As tributes continue to pour in following the passing of Richard Simmons on July 13, a never-before-seen episode of his syndicated ‘80s talk show has come to light—and it features a pre-SNL Kevin Nealon.
The fitness guru and frequent late-night show guest hosted his own show, The Richard Simmons Show, from 1980 to 1984. A staffer from that program posted the newly unearthed episode, shedding some light on its backstory as well.
“I was fortunate enough to work as one of the associate producers on The Richard Simmons Show in the early 1980s,” Glenn Kirschbaum captioned the upload on his YouTube page. “On November 17, 1983, we recorded a parody of The Dating Game that was edited but never broadcast, as the series was canceled before it aired.”
“I have held onto the only version of the edit for more than 40 years,” Kirschbaum continued. “This is the first time it is being shared publicly.”
Kirschbaum recounted his experience casting the three contestants seen in the episode, which called for “tall and amusing bachelors to create the most entertaining sequence possible.”
Kirschbaum consulted Budd Friedman, the storied founder of comedy club chain The Improv, which had become a reliable source of talent for producers of shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Friedman connected Kirschbaum to Nealon and actor Bruce Smirnoff, who can both be seen in the episode.
Following his win, Nealon returns for a workout segment. It’s a great early look at the comedian, who wound up making his network debut the following year on Carson’s Tonight Show. He joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1986, and spent nine seasons on the program.
Nealon paid tribute to Simmons on Instagram earlier this week by sharing photos of the pair onstage together at a 2013 benefit. “Always a blast and full of kindness,” he wrote.
Kirschbaum continues to write, produce, and direct for television. He was the writer of the documentary Remembering Gene Wilder, released earlier this year.
He offered his own tribute to Simmons alongside the episode footage. “Enjoy the magic that was Richard Simmons,” he wrote. “We may never see his like again.”
