mending fences (12. 705)

Broadcast on a 12 September episode of The Tonight Show whilst a congressional inquiry and a JAG inquest into the commanding officers involved in the incident were still on going—ultimately reinstating the lieutenant colonel to his position of command and clearing him and subordinates of all charges of wrong-doing—on this day in 1961, host Jack Paar of the long running NBC late-night talk show taped a segment in West Berlin in front of the Brandenburg Gate with four television cameras interviewing a group of some sixty US soldiers, along with panelist and announcer Peggy Cass (Agnes Gooch from Auntie Mame) whom brought along their Jeeps and guns, augmenting the staff of six usually assigned to guard the checkpoint complete with extra artillery and armaments just as the Wall was being erected. Veteran Army sergeant Parr interviewed several of the gathered guests while East German border patrol monitored the situation with bewilderment. The chief complaint of the Pentagon and the senate was such an uncoordinated stunt for the cameras could provoke an international incident (see also) or worse. Critics regarded the airing of the footage underwhelming, produced in conjunction with Radio Free Berlin, a disappointment considering all the trouble caused, inspiring no patriotic pride nor real entertainment value.