Patti Smith on talk show promoting her book Babel

[@augopen]

She looks normal and makes the other people look insanely obsessive. She so real

[@annagokieli1497]

So true

[@victormorgado5318]

I have been a fan since 1975, but watching this she looks so childish, absolutely not as we portraited her 40 years ago

[@jamesnuttall_]

I've had the honor of interviewing Patti twice... in fact, I did it last Saturday, and she is still as feisty as ever... an incredibly sincere and sweet person in front of and behind the camera.... long may she reign!

[@elhamfeizollahy8126]

they're joking about her style but it's so cool and ahead of its time. can totally wear it today.she is awesome.

[@EphemeralProductions]

i know. and it's weird they're joking about it because those clothes weren't too out of the ordinary for '78.

[@pmarasa]

Mike would tease her but this was like the third time she was on his show. He was open to all kinds of music and provided artists like Patti the wonderfully surreal opportunity to do what they wanted on an afternoon talk show. He wasn’t hip, but he wasn’t square.

[@nrohrs3689]

He also had John Lennon on his show. Not that that makes him cool, but still….

[@DaughterofJerusalem]

Patti, you're ahead of your time and flawless. God loves you.

[@HolyDiverBronco]

I never really listened or knew much about Patti smith growing up. But I like her. i like how she does things HER way.......

[@dnggitg]

I've always loved her, and when I see this interview I love her and wish the interviewer would just flow with her more and not patronize her and thus show that he doesn't understand how important she is. He reminds me of Steve Allen talking to Kerouac.

[@brianmccall452]

More like Buckley's arrogant, condescending prick ass talking to Kerouac. At least Allen had some appreciation of Kerouac's work, even recording an album with him.

[@Jojoseahorse]

@gymnastix I believe the only drugs Patti was addicted to were painkillers she was taking following her accident the previous year. She has mentioned numerous times that they messed with her mind, but she used the experience as fuel for her creativity. I love watching her being interviewed; she is always entertaining, and she is sooooo pretty, no matter how dishevelled she appears, it can't disguise her natural gorgeousness :)

[@hunter6953]

why were they trying to make fun of her?? she handled it perfectly

[@pcCAT33]

No Mike Douglas would not do that. He was fascinated by her.

[@vlynkysr]

Great material! I love the way how it's not at all about her book, she's adorable, loved her then, love her now!

[@Australiophile]

this is gold..i adore patti --always have...who is the knob interviewer....i cannot believe how fashion forward she is ...GOD love her and thanks for posting this

[@rickprol-pc8ds]

Love Patti!!! She's so cute. Brilliant. XOX

[@lizahadiz8835]

Is there a next part of his interview? Where they talk about her book and not her clothes?

[@katayoun2960]

My friend said he actually met her few years ago and she was really nice and sweet to him :3

[@Losrandir]

Why wouldn't she be, if you're nice to her

[@mutualpea]

I wish I had been more open-minded about Punk music -- especially Patti -- back then. She's a national treasure. (p.s.: I had an opportunity to see Bob Marley and The Wailers live in the 70's too, and I turned it down. A few years later I wanted to kick myself for missing that chance!)

[@Glenechocreek]

She's adorable.

[@ichigohime]

shes amazing

[@BattiMamZel]

She's adorable!!

[@JoeGarchar1960]

Loved Patti back then and still do today! And the host knows how important Patti is or she would not be there period. There were 3 hosts that had rock acts on constantly during the 70's and I watched them all. It was manufactured controversy and these people are all professional entertainers and it was such a diverse era of entertainment going on at one time and you wanted to be called out for being different. If he said well you look great Patti and she said well thank thank you host. Who the hell wants to watch that, you wanted them to clash.

[@neonatalpenguin]

Years ago, I remember reading an interview with Jeff Buckley where he talked about watching this interview as a kid, and realising what a unique character Patti was. It's interesting to see how far ahead of her time she was then, not just ahead of this puff pastry host and his confederacy of dunces, but ahead of the naivety of the punks. Torn clothing? Great interview technique, buddy.

[@in3rcia218]

discover new things about Jeff Buckley is always a deal

[@waynealarsen]

I remember when she was on this show in '76. I didn't have a vcr so I made a cassette, I think she did Ask the Angels.

[@DjArxodas1]

I was 8 years old :p That year she said the hit "because the night" She was very sweet as young

[@lucrese1]

she didn't change! I just saw her and Neil Youns discussing abour their ( wonderful ) books their wrote ( just kids and waging heavy peace ), she's always the same, she says what she thinks, she's older, of course, but to me, she didn't change a bit, she's still that young passionnate woman from the '70's!

[@gymnastix]

@neonatalpenguin And, for the record, I was a fan of "The Mike Douglas Show" from about 1964, and of Patti Smith from 1976 onward, bought her "Horses" LP that year, first saw (and heard) Smith perform at the Paradise Theater in Boston in 1977, met and interviewed her for my college newspaper in 1979.

[@Wuei108]

I love her music.

[@SooziinCa]

I miss "The Mike Douglas Show. I would watch it "after school" each & every afternoon @ 3:00 pm!

[@frankyfurbo1]

there's a reason the uploader asks you not to mention the name of the host or show....think about it.

[@yummikenz]

A man of the '70's insulting one of the world's most powerful woman..no surprise.long live patti!

[@pcCAT33]

What? Mike Douglas was the guy who revealed the interesting person she was to a day time audience. He had all sorts of cool people on his show. I mean the best of show business. Those were the days where afternoon programs were really good for day time viewers. Now there's shit.

[@drstevie]

Real cool clip.

[@PatriciaMcNeill-mu5jy]

Love Patti!

[@ebutuoynada]

I use to respect that host there I've never seen him treat anyone from the rock n roll world with such disrespect I've seen a lot of different people from the rock n roll world on his show Never seen this clip before but this is really a kind of upsetting

[@sharonsheehy3128]

She has a bad cough ,,,, funny girl ,,,not shy ,,,,, love her music 🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@arricammarques1955]

Patti was a good sport putting up with MD.

[@krisscanlon1265]

It was a late afternoon TV talk show absolutely audacious back then

[@COLLYD420]

She's so beautiful tbh

[@terridevi]

She is a trip!

[@snail_viXen]

Ohhh my stars. What a dipshit. Love you Patti ♥️💫

[@victormorgado5318]

I had no idea she was on TV so often back in the days, as we never watched TV and listen to records only

[@kristinawalla]

What a putz (the host)....but Patti !💘what a gem

[@glorialongino9803]

What a lineup !

[@EricScottBloom]

OUTOUTOUTOUTRAGEOUSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!~E

[@Broatch6]

she got great sartorial eloquence

[@rr7firefly]

In later interviews (the one on Charlie Rose and the one with WIRED) Patti presents a very different side of herself. She was not such a curiosity at that point, especially to middle-America audiences. She'd acquired an emotional and intellectual depth, as well as a serene sensibility that is the sign of a mature artist, one who has experienced the death of those close to her (Robert Mapplethorpe, Sam Shepherd and her husband Fred "Sonic" Smith"). For anyone who wants to read one of her best books, try "Year of the Monkey."

[@glorialongino9803]

Brilliant

[@rr7firefly]

@@glorialongino9803 Here is one of the great moments from her 1997 appearance on Charlie Rose. (12:50) As you can see Patti was exceptionally human. And this is why we love her so much. Oh, she gives me so much hope for all of us.

[@exeuroweenie]

Poet laureate and he picks on her clothes(while in a 70's suit and plaid tie)?

[@Land748]

I agree, she's my hero

[@wk4max]

she came across as so charming and bright !what a sweetie, the interviewer on the other hand is insulting and rude! you go girl!

[@RosePetal17]

This is when TV talk shows were great!!! Where now would you find such orignal thinkers on mainstream television.

[@cjparrott]

....damn, i want to know what teens were thinking about in the 70s...!?!

[@wavelengthrecords-1]

Sex

[@SunnySchorpioTarot25]

I love her eyes 😍she could have been best buddies with Janis

[@citrine65]

She did know Janis Joplin. It's in her book, Just Kids.

[@SunnySchorpioTarot25]

@@citrine65 her book is on my list 😉👍

[@kingoftomatoes]

dignity means keeping your ego in check, not coming across as affected every bloody minute of your life and thinking before you speak, making balanced statements.

[@postingoldtapes]

@variationofbirds Because I'm trying to keep things from being removed. Given the age of this clip, and how long I've had this one up here, I'd say the approach has been successful, so I'd like to stick with it.

[@juanitat10]

she is the definition of cool, if you look up cool in the dictionary you'll see a picture of Patti :D

[@gymnastix]

@neonatalpenguin Mike Douglas had John Lennon and Yoko Ono as his co-hosts an entire week, also Sonny & Cher; was one of the first TV hosts to book The Rolling Stones, as well. As with Ed Sullivan, in my book, that counts for something. Douglas was at least open-minded enough to give these musicians a shot, in the main was very congenial with them, as with all his guests.

[@mutualpea]

@Pmitsou123 - Could you repost that in some way without mentioning the host's name? You made a good point, but the person who uploaded this requested that we not mention his name.

[@rainyday4970]

I can see where the 1970s housewives (and republican WASP males) would've had a tough time taking her.

[@markrago7217]

Oh come on. Intolerance knows no partisan divide. Liberals hate successful white men, even successful white liberal men do. Why am I even enabling this? There was a time when these discussions were necessary but the 60s and 70s called, they want their politics back. Here you are, judging housewives and Republicans. Get over yourself. Yes, Patti is undoubtedly quite liberal, and God bless her. She did it right, she's lived what she's preached. Modern liberals are hypocrites, they deem all Republicans racists and xenophobes, and blame whites for every bit of suffering since the beginning of time. It's tacky, sad, and not at all productive. Their brand of moral posturing and stereotyping is just as bad as anything right wing.

[@cigiss]

Well you seem bitter

[@jj3164]

Calling a Commie a Commie she would get along just fine with us republicans.

[@49sr]

@@jj3164 Eh? Not being a communist doesn't mean you're republican.

[@jj3164]

@@49sr no shit, but it's a hell of a start. I don't know where you are from, but being here in So.Cal. if you are even patriotic, you are considered a right wing extremist.

[@costernocht]

@mutualpea Never read the caption. My sincere apologies.

[@xxxKellyW03xxx]

They were just not ready for Patti :p

[@scrawny9128]

They aren't ready for her yet, but their kids are gonna love her

[@milascave2]

It was a 70's punk thing to not give straight answers to interviews with the mainstream media. Especialy when asked "what does it mean." She dosn't act at all like that now.

[@boogiewoogie9770]

Babble! 😂

[@primtones]

Drop the indignation folks, the guy is just doing talkshow banter, no hard feelings. Patti's clothing is a creative expression just like her writing, and of course a talking point.

[@mazs1123]

Mike Douglas was likely the least hip person in the entertainment field. And yet, he had on a a surprising number of alternative performers over the years. Bowie for example. Perhaps Roger Ailes should get credit as he was Douglas's producer for many of the years.

[@georgie23]

Cute her.

[@itsslurp5413]

This interview is a prime example of normals not understanding punkrock

[@krisscanlon1265]

Anne Meara and Kristy McNichol and the punk Priestess herself unreal LOL

[@EricScottBloom]

"Cough UP, Patti...." ~Mike

[@calamitybabs162]

Patti is so cute here! Too bad she had the flu that day.

[@Kimberly-qo8bh]

They observed her as if she was some kind of circus attraction, c'mon ask some decent shit and let the woman be

[@redkennedy]

@kingoftomatoes What does dignity mean to you? I'm just wondering what you think it is to be dignified?

[@gymnastix]

@yyy333 Mike Douglas was hardly a "nobody," as with Merv Griffin, was a host of his own television program for 25+ years, a welcome guest in millions of American homes on daytime television (which was far greater in that pre-cable pre-Internet era).. Put yourself in the context of the times, and in this venue--Patti Smith was a strange character, not the typical guest on a talk program of this type. Also, please give Douglas and his producer some credit for being daring enough to book her

[@gymnastix]

@MrTulip65 Even the more urbane and intelligent Dick Cavett doubtless would have found Smith an odd duck. Patti was also addicted to drugs in this period, her behavior erratic, a dangerous element for mainstream television. Janis Joplin could be "colorful" too. But, on Cavett's program, which aired late-nights most of its run, Joplin was coherent and well-spoken, showing the intelligent person she was at the core. And I'm saying all this as a fan of Patti Smith--see my other comments.

[@gymnastix]

@neonatalpenguin Mike was playing devil's advocate, being the mouthpiece for "Mr. & Mrs. Average American TV Viewer," in mentioning the popular notion of "torn clothing" (and safety pins inserted through the epidermal layers) in relation to "punk" rock music.. He was merely introducing topics about which an average viewer would be curious, in relation to an out-of-the-norm (then) guest, which is a perfectly acceptable and legitimate interview technique.

[@jalphabet5]

It like Joey Ramone impersonating Pinky Tuscadero.

[@Broatch6]

Rock Star to Poet ?? Actually it woz Poet to Rock Star Witchcraft ! I'm still under her Spell !!

[@RosePetal17]

It's DOUGLAS!

[@scentability01]

It was a bit vicious, but my ascertainment from the video was of someone under the influence of substances who was being taken advantage of in the situation. My comparisons were vicious, but apt, I thought.

[@annieyushorts]

WAIT WAIT!!! WHAT ARE TEENS THINKING ABOUT??!! woah there. what a cliff hanger.

[@gabriellecosta5892]

He’s an ass I absolutely adore her, fucking beautiful mind and free spirit

[@gymnastix]

@MrTulip65 The fact you are repulsed or shocked by Mike Douglas' and his guests' approach shows you were not born or old enough to recall television and TV talk shows of this era.

[@Huckxxx]

'NEXT: WHAT ARE TEENS THINKING ABOUT' LOL

[@boogiewoogie9770]

Compare's a real charmer! The US vers of Bill Grundy!

[@yyy333]

@gymnastix "daring"? they put her on there to exploit her, plain and simple. if this chump is such a legend, why are his interviewing skills so sub-par and offensive?

[@roganchapman5700]

Holy crap you guys are sensitive, these two had met a bunch of times before, it was harmless banter they both used to play into. Charlie had the respect for Patti knowing she was a big girl and wouldn't be offended and could give back as good as she got unlike the rest of you that paint her in a weak light, to me that is the real disrespect.

[@gymnastix]

@MrTulip65 This was before the days of David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Howard Stern and their ilk. But, frankly, the guests were more interesting too, not just a majority of non-talented "reality" TV show personalities, but actual entertainers, authors and musicians who could, more often than not, carry on an interesting conversation. One of the guests here appears to be Ann Meara, of the comedy team of Stiller & Meara, also mother of actor Ben Stiller, hardly an idiot.

[@enricovankeeken9503]

:D

[@MEdalFan26]

wit waht? can yuuo repaet tahtfG

[@MEdalFan26]

yuh me two LOL ben huffen todaye painte,,,

[@MEdalFan26]

wahtwas taht

[@Broatch6]

scallywags P - unky A - wesome T - itillating T - riffic I - conoclastic

[@tonysoprano3671]

reminds me of a ashcroft fella

[@Broatch6]

buy the book ! She's a snarky chick Babels full of witchy words

[@neonatalpenguin]

@gymnastix I didn’t know Mike Douglas had his finger on the pulse of the 60s & 70s. I’m British and was born in the 80s, so maybe that excuses me for not really recognising him (though I did recognise his name). I was judging him solely on this interview. And I have to say, he’s pretty condescending here.

[@neonatalpenguin]

@gymnastix Assuming Douglas understood Patti (and understood American punk in general), why draw attention to the torn clothing (the most stereotypical, superficial aspect of her persona)? Why not ask her something that would have helped Joe Soap in Arkansas figure out who the hell this complex woman on his TV screen was, rather than just portray her as a kooky punk stereotype?

[@scentability01]

Nawww, I was just searchin through the internet for clips of the **** ******** Show and stumbled upon this wild crazy woman. Man, where's Tammy Winnette when you need her.

[@wickis]

L

[@ebutuoynada]

Hey what the hell he's dead she isn't

[@HebusxJebus]

she is way cool reminds me of my ex frau

[@crazygeorge53]

Mick Dugass thought he was funny but he was obnoxious and his mama dressed him funny.

[@gymnastix]

@MrTulip65 Patti is certainly not the Burroughs and Genet-reading 'artiste' she's led her cult of fans to think she is, at least not in this video of this TV appearance. She's entertaining on one level, but rather a mess on another, would be much more acceptable as a guest today, because she's sufficiently cleaned up her act.

[@gymnastix]

@MrTulip65 But Patti Smith was an unconventional guest by this era's standards, not a Jack Benny, Lucille Ball or even a Sonny & Cher. And, to be fair, Douglas, whose show aired daytmes in most markets, had to keep the show clean for the mostly middle-aged housewives,, senior citizens, and children who comprised his audience in that pre-cable, pre-Internet era. Would you expose young childen or senior citzens to a drug-taking, incoherent musician?

[@MEdalFan26]

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[@fernandoelbrat]

Legen

[@uuheretic]

Typical of the era, Mike concentrates and her appearance and does not even talk about her music or her poems. He is not worthy to unloose her shoes.

[@juliemolthop8980]

Mike Douglas was so awful, and rude to his guests. So misogynistic, time and time again. I never understood why he was popular. Patti did a great job handling his stupid comments and questions. What a better person than him.