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 23 Episode Guide
32 Episodes 1977 - 1978
Episode 1
Season Premiere - Guests: The Aldridge Sisters
Sat, Sep 17, 1977
Episode 2
Best of the Old & New
Sat, Sep 24, 1977
Episode 3
The Roaring 20s
Sat, Oct 1, 1977
Episode 4
The Swinging 30s
Sat, Oct 8, 1977
Episode 5
Salute to New York
Sat, Oct 15, 1977
"New York, New York," "Take The 'A' Train," "Manhattan," "Autumn in New York," "42nd Street" and a medley of "The Bowery" and "Sidewalks of New York" are performed.
Episode 6
Song and Dance Men - Guests: The Otwell Twins
Sat, Oct 22, 1977
Episode 7
Halloween
Sat, Oct 29, 1977
Episode 8
Tribute to Young Composers
Sat, Nov 5, 1977
Episode 9
Salute to Mexico
Sat, Nov 12, 1977
Episode 10
Thanksgiving
Sat, Nov 19, 1977
Episode 11
Children's Favorites
Sat, Nov 26, 1977
Episode 12
Sweet Band Memories
Sat, Dec 3, 1977
Episode 13
Meet Our Musical Family
Sat, Dec 10, 1977
Episode 14
Winter
Sat, Dec 17, 1977
Episode 15
Christmas
Sat, Dec 24, 1977
Episode 16
New Year's Eve
Sat, Dec 31, 1977
Episode 17
Salute to the Senior Citizens
Sat, Jan 7, 1978
Episode 18
Tribute to Bing Crosby
Sat, Jan 14, 1978
A tribute to Bing Crosby, including "Moonlight Becomes You"; "Swinging on a Star"; "True Love"; "Too-ra-Ioo-ra-Io-ra (That's an Irish lullaby)"; "Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day"; "Moonlight Becomes You".
Episode 19
Songs of the 40s
Sat, Jan 21, 1978
Episode 20
50th Anniversary of the Talkies
Sat, Jan 28, 1978
Episode 21
100th Anniversary of the Phonograph
Sat, Feb 4, 1978
Episode 22
Love Songs
Sat, Feb 11, 1978
Episode 23
Composers of Yesterday, Today & Tommorrow
Sat, Feb 18, 1978
Episode 24
Musical Tour of the South
Sat, Feb 25, 1978
Episode 25
Wonderful World of the Waltz
Sat, Mar 4, 1978
Episode 26
St. Patrick's Day
Sat, Mar 11, 1978
Episode 27
America's Pastimes
Sat, Mar 18, 1978
Episode 28
Easter
Sat, Mar 25, 1978
Episode 29
Music In The Skies
Sat, Apr 1, 1978
Songs: Swingin' on a Star, Stardust, Stormy Weather, Fly Me to the Moon, When You Wish Upon a Star, Catch a Falling Star, Loveliest Night of the Year, How High the Moon, Blue Skies, You Are My Sunshine, Sunrise Sunset, Stars in Your Eyes.
Episode 30
Salute to Jerome Kern
Sat, Apr 8, 1978
Episode 31
Behind the Scenes with our Musical Family
Sat, Apr 15, 1978
Episode 32
Vacation Stops of the World
Sat, Apr 22, 1978