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 19 Episode Guide
34 Episodes 1973 - 1974
Episode 1
We Can Make Music
Sat, Sep 8, 1973
Episode 2
Escondido Show
Sat, Sep 15, 1973
Episode 3
Tribute to Walt Disney
Sat, Sep 22, 1973
A Disney celebration, featuring "Oh Happy Day"; "It's a Small World"; "Mickey Mouse Mambo"; "When You Wish Upon a Star"; "Big Bad Wolf"; and "The Waltz of the Flowers".
Episode 4
Salute to Oscar Hammerstein
Sat, Sep 29, 1973
Episode 5
Salute to Nat King Cole
Sat, Oct 6, 1973
Episode 6
Big Band Days
Sat, Oct 13, 1973
A tribute to the big bands. The fun includes Johnny Zell, who offers trumpet solos on "Crintinitin"; "When Day is Done" and "Celery Stalks at Midnight". Also: Guy Hovis and Ralna English perform "Tangerine"; and the band performs "Begin the Beguine", "Panama" and "Curana".
Episode 7
Hometowns
Sat, Oct 20, 1973
Episode 8
Salute to Cole Porter
Sat, Oct 27, 1973
Episode 9
Salute to the Ladies
Sat, Nov 3, 1973
Episode 10
Mancini-Mercer - Guest: Henry Mancini
Sat, Nov 10, 1973
Episode 11
Thanksgiving Special
Sat, Nov 17, 1973
Episode 12
Musical Style Setters
Sat, Nov 24, 1973
Episode 13
Happiness Is
Sat, Dec 1, 1973
Episode 14
Salute to Irving Berlin
Sat, Dec 8, 1973
Episode 15
Country Music
Sat, Dec 15, 1973
Episode 16
Christmas - Guest: Tom Netherton
Sat, Dec 22, 1973
Episode 17
Musical Tour of Europe
Sat, Dec 29, 1973
A make-believe tour of Europe. Songs include "Around the World"; "Espana Cari"; "Copenhagen"; "Gigi"; "Licdtensteiner Polka"; and "Auf Wederschen".
Episode 18
New Year's Eve
Mon, Dec 31, 1973
Episode 19
Musical Tour of Europe
Sat, Jan 5, 1974
Episode 20
Grammy Award Songs
Sat, Jan 12, 1974
Episode 21
Tribute to Glenn Miller
Sat, Jan 19, 1974
Episode 22
In Concert
Sat, Jan 26, 1974
Episode 23
Songs to Remember
Sat, Feb 2, 1974
Episode 24
Classical Favorites
Sat, Feb 9, 1974
Episode 25
Hooray for Love
Sat, Feb 16, 1974
Episode 26
Walkin'
Sat, Feb 23, 1974
Episode 27
We Believe in Music
Sat, Mar 2, 1974
Episode 28
Golden Anniversary in Show Business
Sat, Mar 9, 1974
Episode 29
New Songs
Sat, Mar 16, 1974
Episode 30
20th Century Composers
Sat, Mar 23, 1974
Episode 31
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Sat, Apr 13, 1974
Episode 32
Western Heritage
Sat, Apr 20, 1974
Episode 33
Do You Remember?
Sat, Apr 27, 1974
Episode 34
Tribute to Famous Entertainers
Sat, May 4, 1974