By the mid-60's, variety shows were gradually overtaking Westerns on network schedules. In 1965, CBS took a chance with singer-actor Steve Lawrence, giving him the 10 pm (ET) berth behind a powerhouse comedy block that included The Lucy Show, Hazel, & The Andy Griffith Show, though not in that order.
However, The Steve Lawrence Show didn't get past Christmas, cancelled in December 1965 due to poor ratings. It was the last variety show filmed in black & white, and maybe that may have played a hand in the series' sudden demise.
I was but a toddler then, and never saw the show, so no rating this time. However, what I can tell you is that the announcer at the start is future game show icon Gene Wood.
I guess by this point, variety shows were quickly becoming a dime a dozen, just like Westerns, sitcoms, and crime dramas.
No comments:
Post a Comment