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 26 Episode Guide
32 Episodes 1980 - 1981
Episode 1
Season Preimere - Guest: Jo Ann Castle
Sat, Sep 13, 1980
Episode 2
Autumn Show - Guest: Bobbie Lynne
Sat, Sep 20, 1980
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."
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".
Episode 5
Small Town USA
Sat, Oct 11, 1980
Episode 6
Salute to Los Angeles
Sat, Oct 18, 1980
Episode 7
Halloween Party
Sat, Oct 25, 1980
Episode 8
Election Time
Sat, Nov 1, 1980
Episode 9
The Blues
Sat, Nov 8, 1980
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.
Episode 11
Thanksgiving -- America, the Melting Pot
Sat, Nov 22, 1980
Episode 12
Famous Theme Songs
Sat, Nov 29, 1980
Episode 13
Easy Listening - Guests: Clay Hart & Sally Flynn
Sat, Dec 6, 1980
Episode 14
Tribute to the Swing and Sweet Bands
Sat, Dec 13, 1980
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.
Episode 16
New Year's Eve
Sat, Dec 27, 1980
Episode 17
Highways and Byways - Guest: Joey Schmidt
Sat, Jan 3, 1981
Episode 18
Tribute to Girl Singers
Sat, Jan 10, 1981
Episode 19
Broadway Nostalgia
Sat, Jan 17, 1981
Episode 20
Music In The Skies
Sat, Jan 24, 1981
Episode 21
Songs by Famous Bandleaders
Sat, Jan 31, 1981
Episode 22
Love Songs
Sat, Feb 7, 1981
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".
Episode 24
Great Country Hits
Sat, Feb 21, 1981
Episode 25
200 Years of American Music
Sat, Feb 28, 1981
Episode 26
Lady Songwriters
Sat, Mar 7, 1981
Episode 27
This Colorful World
Sat, Mar 14, 1981
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.
Episode 29
Academy Awards
Sat, Mar 28, 1981
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".
Episode 31
Your Favorite Song
Sat, Apr 11, 1981
Episode 32
Easter
Sat, Apr 18, 1981