News (Media Awareness Project) - UK: Frost's 1970s Show 'Probed for Drugs' |
| Title: | UK: Frost's 1970s Show 'Probed for Drugs' |
| Published On: | 2002-01-03 |
| Source: | BBC News (UK Web) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-25 00:44:54 |
FROST'S 1970S SHOW 'PROBED FOR DRUGS'
A legendary TV interview conducted by David Frost in 1970 with a hippie
revolutionary almost landed the presenter in trouble, newly released public
records have reportedly revealed. The interview on the David Frost Show was
with activist Jerry Rubin, who whipped out a cannabis joint during the live
show on London Weekend Television.
The joint, wrapped in a stars and stripes cigarette paper, sparked a number
of complaints from viewers and politicians, according to The Guardian.
The Public Records Office has just released information that shows Scotland
Yard investigated by rooting through the bins of the LWT studios hoping to
find evidence of illegal pot smoking.
But they failed to find anything linked to Mr Rubin so could take the
matter no further.
The interview, broadcast in November 1970, caused outrage over swearing and
the threatening language used by Mr Rubin.
He told Frost, now Sir David, he was going to "buy bombs and blow up your
society".
He also brought along about 20 members of the anti-war Youth International
Party - Yippies - who stormed the stage, causing mayhem as they sprayed
Frost with a water pistol.
Immediately following the show, detectives went to the studio but Mr Rubin
and his cohorts had already left.
Traces found
Sixteen people were searched as they left the building and officers combed
a bin.
Cigarette butts and a "home-made cigarette wrapped in white cigarette paper
with the ends twisted" were taken away for examination.
The forensic team found cannabis traces in two ends and a joint containing
half a gram of cannabis.
Files show the case was kept open for six weeks before being closed because
of a lack of evidence.
Commander DH Woolard wrote at the time "London Weekend Television, in order
to arouse interest in a show which in TV parlance, was 'dying on its feet',
sought and gained in some measure, the publicity intended."
When questioned, detectives said Frost "stated categorically" he knew
nothing about what was going to happen during the show.
A legendary TV interview conducted by David Frost in 1970 with a hippie
revolutionary almost landed the presenter in trouble, newly released public
records have reportedly revealed. The interview on the David Frost Show was
with activist Jerry Rubin, who whipped out a cannabis joint during the live
show on London Weekend Television.
The joint, wrapped in a stars and stripes cigarette paper, sparked a number
of complaints from viewers and politicians, according to The Guardian.
The Public Records Office has just released information that shows Scotland
Yard investigated by rooting through the bins of the LWT studios hoping to
find evidence of illegal pot smoking.
But they failed to find anything linked to Mr Rubin so could take the
matter no further.
The interview, broadcast in November 1970, caused outrage over swearing and
the threatening language used by Mr Rubin.
He told Frost, now Sir David, he was going to "buy bombs and blow up your
society".
He also brought along about 20 members of the anti-war Youth International
Party - Yippies - who stormed the stage, causing mayhem as they sprayed
Frost with a water pistol.
Immediately following the show, detectives went to the studio but Mr Rubin
and his cohorts had already left.
Traces found
Sixteen people were searched as they left the building and officers combed
a bin.
Cigarette butts and a "home-made cigarette wrapped in white cigarette paper
with the ends twisted" were taken away for examination.
The forensic team found cannabis traces in two ends and a joint containing
half a gram of cannabis.
Files show the case was kept open for six weeks before being closed because
of a lack of evidence.
Commander DH Woolard wrote at the time "London Weekend Television, in order
to arouse interest in a show which in TV parlance, was 'dying on its feet',
sought and gained in some measure, the publicity intended."
When questioned, detectives said Frost "stated categorically" he knew
nothing about what was going to happen during the show.
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