by G. Jack Urso
 |
| Liz Smith, The Buffalo News, Oct. 27, 1979, |
While doing some
research on Newspaper.com, I came
across the above blurb by gossip columnist Liz Smith in the Oct. 27, edition of
The Buffalo News, revealing what I
what thought had been just a backstage tale at Hot Hero Sandwich — the day that
rocker Rex Smith was literally too big for his britches.
Rex Smith for episode 10 had to change his too-tight pants before filming the performance of his
hits on Studio 8H (“Sooner or Later,” and “Tonight”).
I first came across this story in my interview with retired Hollywood talent agent
and personal manager Larry Weiss, who represented Hot Hero Sandwich alums such as
producers Bruce and Carol Hart, interviewer Dr.Tom Cottle, and writer SherryCoben. Weiss first related the story in this exchange from his
interview with the Hot Hero Sandwich
Project when I asked him if he recalled any conflicts the Harts may have
had with NBC censors:
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Larry Weiss: No, I honestly don't. The
only thing I remember with Standards and Practices was when Rex Smith was on.
They made him change pants because his bulge was showing.
HHSP: [laughter] I am definitely going to
include that in the article!
Larry Weiss: I was there . . . I saw it.
HHSP: That is a classic Rock and Roll story!
Larry Weiss: And believe me . . . only Standards
and Practices would notice anything like that because I was there with other
people and no one thought anything of it. I'm not putting down Rex Smith’s
“manhood,” but it wasn’t anything, you know, major. The guy put on his pants
and this is what he looks like.
[Note: Sherry Coben notes the incident was a
bit more obvious than Weiss reports and that she has to take full credit for
getting Standards and Practices involved in that little adventure. During
rehearsal, Coben was in the control room next to Jane Crowley, the show
representative from Standards and Practices. Coben saw that Rex Smith’s
skin-tight shiny white leggings (which he originally wore) were VERY revealing
and not appropriate for a quality children’s television show. Consequently,
there was no conflict with Crowley on that point when she asked for a costume
change. However, Coben noted that Crowley may not have noticed it had Coben not
mentioned it, however very obvious it was.]
______________________________________________________
Coben actually
had more colorful language to describe Rex’s, uh, situation, but let’s just say
it was very obvious. Liz Smith’s
report is a bit misleading in that she says it was during the filming of the
pilot episode instead of episode 10; nevertheless, that the series caught Liz
Smith’s attention and confirms the tale of Rex Smith’s too-tight trousers makes
this one of the most interesting, if shortest, news piece related to the show.
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