The Fred Waring Show

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The Fred Waring Show
Fred Waring Billboard 2.jpg
Fred Waring ( Billboard 1944 Music Yearbook)
GenreMusical variety
Directed by Bob Banner
Presented by Fred Waring
Theme music composer Earl Burtnett, Adam Geibel
Opening theme"Sleep"
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerBob Banner
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time52 minutes
(1949–January 1952)
24 minutes
(January 1952–1954)
Original release
Network CBS
ReleaseApril 17, 1949 (1949-04-17) –
May 30, 1954 (1954-05-30)

The Fred Waring Show is an American television musical variety show that ran from April 17, 1949 to May 30, 1954 on CBS. The show was hosted by Fred Waring and featured his choral group "The Pennsylvanians".

Contents

Synopsis

Sponsored by General Electric, [1] the series aired every Sunday night at 9 p.m. after The Ed Sullivan Show , excluding the summer months. It was initially 60 minutes in length, but its time slot was cut to 30 minutes beginning in January 1952. During the 1954 season, the show alternated on Sunday nights with General Electric Theater . [2] Focusing on currently popular music and standard tunes, [3] the show included performances by his orchestra and large chorus, as well as dancing and sketches. Guest performers included June Havoc. [4]

The show's theme was "Sleep", which was composed by Earl Burtnett and Adam Geibel. [2] Bob Banner was the producer and director. [5]

In 1957, The Fred Waring Show made a brief return to television as a summer replacement daytime series in the time slot usually occupied by The Garry Moore Show . This version originated from a resort operated by Waring at Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania. [5]

A review of the program in the trade publication Broadcasting described the program as featuring "friendly banter with his crew, plus renditions of old-time favorite songs and ballads by the chorus and vocalists." [6]

Conflict over control

Producing the early Waring show caused conflicts between Waring and network officials over whether he should adapt performances to fit the new medium or whether TV should adapt its procedures to accommodate Waring's group's performances. Murray Forman wrote in his book, One Night on TV Is Worth Weeks at the Paramount: Popular Music on Early Television, "Fred Waring wrestled with CBS executives for direct input in the production and performances on his program ... seeking to assert greater autonomy and control over the show's musical performances." [7]

Critical response

A review of the show's 1951 premiere epiode in the trade publication Billboard called it "the model TV music show". [4] The review complimented Waring's skill in producing a "smooth-running show with sparkle, change of pace and imagination". [4] It pointed out the variety of songs, each complemented by a high-quality setting, and noted that Waring was "well-advised" in selecting "down to earth" numbers for the show. [4]

References

  1. ↑ Weaver, Mike; Hart, Colleen (2011). Sweat, Tears, and Jazz Hands: The Official History of Show Choir from Vaudeville to Glee. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN   9781557837721 . Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1979). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows : 1946 - Present . New York: Ballantine Books. p.  212. ISBN   0-345-25525-9.
  3. ↑ Moore, Barbara; Bensman, Marvin R.; Dyke, Jim Van (2006). Prime-time Television: A Concise History. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN   9780275981426 . Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Wexler, Jerry (September 22, 1951). "Fred Waring Show". Billboard. p. 8. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  5. 1 2 McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 302. ISBN   0-14-02-4916-8.
  6. ↑ "Fred Waring Show" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 29, 1957. p. 20. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  7. ↑ Forman, Murray (2012). One Night on TV Is Worth Weeks at the Paramount: Popular Music on Early Television. Duke University Press. pp. 185–186. ISBN   978-0822350118 . Retrieved November 10, 2017.


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