The Lawrence Welk Show
Renowned bandleader Lawrence Welk began his own variety series in 1955... and it has never stopped running. Each program was straightforward musical numbers from Welk's band (many of which had featured solos at one point or another), as well as vocal selections and dance numbers from the show's cast. Most of the introductions to the performances, read stiffy by Welk, were kept short. Many of the shows revolved around a certain theme (e.g., "The Music Man" or the Fourth of July), with appropriate songs and dance numbers. The most famous of the featured singers were the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Janet, Kathy and Peggy), who were featured most every week for 13 years. At the end of each show, Welk would invite women from the audience on stage to dance with him as the theme, "Bubbles in the Wine" (and later, "Champagne Fanfare") played. The show enjoyed a 16-year network run on ABC, and later a successful 11-year syndicated run. Just months after the original series ended, older shows (from c. 1965-1982) were repackaged with new footage and entered a long run in both syndication and on PBS.
- 1955-1982
- 27 seasons
- ABC
- Family, Music
- TV-G
Renowned bandleader Lawrence Welk began his own variety series in 1955... and it has never stopped running. Each program was straightforward musical numbers from Welk's band (many of which had featured solos at one point or another), as well as vocal selections and dance numbers from the show's cast. Most of the introductions to the performances, read stiffy by Welk, were kept short. Many of the shows revolved around a certain theme (e.g., "The Music Man" or the Fourth of July), with appropriate songs and dance numbers. The most famous of the featured singers were the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Janet, Kathy and Peggy), who were featured most every week for 13 years. At the end of each show, Welk would invite women from the audience on stage to dance with him as the theme, "Bubbles in the Wine" (and later, "Champagne Fanfare") played. The show enjoyed a 16-year network run on ABC, and later a successful 11-year syndicated run. Just months after the original series ended, older shows (from c. 1965-1982) were repackaged with new footage and entered a long run in both syndication and on PBS.
Season 15 Episode Guide
43 Episodes 1969 - 1970
Episode 1
Guest: Gail Farrell
Sat, Sep 27, 1969 60 mins
Episode 2
School Days
Sat, Oct 4, 1969
A tribute to school. Performers include Joe Feeney, who sings "Sweetheart of Sigma Chi"; Tanya Welk, who sings "Autumn Leaves"; Myron Floren, who plays "Shall We Dance".
Episode 3
Music in the Stars
Sat, Oct 11, 1969
Episode 4
Episode #15.4
Sat, Oct 18, 1969
Episode 5
Halloween
Sat, Oct 25, 1969
Episode 6
Episode #15.6
Sat, Nov 1, 1969
Episode 7
Veteran's Day/Irving Berlin
Sat, Nov 8, 1969
Episode 8
Episode #15.8
Sat, Nov 15, 1969
Episode 9
Thanksgiving
Sat, Nov 22, 1969
Episode 10
Episode #15.10
Sat, Nov 29, 1969
Episode 11
Episode #15.11
Sat, Dec 6, 1969
Episode 12
Episode #15.12
Sat, Dec 13, 1969
Episode 13
Christmas - Guest: Guy Hovis
Sat, Dec 20, 1969
Episode 14
New Year's Eve
Sat, Dec 27, 1969
Episode 15
Episode #15.15
Sat, Jan 3, 1970
Episode 16
Guest Star: David Joy
Sat, Jan 10, 1970
Episode 17
Guest Star: Ted Mack
Sat, Jan 17, 1970
Episode 18
Episode #15.18
Sat, Jan 24, 1970
Episode 19
Episode #15.19
Sat, Jan 31, 1970
Episode 20
Episode #15.20
Sat, Feb 7, 1970
Episode 21
Love Songs
Sat, Feb 14, 1970
Episode 22
Salute to Brotherhood Week - Guests: Frank Scott & David Joy
Sat, Feb 21, 1970
Episode 23
Episode #15.23
Sat, Feb 28, 1970
Episode 24
Faith
Sat, Mar 7, 1970
Episode 25
St. Patrick's Day
Sat, Mar 14, 1970
Episode 26
Country & Western Show
Sat, Mar 21, 1970
Episode 27
Easter Show - Guest: Linda Hargis
Sat, Mar 28, 1970
Episode 28
Academy Awards
Sat, Apr 4, 1970
Episode 29
Springtime - Guest: Connie Eaton
Sat, Apr 11, 1970
Episode 30
Episode #15.30
Sat, Apr 18, 1970
Episode 31
Episode #15.31
Sat, Apr 25, 1970
Episode 32
Kentucky Derby/Cinco De Mayo - Guest: Rose Marie Kendall
Sat, May 2, 1970
Episode 33
Mother's Day - Guest: Mary Lou Metzger
Sat, May 9, 1970
Episode 34
Armed Forces Day
Sat, May 16, 1970
Episode 35
Vaudeville Days
Sat, May 23, 1970
Episode 36
Episode #15.36
Sat, Jun 6, 1970
Episode 37
Father's Day/Summertime
Sat, Jun 20, 1970
Episode 38
Independence Day/15th Anniversary Show
Sat, Jul 4, 1970
Episode 39
Gotta Travel On
Sat, Jul 18, 1970
Episode 40
Songs from the Tropics
Sat, Aug 1, 1970
Episode 41
Summer Songs
Sat, Aug 15, 1970
Complete Song List: Bubbles in the Wine, In the Beginning, Frankie and Johnny, Tumbling Tumbleweeds, Up a Lazy River, Everybody is Somebody's Fool, Mother Nature's in Love, The Strip Polka, Red River Valley, Beyond the Blue Horizon, Hawaiian Wedding Song, I Got Rhythm, Goodnight Irene, Paddlin' Madelin Home, Rhumba Si Si, Till There Was You, Marianne, My Heart Still Remembers, Minnie the Mermaid, Slow Poke, Picnicking in the Park.
Episode 42
County Fair/Togetherness
Sat, Aug 29, 1970
Episode 43
Episode #15.43
Sat, Sep 19, 1970