Battle VIII
Hosts:
Howard Cosell
Joyce DeWitt
ABC: (Winner)
Cathy Lee Crosby, (captain) Scott Baio, Robyn Douglass, Grant Goodeve, Robert Hays. Kent McCord Caroline McWilliams and Joan Prather
CBS:
Chad Everett, (captain) Jonelle Allen, Catherine Bach, Gregory Harrison, Sherman Hemsley, Gary Sandy, Charlene Tilton and Joan Van Ark
NBC:
William Devane, (captain) Gil Gerard, Karen Grassle, Pamela Hensley, Brian Kerwin, Randi Oakes, Sarah Purcell and Larry Wilcox
It's always interesting seeing who is making their Battle (ie speedo) debut in an episode of Battle of the Network Stars. It seemed to be mandatory, that if you were in the swimming comp, you wore a speedo. I think the stars may have had a choice for other events, but if you're swimming, you're wearing your budgie smugglers. Some of the male celebrities tried to cover their packages as much as possible, and wrapping themselves in a towel when not in action. Others however, let it all hang out.
Harrison gets dunked
It's also interesting, looking back, how many celebrities switched teams. William Devane, who I think is making his Battle debut, is the captain for the NBC team. Devane was starring in the short-lived 1980 series of From Here To Eternity. A few years later, Devane would return on the CBS team, this time co-starring on Knots Landing. Devane was never considered a 'hunk', but looked hotter than usual when shirtless.
For this installment, the director again decided not to do the 'speedo parade' at the beginning of the swimming competition. They did however, introduce all of the stars, and many were in their suits, preparing to dive in. Sadly, they didn't do the long body shots they often did in previous shots. I would have loved to have seen a longer shot of man, especially WKRP's Gary Sandy.
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