The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts is a NBC television special show hosted by entertainer Dean Martin from 1974 to 1984. For a series of 54 specials and shows, Martin would periodically "roast" a celebrity. These roasts were patterned after the roasts held at the New York Friars' Club in New York City. The format would have the celebrity guest seated at a banquet table, and one by one the guest of honor was affectionately chided or insulted about his career by his fellow celebrity friends. In 1973, The Dean Martin Show was declining in popularity. The final season of his variety show would be retooled into one of celebrity roasts, requiring less of Martin's involvement. For the 1973–1974 season, a new feature called “Man of the Week Celebrity Roast" was added to try to pick up the ratings. The roasts seemed to be popular among television audiences and are often marketed in post-issues as part of the official Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts and not The Dean Martin Show. After The Dean Martin Show was cancelled in 1974, NBC drew up a contract with Martin to do several specials and do more roast specials. Starting with Bob Hope in 1974, the roast was taped in California and turned out to be a hit, leading to many other roasts to follow.
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (Season 1)
Michael Landon (2) (Episode 1)
Air date: 1984-12-07
Runtime: 60 min
Ronald Reagan (Episode 2)
Air date: 1973-09-14
Runtime: 60 min
Hugh Hefner (Episode 3)
Runtime: 60 min
Ed McMahon (Episode 4)
Runtime: 60 min
William Conrad (Episode 5)
Runtime: 60 min
Kirk Douglas (Episode 6)
Runtime: 60 min
Bette Davis (Episode 7)
Runtime: 60 min
Barry Goldwater (Episode 8)
Runtime: 60 min
Johnny Carson (Episode 9)
Runtime: 60 min
Wilt Chamberlain (Episode 10)
Runtime: 60 min
Hubert Humphrey (Episode 11)
Runtime: 60 min
Caroll O'Connor (Episode 12)
Runtime: 60 min
Monty Hall (Episode 13)
Runtime: 60 min
Jack Klugman and Tony Randall (Episode 14)
Runtime: 60 min
Zsa Zsa Gabor (Episode 15)
Runtime: 60 min
Leo Durocher (Episode 16)
Runtime: 60 min
Truman Capote (Episode 17)
Runtime: 60 min
Don Rickles (Episode 18)
Air date: 1974-07-02
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Don Rickles, resident member of the roasters is roasted himself in this episode. Dean is accompanied on the dais by Joey Bishop, Phyllis Diller, Lorne Greene, Rowan & Martin, Casey Kaseem, Bob Newhart, Carol Channing, Nipsey Russell, Cliff Robertson, Jack Klugman, Pat Henry, Kirk Douglas, Rich Little, Telly Savalas, Charlie Callas, Foster Brooks and Eugene Cernan (Apollo XVII).
Ralph Nader (Episode 19)
Runtime: 60 min
Jack Benny (Episode 20)
Runtime: 60 min
Redd Foxx (Episode 21)
Runtime: 60 min
Bobby Riggs (Episode 22)
Air date: 1974-03-08
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Bobby Riggs is roasted as the Man of the Week while Dean is on the dais with guests Vincent Price, Chuck Connors, Leo Durocher, Alex Karras, Wayne Newton, Lynn Anderson, Don Rice III, Jack Carter and Rosemary Casals.
Dan Rowan and Dick Martin (Episode 23)
Runtime: 60 min
Henry "Hank" Aaron (Episode 24)
Runtime: 60 min
Joe Namath (Episode 25)
Air date: 1974-04-05
Runtime: 60 min
Bob Hope (Episode 26)
Air date: 1974-04-09
Sammy Davis Jr. (Episode 27)
Air date: 1974-04-12
Jimmy Stewart (Episode 28) 6.0
Air date: 1974-04-16
Lucille Ball (Episode 29)
Air date: 1974-04-19
Jackie Gleason (Episode 30)
Air date: 1974-04-23
Joan Collins (Episode 31)
Air date: 1974-04-26
Don Rickels 2 (Episode 32)
Air date: 1974-04-30
Betty White (Episode 33)
Air date: 1974-05-03
Angie Dickenson (Episode 34)
Air date: 1974-05-07
George Burns (Episode 35)
Air date: 1974-05-10
Muhammad Ali (Episode 36)
Air date: 1974-05-14
Smothers Brothers (Episode 37)
Air date: 1974-05-17
Telly Savalas (Episode 38)
Air date: 1974-05-21
George Washington (Episode 39)
Air date: 1974-05-24
Suzanne Somers (Episode 40)
Air date: 1974-05-28
Dennis Weaver (Episode 41)
Air date: 1974-05-31
Gabe Kaplan (Episode 42)
Air date: 1974-06-04
Michael Landon (Man of the Hour) (Episode 43)
Air date: 1974-06-07
Jack Klugman & Tony Randal (Episode 44)
Air date: 1974-06-11
Valerie Harper (Episode 45)
Air date: 1974-06-14
Mr. T (Episode 46)
Air date: 1974-06-18
Danny Thomas (Episode 47)
Air date: 1974-06-21
Ted Knight (Episode 48)
Air date: 1974-06-25
Dan Haggerty (Episode 49)
Air date: 1974-06-28
Jack Klugman (Episode 50)
Air date: 1974-07-02
Redd Foxx (Man of the Week) (Episode 51)
Air date: 1974-07-05
Joe Garagiola (Man of the Hour) (Episode 52)
Air date: 1974-07-09
Evel Knievel (Man of the Hour) (Episode 53)
Air date: 1974-07-12
Peter Marshall (Episode 54)
Air date: 1974-07-16
Joe Namath (Man of the Week) (Episode 55)
Air date: 1974-07-19
