This Might Have Been One of the Saddest Moments to Ever Air on Network TV

It was supposed to be a celebration, but with the way this thing ended, it just felt really sad. I’m referencing a TV special called All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds and thanks to the internet, one of the most heartbreaking moments to ever air on network television is now available for one and all to watch.

Now let me just state for the record, I didn’t watch this TV special way back when it aired on CBS on Dec. 13, 1981. If I had, I probably would have thought nothing of it. However, watching it now with context about the relationship between Burt Reynolds and Dinah Shore gives this particular TV moment additional nuance and meaning. But I’m getting way ahead of myself here. Let’s talk about that show for just a moment.