Jerome Rodale, a pioneer of organic gardening and founder of "Prevention" magazine, actually died of a heart attack while being interviewed on Cavett's show in 1971. Cavett at first thought his guest had dozed off to sleep. During the interview, Rodale stated his intention to live to be 100. He only made it to 72. The show was never aired.
Joni Mitchell was forced to choose between appearing on this show, which was her first national television appearance, and appearing at Woodstock. Her manager forced her to appear on this show when he saw how bad the traffic was going to and from the site. However, the night of her appearance, several of the acts who appeared at Woodstock, including Jefferson Airplane, David Crosby and Stephen Stills showed up unannounced while she was being interviewed and gave their first-hand accounts of what it was like at the festival. She wrote the famous song "Woodstock" that was made famous by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young based on, at least in part, these accounts.
During the taping of the 1/22/73 show, Cavett was informed of the death of former president Lyndon Johnson, and announced it to his studio audience. His guests included Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Oriana Fallaci and producer John Foreman. Foreman had just been introduced when the announcement was made, and, with all conversation suddenly focused on Johnson, hardly had a chance to speak.
This particular series combines several "The Dick Cavett Show" on ABC:
ABC This Morning/The Dick Cavett Show ABC Daytime March 1968 - January 1969 The Dick Cavett Show ABC Primetime May 1969 - September 1969 The Dick Cavett Show ABC Late Night December 1969 - January 1975 The Dick Cavett Show ABC Late Night September - December 1986
ABC This Morning/The Dick Cavett Show ABC Daytime March 1968 - January 1969 The Dick Cavett Show ABC Primetime May 1969 - September 1969 The Dick Cavett Show ABC Late Night December 1969 - January 1975 The Dick Cavett Show ABC Late Night September - December 1986