When discussions about seventies television come up, they often require a bit of introductory explanation in today’s digital age. Who among us, especially those under the age of 60, can easily recall the cultural phenomenon that was Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman? This absurdist satire mimicked soap operas so faithfully that it aired every weeknight, boasting a total of 325 episodes between early 1976 and mid-1977. And how many would remember Garth Gimble, a minor character who met a tragic end on the sharp edge of an aluminum Christmas tree? (Let’s save the debate about the popularity of aluminum Christmas trees for the holiday season.)
Garth Gimble marked a breakthrough role for the musical comedian turned actor, Martin Mull, who recently passed away at the age of 80. While tributes have highlighted his portrayals in various shows like Roseanne and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, it was his portrayal of Bart, Garth’s twin brother and the host of a low-budget late-night talk show in Ferndale, Ohio, in Fernwood-2-Night, that truly resonated with viewers back in the summer of 1977.
The fictional talk show format of Fernwood-2-Night was ahead of its time, showcasing occasional real-life guests, including a young Tom Waits who blurred the line between reality and fiction. Mull’s portrayal of Gimble as a character oblivious to Waits’ artistry became a memorable moment, especially during Waits’ performance of “The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me) (An Evening with Pete King)” from his album Small Change. This blend of real and surreal on Fernwood-2-Night captivated audiences, further amplified by Waits’ unique brand of music.
Naturally, Gimble engages Waits in a humorous exchange about having a bottle in front of him, leading to an unforgettable moment that endeared viewers to Waits and his music. Almost fifty years later, fans fondly recall Waits’ appearance on the show, akin to how they remember the quirky Wonderblender.
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Watch Tom Waits For No One,, the Pioneering Animated Music Video from 1979
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Tom Waits’ Many Appearances on David Letterman, From 1983 to 2015
RIP Norman Lear: Watch Full Episodes of His Daring 70s Sitcoms, Including All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, and More
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
