Frank Zappa at his Zenith, 1986

Back in the 1980's almost everyone had a talk show, every actor, every gameshow host, every comedian including David Brenner, whose show, "Nite Life", lasted about a year. Notice his band leader is the one and only Billy Preston.
He had some interesting guests, as well, including musical genius and counterculture legend Frank Zappa.
Man, look at the noses on these 2 Gentlemen; nearly identical. The Jew and the Italian are pretty close in size in the proboscus department.
At age 45, This interview was right on the heels of Zappa's high profile battle with the PMRC and censorship of Rock and Roll records. He was riding high on a wave of positive press after dealing with the rather narrow views of republicans which was so pervasive during the Reagan era.

We miss you, Frank

[@HorstGLudwig]

I miss Zappa because he represented the intelligent musicians like nobody ever could.

[@jessicaamber6623]

Exactly

[@DeathRattlingWhore]

True, he allso represented the intelligent part och people.

[@juliuspatrick2899]

Instablaster

[@stevedeputter2757]

Couldn't agree more! I miss him too!

[@MarcusN-kp1jn]

Yeah, so intelligent that he didn't believe smoking caused cancer because "tobacco is a plant and plants are good".

[@anthonynavarro6074]

Zappa is a genius composer and monster guitar player

[@williamheywood9115]

Miss this guy, we need him more than ever now.

[@Quadrocephis]

And we need him even more now

[@brandonhendrix7223]

I know! And Zappa was pretty cool too! (Cue rimjob--shot, I mean!)

[@markdinkel-uh2je]

Undoubtedly. Sensible as they come. He could rip on a Gibson SG, & loved classical music.

[@johnfredjr2222]

EXACTLY

[@pretorious700]

Frank was always at a zenith

[@IusedtohaveausernameIliked]

What, he watched a lot of TV? But yeah, I get your point. He wasn't a pop star who had a brief moment in the spotlight.

[@StorieGrubb]

i've been obsessing over zappa interviews lately and it's amazing to me at how these interviewers all ask the same questions ...and how FZ constantly has to repeat himself.

[@anthonyschurz7613]

mr. Zappa has always been incredibly intelligent! he saw real life and made a song out of it that made you laugh otherwise you'd be crying about it.... example: I'm the slime a song the depicts the reality of media and its exploitation

[@anthonyschurz7613]

mr. Zappa has always been incredibly intelligent! he saw real life and made a song out of it that made you laugh otherwise you'd be crying about it.... example: I'm the slime a song the depicts the reality of media and its exploitation

[@craig1082]

But at least he didnt get asked about his kids names... or did he??? We will never know!! Who was on Dweezil and Moon Unit????

[@AA-sn9lz]

@@craig1082 he's talked twice about what went down with Dweezil's name. Look up his interview with Joan Rivers. One of the best interviews he ever did

[@craig1082]

@@AA-sn9lz Wish I could find the interview he did with Gale King (Okrahs BEST FRIEND) when he was playing at the Hartford Civic center Gail was on Channel 3 News Frank was in a pissy mood when asked about his children's names so he ripped her a new one

[@theodery2712]

Above everything else I loved about this man, his music , his humor, his intellect, I always admired how comfortable he is with himself.

[@MissAstorDancer]

Frank knew what he was talking about. Very interesting that he brought up NutraSweet and diet drinks and memory problems. His delivery was such that people often thought he was kidding, and the audience laughed. But guess what? He knew what he was talking about!

[@JazzyJonas]

I bought the album "Dirt" by Alice in Chains when I was about 15, and my mother wanted to take it away from me because she thought it was evil and harmful. The songs were about death, anguish, substance abuse, and sorrow - which spoke to me on a very personal level as your typical disillusioned adolescent. But, the album kicks ass! I was inspired by their music and it actually convinced me NOT to commit suicide, which I had considered prior. I am now 29, in a working band, and life is good.

[@markdinkel-uh2je]

Glad you made it brother don't ever try to permanently resolve a temporary problem. There's always going to be bad near the good

[@gradygordon453]

I love that record

[@markdinkel-uh2je]

Frank was working when some of the others were partying. Live YOUR life like FRANK. You never wake up with a hangover when you work. You're just sore. Note: I'm with Frank on the love of classical music. Melodic beauty

[@ulfgj]

if i could go back in time to fix something from the past, i'd make sure that frank were walking amongst us still today.

[@jimpalmer792]

Yes; make Frank stop smoking !!!

[@user-yp2mw2ko9k]

You should have prevented him being kicked from the stage in 1971, which made him sit in a wheel - chair for many months, caused a hole in his head and shortened one of his legs !

[@ulfgj]

@@user-yp2mw2ko9k dang. nuts.

[@johnquinn456]

Brilliant! Brings me back.

[@progmanmike]

Wow, he exposed aspartame back in 86'

[@5eA5]

Progmanmike and died soon later...i still cannot quite grasp that sudden death, was he really so stupid to be hooked in marlboro and parmadrugs...?

[@jimwilson5093]

+eAcast55 Frank didn't die suddenly..He died too soon for sure..It could be his smoking played a role in his cancer or it could have just been genetic..His smoking is the only thing I might criticize about him but I do understand how smoking can be pleasurable and so hard to quit. I did finally quit but I could still get cancer tomorrow

[@genericgeorge]

He was misdiagnosed andonly got the correct diagnosis years later. By that time it was inoperable

[@jimwilson5093]

Glenn Wheatcroft and what a shame...to think he could still be with us now...if only...sigh

[@Spazticspaz]

Died of Cancer and cannabis cures it. Oh the net the world weaves.

[@PresidentBelichick]

Mozart and the Crusades were hundreds of years apart

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

Well, the host is American. (as am i) And an actor. Whaddya expect? I was in London recently during the start of the current uprising/war/ genocide/eye for and eye stupidity Gaza/Israel. The SCHOOLTEACHER we were with, an American asked me "which ones are the Jews and which are the Muslims?". Oy vay (Weh: pain Ger.) ) What?!!! I cringed so hard.

[@missionrd100]

Even I knew that and I never finished school. The host is a glib stand up comedian. Oh well, I am sure he's a fine human being.

[@tylerhenrichs360]

This guy gets it.

[@user-eo7nc5in7o]

ZAPPA the world is definitely a better place having had this Brilliant,Zany,Talented outspoken Genius....The Fact that he was a truther who spoke honestly,and was addicted to.gaining knowledge,similarly to myself.... Whipping Post Frank!!....... .. .

[@ks-zc1jh]

Man, we really need ya Frank. Now more than ever.

[@Wildrover82]

a great man.

[@tehf00n]

Ahead of his time on Aspartame. Thankfully I have been aspartame free for.... erm.... I forget.

[@shred5]

+tehf00n thankfully I never ate the stuff. I drank one diet coke as a kid, spit it out and haven't touched it since.

[@yandan7010]

This may well be the reason 'they' made him go away?

[@DonaldGerbino]

Water that's it ,tea coffee, but thats it anything else is not good got you

[@paulkatz42]

if you watch alot of past interviews with Zappa you'll see he was so right on many topics present then and now

[@V8AmericanMuscleCar]

Far ahead of its time.

[@ronaldguydish7733]

We need a voice of reason like yours back

[@gregsvlogshow]

fun interview, I never heard of this show but if it were still on I would watch it. We need more people like Zappa, he was so awesome!

[@antieverything4990]

This guy was the threat to the 'STATE' and corporate criminals. They just hate smart people that use critical thought.

[@TheeDavidDee]

Watching in 2024

[@joshs4594]

I miss these guys. They were brilliant as well as funny, a trait rarely seen nowadays.

[@morbidmanmusic]

wrong. same as today.

[@davidmcgowan8542]

I seen him twice both times it was the original spectrum in Philly . Good Shows !

[@dougie0109]

Seen?

[@stevedeputter2757]

I saw him there also! I still talk about those concerts!

[@aum3.146]

For a supreme icononoclast he sure did tons of interviews. Thankfully.

[@normagruden]

The magic of his music is that it's original. Different. Unique. Controversial. Because od that, nobody can compare.

[@jeffandersen7397]

two very funny and smart people having intelligent conversation.

[@anton1949]

Miss these two guys.

[@diamonddave16]

Used to listen to a community public radio show once a week called Poodle Bites that played all Zappa

[@theforestero]

it's cool that zappa knows all this stuff...happy 2012...

[@BlackWhirlies]

Frank's already wise about aspartame in '86.

[@EclecticSceptic]

What a legend.

[@williamnorkelun1468]

David Brenner, when he smiles, looks like someone's Eastern-Euro grandmother.

[@williamnorkelun1468]

And is crossed between that and Harpo Marx.

[@OrchestrationOnline]

This is a great interview - I remember seeing the original broadcast 25 years ago. Too bad there's no Part II - Moon and Dweezil come on after the commercial, and Moon kids her dad by claiming that he "forces us to listen to classical music all day!" Zappa has this great smile as he watches his kids take the piss out of him - he obviously loves seeing them being so funny and having minds of their own. The apples didn't fall far from that tree!

[@johndoe2883]

There is no footage?

[@jfleminator]

@JazzyJonas i love that album! It was on endless repeat my tenth grade year.

[@custommusic2433]

I’m a serious huge Zappa fan but the buzz or 60 cycle hum whatever it is on this video makes it on watchable listenable for me

[@TTstone616]

If we had had more people like Frank Zappa running our country back then our world would be a hell offa lot better off! HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH

[@steverobinson6730]

He’s talking ASPARTAME check it out the tame bit is spooky

[@johndoe2883]

Part two please

[@nihongogogo]

I like that hesitant applause.

[@ManSteaming]

I wish they put people like this on television today.

[@synthonaplinth5980]

You'd have to find them, first. Frank was one of a kind.

[@briankeenan4901]

You know, his theory on diet soda may not be far off. We know that sulfates (sulfides) causes memory loss. But its the law to put it in all alcohol consumed products as a preservative. And its really only a waste product of refining plastic. Great analysis, Frank! We miss you..

[@BlueSky...]

Frank Zappa, as viewed on the family Zenith, 1986.

[@DonaldGerbino]

Zappa did something that people seldom do today ,he used his brain through thinking and came to his own conclusions he didn't let CNN or ABC or Twitter make his opinion for him ,think America I know its like soooo like hard, to do

[@bouzoukiman5000]

He watched cnn religiously. That's how he realized christian fundumbmental case creepublicans are trying to destroy america

[@tomstaniech9233]

Very smart

[@Thrashsquatch]

Frank!! =)

[@AmadeuCarvalho-ug7hn]

The message sitill there,we just need to pickup what you want and be if you agree ✌️

[@debram7221]

LOVE ZAPPA ❤

[@janispetku4450]

Genious FZ

[@KellyCorpening]

True he's the most important American that should be alive I n America today

[@tomlyden1808]

The first person to pull the "cereal killer" joke?

[@BanjoLuke1]

It is quite sweet (and very US high school) that the interviewer thinks Mozart was being listened to during the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War. Sweet, but also somehow slightly sad. Zappa, meanwhile, speaks sense. A great advocate of reading, Zappa probably knew the relevant dates.

[@foto21]

Zappa was YEARS ahead on artificial food additives!

[@bobthebear1246]

Frank Zappa was a genius musician and a great, independent thinker, which is something we need now more than ever in this fucked-up country of ours.

[@oxycocus]

of course I miss FZ but I miss David Brenner just as much

[@SteveSparx]

Frank~telling it like it is

[@bluerev]

"So what? Sex is good for you." :)

[@brianjansen3103]

Id love to hear what he'd say about the state of the country this past 25yrs

[@djhoneylove5710]

Not at his musical zenith. 1971-1981 was his zenith, but that's me.

[@LeChevalierDuFeu]

wow, he said that nutra sweet (aspartam) ruins memory!! totally true.

[@BadAss45Yrs]

what is MisterEsoteric's reason for saying (notice his band leader)?

[@TheDarkSinatras]

great Frank as usual, someone please throw a history book at the interviewer?? Classical music at the Crusades? Hundred years War? Were the English listening to Wagner before Agincourt??

[@c.d714]

Whether or not lyrics can move you in a positive or negative way. Its free speech.

[@viktrolla1374]

FRANK was so very AMAZING

[@foto21]

If you're wondering was he as good as the hype, yeah, he was really good.

[@frannyzooey11]

Mr. Zappa is right. Sex is good for you.

[@Bobby007D]

Jane Doe yeah , , but is it good for you ?

[@frannyzooey11]

bob E D It's good for everyone.

[@Bobby007D]

Jane Doe yeah , but only if it's ,good sex ! What about Bill Cosby ?

[@frannyzooey11]

bob E D Good sex is not rape. Good sex is good sex. By the way, why don't you stop trashing Bill Cosby. Have some good sex. It's good for ya.

[@Bobby007D]

Jane Doe sorry jane , Mr. Zappa didn't say anything about 'good' sex , neither did you. Jane ? How can you ,a woman, take up for a man who drugged women and engaged in good sex ! Bill "Incubus" Cosby is trash, he trashed himself. I'm too old for sex , I was just asking if it's good for you. Oh ! That felt good ! Why do you hide behind the "Jane Doe" pseudonym ? Do you have a toe-tag?

[@denishot5626]

where is the second part??

[@TheJungleCook]

Man, Zappa was way ahead of his time on the aspartame and sucralose topic (nutri sweet).

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

Frank was my Elvis. Matt Groening. Simpsons creator.

[@MarcBrewer]

Amazing that the Nutrasweet comment was broadcast (4:30)

[@mdog2435]

Wow….I would have sworn he was a Magnavox guy.📺

[@MikeGervasi]

@ReeseMac My memory has gone to hell since drinking Diet soda and using Nutrasweet exclusively. Never really thought about it but we've been trying to figure out why for a while now.

[@Steve27775]

Is there a non-buzz version?

[@webstercat]

Frank liked the spotlight

[@brainsareus]

not surprised,that David screwed up by not knowing the term "serial murder". that would still have been a fairly new, and not that widely known a term; in the American English lexicon of 1986.

[@unslept_em]

Never mind. Didn't mean to argue. My perspective can be as skewed as anyone else's, and I couldn't phrase it correctly. :P

[@OrchestrationOnline]

@catalinaumbert Also, on his mother's side he was part French.

[@entropybentwhistle]

Buck Owens had a talk show?

[@weldhawk1]

@garminpink The same process was used to make DDT? No it wasn't.

[@emilyoshiro]

Uncle Meat and Lumpy Gravy are genius

[@peacefulteacher]

Why?

[@bluesquirrel3919]

I loved David Brenner (Rest In Paradise)

[@johnwright291]

I just started watching Frank's on line videos recently. I wasn't a huge fan of his music but I'm shocked at how many of my unpopular opinions he had. On arsenio hall he said ronald Reagan was responsible for homelessness which is what I've always said and now here he says religion has caused most of the misery in the world another one of my beliefs. And finally he calls country western cowboy music. That's what I call it.

[@andmaketherain]

It would go against what advertisers want to sell. Fantasy.

[@brucekuehn4031]

A little history - 1985 - the Parents Music Resource Center Ronald Reagan was President at the time, but the PMRC and the hearings were headed by Tipper Gore the wife of Al who was a Senator at the time and of course a Democrat.

[@gutrench9489]

Did everyone in the 80’s have their own talk show? Guess you could say the same today.

[@MikeGervasi]

@daddysevenpointfiver I've cut out Aspertame completely for 5 days now and it does seem to be getting better. Amazing how many products that shit is in.

[@chriswebb6153]

That made me feel a little better about some of his Democratic talks.

[@anthonynavarro6074]

Frank was wise.

[@kenhoyer8601]

Nose competition

[@saldamontee5459]

4:44 I got curious and googled it, yep new studies show artificial sweeteners are associated with long term memory problems

[@albertholt6449]

He was right

[@VideogeekinMD]

@SIMPFANN Wow, a fellow Zappa fan born on september 24? Cool.

[@SpaceCattttt]

Lots of crickets in the audience...

[@KellyCorpening]

Donald Trump is the best America can do isn't that just shameless!!!!

[@bigswingface5847]

If I could meet and have dinner/discussion with any 3 people in History, I'd choose George Washington, Pat Martino and Frank Zappa. Exceptional minds, all.

[@bouzoukiman5000]

Washington would be fun. He would support owning people and stealing what others have through colonization and he would try to justify it. Would be like talking to rand paul or worse benjamin netanyahu. What a great mind!

[@bigswingface5847]

@@bouzoukiman5000 I said exceptional, not great. You expect a person from the mid 1700's to think like people in the 21st Century? Fuck off, asswipe.

[@systemtree]

Hey MisterEsoteric, Frank is of Arab & Sicilian heritage. You should correct your posted info, and read THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK. Thanks for the video.

[@HebusxJebus]

Bigger than the concord schnozzers

[@bridgmjm]

After poking around KZbin for awhile, I found that Zappa did a shit load of interviews.

[@dmlevitt]

the original Borat

[@dohaqatar3651]

هلا والله حببيييي❤️