Carpenters: "THIS IS YOUR LIFE" Now on DVD

[Chris May]

As some of you may know, Richard and Karen Carpenter made their appearance on the hit TV show "This Is Your Life". This included guest appearances by Herb Alpert, Burt Bacharach, producer Jack Daugherty, their parents Agnes and Harold Carpenter as well as several of their teachers and bandmates! This classic episode as well as many others is now available on
"This Is Your Life" The Ultimate Collection, Volume 1, and can be purchased through Amazon. If you are a fan or collector, you DON'T want to miss this!

 

[Chris May]

Well, I am pleased to mention that I have finally viewed the Carpenters' appearance on this classic TV show.

All I can say is, if you are a true Carpenters fan to *any* degree, you don't know what you're missing if you haven't seen this! This is probably the most candid I have ever seen Richard and Karen at any point in their careers.

It starts off with host Ralph Edwards on the A&M lot in 1971. He speaks briefly, then walks through the door to the A&M Studios. Then, you see the Richard, Karen and Herb Alpert in the studio ("B" it looks like), with Herb in on the "surprise". Karen and Richard are very vulnerable, young and appear to be a bit naive.

To fast forward a bit, the Carpenters are escorted into a television soundstage elsewhere, where "This Is Your Life" is being broadcast. As they are walking down the aisle through the crowd, band members Doug Strawn and Gary Sims are in the audience, and immediately surprise and greet Rich and Karen.

Many other surprises, as the Carpenters' cousin Joanie is even in the audience (she has always been told to bear striking resemblence to Karen, as she too is introduced), many people from their past, a picture of Newville as Agnes Carpenter is describing how the kids just bought them the new house (the house looks literally naked--One side of it is still under construction, no trees etc.). Mom Carpenter even embarrasses Richard, as she is describing to him that the song that was being played while she and Dad Carpenter were being introduced was a song Richard wrote when he was 13. Richard embarrassingly tells her to stop, almost as if he is a little ticked. She goes on to say, "that's the best song you have ever written".

All I can say is it was nothing I have ever seen and nothing I ever expected. This is truly a collector's item as you won't be disappointed. -Chris