

The 80s special where wooden co-stars finally got their close-up.
Acting
Jay Johnson's dual performance still unsettles in the best way.
Production
That aggressively 1982 set design is accidentally gorgeous.
Director
Henry Polonsky
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This aired during ventriloquism's last mainstream gasp before becoming pure kitsch; Jay Johnson had already won a Tony for 'The Two and Only' that same year.
Mariette Hartley famously did Polaroid commercials with James Garner—her ventriloquist special hosting gig remains one of television's most charmingly random pivots.