The Paul Lynde Halloween Special was a Halloween-themed television special starring Paul Lynde and first broadcast on October 29, 1976 on ABC. It featured guest stars Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, Billie Hayes as Witchiepoo from H.R. Pufnstuf, Tim Conway from The Carol Burnett Show, Roz Kelly from Happy Days, Florence Henderson from The Brady Bunch, rock band KISS, Billy Barty, Betty White and (in an unbilled surprise appearance) Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond.
In the special's storyline, the witches grant three wishes to Paul. The first wish he becomes a trucker who competes against a fellow trucker (Tim Conway) for the love of a diner waitress (Roz Kelly). Paul's second wish he's a sheik trying to woo a kidnapped beauty (Florence Henderson) only to be interrupted by Tim Conway as a Foreign Legion scout sent in to save Florence from Paul. In the third wish, Lynde allows the witches to make a choice and they wish go to a disco. At the disco, Florence Henderson returns to sing a disco version of "That Old Black Magic." Paul is also treated to three performances from KISS. They perform Detroit Rock City, Beth and King of the Night Time World -- and they engage in a comic exchange with the star after Margaret Hamilton introduces the band to Paul.
The show ends with the entire cast assembling for a performance of "Disco Baby" (a gender-neutral version of the popular "Disco Lady") by Lynde and Roz "Pinky Tuscadero" Kelly (who is repeatedly billed exactly this way).
Recently some of the show footage was released on KISS' KISSOLOGY The Ultimate Kiss Collection Vol.1 1974-1977 released on October 31st 2006.The DVD shows a clip from the special of Paul Lynde meeting KISS with Margaret Hamilton from the program and the band's performance of King of the Night Time World.
The show has been bootlegged over the years in KISS fan circles. It was released on Region 1 DVD in the US on October 2nd, 2007.
This TV special marked the network television debut of the band KISS.
