TV's Grooviest Variety Shows of the 60's and 70's

Telly R. Davidson
Cumberland House (2006)
ISBN 1581825501
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07)

No book about variety shows would be complete without “The Ed Sullivan Show.”  The variety show spanned over 20 years.  His guests varied each week.  From the Beatles, Elvis and Bob Hope, Sullivan always thrilled his audience.  “The Ed Sullivan Show” was more than just another TV variety show.  It was an honest-to-god time capsule of the absolute best the entertainment industry had to offer in the “Golden Age of Hollywood and Broadway.”  Sullivan launched many careers.

“The Carol Burnett Show” entertained viewers for over 10 years.  Her catch phrase was “I’m so glad we had this time together;” I also remember her tugging her ear lobe.  How can a viewer not look back at this show and smile?  Comedy skits, and sketches, parodies and characters were tackled each week.  Regulars, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, became household names.  “Mama’s Family,” starring Vickie Lawrence, became a popular spin-off.   Mama often offered words of wisdom, “Eunice, you got splinters in the windmills of yer mind!” and “Is this your time of the month or something?’”

“Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” lasted 5 years.  I remember well the performances of Ruth Buzzi, Judy Carne, Goldie Hawn, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson and Lily Tomlin.  Each week I would tune in to listen to “Sock it to me!” and watch a bucket of water hit someone in the face.  Arte Johnson’s character Dirty Old Man always left me laughing.  Goldie Hawn, the lovable, carefree and slightly goof go-go dancer went on to prove her great talent in a number of movies.

“The Tony Orlando & Dawn Rainbow Hour” lasted 2 years.  The show was full of comedy and wonderful music.  They were a breath of sunshine each week. 

I impatiently waited each week to watch “Donny & Marie,” “Sha Na Na,” and “The Captain and Tennille.”  

Last time I was in Branson, MO, I went to see Bobby Vinton.  He still has that same charisma that attracted me to “The Bobby Vinton Show” in the mid 70’s.

I faithfully watched “Sonny & Cher” each week, dreaming that I was Cher.  Remember I was still in high school. The couple had magnetism that drew you to them.  I remember being sad when the show ended.

“TV’s Grooviest Variety Shows of the 60’s and 70’s” by Telly R. Davidson is a wonderful walk down memory lane.  They just don’t make shows like that any more.  Davidson enlightens and entertains readers with facts, photos, where they are now and bloopers about stars and shows of the 60’s and 70’s.   He covered all of my favorites.  This book is well researched and includes quotes.  Davidson clearly demonstrates the impact variety shows had on the culture.  This book is extremely entertaining.  I highly recommend it to those who survived the 60’s and 70’s and those that wish they had experienced it.

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