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The Lawrence Welk Show Season 26 Episodes

  • 1955-1982
  • 27 Seasons
  • ABC
  • Family, Music
  • TV-G
  • Watchlist
    Where to Watch

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 26 Episode Guide

Season 26

32 Episodes 1980 - 1981

Episode 1

Season Preimere - Guest: Jo Ann Castle

Sat, Sep 13, 1980

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Episode 2

Autumn Show - Guest: Bobbie Lynne

Sat, Sep 20, 1980

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Episode 3

Salute to Fred Astaire

Sat, Sep 27, 1980

A show saluting Fred Astaire includes "'S Wonderful," "The Carioca," "Limehouse Blues," "Three Little Fishes," "I Love Louisa" and "Dancing in the Dark."

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Episode 4

Caribbean Cruise

Sat, Oct 4, 1980

The Love Boat (1977) theme song; "Feelin' Groovy"; "How Deep Is the Ocean"; "Drifting and Dreaming"; and "Isle of Capri".

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Episode 5

Small Town USA

Sat, Oct 11, 1980

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Episode 6

Salute to Los Angeles

Sat, Oct 18, 1980

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Episode 7

Halloween Party

Sat, Oct 25, 1980

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Episode 8

Election Time

Sat, Nov 1, 1980

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Episode 9

The Blues

Sat, Nov 8, 1980

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Episode 10

Salute to Male Singers

Sat, Nov 15, 1980

Songs include Hoop-Dee-Doo, Chances Are, Sweet Gypsy Rose, An Old Fashioned Love Song, New York, New York, Mona Lisa, My Way, I Believe in Music, The Candyman, When I Fall in Love, September Song, Jambalaya, Return to Me, Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral, Mack the Knife, Honeymoon Feelin', Straighten Up and Fly Right, Because of You, Swanee.

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Episode 11

Thanksgiving -- America, the Melting Pot

Sat, Nov 22, 1980

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Episode 12

Famous Theme Songs

Sat, Nov 29, 1980

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Episode 13

Easy Listening - Guests: Clay Hart & Sally Flynn

Sat, Dec 6, 1980

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Episode 14

Tribute to the Swing and Sweet Bands

Sat, Dec 13, 1980

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Episode 15

Christmas

Sat, Dec 20, 1980

Songs include Jingle Bells, Go Tell It on the Mountain, I Heard the Bell on Christmas Day, Away in a Manger, Carol of the Bells, Jingle Bell Rock, Christmas in Killarney, Silent Night, Santa is A-Coming, Ave Maria, White Christmas, Here Comes Santa Claus, Up High on the Housetop, Hallelujah Chorus, and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

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Episode 16

New Year's Eve

Sat, Dec 27, 1980

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Episode 17

Highways and Byways - Guest: Joey Schmidt

Sat, Jan 3, 1981

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Episode 18

Tribute to Girl Singers

Sat, Jan 10, 1981

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Episode 19

Broadway Nostalgia

Sat, Jan 17, 1981

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Episode 20

Music In The Skies

Sat, Jan 24, 1981

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Episode 21

Songs by Famous Bandleaders

Sat, Jan 31, 1981

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Episode 22

Love Songs

Sat, Feb 7, 1981

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Episode 23

Musical Tour of the USA

Sat, Feb 14, 1981

Songs include "This Land Is Your Land"; "Hawaiian Wedding Song"; "Mountain Greenery"; "Springtime in the Rockies".

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Episode 24

Great Country Hits

Sat, Feb 21, 1981

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Episode 25

200 Years of American Music

Sat, Feb 28, 1981

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Episode 26

Lady Songwriters

Sat, Mar 7, 1981

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Episode 27

This Colorful World

Sat, Mar 14, 1981

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Episode 28

Salute to Senior Citizens

Sat, Mar 21, 1981

Complete Song List: Dearie, Don't Let the Good LIfe Pass You By, Sweet and Lovely, When You and I Were Young, Maggie, Young at Heart, Precious Memories, I Love to Dance Like They Used to Dance, As Time Goes By, You're An Old Smoothie, There's No Business Like Show Business, I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say No, Among My Souvenirs, When I'm Sixty-Four, It's Only You I Adore, Try to Remember, Nobody Cares About the Railroads Anymore, On With the Show, Waltz of the Bells.

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Episode 29

Academy Awards

Sat, Mar 28, 1981

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Episode 30

Backstage with Our Musical Family

Sat, Apr 4, 1981

Songs include "Teamwork"; "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter"; "The Lady in Red"; and "Dizzy Fingers".

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Episode 31

Your Favorite Song

Sat, Apr 11, 1981

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Episode 32

Easter

Sat, Apr 18, 1981

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