I think I've found the Beach Boys most cringeworthy TV appearance.

[Lowbacca]

I think 2:40 was not scripted.

Stone-faced Brian standing awkwardly behind what's-his-face in the first 10 seconds is hilarious as well. He looks as if he had just been teleported there without his knowledge and doesn't know what the f*ck is going on.

[Ovi]

^

The more I stare at the picture, the funnier it becomes.

[RangeRoverA1]

Really? The best word I can use to describe that screenshot is "troubled". While it's good to see him fit, you can't deny the flip-side of Landy years that shows Brian in a different drugged-out way.

[halblaineisgood]

.

[Dudd]

I love how half-heartedly he's waving that pom-pom. 

[Lowbacca]

Really? The best word I can use to describe that screenshot is "troubled". While it's good to see him fit, you can't deny the flip-side of Landy years that shows Brian in a different drugged-out way.

We all know the "background". The humour, however, is situational - and self-sufficiently operative, to a certain degree. Those 10 seconds are suitably in that frame. At least that's how I see it.

You don't mind my new pic, do you?

I'm so proud!

[Micha]

Stone-faced Brian standing awkwardly behind what's-his-face in the first 10 seconds is hilarious as well. He looks as if he had just been teleported there without his knowledge and doesn't know what the f*ck is going on.

Hey - you're right! That's exactly the way I look too when that happens to me!

[guitarfool2002]

Stone-faced Brian standing awkwardly behind what's-his-face in the first 10 seconds is hilarious as well. He looks as if he had just been teleported there without his knowledge and doesn't know what the f*ck is going on.

That look is the same look I had about 15 years ago, halfway through the first day of a new day job at some anonymous office that had dozens of people answering phones and shuffling papers but not really producing anything.

Halfway through the day, they told me there was a mistake and they couldn't pay me what they agreed to pay me when they hired me, they told me the job would not be what they told me when they hired me, and I was put into a room with a lady whose job it was to stamp papers and hand-carry them to these other workers talking on the phone.

That face Brian made was exactly what I looked like for the next few hours.

The next morning, I went in to the office, told the two managers they lied to me, told them a few other things, and proceeded to walk the hell out. It was a beautiful morning that day, and one of the best days of my life. On the drive home I think my face probably looked like Bruce, smiling non-stop no matter what was taking place. 

[Mike's Beard]

Is it as cringeworthy/funny as this car crash

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-kAnNgqN9o

Everynow and then as a Beach Boys fan you just have to watch this just to reconfirm that it actually DID happen.

[tpesky]

I still vote Summer of Love/Baywatch as the most cringeworthy. The version of Little Old Lady actually sounds decent. Mike kept the nasality way down unlike concerts during that time.

[adamghost]

"Summer Of Love" is both gross, and (owing to different band members being on the shoot at different times) extremely confusing.

[Cyncie]

Nah. The boys are looking pretty good here and the song is fine. The production is typical 80's cheese, but no one watching at that time would have been embarrassed by the boys performance. We weren't that cynical back then, and this stuff was what passed for event TV.

Ruth Buzzi, however, was pretty over the top, even for a Laugh In veteran.

[Awesoman]

Really, the Beach Boys were the best part of that cheese fest.  God I love the 80's. 

[Nicko1234]

I would say that the U.K. TV appearances as Status Quo`s backing singers are more embarrassing. Even as a kid, not being a big fan at that time, it struck me as absurd that the more famous act were providing backing vocals. And they did pretty much every light entertainment show on TV!

[HeyJude]

I would say that the U.K. TV appearances as Status Quo`s backing singers are more embarrassing. Even as a kid, not being a big fan at that time, it struck me as absurd that the more famous act were providing backing vocals. And they did pretty much every light entertainment show on TV!

At least if you were in the UK, you had a chance of knowing who Status Quo were. The first time I read that name, I assumed the BB’s had teamed up with an “N Sync” style boy band.  

When I finally heard their “collaboration”, I was kind of perplexed, as it was even more unremarkable than the “Stars and Stripes” stuff, just a really generic cover version like you’d hear on those rip-off “greatest hits” cover version albums.

[Pretty Funky]

I would say that the U.K. TV appearances as Status Quo`s backing singers are more embarrassing. Even as a kid, not being a big fan at that time, it struck me as absurd that the more famous act were providing backing vocals. And they did pretty much every light entertainment show on TV!

At least if you were in the UK, you had a chance of knowing who Status Quo were. The first time I read that name, I assumed the BB’s had teamed up with an “N Sync” style boy band.  

When I finally heard their “collaboration”, I was kind of perplexed, as it was even more unremarkable than the “Stars and Stripes” stuff, just a really generic cover version like you’d hear on those rip-off “greatest hits” cover version albums.

You know, I have often thought how much their status was abused as back-up to other acts. I know only certain BB's were involved but the only 4 songs I have any time for are 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' by Elton John, ''Wishing You Were Here' with Chicago, 'Air That I Breath' with Julio and yes...I admit it.....'Warmth Of The Sun' with Willie.

[donald]

Brian in that pic with Duffy, looks like he did (if I am recalling the right source of the picture) on the back cover of Holland.   A sort of lost and paranoid look.   Landy changed the package but the man inside had not changed.

Going on with the loose thread unravelling here, I saw Brian in one of the no Carl shows back in the early 80's.  THAT was, to me,  the epitomy of cringeworthy.   An unwashed, obese, pajama clad Brian sat behaind the piano, sang Don't Worry Baby, and I think Surfer Girl, off key, falsetto breaking and cracking.  Later inthe show, I had made my way to the area near the backside of the stage and could see a withdrawn looking Brian, sitting on the edge of the stage, legs and feet dangling, staring at the back wall of the arena.   With no Carl, that left Mike, Al, and Bruce on stage to plow through the car songs and assorted oldies.   Having attended live performances by these artists over the course of more than 4 decades, this was the nadir.   

[Smilin Ed H]

I would say that the U.K. TV appearances as Status Quo`s backing singers are more embarrassing. Even as a kid, not being a big fan at that time, it struck me as absurd that the more famous act were providing backing vocals. And they did pretty much every light entertainment show on TV!

At least if you were in the UK, you had a chance of knowing who Status Quo were. The first time I read that name, I assumed the BB’s had teamed up with an “N Sync” style boy band.  

When I finally heard their “collaboration”, I was kind of perplexed, as it was even more unremarkable than the “Stars and Stripes” stuff, just a really generic cover version like you’d hear on those rip-off “greatest hits” cover version albums.

The Des O'Connor Show... Jeez.

[Orange Crate Art]

Is it as cringeworthy/funny as this car crash

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-kAnNgqN9o

Everynow and then as a Beach Boys fan you just have to watch this just to reconfirm that it actually DID happen.

  "I wanna see you in a bathing suit"  "I'd like to see you in New York" 

[The 4th Wilson Bro.]

Brian in that pic with Duffy, looks like he did (if I am recalling the right source of the picture) on the back cover of Holland.   A sort of lost and paranoid look.   Landy changed the package but the man inside had not changed.

Going on with the loose thread unravelling here, I saw Brian in one of the no Carl shows back in the early 80's.  THAT was, to me,  the epitomy of cringeworthy.   An unwashed, obese, pajama clad Brian sat behaind the piano, sang Don't Worry Baby, and I think Surfer Girl, off key, falsetto breaking and cracking.  Later inthe show, I had made my way to the area near the backside of the stage and could see a withdrawn looking Brian, sitting on the edge of the stage, legs and feet dangling, staring at the back wall of the arena.   With no Carl, that left Mike, Al, and Bruce on stage to plow through the car songs and assorted oldies.   Having attended live performances by these artists over the course of more than 4 decades, this was the nadir.   

Those "no Carl" shows around 1981 (I wasn't there; have only seen concert videos) were embarrassing for me to watch, but I'm not sure the band (minus Carl) was actually able to feel embarrassment at that point.  The concert footage that I've seen showed a zombie-like version of the band. In brief moments they were a reasonable facsimile of their former selves, with Al, Mike and Bruce trying to deliver a good show. But Brian's contributions sent the entire show into a tailspin. It was pitiful to watch and hear. I agree with you, donald; those shows WERE the pinnacle of cringeworthy.

(I'm a huge fan of Brian Wilson and thankful he got past that stage of his life).

[Dudd]

Most cringeworthy TV appearance ? Simples.

The entire 7/5/81 gig on the Queen Mary at Long Beach CA. Watching on TV from his hotel room on tour, Carl, when asked, said simply "it was painful".

No, Carl - it was shocking. Excruciatingly, toe-curlingly, buttock-clenchingly awful.

Just gave it a watch, and I absolutely agree. Not only cringeworthy, but downright depressing. Brian kinda just disappears halfway through (after a first half of absolutely terrible vocals - the intro to School Days made me laugh, I'm sorry to say) and everyone is in horrid form - they even somehow manage to f*** up the one-note line of "Ba Ba Ba Ba Barbara Ann".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rs_kaSkNmU

There are EIGHT parts, and I sat through all of them. 

[bringahorseinhere?]

wowwww.......... is that really Brian doing ('attempting') the falsetto parts for the songs?....

if he was in good shape he would have sounded GREAT to him do those original parts again...

or is that Adrian Baker?.......

RickB

[startBBtoday]

Why did an Adrian Baker era even exist when Bruce was back with the band?

[Jason Penick]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MdwhxyYDXE#t=35

[Lonely Summer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MdwhxyYDXE#t=35

How can you not love Mr. Hawthorne?