After the CBS ?

[dennyelvis]

What would have happened after the Special HAD he lived, would they have even aired it and would it have been the end, i think it would have been the end of the big TV deals,for now at least, maybe a good rest and perhaps some serious acting roles. Dont forget the 80s were coming, but maybe he could have been "reborn" for the FEED THE WORLD stuff, then perhaps some decent TV specials ?

[Lisarose]

oh, dear. I think had he lived, maybe the special would not have been aired, or it would be used to point out how a man sinks, then recovers. Would Elvis have been given to opportunity to preview the Special before it aired? Given a chance to make some editing suggestions? I am convinced that he would have made another comeback - in his own personal life as well as his music. It seems that he was on the road to making some serious changes anyway. About time, a lot of people would have said. There would be a lot of talk about why it didn't come about sooner, why did he let himself get pushed around for so long.
His answers to those kinds of questions, IMO, would have been sketchy at best. Elvis was rarely confrontational, and that's not something one can overturn. I know, you're gonna point out his erratic behaviours on stage, his rantings, but to me, that was Elvis being backed into a corner - and his substance abuse. Maybe seeing himself the way others were seeing him - that should be a catalyst for anyone, and especially Elvis, whose primary concern was how he appeared to his fans.

[max]

I think it would have slowed his concerts and would (perhaps) took over the roles intellectuals expressing in the movies.
But who could have for this ?

[KPM]

I think they could have shown the raw footage to Elvis-then shelved the footage and postponed the project in order for Elvis to get himself together.
Elvis who use to cringe in his theater seat when he felt he looked to heavy in his films-would I hope have been spurred to some realization of his appearance and his unhealthy lifestyle and tried to change it.

[poor boy]

As far as i know col Parker didnt put any clauses in the contract with CBS to have any editing control over the special , he was only interested in the bucks . If he cared one bit about Elvis he never would have signed him to do it while Elvis was in such bad shape . I think the col saw the writing on the wall and was trying to make as much money as could before the end . I think the special would have been shown if Elvis had lived as CBS had paid so much for it . Sentiment doesnt come into it with big corporations , its about recouping your investment . I believe if Elvis had lived the special would have seriously damaged his career and had a huge impact on his drawing power as a live act . The die hard fans would have still come but a huge part of the audience of any artist with a long career is made up off people who would be casual fans who have a couple of their best albums and the greatest hits . I feel if these people saw the CBS special they would have not been in a hurry to attend an Elvis concert the next time Elvis came to town . Would he have pulled himself together and come back again , i like to think so but i dont think Elvis had the will or the interest anymore . His total lack of interest in recording anything new , his apparent apathy to life other than when he was on stage , his health issues and his terrible drug dependency make me believe though i hate to admit it that Elvis just hadnt got it in him to rise up again . Not because of lack of talent but because i think he was just worn out inside and his spirit was broken .

[Raised on Rock]

I think they could have shown the raw footage to Elvis-then shelved the footage and postponed the project in order for Elvis to get himself together.
Elvis who use to cringe in his theater seat when he felt he looked to heavy in his films-would I hope have been spurred to some realization of his appearance and his unhealthy lifestyle and tried to change it.

Well in fact that's almost what did happened! CBS executives were in shock when they saw the first final edit of the show, they had signed Elvis Presley, -if you where not a close follower, Elvis image in people's mind was still the one of the Aloha TV show-, and then wow!!! suddenly they got that?

CBS considered the June 19-21 footage and its final edit as "not good enough to be aired", and YES, they did let know Col. Parker and Elvis about that. An agreement was made at the time Elvis was still alive, for postponing the broadcast of the special, and to shoot some better performances in fall '77. That to give Elvis time to get it together, and deliver a better product for the benefit of both parties. So a remake of the CBS TV special was in the works if he had lived.

So, the CBS special as we know it, was not to be aired at all in the first place if Elvis had lived, and he had the challenge to do better as some other dates where to be filmed on a tour later that year for the TV show to be reworked. The CBS special we know, was only aired because no other shows could be filmed as Elvis had died, and so they needed to recover the initial investment.

Now I don't know if Elvis saw or not the footage from CBS, but he DID knew that the shows filmed on June where REJECTED. Now, rejected by TV land, plus the bodyguards book, that for sure raised some issues on Elvis mind. I think he had a lot to get through in '77 and he must have been way stressed about all that at the time he passed away. But the CBS TV Special was still on the works as a remake was agreed, so TV again as in '68 could have also been a great oportunity, he knew that at the time of his death, that he had the obligation to change many many things and to do way better soon that year, so that for sure established a short term HUGE challenge on him. And Elvis seemed to work good under challenges.

If he would have been up to meet that challenge or not, we don't know. They where indeed bad times, and Elvis had a lot working against him.

[boquo2]

I don't think that's true. I recall reading that the TV special pretty much went ahead as planned, with only a few additions (i.e. Vernon). CBS had spent its money and would want a return, no matter what state Elvis was in and what impact it might have on him. And sure as hell the Colonel wouldn't refund the payment.

[Lisarose]

As far as i know col Parker didnt put any clauses in the contract with CBS to have any editing control over the special , he was only interested in the bucks . If he cared one bit about Elvis he never would have signed him to do it while Elvis was in such bad shape . I think the col saw the writing on the wall and was trying to make as much money as could before the end . I think the special would have been shown if Elvis had lived as CBS had paid so much for it . Sentiment doesnt come into it with big corporations , its about recouping your investment . I believe if Elvis had lived the special would have seriously damaged his career and had a huge impact on his drawing power as a live act . The die hard fans would have still come but a huge part of the audience of any artist with a long career is made up off people who would be casual fans who have a couple of their best albums and the greatest hits . I feel if these people saw the CBS special they would have not been in a hurry to attend an Elvis concert the next time Elvis came to town . Would he have pulled himself together and come back again , i like to think so but i dont think Elvis had the will or the interest anymore . His total lack of interest in recording anything new , his apparent apathy to life other than when he was on stage , his health issues and his terrible drug dependency make me believe though i hate to admit it that Elvis just hadnt got it in him to rise up again . Not because of lack of talent but because i think he was just worn out inside and his spirit was broken .

I do believe from some of the reviews I've read from that time, that only die-hard fans were attending Elvis' shows, concert go-ers were getting tired of the ranting and the lack of singing by Elvis - complaints of his singing partial songs, and passing the singing on to the quartet or the Sweets.

[poor boy]

Well in fact that's almost what did happened! CBS executives were in shock when they saw the first final edit of the show, they had signed Elvis Presley, -if you where not a close follower, Elvis image in people's mind was still the one of the Aloha TV show-, and then wow!!! suddenly they got that?

CBS considered the June 19-21 footage and its final edit as "not good enough to be aired", and YES, they did let know Col. Parker and Elvis about that. An agreement was made at the time Elvis was still alive, for postponing the broadcast of the special, and to shoot some better performances in fall '77. That to give Elvis time to get it together, and deliver a better product for the benefit of both parties. So a remake of the CBS TV special was in the works if he had lived.

So, the CBS special as we know it, was not to be aired at all in the first place if Elvis had lived, and he had the challenge to do better as some other dates where to be filmed on a tour later that year for the TV show to be reworked. The CBS special we know, was only aired because no other shows could be filmed as Elvis had died, and so they needed to recover the initial investment.

Now I don't know if Elvis saw or not the footage from CBS, but he DID knew that the shows filmed on June where REJECTED. Now, rejected by TV land, plus the bodyguards book, that for sure raised some issues on Elvis mind. I think he had a lot to get through in '77 and he must have been way stressed about all that at the time he passed away. But the CBS TV Special was still on the works as a remake was agreed, so TV again as in '68 could have also been a great oportunity, he knew that at the time of his death, that he had the obligation to change many many things and to do way better soon that year, so that for sure established a short term HUGE challenge on him. And Elvis seemed to work good under challenges.

If he would have been up to meet that challenge or not, we don't know. They where indeed bad times, and Elvis had a lot working against him.
Ive been reading books on Elvis since i was 12 years old ( which is more years ago than i care to admit , lets just say Elvis was still alive when i became a fan ) . Ive lost count of the amount of books ive read plus hundreds of magazines and articles . I have to say i have never read or heard anything about CBS cancelling the show or giving Elvis the chance to do it again . I know ive read fans saying thats what they wish had happened but ive never heard of it other than that . I think thats what you have read my friend . If thats not the case id like to know what source you got this information from .

[peter]

CBS Special is done very badly. In my point of view - from the all filmed material it was possible to made a nice and attractive TV Special, but it was not. I just think to myself - why the hell did they used so many "bad" crowd scenes? I mean that preshow videos are just terrible...

I know, that Elvis sort of started the concert films with his 1970 Thats The Way It Is and Elvis On Tour, but these movies were at the times, when Elvis used to be "action" performer, in 77 he definately was not. But the production did not accept this fact. The TV Special was supposed to be 1 hour concert Special - it miss MANY MANY great moments of Rapid City concert, that contains many bad scenes, for fans it would be far more interesting to see backstage footage from arriving to Rapid City show.... Why this was not used in the final TV Special? Its mystery to me. Honestly, I really think that from all filmed stuff it was possible to make a good TV Special - or at least the TV Special that would not harm Elvis career. The broadcasted version definately DID that! :(

[dennyelvis]

Great replies guys, although we now have the deluxe Aloha as a comparison, its still fair to say not only is Elvis so much better in 73 but the whole production package too. I feel not only did Elvis let the "image" down in 77 but also CBS, the whole thing is shoddy, i agree that if care was taken with the editing, remastering etc u could still achieve a great product.
I wonder also if the conspiracy theorists were right that he did infact overdose himself, as he knew what the hell was coming from CBS, then the whole world would see it, it certainly wouldnt be Aloha over again !

[KPM]

Well in fact that's almost what did happened! CBS executives were in shock when they saw the first final edit of the show, they had signed Elvis Presley, -if you where not a close follower, Elvis image in people's mind was still the one of the Aloha TV show-, and then wow!!! suddenly they got that?

CBS considered the June 19-21 footage and its final edit as "not good enough to be aired", and YES, they did let know Col. Parker and Elvis about that. An agreement was made at the time Elvis was still alive, for postponing the broadcast of the special, and to shoot some better performances in fall '77. That to give Elvis time to get it together, and deliver a better product for the benefit of both parties. So a remake of the CBS TV special was in the works if he had lived.

So, the CBS special as we know it, was not to be aired at all in the first place if Elvis had lived, and he had the challenge to do better as some other dates where to be filmed on a tour later that year for the TV show to be reworked. The CBS special we know, was only aired because no other shows could be filmed as Elvis had died, and so they needed to recover the initial investment.

Now I don't know if Elvis saw or not the footage from CBS, but he DID knew that the shows filmed on June where REJECTED. Now, rejected by TV land, plus the bodyguards book, that for sure raised some issues on Elvis mind. I think he had a lot to get through in '77 and he must have been way stressed about all that at the time he passed away. But the CBS TV Special was still on the works as a remake was agreed, so TV again as in '68 could have also been a great oportunity, he knew that at the time of his death, that he had the obligation to change many many things and to do way better soon that year, so that for sure established a short term HUGE challenge on him. And Elvis seemed to work good under challenges.

If he would have been up to meet that challenge or not, we don't know. They where indeed bad times, and Elvis had a lot working against him.
Now that you mention this I do recall reading it somewhere.
It would have been the correct thing for CBS to do, to protect themselves, and to protect Elvis.
The stress of knowing that CBS had rejected his performance must have been devastating to someone who was use to
"Great Show, Great Show....." coupled with the book, the weight, the growing medical list of problems like the congenital ganglionic fold in his colon that was worsening each year and you have a lot to think about, and his dependance on a pill for every ill-the weight of worry must have been staggering.

[JRtherealJR]

Now I don't know if Elvis saw or not the footage from CBS, but he DID knew that the shows filmed on June where REJECTED.

Where is your proof to back up these claims that:

1) CBS rejected the filmed footage and:
2) Elvis was aware of said rejection

Do you have any proof whatsoever that any of these claims are even remotely correct?

[Raised on Rock]

Now that you mention this I do recall reading it somewhere.
It would have been the correct thing for CBS to do, to protect themselves, and to protect Elvis.
The stress of knowing that CBS had rejected his performance must have been devastating to someone who was use to
"Great Show, Great Show....." coupled with the book, the weight, the growing medical list of problems like the congenital ganglionic fold in his colon that was worsening each year and you have a lot to think about, and his dependance on a pill for every ill-the weight of worry must have been staggering.

Ok so now we are two people remembering reading that story, so I can't be that delusional. Do you remember where it was Ken? as now rightfuly some people might want the source.

According to Wikipedia article on Elvis in Concert: Roy Carr and Mick Farren in Elvis: The Illustrated Record, supported that story. The Illustrated Record by Roy Carr and Mick Farren reads as follows page 166: "It has been alleged that having seen some of the rushes, horrified CBS executives held top-level discussions about postponing the project and reshooting it later, should Elvis get himself back in shape." But, it was not there where I get it, but another article that in fact I remember was already covered many years ago in this forum. Can't find it now, but I did found this one:

According to Joe Esposito Elvis did saw footage from the 19th show: http://www.tcb-world.com/threads/13049-According-to-Joe-did-Elvis-like-any-part-s-of-the-CBS-Special(From-straight-up-vol-1)

I'll try to get the facts, mean while we can call it just another rumor I guess.

[Jungleroom76]

As far as i know col Parker didnt put any clauses in the contract with CBS to have any editing control over the special , he was only interested in the bucks . If he cared one bit about Elvis he never would have signed him to do it while Elvis was in such bad shape . I think the col saw the writing on the wall and was trying to make as much money as could before the end . I think the special would have been shown if Elvis had lived as CBS had paid so much for it . Sentiment doesnt come into it with big corporations , its about recouping your investment . I believe if Elvis had lived the special would have seriously damaged his career and had a huge impact on his drawing power as a live act . The die hard fans would have still come but a huge part of the audience of any artist with a long career is made up off people who would be casual fans who have a couple of their best albums and the greatest hits . I feel if these people saw the CBS special they would have not been in a hurry to attend an Elvis concert the next time Elvis came to town . Would he have pulled himself together and come back again , i like to think so but i dont think Elvis had the will or the interest anymore . His total lack of interest in recording anything new , his apparent apathy to life other than when he was on stage , his health issues and his terrible drug dependency make me believe though i hate to admit it that Elvis just hadnt got it in him to rise up again . Not because of lack of talent but because i think he was just worn out inside and his spirit was broken .

Well said poor boy!! (y)

I also like to think that once Elvis had seen himself in the CBS special, that it would have triggered something in him to once again rise up and get himself back into shape. But like you poor boy, I also agree that Elvis was just plain worn out and possibly didn't have it in him to face that challenge once again... :sad:

TCB!
Mike

[KPM]

Ok so now we are two people remembering reading that story, so I can't be that delusional. Do you remember where it was Ken? as now rightfuly some people might want the source. According to Wikipedia article on Elvis in Concert: Roy Carr and Mick Farren in Elvis: The Illustrated Record, supported that story. The Illustrated Record by Roy Carr and Mick Farren reads as follows page 166: "It has been alleged that having seen some of the rushes, horrified CBS executives held top-level discussions about postponing the project and reshooting it later, should Elvis get himself back in shape." But, it was not there where I get it, but another article that in fact I remember was already covered many years ago in this forum. Can't find it now, but I did found this one:

According to Joe Esposito Elvis did saw footage from the 19th show: http://www.tcb-world.com/threads/13049-According-to-Joe-did-Elvis-like-any-part-s-of-the-CBS-Special(From-straight-up-vol-1)

I'll try to get the facts, mean while we can call it just another rumor I guess.
I honestly do not recall the source, all I know is when you mentioned it-my memory tells me I did see it in print or heard it in some interview somewhere since Elvis died. I am 57 so my memory is not what it use to be;)
but I did find this in a short search on the web:

......The CBS programmers were reportedly aghast when they first saw “Elvis in Concert” and considered shelving it, with the hope that better footage could be culled from Elvis concert engagements scheduled for the fall. But after Elvis died, the network realized that it had the last filmed record of The King..........



Read more: http://www.filmthreat.com/features/39978/#ixzz1qMJ7OmNi

[buttonhead]

It was not Elvis at his Best, I was not even born when the Special aired so i cant say much of it, but watching the DVD of it in the year 2000's of course every thing looked bad,.. life back then were simpler, people who came were all the die hard fans, but i love how the lady said " He Will Always Be The King No Matter What..." ....." the best looking guy in the world.." I am going to see Elvis The Pelvis , and Its gonna be Great..." the scene of a man eating popcorn and got caught on his beard was funny LMAO... I think he picked it and ate it too :lol: :lol:

although he didnt look good but he still a handsome man on stage, and he sang one of the best version of ' hurt '... and How Great Thou art...

I am sure if Elvis had been alive, he would consider to clean himself up, losing weight and get healthy, ... may be going up for a retreat in Hawaii,... take some rest from his grueling schedule, .. and remember he was supposedly going to Maine Portland the day he died, and he even said it to Billy Smith that it would be his best concert. So... he still have that 'mojo' about his life and career , in my observation it seems like Elvis longing for some challenge ,if he still around us , I think he will really be interested to have his own movie productions.

[KPM]

Another little bit of info about the possible shelving of the footage shot before Elvis died comes from actress comedian Vicki Lawrence-for those of you unfamiliar with her she played Carol Burnetts kid sister on Carols variety show in the 70s and she had a couple series of her own since then-one was a syndicated talk show I believe it ran in the late 80s early 90s. On her talk show she did sometype of Elvis themed show-can't remember if it was near his birthday, or the 16th of August-anyway a couple of people who had a connection to Elvis were on it-one being Kathy Westmoreland. Vicki is a huge Elvis fan and by coincedence her husband, CBS make up artist Al Schultz, did the makeup on Elvis for the 77 special-Vicki remembered that when her husband told her he was going to do the makeup for Elvis she asked him if she could fly with him to the concert venues and then could meet Elvis....he told her let me go ahead and see if its okay and if it is you can fly to the next concert and meet him while I do his makeup............................................ ..............after the first show he called Vicki and told her this was not a good time to meet him that he was not in the best of shape and that some additional filming might be needed later and maybe it would be better to wait. She said she was very disappointed.
Later when he got home he gave her a more detailed account of what he had seen and she then totally understood.
She said after she saw the footage she really understood and was happy she had not intruded.
I was looking for info on the 77 special and saw the name Al Shultz and it made me recall what his wife Vicki had said on her show.
Anyone else recall this?

[Jungleroom76]

Another little bit of info about the possible shelving of the footage shot before Elvis died comes from actress comedian Vicki Lawrence-for those of you unfamiliar with her she played Carol Burnetts kid sister on Carols variety show in the 70s and she had a couple series of her own since then-one was a syndicated talk show I believe it ran in the late 80s early 90s. On her talk show she did sometype of Elvis themed show-can't remember if it was near his birthday, or the 16th of August-anyway a couple of people who had a connection to Elvis were on it-one being Kathy Westmoreland. Vicki is a huge Elvis fan and by coincedence her husband, CBS make up artist Al Schultz, did the makeup on Elvis for the 77 special-Vicki remembered that when her husband told her he was going to do the makeup for Elvis she asked him if she could fly with him to the concert venues and then could meet Elvis....he told her let me go ahead and see if its okay and if it is you can fly to the next concert and meet him while I do his makeup............................................ ..............after the first show he called Vicki and told her this was not a good time to meet him that he was not in the best of shape and that some additional filming might be needed later and maybe it would be better to wait. She said she was very disappointed.
Later when he got home he gave her a more detailed account of what he had seen and she then totally understood.
She said after she saw the footage she really understood and was happy she had not intruded.
I was looking for info on the 77 special and saw the name Al Shultz and it made me recall what his wife Vicki had said on her show.
Anyone else recall this?

Very interesting story Ken...I had not heard that one before... :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

[King Of The Whole World]

Another little bit of info about the possible shelving of the footage shot before Elvis died comes from actress comedian Vicki Lawrence-for those of you unfamiliar with her she played Carol Burnetts kid sister on Carols variety show in the 70s and she had a couple series of her own since then-one was a syndicated talk show I believe it ran in the late 80s early 90s. On her talk show she did sometype of Elvis themed show-can't remember if it was near his birthday, or the 16th of August-anyway a couple of people who had a connection to Elvis were on it-one being Kathy Westmoreland. Vicki is a huge Elvis fan and by coincedence her husband, CBS make up artist Al Schultz, did the makeup on Elvis for the 77 special-Vicki remembered that when her husband told her he was going to do the makeup for Elvis she asked him if she could fly with him to the concert venues and then could meet Elvis....he told her let me go ahead and see if its okay and if it is you can fly to the next concert and meet him while I do his makeup............................................ ..............after the first show he called Vicki and told her this was not a good time to meet him that he was not in the best of shape and that some additional filming might be needed later and maybe it would be better to wait. She said she was very disappointed.
Later when he got home he gave her a more detailed account of what he had seen and she then totally understood.
She said after she saw the footage she really understood and was happy she had not intruded.
I was looking for info on the 77 special and saw the name Al Shultz and it made me recall what his wife Vicki had said on her show.
Anyone else recall this?

Yes nice info havent heard of that. I would have still wanted to meet him no matter what shape he was in, but they didn't know the end was near.

[buttonhead]

Ken , if you wanted to see Vicki and asked her about this .. you should come to branson.. this few years she had her own show here, usually folks who came to branson, would have a meet and greet. maybe if you come up here and got to see her, you could ask her :) :D Interesting story indeed .

[ThreeCornPatches]

had elvis lived then we wouldnt have seen those footages. Since after the concerts where done filming they had plans to re-film the shows he would do in august '77. which i think would have been better for diffrent songs he wanted to try out live like twelfth of never and some of his old 50s songs like blue moon of kentucky and such