1954-05-30, CBS, min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Guests: Liberace, Patti Page.
1955-12-22, Live, 70 min.
The most complete recording known running almost ten minutes longer than what has been uploaded to the internet of this rowdy uncensored early Humphrey Bogart Friar's roast, recorded live almost 70 years ago.
Paying "tribute" to our guest of honor is Master of Ceremonies, Red Buttons, HIstorian of the Friars Club, Eddie Weiner, Joe E. Ross (missing from you tube uploads), Alan King, Maurice Chevalier, Charles Coburn, Lou Holtz, Gene Baylos, Phil Silvers (missing from you tube uploads), Solly Violinsky, Lauren Bacall, and Humphrey Bogart (part of his speech missing from you tube uploads).
Red Buttons reads telegrams of congratulation from Liberace, Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable and Bob Hope each using a term for copulation in their quotes).
Processed from an original recording with flaws (edits, under and over modulation, clicks and gaps) acquired over 30 years ago, Phil Gries, founder and owner of Archival Television Audio, Inc., has improved the quality and flow of this extraordinary Friar's Roast lampooning Humphrey Bogart just 13 months before his death at age 56.
1956-11-24, SYN, 2 min.
1953-1955 Syndicated.
A half-hour musical series starring pianist Liberace and his brother George.
The show's opening is heard.
1956-12-11, , 15 min.
February 3rd, 1951-June 39th, 1951-
A half-hour comedy/variety series starring Victor Borge.
Borge imitates Liberace. He performs his famous "Punctuation Skit."
1956-12-11, CBS, 40 min.
February 3rd, 1951-June 29th, 1951-
A half-hour comedy/variety series starring Victor Borge.
Borge imitates Liberace. He performs his famous "Punctuation Skit."
Victor Borge's one-man (plus orchestra) concert show.
Duplicate of #13115 which is a fifteen-minute version.
1957-05-11, NBC, 8 min.
September 12, 1955-June 12, 1963. In the fall of 1955 Perry Como returned to NBC where he hosted a weekly hour show. From 1955 to 1959 it was seen Saturday evenings and was titled "The Perry Como Show." From 1959 to 1963 it was seen Wednesday evenings and was titled "The Kraft Music Hall." Regulars included Frank Gallop and the Ray Charles Singers. After his final weekly June 12, 1963 broadcast Perry Como appeared in scores of specials, beginning October 3, 1963, airing on NBC, CBS & ABC, and concluding on December 6, 1986.
Liberace is the guest.
NOTE:
An early example of the new 8 second NBC OPENING COLOR announcement:
" The following program is brought to you in LIVING color on NBC."
Formerly, the opening announcement stated the word COMPATIBLE color...
1961-08-24, WNBC, 11 min.
Jack Paar's guest is Liberace. This program is joined in progress as Liberace plays the piano (Latin music melody) and discusses with Jack the origin of his candelabra. Other topics discussed include, remembrances by Liberace of his great welcome when he played the Palladium in England, his elaborate wardrobe and how it developed over the years from conservative to ornate, his vast real estate holdings, his generosity to others in his circle of friends and associates.
1962-03-17, WOR, 46 min.
Hy Gardner's guests for an informal round table discussion are Don Ameche, Bud Collyer and Liberace.
1962-09-18, CBS, 00 min.
Keefe Brasselle stars as the nostalgic atmosphere of the turn-of-the-century music hall and beer garden is recreated. This pilot broadcast was the basis for the Keefe Brasselle Show summer series (June 23rd, 1963-September 17th, 1963).
1962-12-16, WCBS, 00 min.
Sullivan salutes Charles Laughton, who died the previous day.
1963-04-19, NBC, min.
September 21st, 1962- September 10th, 1965 (NBC)
A Friday night variety series starring Jack Paar. Jonathan Winters was a frequent guest on the show.
Jack's guests are Liberace and Milton Berle.
1963-04-19, WNBC, 45 min.
Jack Paar's guests are Milton Berle and Liberace.
1963-08-10, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). This was the "Helena Polka" broadcast. "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1963-11-29, WNBC, 53 min.
This program was scheduled to air one week before on Nov. 22, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Re-scheduled for tonight there is also a brief epilogue by Jack Paar about the tragedy. Guests are Liberace, Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), Mary McCarthy and Milt Kamen.
1964-04-10, WNBC, 51 min.
Jack Paar's guests are Jonathan Winters, Liberace, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Eva Gabor.
1964-04-18, ABC, 19 min.
The guest host is Jimmy Durante. Guests are comedian Jack Carter and Liberace. The announcer is Dick Tufeld.
1964-04-18, ABC, 19 min.
The guest host is Jimmy Durante. Guests are comedian Jack Carter and Liberace. The announcer is Dick Tufeld.
Duplicate of #14533.
1964-10-12, WNBC, 00 min.
September 27, 1962-September 3, 1967 (NBC); September 20, 1969-July 17, 1971 (NBC); 1976 (Syndicated). In 1962, Williams was finally given a fall series on NBC; the hour show lasted five seasons and featured The New Christy Minstrels and the Osmond Brothers. His third NBC series, which premiered in 1969, featured comics Charlie Callas and Irwin Corey, along with Janos Prohaska; the hour show lasted another two seasons. In 1976, Williams hosted a syndicated series, entitled "Andy." The half-hour show featured puppeteer Wayland Flowers
1965-05-14, NBC, min.
September 21, 1962 - September 10, 1965
Jack Paar elected to pursue a three year NBC series in prime time soon after stepping down as host of THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JACK PAAR (1957-1962). These broadcasts took on the form of a variety/talk show format. Each telecast opened with a Paar monologue. Also shown from time to time were personal home movies shot by Jack on various trips by the Paar family to Africa, Russia, and Europe. Jack's daughter, Randy Paar would often assist her dad narrating these films.
Appearing with Jack were many of his old regulars from the TONIGHT SHOW including Alexander King, Oscar Levant, and Jonathan Winters. This 10 pm Friday prime time slot attracted many notable guests, including Richard Nixon, Barry Goldwater, and Ted Kennedy. Also, given exposure were many young and veteran entertainers, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Peggy Lee, and stand-up comedians, among them, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, Godfrey Cambridge, Jackie Vernon, Mike Nichols & Elaine May, Burns & Schreiber, and Dick Gregory.
Impact appearances occurred introducing footage of The Beatles, prior to the group appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, and a young Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), singing and spewing poetry with Jack and Liberace.
After three years (one and a half years less than his tenure on THE TONIGHT SHOW), Jack Paar called it quits and would prematurely retire from the business with the exception of producing and starring in a handful of Specials for NBC and accepting one brief return to regular television, for nine months, hosting an ABC late-night talk show, JACK PAAR TONITE in 1973).
Jack's guests are Senator Everett Dirksen of Illinois and Liberace.
1965-05-14, NBC, 60 min.
September 21, 1962 - September 10, 1965
Jack Paar elected to pursue a three year NBC series in prime time soon after stepping down as host of THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JACK PAAR (1957-1962). These broadcasts took on the form of a variety/talk show format. Each telecast opened with a Paar monologue. Also shown from time to time were personal home movies shot by Jack on various trips by the Paar family to Africa, Russia, and Europe. Jack's daughter, Randy Paar would often assist her dad narrating these films.
Appearing with Jack were many of his old regulars from the TONIGHT SHOW including Alexander King, Oscar Levant, and Jonathan Winters. This 10 pm Friday prime time slot attracted many notable guests, including Richard Nixon, Barry Goldwater, and Ted Kennedy. Also, given exposure were many young and veteran entertainers, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Peggy Lee, and stand-up comedians, among them, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, Godfrey Cambridge, Jackie Vernon, Mike Nichols & Elaine May, Burns & Schreiber, and Dick Gregory.
Impact appearances occurred introducing footage of The Beatles, prior to the group appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, and a young Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), singing and spewing poetry with Jack and Liberace.
After three years (one and a half years less than his tenure on THE TONIGHT SHOW), Jack Paar called it quits and would prematurely retire from the business with the exception of producing and starring in a handful of Specials for NBC and accepting one brief return to regular television, for nine months, hosting an ABC late-night talk show, JACK PAAR TONITE in 1973).
Guests are Liberace and Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen.
Liberace celebrates 25 years in show business.
Includes commercials.
1965-05-14, NBC, 50 min.
September 21, 1962 - September 10, 1965
Jack Paar elected to pursue a three year NBC series in prime time soon after stepping down as host of THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JACK PAAR (1957-1962). These broadcasts took on the form of a variety / talk show format. Each telecast opened with a Paar monologue. Also shown from time to time were personal home movies shot by Jack on various trips by the Paar family to Africa, Russia, and Europe.Jack's daughter, Randy Paar would often assist her dad narrating these films.
Appearing with Jack were many of his old regulars from the TONIGHT SHOW including Alexander King, Oscar Levant and Jonathan Winters. This 10pm Friday prime time slot attracted many notable guests, including Richard Nixon, Barry Goldwater and Ted Kennedy. Also, given exposure were many young and veteran entertainers, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Peggy Lee, and stand-up comedians, among them, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, Godfrey Cambridge, Jackie Vernon, Mike Nichols & Elaine May, Burns & Schreiber, and Dick Gregory.
Impact appearances occurred introducing footage of The Beatles, prior to the group appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, and a young Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), singing and spewing poetry with Jack and Liberace.
After three years (one and a half years less than his tenure on THE TONIGHT SHOW), Jack Paar called it quits and would prematurely retire from the business with the exception of producing and starring in a handful of Specials for NBC and accepting one brief return to regular television, for nine months, hosting an ABC late night talk show, JACK PAAR TONITE in 1973).
1965-06-25, WNBC, 52 min.
Jack Paar reflects on past shows from his three year primetime series. In his final broadcast, past excerpts are played highlighting special guests, repeating funny moments, as well as dramatic moments. Among the guests from past shows: Richard Burton, Beatrice Lillie, Bette Davis, Liberace, Jonathan Winters, Rev. Billy Graham, and Jayne Mansfield. Paar demonstrates new products on the market. The "warm up" tape used to get the studio audience in good cheer is played for the television audience for the first time. Paar bids his fans farewell.
1965-11-29, WCBS, 52 min.
September 13, 1965-December 13, 1965. Steve Lawrence's Monday-night variety hour lasted only thirteen weeks. Regulars included comics Charles Nelson Reilly and Betty Walker.
1966-02-15, SYN, 16 min.
1965-1967 (SYN)
Thirty-minute talk show starring host, Gypsy Rose Lee.
Gypsy Rose Lee, who is generally credited with introing the idea of gab as an adjunct of peeling, is still talking on this ABC-TV syndicated strip now being distributed by Seven Arts.
This show debuted on KGO-TV in San Francisco (the station that produces it) in April and was picked up by KABC-TV in Los Angeles
a month later and is now on WBKB-TV Chicago.
Miss Lee is a greatly uninhibited and somewhat undisciplined hostess, both factors which provide the best and worst of the show. She's quite well-informed and widely experienced and has a considerable knack of showing interest in and contagious appreciation of her guests.
Guest: Liberace.
1966-05-03, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. This was the final broadcast of the season. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1966-08-17, WCBS, 57 min.
June 22, 1966-September 7, 1966 (CBS); 1968 (Syndicated). The first of pop singer John Gary's variety hours was a summer replacement for "The Danny Kaye Show." The second show was a syndicated effort and featured Sammy Spear's Orchestra.
1966-09-22, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1966-10-17, WNBC, 27 min.
September 12, 1966-December 26, 1966. Country and western singer Roger Miller hosted his own half-hour musical variety series.
1966-12-22, NBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974.
A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
Dupe Of # 1910
1966-12-22, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1967-01-11, WCBS, 52 min.
September 25, 1963-June 7, 1967. Danny Kaye hosted his own Wednesday-night variety hour for four seasons. Regulars included Harvey Korman, four-year-old Victoria Meyerink & youngster Laurie Ichino.
1967-02-26, NBC, 52 min.
September 27, 1962-September 3, 1967 (NBC); September 20, 1969-July 17, 1971 (NBC); 1976 (Syndicated). In 1962, Williams was finally given a fall series on NBC; the hour show lasted five seasons and featured The New Christy Minstrels and the Osmond Brothers. His third NBC series, which premiered in 1969, featured comics Charlie Callas and Irwin Corey, along with Janos Prohaska; the hour show lasted another two seasons. In 1976, Williams hosted a syndicated series, entitled "Andy." The half-hour show featured puppeteer Wayland Flowers.
Dupe of # 1247
1967-02-26, WNBC, 52 min.
September 27, 1962-September 3, 1967 (NBC); September 20, 1969-July 17, 1971 (NBC); 1976 (Syndicated). In 1962, Williams was finally given a fall series on NBC; the hour show lasted five seasons and featured The New Christy Minstrels and the Osmond Brothers. His third NBC series, which premiered in 1969, featured comics Charlie Callas and Irwin Corey, along with Janos Prohaska; the hour show lasted another two seasons. In 1976, Williams hosted a syndicated series, entitled "Andy." The half-hour show featured puppeteer Wayland Flowers.
1967-04-26, NBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
Rerun Of 9-22-66.
1967-05-24, NBC, 180 min.
Ninth annual Grammy Awards Telecast.
Produced by George Schlatter.
Telecast on Video Tape from Hollywood, London and New York.
Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles, Eydie Gorme, Louis Armstrong and others perform.
Producer George Schlatter logged 15,000 miles to tape this year's Grammy Award winners. Performances by some of the winners of this year's Grammy Awards, made by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), annually, this year announced March 2nd and presented at various dinners around the country on that date. The re-created performances will also be introduced on the program by other top show business stars.
Ella Fitzgerald receives The Golden Achievement Award.
1967-05-24, NBC, 180 min.
Ninth annual Grammy Awards Telecast.
Produced by George Schlatter.
Telecast on Video Tape from Hollywood, London and New York.
Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles, Eydie Gorme, Louis Armstrong and others perform.
Producer George Schlatter logged 15,000 miles to tape this year's Grammy Award winners. Performances by some of the winners of this year's Grammy Awards, made by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), annually, this year announced March 2nd and presented at various dinners around the country on that date. The re-created performances will also be introduced on the program by other top show business stars.
Ella Fitzgerald receives The Golden Achievement Award.
Duplicate of #7704.
1967-05-24, NBC, 60 min.
Ninth annual Grammy Awards Telecast.
Produced by George Schlatter.
Telecast on Video Tape from Hollywood, London and New York.
Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles, Eydie Gorme, Louis Armstrong and others perform.
Producer George Schlatter logged 15,000 miles to tape this year's Grammy Award winners. Performances by some of the winners of this year's Grammy Awards, made by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), annually, this year announced March 2nd and presented at various dinners around the country on that date. The re-created performances will also be introduced on the program by other top show business stars.
1967-11-01, NBC, 33 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
Duplicate Of #3565 "Fiddler On The Loose." is the theme.
Host: Jack Benny. This is a partial broadcast ending after the first 33 minutes. Joined in progress.
1967-11-01, WNBC, 52 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971.
The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
This "FIDDLER ON THE LOOSE" broadcast is hosted by Jack Benny.
We hear Jack give a lengthy monologue who discusses the theme of the show...the stringed instrument and its virtuosity. Jack Benny play his Stradivarius violin which he states is worth $50,000.
Astrud Gilberto sings "MISTY ROSES." Ed Herlihy does a commercial for Kraft Cheese soft sticky miricle brand spread margarine.
Jack introduces Liberace who plays on the piano, "MOONLIGH SONATA' with one hand and "HOW INSENSATIVE" with his other hand. Jack and Liberace share humorous banter together. They both play (Liberace on the piano and Benny on the violin, "WHEN A GYPSY MAKES HIS VIOLIN CRY." Jack converses with his guests The Blues Magoos rock band who perform "TOBACCO ROAD." Michael Rabin performs "THE LAST MOVEMENT OF MENDELSSOHN'S VIOLIN CONCERTO."
Comics Morey Amsterdam and Henny Youngman provide comic relief.
Directed by Dwight Hemion. Peter Matz conducts the orchestra.
"The Bee"- Jack Benny and Orchestra
Mendelsohn's Violin Concerto- Michael Rabin
"Moonlight Sonata", " How Insensitive"- Liberace
"Tobacco Road"- Blues Magoos
"Misty Roses"- Astrud Gilberto
"When a Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry"- Jack Benny, Liberace
Duplicate of 3565.
1967-11-01, WNBC, 52 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971.
The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
This "FIDDLER ON THE LOOSE" broadcast is hosted by Jack Benny.
We hear Jack give a lengthy monologue who discusses the theme of the show...the stringed instrument and its virtuosity. Jack Benny play his Stradivarius violin which he states is worth $50,000.
Astrud Gilberto sings "MISTY ROSES." Ed Herlihy does a commercial for Kraft Cheese soft sticky miricle brand spread margarine.
Jack introduces Liberace who plays on the piano, "MOONLIGH SONATA' with one hand and "HOW INSENSATIVE" with his other hand. Jack and Liberace share humorous banter together. They both play (Liberace on the piano and Benny on the violin, "WHEN A GYPSY MAKES HIS VIOLIN CRY." Jack converses with his guests The Blues Magoos rock band who perform "TOBACCO ROAD." Michael Rabin performs "THE LAST MOVEMENT OF MENDELSSOHN'S VIOLIN CONCERTO."
Comics Morey Amsterdam and Henny Youngman provide comic relief.
Directed by Dwight Hemion. Peter Matz conducts the orchestra.
"The Bee"- Jack Benny and Orchestra
Mendelsohn's Violin Concerto- Michael Rabin
"Moonlight Sonata", " How Insensitive"- Liberace
"Tobacco Road"- Blues Magoos
"Misty Roses"- Astrud Gilberto
"When a Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry"- Jack Benny, Liberace
Duplicate of 3565. and 11175.
1967-11-01, WNBC, 52 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971.
The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
This "FIDDLER ON THE LOOSE" broadcast is hosted by Jack Benny.
We hear Jack give a lengthy monologue who discusses the theme of the show...the stringed instrument and its virtuosity. Jack Benny play his Stradivarius violin which he states is worth $50,000.
Astrud Gilberto sings "MISTY ROSES." Ed Herlihy does a commercial for Kraft Cheese soft sticky miricle brand spread margarine.
Jack introduces Liberace who plays on the piano, "MOONLIGH SONATA' with one hand and "HOW INSENSATIVE" with his other hand. Jack and Liberace share humorous banter together. They both play (Liberace on the piano and Benny on the violin, "WHEN A GYPSY MAKES HIS VIOLIN CRY." Jack converses with his guests The Blues Magoos rock band who perform "TOBACCO ROAD." Michael Rabin performs "THE LAST MOVEMENT OF MENDELSSOHN'S VIOLIN CONCERTO."
Comics Morey Amsterdam and Henny Youngman provide comic relief.
Directed by Dwight Hemion. Peter Matz conducts the orchestra.
"The Bee"- Jack Benny and Orchestra
Mendelsohn's Violin Concerto- Michael Rabin
"Moonlight Sonata", " How Insensitive"- Liberace
"Tobacco Road"- Blues Magoos
"Misty Roses"- Astrud Gilberto
"When a Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry"- Jack Benny, Liberace
1967-11-25, WCBS, 52 min.
September 29, 1962-September 12, 1970. Jackie Gleason was a fixture on CBS for most of two decades. In the fall of 1962 Gleason was back to a Saturday slot, which he occupied for another eight seasons. From 1962 to 1966 it was called "Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine," and featured topical comedy sketches as well as musical numbers. One of Gleason's characters, Joe the Bartender, appeared regularly. Addressing the camera as his patron, Joe told a few jokes before calling out the tipsy Crazy Guggenheim from the back room. Guggenheim, played by Frank Fontaine, traded quips with Joe and then sang a song. Sue Ann Langdon was also featured regularly. In 1966 Gleason moved the operation to Miami Beach. The show was retitled "The Jackie Gleason Show." For the first time in almost a decade, production of "The Honeymooners" was resumed. Gleason was reunited with Art Carney; Sheila MacRae and Jane Kean were added to play Alice and Trixie. Many of these later "Honeymooners" sketches ran a full hour, and the accent was now on music.
1968-03-05, WCBS, 52 min.
September 25, 1962-June 23, 1970. One of television's most inventive and popular comedians, Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years, seven of them in a one-hour format, "The Red Skelton Hour" on CBS. Skelton began his television career on NBC September 30, 1951 with a half-hour filmed variety series lasting until June 21, 1953. He then began his CBS affiliation, and began hosting "The Red Skelton Show," a half-hour variety show broadcast live until October 18, 1960, and subsequently on videotape. This series aired from October 13, 1953, continuing until June 26, 1962. From July 21, 1954 through September 8, 1954, "The Red Skelton Revue" was broadcast live on CBS in a one-hour format. Red Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour taped format for his final series. "Red" as the show was known, premiered September 14, 1970. The first four broadcasts included introductions by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew (September 14, 1970), Dean Martin (September 21, 1970), Jack Benny (September 28, 1970), and Johnny Carson (October 5, 1970) who got his big break writing for Skelton in the early 1950's. Red Skelton's last first-run regularly scheduled television program aired on March 15, 1971.
1968-03-14, NBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974.
A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
Dupe Of # 1949.
1968-03-14, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1968-06-18, WCBS, 52 min.
June 11, 1968-September 17, 1968.
Host Liberace.
This hour-long variety series, a summer replacement for the Red Skelton Show, was hosted by a guest celebrity each week for 12 weeks. Guest host-performers and guest acts were drawn from top name American and British talent backed by the London Line dancers and the Mike Sammes singers.
NOTE: The premiere show with headliner Shelley Berman is missing.
Following shows included hosts, Liberace, Eddy Arnold, Frank Fontaine, Terry-Thomas, Don Knotts, Phyllis Diller, Dave Allen, Juliet Prowse, Steve Allen, George Gobel, Godfrey Cambridge.
Pre-emted on August 6, and August 27.
Re-run episode number two with Liberace broadcast on September 17th.
1968-08-08, WOR, 52 min.
Liberace heads Mike Douglas's guest list for this impromptu hour of song, dance and comedy. Also on hand are insult comic Don Rickles, singer-actress Diana Dors and Regina DiMedio, a 9 year old pianist who plays a duet with Liberace.
1968-08-12, NBC, min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
Guest: Liberace. This is the final Tonight Show directed by Johnny Carson's brother, Dick Carson.
1968-12-22, WCBS, 35 min.
September 15, 1968-December 22, 1968. This program was interrupted by a news bulletin on Pueblo Release. Variety hour hosted by Phyllis Diller, featuring Norm Crosby and Rip Taylor.
Phyllis Diller's original composition is performed by Diller and accompanied by Liberace.
NOTE: This broadcast was originally scheduled to air on October 27, 1968. Postponed, it was aired as the final broadcast on December 22, 1968.
Due to a Special News Bulletin and Special report on the the Pueblo release of American captives, only the final half of The Pyllis Diller Show is broadcast.
1969-01-19, WOR, 52 min.
Lawrence Harvey is roasted. George Jessel emcees this hour variety roast series featuring testimonials to guests of honor. This syndicated series aired from September 15, 1968 to March 9, 1969. Reruns ran through March 1, 1970.
