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 16 Episode Guide
46 Episodes 1970 - 1971
Episode 1
Salute to September
Sat, Sep 26, 1970
Episode 2
Episode #16.2
Sat, Oct 3, 1970
Episode 3
The Sound of Music
Sat, Oct 10, 1970
Episode 4
Episode #16.4
Sat, Oct 17, 1970
Episode 5
Musical Salute to Dixie
Sat, Oct 24, 1970
Episode 6
Old Favorites
Sat, Oct 31, 1970
Episode 7
Small Towns
Sat, Nov 7, 1970
Episode 8
Big Band Era
Sat, Nov 14, 1970
Episode 9
Thank You America/Thanksgiving - Guest: Willa Dorsey
Sat, Nov 21, 1970
Episode 10
Episode #16.10
Sat, Nov 28, 1970
Episode 11
Episode #16.11
Sat, Dec 5, 1970
Episode 12
Salute to Walt Disney
Sat, Dec 12, 1970
Episode 13
Christmas
Sat, Dec 19, 1970
Episode 14
New Year's Eve Show/Rose Bowl
Sat, Dec 26, 1970
"This Could Be the Start of Something Big," "Auld Lang Syne," "Moonlight and Roses," "Before the Parade Passes By," "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "I Could Have Danced All Night" are performed.
Episode 15
In the Alps
Sat, Jan 2, 1971
Episode 16
Episode #16.16
Sat, Jan 9, 1971
Episode 17
Old Favorites
Sat, Jan 16, 1971
Episode 18
Tribute to Irving Berlin - Guest: Kate Smith
Sat, Jan 23, 1971
Episode 19
Episode #16.19
Sat, Jan 30, 1971
Episode 20
National Brotherhood Week - Guest Star: Willa Dorsey
Sat, Feb 6, 1971
Episode 21
Love Songs
Sat, Feb 13, 1971
Episode 22
Mardi Gras
Sat, Feb 20, 1971
Episode 23
Guest Star: Henry Mancini
Sat, Feb 27, 1971
Episode 24
Musical History Makers
Sat, Mar 6, 1971 60 mins
Episode 25
St. Patrick's Day
Sat, Mar 13, 1971
Episode 26
Traditional Songs
Sat, Mar 20, 1971
Episode 27
Music from A to Z
Sat, Mar 27, 1971
Episode 28
Academy Awards Show - Guest: Jack Benny
Sat, Apr 3, 1971
Episode 29
Easter Show - Guest: Willa Dorsey
Sat, Apr 10, 1971
Episode 30
National Secretaries Week
Sat, Apr 17, 1971
Episode 31
Episode #16.31
Sat, Apr 24, 1971
Episode 32
Episode #16.32
Sat, May 1, 1971
Episode 33
Episode #16.33
Sat, May 8, 1971
Episode 34
Episode #16.34
Sat, May 15, 1971
Episode 35
Episode #16.35
Sat, May 22, 1971
Episode 36
Episode #16.36
Sat, Jun 5, 1971
Episode 37
Everything's Coming Up Roses
Sat, Jun 12, 1971
Songs include Everything's Coming Up Roses, Ramblin' Rose, Moonlight and Roses, Red Roses for a Blue Lady, Primrose Lane, Rose Room, My Wild Irish Rose, To a Wild Rose, Only a Rose, Yellow Rose of Texas, San Antonio Rose, I Wish You Love, Mighty Like a Rose, Rose of Washington Square, (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden, Days of Wine and Roses, Rose of the Rio Grande, Southern Roses, Mexicali Rose and One Dozen Roses.
Episode 38
Father's Day Show
Sat, Jun 19, 1971
Episode 39
Episode #16.39
Sat, Jun 26, 1971
Episode 40
Episode #16.40
Sat, Jul 3, 1971
Episode 41
Episode #16.41
Sat, Jul 10, 1971
Episode 42
California Salute
Sat, Jul 17, 1971
A tribute to vacation destinations in California, including Disneyland and San Francisco. Songs include "San Francisco", "Do You Know the Way to San Jose"; "San Fernando Valley"; "Music to Watch Girls By"; Besame Mucho"; "My Little Gray Home in the West"; "Hooray for Hollywood"; "Talk to the Animals"; "When You Wish Upon a Star"; "Avalon".
Episode 43
A Salute to Summer
Sat, Jul 31, 1971
Episode 44
A Musical Smorgasbord
Sat, Aug 14, 1971
Episode 45
County Fair
Sat, Aug 28, 1971
Episode 46
Say It with Music/Last ABC Show
Sat, Sep 4, 1971