Though Swingin’ Country lasted only a few months in 1966, it was the first full color series for Dick Clark Productions (its flagship, American Bandstand, would be in color the following year). 25 years later, DCP tried again at a country-variety show in Hot Country Nights also on NBC; it failed to lure viewers away from 60 Minutes (which was the #1 show at the time) and America’s Funniest Home Videos before they pulled the plug after one season.
I remember this show. For many decades, when I'd happen to recall it, I actually thought I'd imagined it, yet I knew it was a real show that I saw during one summer in the mid-60's. I never saw it in color as we didn't own a color set until late 70's. The only cast member I ever recalled was a then-young Roy Clark, the first time I saw him. I couldn't recall any details of the show, its format, etc. I suppose I recalled music but vaguely seemed to remember comical bits but I still may be wrong about that. I've always recalled the "swingin' country" theme song, though only those 2 words. No recollection that the show aired until the start of "67. I recalled it as a daytime summer replacement program only. Nice trip down memory lane, to a long-ago 60's summer.
This show made its debut on NBC at 12:30 PM Eastern (11:30 AM elsewhere) on July 4, 1966, replacing the game show "Let's Play Post Office" (hosted by Don Morrow), and aired until the series ended on the day before New Year's Eve.
Thanks for posting this. This show originally aired 50 years ago this past Monday, and I'm amazed it survived NBC's notorious tape erasers for all this time. Pat Boone also had a daytime show not long after this.
With musical variety shows now an extinct species, imagine turning out a show not just weekly, but five days a week. That's what this talented crew did; Swingin' Country was a daytime half-hour that aired Monday thru Friday in the midst of NBC's game shows and soap operas.
Jeff Missinne Actually, it was a 25 minute show, not 30, because there was an NBC News Report at 12:55 PM Eastern/11:55 AM elsewhere (done mainly by Floyd Kalber).
1985OldSkool You're right, but a variety show every day is still a pretty crazy idea. Also, there were fewer commercial minutes per hour back then; so a 25-minute show in those days would probably be a 30-minute show now, with five extra commercial minutes inserted. And thanks for reminding me about Floyd Kalber; I hadn't thought about him in decades!
I've trying to remember the name of this show. Thanks for posting. I was young but remember really liking the show and sad when it went off the air. I had a small crush on Bee.
Развлечения
Though Swingin’ Country lasted only a few months in 1966, it was the first full color series for Dick Clark Productions (its flagship, American Bandstand, would be in color the following year).
25 years later, DCP tried again at a country-variety show in Hot Country Nights also on NBC; it failed to lure viewers away from 60 Minutes (which was the #1 show at the time) and America’s Funniest Home Videos before they pulled the plug after one season.
I remember this show. For many decades, when I'd happen to recall it, I actually thought I'd imagined it, yet I knew it was a real show that I saw during one summer in the mid-60's. I never saw it in color as we didn't own a color set until late 70's. The only cast member I ever recalled was a then-young Roy Clark, the first time I saw him. I couldn't recall any details of the show, its format, etc. I suppose I recalled music but vaguely seemed to remember comical bits but I still may be wrong about that. I've always recalled the "swingin' country" theme song, though only those 2 words. No recollection that the show aired until the start of "67. I recalled it as a daytime summer replacement program only. Nice trip down memory lane, to a long-ago 60's summer.
This show made its debut on NBC at 12:30 PM Eastern (11:30 AM elsewhere) on July 4, 1966, replacing the game show "Let's Play Post Office" (hosted by Don Morrow), and aired until the series ended on the day before New Year's Eve.
Thanks for posting this. This show originally aired 50 years ago this past Monday, and I'm amazed it survived NBC's notorious tape erasers for all this time. Pat Boone also had a daytime show not long after this.
RIP, Roy Clark. He was the last survivor of the 3 main performers of this series.
With musical variety shows now an extinct species, imagine turning out a show not just weekly, but five days a week. That's what this talented crew did; Swingin' Country was a daytime half-hour that aired Monday thru Friday in the midst of NBC's game shows and soap operas.
Jeff Missinne Actually, it was a 25 minute show, not 30, because there was an NBC News Report at 12:55 PM Eastern/11:55 AM elsewhere (done mainly by Floyd Kalber).
1985OldSkool You're right, but a variety show every day is still a pretty crazy idea. Also, there were fewer commercial minutes per hour back then; so a 25-minute show in those days would probably be a 30-minute show now, with five extra commercial minutes inserted. And thanks for reminding me about Floyd Kalber; I hadn't thought about him in decades!
Or Edwin Newman.
This would be a great one to have all the episodes of. Thanks for what can be found!
They're all great, but I'm still in love with Mollie Bee. Tnx 4 posting!
Sure wish they would release this program on DVD, remastered of course.
I've trying to remember the name of this show. Thanks for posting. I was young but remember really liking the show and sad when it went off the air. I had a small crush on Bee.
The name of the show: "Swingin' Country" - NBC t.v 1966