is that a Christmas vacation reference? Lol

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

@@stephenproulx175 I think he's referring to the movie "modern problems." Chase got electrocuted during a bit where he dreamed he was a plane. You just gotta see it.

[@mikeysawyer911]

What a strange episode of "between two ferns"

[@lightt5209]

*slow clap

[@frigginirishloons]

Haha

[@krisscanlon4051]

That was 10 times better than what I was failing to say below in the comments...exactly spot on

[@AllOneVoice]

Between Bruce Derns

[@goodmorningsundaymorning4533]

😂

[@jonathanrayne]

Lol, Chevy was a good looking guy. You can tell he knew it too.

[@tommyegan3940]

I bet he was banging all the fine women back then.

[@jonathanrayne]

@@tommyegan3940 Yep!

[@HafidzMurshidie]

Tommy Egan Yeah.. Like Eartha Kitt..

[@FranktheTank70]

@Hellzyead Chevy would have laughed at that

[@mdaddy775]

Now he looks like a balloon with glasses

[@gutenbird]

I can see why people don’t like Chevy but to me he was one of the funniest guys from SNL. I think it was that same attitude that made him funny.

[@kingcassius2586]

I think he's on it in this interview!

[@steveguse4481]

Probably why cavett grilled him

[@smug8567]

Pop you taught me everything I know about exterior illumination.

[@mjamusicswitzerland]

His movies always get played at christmas time, all the 80s 👍😉🇨🇭🎧🎶

[@savin41850]

Remember the 79s everyone got rich on El chunko

[@ilovecody7514]

Such a great interview.

[@liquidbrainstorm]

I like how at 0.10 seconds he checks his nose for any cocaine residue right before he starts talking about it.

[@savin41850]

Lmao

[@SCharlesDennicon]

When I watch those clips of the Dick Cavett show, from a time I haven't experienced, and compare it with Fallon or Kimmel, it kinda makes me kinda sad.

[@LegitLaughs1]

I kinda see what you're kinda saying.

[@aaronrm2672]

Now that you said it, it kinda makes me kinda sad too....kinda

[@HughMorristheJoker]

Yeah, our whole culture is crap

[@catmouse9051]

Yep.. it’s all 100% scripted now.

[@SCharlesDennicon]

@@LegitLaughs1 Well... that kinda makes me happy to learn that at least a few persons are kinda agreeing with me.

[@straypigs]

I almost forgot how funny Chevy was back then. I think I've read too many SNL stories and listened to Stern bashing him so much in the 90s......He's very deft and quick in this interview. Have to remind myself that he was hired on SNL as a WRITER at first, not as a performer. An interview like this shows why.

[@justinnicklas4712]

Lol that type of delivery and speech is so captivating

[@savin41850]

Language Arial speak freely

[@gavinperry8433]

Now I realize why chevy is the way he is..... He still hasn't changed with the times Sometimes that's good sometimes it's bad

[@royceroller7095]

Dick was cool, better than anyone's show today

[@user-yn1kx2mn9i]

No he wasn’t He was a complete ass and a bulldozer had more personality than he did I’m not sure how he got a show but I know it wasn’t because he was cool unless you are talking about like how a librarian would think he was cool

[@cap4137]

My god, I’m watching community now and I cannot get over how beautiful this man was when he was younger.

[@tomhazelton3070]

He is almost ridiculously handsome --- probably why he was so full of himself.

[@filippocorti6760]

@@tomhazelton3070 More than the 007 actors in past times?

[@tomhazelton3070]

@@filippocorti6760 I'd put Sean Connery ahead of everyone.

[@hermesmcclintok]

This is like the only actor that seems like he has more personally going on then his characters

[@rayhanes1347]

They would NEVER talk like this on tv, day or night these days.

[@krisscanlon4051]

No guts 2day however coke is real well known and you can be blacklisted or made to be a hard case

[@squarebiz71]

Have you watched television lately?

[@stpaulimdog]

Maybe on Family Guy lol

[@gabrielguerrero7296]

Lmao all tv shows still go like this

[@joannietrotter2344]

I loved Chevy Chase, he was brilliantly, dryly funny.

[@jumpinjojo]

Is he dead??

[@StephanieLaerkeAndersen]

Ted Bundy interviewing Harrison Ford.

[@Joe-ut3sz]

@10MMI don't see it

[@susanmurphy6984]

You are Hilarious, Stephen.

[@jaderoman187]

10MM not even close. David Cavett mirrors Bundy with his looks but also his voice. It’s eerie how much they actually sound alike when you close your eyes

[@Stopwar1234]

Why did you do dick like that. 😭

[@MrEazyE357]

Good call!

[@YouTw1tFace]

Chevy was FUNNY back in the day. He must have gotten so much slam it’s insane.

[@stephennicholas7095]

Damn this feels more like a podcast compared to the talk shows today

[@jackjude]

"I just taped a few shows on cocaine" , l thought that was an admission at first!

[@muffintopper]

"I taped a couple of shows on cocaine..." had me confused for a second

[@stpaulimdog]

Flex Coke

[@stevef4010]

Said every Hollywood actor in the time

[@RedFeatherAngler]

Chevy spoke only in jokes during the entire interview. I think most went right over the audiences' heads.

[@TsunoOkashi]

@ 2:16 - “I can talk about that. Here?” Hahaha!!

[@axelmuenster]

Can‘t wait to see Christmas Vacation this year! Like all the years before. He made himself immortal with this movie! Like Macaulay with Home Alone. It‘s a part of my Christmas and of millions of other people around the world, too. Even for that you can call him „legendary“!

[@davidfletcher2162]

It has to be one of my favourite films too.

[@nic3286]

@@davidfletcher2162 where's the Tylenol

[@filippocorti6760]

Oh boy, this comment makes me want to see it as well.

[@suchapill3077]

Quick mind. He caught Cavett off guard.

[@krisscanlon4051]

And that ain't easy to do...exactly

[@georgem.8827]

I think he just caught him off guard with how hateful he was.

[@adamhitze2180]

Why does he look like Jim Morrison to me in the beginning? Anyone else?

[@Nautilus1972]

Yah. If he was on acid, 100%, but he does look like a thinner Jim.

[@gregorysanchez1184]

He seriously does!

[@paulorlando5877]

This guy was big at one time, people today have no idea.I remember seeing Modern Problems when I was little, also Seems like Old Times.

[@robdcollector2808]

Paul Orlando ..he looks older than 100 today

[@turquoise_hexagon_sun]

Lol Afrin no drip spray was literally the KZbin commercial for this before it played

[@hotrodray6802]

And look what a work of art he turned out to be. A real work of art.

[@tomhazelton3070]

A real piece of work too.

[@ramenking5536]

Worked with him on community and he was amazing. Miss him

[@TheUnholyPosole]

... he's still alive.

[@konanoobiemaster]

@@TheUnholyPosole lol

[@tomfrascina5846]

What did you do on Community?

[@jashraf255]

@@tomfrascina5846 take the trash out

[@dominiqueblackwater9980]

Daaaaaaaaaaamn

[@sagatuppercut2960]

Chevy Chase's comedy is so natural. I see many modern comedians STRUGGLING to be funny...it's pathetic.

[@SuperPussyFinger]

You should watch archives of his late night talk show.

[@ThePlayboyLen]

He's probably coked right then. Hilarious.

[@MrGrace]

If he is then he's very composed lol

[@Maschjo87]

Yeah, i noticed the jaw was yanked to the side once in this video. That is the sign.

[@ZZealot]

I concur, he took some ...not only a stiff jaw but also sweating.

[@brad8749]

Anyone ever heard of a tolerance and self awareness

[@ThatGuy-ev9cu]

1:28

[@theDgrader]

Does Chevy get royalties from Ryan Reynolds for stealing his charisma.

[@uncleant3780]

Did Deapool accidentally inspire Chevy while he was fixing the time stream??? It makes perfect sense!!! N, by Deapool, I mean Ryan Reynolds, as one is same.

[@NineteenEightyFive]

Wow... Can't believe I never made this connection

[@lloydkeaton4940]

I was wondering who he was reminding me of you f****** nailed it

[@laxmitty21]

Well Chevy is a dirtbag and Ryan isnt so I'mma go with no

[@rythaguy1893]

Magnus Fullauto you don’t seriously think Reynolds based his whole shtick (aka his personality) on some old Chevy Chase movies lmaooo

[@SOBERLEECH]

He was a damn stud, man.

[@nickford3328]

Real journalism, we need this now in media keep actors honest and legit

[@shaokahn4773]

Robinson Pittman go drink some alcohol which is more dangerous than cocaine anyway, I don’t mind what you say you’re clearly stupid but goodluck

[@storytimewithunclebill1998]

Chevy was a cool, really funny dude. Had a good long career and made many a great movie. Real legend. Great video

[@AimeeAimee444]

Really? Are you his son? 😂

[@Colspex]

One of the greatest comedians ever lived.

[@jacktrppr1]

He was referencing the fight with Bill Murray right before the show he hosted was about to start.

[@mmeatheaddd]

Chevy Chase was really funny back in his day!

[@DjDMA]

This is Clark Griswold's cooler twin, Dark Griswold.

[@WN_Byers]

Dork Griswold

[@danieltaom]

OMG YES YOU HAVE TAPPED INTO THE ESSENCE OF TRUTH

[@michaelloud5206]

Haha

[@DK-qe6uo]

“How did you lose your hearing?” “It was right at 3:37 into a Chevy Chase Interview”

[@penske_material]

😂

[@unique74muzik]

70's honesty...good times

[@rjlong89]

Wow. 40 years

[@1091dbow]

Chevy is like the dark Ryan Reynolds of that generation.

[@stevens5541]

Who is Ryan Reynolds

[@mutdoggful]

Wtf

[@1091dbow]

@@stevens5541 look him up homie.

[@stevens5541]

@@1091dbow what is "homie"

[@1091dbow]

@@stevens5541 good one...

[@poolplexer]

Chevy was quick and witty. Most people didn't even catch what those jokes were

[@-covid-20]

Smart intelligent keen sence of humour with great timing...luv chevy chase....and lived a clean life so he can call out famous people...

[@Acidlib]

Lmao, you’ve gotta be kidding, right?

[@d-mo733]

Classsic! Love His humor

[@Strangestthing1]

Chevy Chase is a sharp. He just went from joke to joke so quick.

[@wolfman8449]

"let's talk misdemeanors" lol

[@kellyshenkerguitarlessons]

Love this man 💜

[@rayhanes1347]

Imagine late night tv like this today.

[@mcol4644]

Dude Chevy was a handsome bloke back in the day.

[@NS1.]

Chevy had just turned 35 when aired. It's weird seeing him younger than I am now. He doesn't really seem wired here, but he did LOTS of cocaine, especially during his SNL days.

[@Colspex]

He is "Fletch" in this interview. It's all improv! Love the guy!

[@tomhazelton3070]

He really only ever had one character -- himself. He was good at it, but it got old, in more ways than one.

[@kevinbirge2130]

Oh, to have the likes of this show back again.

[@lipglosskitten26]

Chevy was so good looking!!

[@sharonlee4773]

Maybe to Stevie Wonder.................

[@leobav2425]

Yeah Chevy was a Coker. He's too busy avoiding the question with side jokes....

[@tomservo5007]

that or he doesn't want to go to jail

[@Markainman]

Exactly!

[@captainrisky6561]

Everyone on SNL in the 70s probably snorted their weight in coke twice a year. Make no mistake that show was built on a foundation of cocaine.

[@bookswithbenjamin8902]

@@captainrisky6561 🤣 I don't doubt it!

[@leobav2425]

@@Markainman most actors of the time were cokers, if not drunks...

[@JGunit]

This guy slayed trim

[@Spooky_515]

Chevy is in Fletch mode, I love it when he mocked dudes laugh

[@zachsmith8861]

wow...even then he was quite streets ahead

[@Danimal77]

Streets ahead? What does that even mean?

[@timocruz510]

@@Danimal77 you're streets behind

[@lehonk6026]

Dan Maler i see you’re not a community fan

[@zachsmith8861]

Dan Maler streets ahead is verbal wildfire

[@danielb27]

Look up the article where Chevy chase was involved in a road rage fight with a 18 year old very funny

[@spllthatwine]

I like how he brushes the chip off his shoulder lol

[@bbburner2954]

great energy

[@fearsomestm00c0w]

I'd say the man always took himself too seriously for someone in comedy, and the thousand nasty stories about Chevy are probably all true.

[@lordfarquat678]

i worked with him in the 90’s....big fan til then...he is a douche bag..always bragging about how much he makes..true asshole

[@distorta]

I never understood his fame as an actor. Caddyshack sucked and national lampoon movies were marginally interesting. Bill Murray's fame however makes sense

[@BlowDrogan]

fearsomestm00c0w way too seriously. I couldn’t tell you what his finest work is.. family vacation ?

[@ramenking5536]

@@lordfarquat678 bet you did haha.

[@ramenking5536]

Love the the fuub so much.

[@NB-ky5ol]

I have such a crush on 70’s/80’s Chevy. I wish he would have aged better and continued being funny.

[@timowthie]

He still is funny, watch him in community very funny.

[@suchapill3077]

timowthie Community?

[@timowthie]

@@suchapill3077 yes google it

[@joeycordova4972]

Brought to by - Pablo for all your party needs.

[@troygaspard6732]

Chase commands this interview.

[@stephaniestrolls]

Chevy Chase was such a Me Generation act.

[@Steve-uv9kb]

if by that you mean self-involved and self-obsessed, Id argue that we are as "Me Generation" right now as we have ever been

[@struttingbirdlofi]

@@Steve-uv9kb I'd further add to your great comment that unlike Chevy, we as a "Me Generation" have no talent to back it up, which makes it even worst.

[@Steve-uv9kb]

@@struttingbirdlofi ha ha! True. I do think there is still wonderful talent all around, but I also think social media in general, and definitely as a tool artists of all kinds kind use a self promotion, has also brought us Kardashians and Hiltons etc. Everyone basically has their own personal "network" - multiple networks really - to display their talent, or lack of talent, to us all. It's now the "Me Generation" on designer and digital speed really

[@Danimal77]

@@struttingbirdlofi Makes is even worst? You mean WORSE, not worst.

[@struttingbirdlofi]

@Dan Maler If you’re going to berate my improper use of grammar, you best not misquote me whilst doing so “is even worst?” I said “it even worst” smart guy you must be. Lol

[@kylemcintyre4182]

Lol he was talking about Bill Murray

[@WolfWould]

Whoah I looked up Bruce Dern and today June 4 is his birthday! Also didn't realize Laura Dern is his daughter.

[@welderrrrrr5668]

Just imagine those parties… my god it would of been a blast

[@SKa-tt9nm]

If they ever make a Chevy biopic, they need to get Will Arnett to play him.

[@tropicthunder2395]

I don't care what is history what who says he was an asshole.. Vegas Vacation will always have a special place in my heart

[@bennyblanco3260]

Tropic Thunder I think you're the only one...

[@n8classics175]

That and Christmas Vacation is hilarious.

[@Alexs.2599]

Vegas Vacation seriously? That was the worst one.

[@tropicthunder2395]

@@Alexs.2599 that's what your mom said about you after you were born

[@bigfloppaism996]

@@tropicthunder2395 You're cringe af

[@gfcancio]

Chevy Chase has always been his biggest fan...

[@MrJjburgess11]

Anyone remember the talk show Chevy had on FOX in the 90s ? I liked the show. But it got canceled pretty quick.

[@nicholasbain9040]

"That's a side of you I haven't seen." BURN

[@penoyer79]

Chevy peacocking for the camera... giving seductive looks lol this dude. and lol that belushi comment

[@xxcharmed1xx]

Damnit I love Chevy. Call him whatever u want but the man is a comedic genius. And damn attractive back in his 30s and 40s and even his 50s.

[@rosscampbell1173]

“He’s a very funny suburb.”- Gerald Ford

[@sloughlin8222]

Do a line every time one of them touches their noses.

[@thatyoutubechannel9953]

If you can do a line that often your lines aren't fat enough

[@clarkkane6021]

that youtube channel lil homie is taking skimpers just leave him be 😂

[@imilf2003]

He don't remember alot of his SNL skits tkey were all on coke

[@dionisioiacobelli6689]

This much sarcasm is hiding a lot of anger.

[@donstanley9943]

How come noone comments how much they love Dick. ? I mean he is an icon.

[@Acidlib]

I was just talking about how much I love dick! Oh, you were asking about Cavett? Nevermind, sorry for the misunderstanding...

[@asielnorton345]

Forgot how funny and quick witted Chevy chase used to be.

[@elonthebass6870]

Some very clear Richard Pryorisms in this interview.

[@lukemiller118]

CHEVY CHASE IS A LEGEND

[@ernestinegrace4593]

Chevy was gorgeous and his look at 1.12mins ohhhh yes 😍