Late-night talk shows in the 1970s were meant to be easygoing, low-stakes affairs—a way for fans to get to know their favorite Hollywood stars in an era devoid of 24/7 social media coverage. Guests smiled, plugged their latest projects, and tried to get laughs from the audience. Like today, these shows often featured a cross-section of talent across movies, music, TV, sports, and even politics. A panel might contain individuals with wildly different points of view, which could lead to occasional, if unintentional, fireworks.

A taping of The Dick Cavett Show in 1972 illustrates just how easily things could explode.

Actress and comedian Lily Tomlin was the first guest of the evening. She was there to promote her new comedy album, and everything seemed to be going according to plan. Tomlin was asked about being a cheerleader in high school and auditioning........

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