The Show Goes On (TV series)

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The Show Goes On was a variety show that aired in the United States on CBS from January 19, 1950, [1] to January 16, 1952. Robert Q. Lewis was the host. [2] After the debut episode, the program was broadcast on alternate Thursdays at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. [3]

Contents

Premise

The show featured celebrities who appraised new talent as they competed for actual nightclub and theater bookings. [4] Performers who appeared on the program included singer Gloria Lane. [5] A buyer had three choices for the act that he or she auditioned: hiring it, rejecting it, or taking a 24-hour option on it. [6]

The opening theme, titled "The Show Goes On Opening", was composed by Raymond A. Bloch. [7]

Production

Lester Gottlieb was the producer, and Alex Leftwich was the director. Lou Meltzer was the writer, and Bloch led the orchestra. The program originated from WCBS-TV, and the sound was recorded for broadcast on radio. [1] The radio version was broadcast on Fridays at 8 p.m. E.T. from January 20, 1950, until July 4, 1950. [8]

Critical response

A review in the trade publication Billboard complimented Lewis's ad libbing and said that he "did a good job in holding the show together." [2] It noted that the interviews with performers were "at least as interesting as the performances" and suggested that a full hour might be too much time for this type of program, which might instead be trimmed into "a tighter, faster 30-minute stanza." [2]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Debuts, Highlights, Changes (Continued)". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. January 15, 1950. p. 2. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Chase, Sam (January 28, 1950). "The Show Goes On". Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  3. "Radio-Video: C.B.S. Plans Television Series, 'Stage Door'N.B.C. Shifts Shows" . The New York Times. January 10, 1950. p. 58. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  4. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, page 1232
  5. "CBS Broadcasts Jamaica Race". The Tampa Times. March 31, 1950. p. 20. Retrieved June 5, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  6. Stretch, Bud (February 3, 1950). "Air Waves". Courier-Post. New Jersey, Camden. p. 18. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  7. Classicthemes.com
  8. Dunning, John (7 May 1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 581. ISBN   978-0-19-977078-6 . Retrieved June 5, 2022.