'Groucho & Cavett' review: Portrait of a very special friendship

 Why is quickly self-evident. On "Cavett," he was allowed to indulge without being self-indulgent, even if the line between both did appear to be a fine one at times. Here he could perform entire versions of signature songs, like "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" and "Lydia the Tattooed Lady." He could discuss ideas and literature, including his own literary output (as a writer for The New Yorker.) He could reminiscence, kvetch, reflect, tell jokes and talk about world affairs.

Cavett allowed Groucho to be Groucho, and Groucho returned the favor. Interviewing someone like him couldn't have been easy, but Cavett made it seem effortless. He knew when to ask questions, and when to listen. He also knew when to laugh and when not to; Marx obviously appreciated the distinction because, as he complains here, after half a century of telling jokes, people laughed at everything he said. They took each other seriously and mutual respect like this has a way of bringing out the best in professional entertainers. It certainly did here. 

This "Masters" is in fact an exploration of two distinct styles through a single lens, although Marx does get the much wider angle. That was inevitable: Groucho had spent a lifetime entertaining and wasn't about to stop, especially when there were cameras and a receptive host as witness. His style of humor dated from the earliest days of the 20th century, but owed a certain allegiance to Mark Twain too, most notably, the adroit turn of phrase. His specialties were the lightning quick comeback and puns — lots and lots of those. (Example: "What hotel room are you in," Marx once asked Cavett, who replied "485." Groucho: "Sounds like a cannibal story.") 

But by the late '60s and early '70s, the last wisps of vaudeville were disappearing, while Groucho collaborator/songwriters Yip Harburg and Harry Ruby were nearly forgotten. It was left to someone like Cavett (who interviewed both) to celebrate them and to celebrate Groucho before he suffered the same fate. Watching this program, you can almost see Cavett holding on to that past before it's gone for good. He knows something precious is about to be lost forever, and the role of a network talk show host is to at least try to preserve some part of it.

 Indeed, that's the pleasure of "Groucho & Cavett," and the poignancy too.