Bowie's appearance has been described as a "surreal" event, undertaken at a time when he was "actively trying to normalise his career". In 1978, Bowie said of Crosby: "He was "fantastic". That old man knew everything about everything. He knew rock and roll backwards, even if he didn't know the music...I'm glad I met him." However, by 1999 he changed his opinion, stating "He was not there at all" and describing Crosby as "look like a little old orange sitting on a stool." He found the experience to be "bizarre" and stated to having appeared on the show primarily because "I just knew my mother liked him". Kohan was not certain if Crosby knew who Bowie was, but Fraser claimed, "I'm pretty sure he did. Bing was no idiot. If he didn't, his kids sure did." A few days after the taping, Crosby said of Bowie, "clean-cut kid and a real fine asset to the show. He sings well, has a great voice and reads lines well."