The Big Show(TV series)
| The Big Show | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Variety show |
| Written by | David Axlerod Stan Burns |
| Directed by | Steve Binder Tony Charmoli |
| Presented by | Dick Clark |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No.of seasons | 1 |
| No.of episodes | 11 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production company | Dick Clark Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | 4 March– 3 June 1980 |
| Related | |
| The Big Show(radio) | |
The Big Showis an Americancomedy-variety-musicaltelevision series produced and broadcast byNBCfrom March 4, 1980, through June 3, 1980.[1]
The series aimed to revitalize the moribund variety television genre, which had been in a downward spiral for several years.The Big Showtook its title seriously, using a huge stage set (complete with a live audience and an ice rink and swimming pool) and filling a 90-minute time-slot (one of the only variety programs in American television history to run this length), with at least one two-hour installment broadcast. It was in many respects a revival and television adaptation ofThe Big Show,which had aired on theNBC Radio Networkfrom 1950 to 1951 and likewise was a big-budget, 90-minute weekly variety show designed to preventold-time radiofrom fading into history.
Although the first broadcast ranked 16th in national ratings,[2]poor reviews and low ratings of succeeding episodes (typical of NBC during theFred Silvermanera) resulted in the program being cancelled after only a few months on May 8, 1980. The series nonetheless was nominated for sixEmmy Awards,winning for Outstanding Costume Design.
Regular performers included Joe Baker,Mimi Kennedy,Shabba-Doo,Charlie Hill,Graham Chapman,Owen Sullivan,Edie McClurg,Paul Grimm, andPamela Myers.[1]Groups that appeared regularly included The Big Show Water Ballet, The Big Show Ice Skaters,The Tony Charmoli Dancers,andThe Nick Perito Orchestra.[3]
Guest hosts includedSteve Allen,Nell Carter,David Copperfield,Geoffrey Holder,Gary Coleman,andSid Caesar.Skaters who performed in the show includedPeggy Fleming,Dorothy Hamill,John Curry,Jim Bray, andToller Cranston.
Production
[edit]The Big Showwas broadcast on Tuesdays from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time.[3]Nick Vanoffwas the producer, andSteve Binderwas the director.[4]
Critical response
[edit]John J. O'Connorwrote in a review of the premiere episode inThe New York Timesthat the program's format was intriguing because "the variety format has evidently fallen out of favor with television audiences".[4]He described the attempted revival via this program as "not only startling but gutsy."[4]Nevertheless, O'Connor wrote that the premiere was "delightful" and added, "The overall conception is astonishing, the pacing is bright, much of the comedy is funny, and the special acts are -- well, special."[4]
References
[edit]- ^abMcNeil, Alex (1996).Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present(4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 95.ISBN0-14-02-4916-8.
- ^Brown, Les (March 12, 1980)."CBS First in TV Ratings: First 'Big Show' 16th".The New York Times.p. C 26.RetrievedFebruary 6,2024.
- ^abBrooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009).The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present.Random House Publishing Group. pp. 142–143.ISBN978-0-307-48320-1.RetrievedFebruary 6,2024.
- ^abcd"TV: NBC Extravaganza, 'The Big Show,' Bows".The New York Times.March 4, 1980. p. C 16.RetrievedFebruary 6,2024.