Carpenters Very First Television Special

It seems that the 1970's was a time where a musical family group could appear on their own variety show. The Osmonds, the Jacksons, Sonny and Cher and Richard and Karen Carpenter were not spared having their own special in 1976.

What is great about this TV show is the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful voices in popular music become a whole person rather than just a Voice. Richard and Karen perform a few of their songs - Top of the World, Rainy Days and Mondays. They joke together and with their guests. John Denver shares a few skits and a duet with Karen and they sound great together. Richard does a piano duet and drives a race car (??) The real prize, however, is Karen's showcase of playing her drums. Everyone is familiar with her fantastic voice, but here she shows she was a very talented and capable drummer. Sadly, this is the only show where she still looks slightly healthy, the very next year she began her slow descent into her illness. But if you love the Carpenters, seeing them singing and also having fun together is something you don't want to miss.