The Show Goes On (TV series)

The Show Goes On is 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]

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]

References

^ ^a ^b "Debuts, Highlights, Changes (Continued)". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. January 15, 1950. p. 2. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c Chase, Sam (January 28, 1950). "The Show Goes On". Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
^ "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.
^ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, page 1232
^ "CBS Broadcasts Jamaica Race". The Tampa Times. March 31, 1950. p. 20. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Stretch, Bud (February 3, 1950). "Air Waves". Courier-Post. New Jersey, Camden. p. 18. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Classicthemes.com
^ 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.

External links

The Show Goes On at IMDb

[ross-1] "Debuts, Highlights, Changes (Continued)". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. January 15, 1950. p. 2. Retrieved June 5, 2022.

[bbreview-2] Chase, Sam (January 28, 1950). "The Show Goes On". Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved October 18, 2023.

[nyt-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.

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