Marc (1977)

While this program was originally broadcast in an after school weekly spot, it was very obvious that cast members were inebriated. The worst offender was easily the show's host, former glam rock superstar, Mark Bolan.

Bolan had a highly publicized cocaine addiction, and shows very strong indications of being under the influence of a substance, or substances every show. All the minor stumbles and slurs culminated to Bolan's colourful last public moment, before his untimely death from injuries he sustained in a car accident on September 16,1977.

As Bolan was playing guitar on a new song which he and longtime friend and episode six co-host, David Bowie had composed earlier that day, Bolan stumbles, and falls forward striking his face on the microphone stand. He simply laughs, as piece by piece, the band stops playing. This includes Bowie, who stops playing, and laughs at the poor coordination shown by his old friend.

As 'Marc' was not a very polished, or edited program, the scene was left as is, and closed out what would prove to become Bolan's public eye swan song. Although Bolan was scheduled for a number of new episodes in the upcoming season, those plans were cancelled, along with the show, following Bolan's death on the 16 September, 1977.

As I mentioned earlier, Bolan wasn't the only cast member guilty of appearing to be intoxicated. Many, if not most of the special guests appeared intoxicated as well. These included such big name stars as David Bowie, and Roger Taylor of Queen.