ABC's "The Many Sides of Don Rickles" prime-time network television comedy special's original concept was a clear effort to do something completely different. The television-one hour special with a backstage atmosphere when the show opens with Don Rickles and his guests - Don Adams, Harvey Korman, and Robert Goulet sitting and talking in what is meant to be a casual environment, surrounded by the show's cast, stage hand-technicians, electricians, wardrobe, camera and production crew. Their repartee comedy should be comfortable among-st men that are clearly friends, but their verbal exchanges seem forced as each celebrity guest attempt to allow Rickles to do his spontaneous ad-lib thing. The backstage theme remains constant as they transition between several scripted comedy sketches and a Robert Goulet musical number performed with the on-stage orchestra.
This is the first time that the Braden twins shared a "Production Design" collaboration credit on a prime-time network special. Hub's identical twin brother John, based in New York City, joined producer Jerry McPhie's A-team crew. During a segment of the show - Don, shown walking from his studio dressing room, through a side-show of crowded show stage crew personnel, including stage hand technicians, electrical and sound, TV cable and camera engineering, costume-wardrobe and make-up personnel - wise-cracking at his crew as he ascended his arena platform. McPhie and director Bud Yorkin staged a set-up with the identically dressed Braden Twins for Don Rickles walk-in. Rickles spotting them, "Which one of you guys - is the New York Cowboy?"
Upon-arrival, in his ABC studio lot dressing room, Robert Goulet began tipping a bottle of scotch whiskey, prior to his Rickles TV gig rehearsal. Goulet, during the long day's rehearsals, became a very happy tipsy comedian and performer - amusing host Don Rickles with his antics, responses and his ad-lib's.