Pink Lady and Jeff
Encyclopedia
Pink Lady is an American variety show
that aired for five weeks on NBC
in 1980, starring the musical duo of the same name
. The show is most commonly referred to by the title Pink Lady and Jeff, which refers to co-star Jeff Altman
. The series ranked #35 on TV Guide
s 50 Worst TV Shows of All Time list.
, which comprised two singers, Mitsuyo Nemoto
("Mie") and Keiko Masuda
("Kei"), and American comedian Jeff Altman
. The format of the show consisted of musical numbers alternating with sketch comedy
. The running gag
of the series was the girls' lack of understanding of American culture
and the English language; in reality, Pink Lady did not speak fluent English. Jeff would then attempt to translate and explain the meaning of things which led to more confusion.
The series also featured Pink Lady performing various songs (usually English-language disco and pop songs such as "Boogie Wonderland
" or "Yesterday
", which the duo sang in English) along with interaction with celebrity and musical guests. The group would end the show by jumping into a hot tub
together. After the poorly rated series premiere, NBC moved Pink Lady to Friday nights
and added Jim Varney
, who achieved later fame as Ernest P. Worrell
in the Ernest series of movies and television shows, as a character actor. The move and retooling failed to help ratings and the series was canceled after five episodes.
After the series ended, Pink Lady returned to Japan where they performed their farewell concert in 1981. The duo reunited in 1996 and celebrated the 25th anniversary of their first hit in 2003 with a successful concert tour.
Jeff Altman went on to host Solid Gold
and returned to stand-up comedy.
, then President and CEO of NBC
, who was desperate to replicate the success he'd had at ABC
and CBS
. After seeing a Walter Cronkite
story about Pink Lady
on the CBS Evening News
, Silverman thought their Japanese success could be translated to the American market, so he brought in Sid and Marty Krofft
to produce a variety show for them. The Krofft brothers were told that the ladies were fluent in English, but within moments of meeting them, it was apparent that they weren't. Unsure of how to stage the show, Sid Krofft developed the concept of making "the strangest thing that's ever been on television... The whole show was gonna come out of a little Japanese box." Silverman's response was, "No, that's just too different. Let's just do Donny & Marie
." (That show also moved to NBC the same year, though without Donny, and under the title Marie.) Sid bowed to Silverman's wishes, though the show ultimately became the strangest knockoff of Donny & Marie ever broadcast.
Comedian Jeff Altman had a contract with NBC so he was offered a gig hosting the show to compensate for the fact that the leads weren't versed in English. Writer Mark Evanier
previously worked with Kroffts on The Krofft Superstar Hour
and the pilot Bobby Vinton's Rock 'n' Rollers, so he was brought aboard as head writer and seasoned variety show director Art Fisher (The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
) was brought in to direct. According to Evanier, the late Fisher hated the show and only did it because he was contractually obligated, which resulted in many behind the scenes battles.
Meanwhile, the language barrier provided the biggest obstacle for everyone involved. Mie and Kei had to hold English conversations through an on-set translator. The writers, meanwhile, struggled because once dialogue had been written for and learned by the ladies, it was set in stone and could not be changed. This was particularly problematic when a guest star would be booked at the last minute, such as Lorne Greene
, who agreed to appear on the show a scant four hours before the episode was taped. Mie and Kei wanted to sing the songs that had made them famous on the other side of the globe, but the network insisted they sing songs in English, so they phonetically pre-recorded English songs
and performed lip synch at the show's live tapings. Lip synch was already a common practice on American variety shows, but it was especially noticeable since the ladies were performing in a language that was foreign to them. Additional problems were caused when the network insisted the writers develop separate identities for Mie and Kei. The established Pink Lady act was that they were so much in unison that they performed as one entity, so the ladies never felt comfortable having separate stage personalities.
Because Mie and Kei were commuting back and forth to Japan to appear in sold-out concerts, their time on the set was spent memorizing lines and routines, so the brunt of the comedy skits were carried by Altman and ensemble players Jim Varney
, Cheri Steinkellner and Anna Mathias. On rare occasions when Mie and Kei appeared in a skit, their time (and dialogue) was minimal.
Booking guests for the show was also a huge problem. Variety shows were vanishing by 1980, and it didn't help matters that the series was headlined by an act that no one in America had heard of. Larry Hagman
and other big name stars were coerced into appearing with sizable paychecks. Alice Cooper
was friends with the Krofft brothers and submitted an original performance both as a favor to them and to promote his upcoming album release. Other stars who'd previously worked with Kroffts were also brought in, including Florence Henderson
(The Brady Bunch Hour
), Donny Osmond
(Donny & Marie
), Red Buttons (Side Show) and Bobby Vinton
(Bobby Vinton's Rock 'n' Rollers). Cheap Trick
and two-time guest Blondie
had no actual involvement with the show — Cheap Trick's music video
for "Dream Police
" was shown, as were Blondie's videos for "Shayla" and "Eat to the Beat", which were both shot for a then newly-released home video.
Each show closed with a tuxedo-clad Jeff getting lured, pushed or pulled into the on-set hot tub
by Mie and Kei. This gag originated with Sid Krofft, who had used a similar device on The Brady Bunch Hour
(on each episode, Greg would push Peter into the swimming pool). Altman felt it would have been an amusing one-time gag, but by employing it each week, it became contrived. Altman tried to convince the writing staff to do away with this segment, but he was vetoed, most probably because this segment afforded everyone the opportunity to see Mie and Kei in skimpy bikini
s.
The show's title has oft been the source of confusion. On-screen, the show was simply titled Pink Lady, but the series is most commonly referred to as Pink Lady and Jeff (even on the cover of the DVD release). Altman felt that since he carried the show, his name should appear in the title, and the network agreed, but Pink Lady's manager strongly protested and threatened a lawsuit if "and Jeff" appeared on the show's title. In NBC's on-air promos, sometimes the show was referred to as Pink Lady, other times the voice-over announcer referred to it as Pink Lady and Jeff. In print advertisements for TV Guide and the like, however, the show was always titled Pink Lady and Jeff, though it was cited merely as Pink Lady in the text TV listings.
for a brief period.
In 2001, Rhino Entertainment
released the complete series on Region 1 DVD in the United States.
, the series was the subject of the "Not My Job" segment with actor and novelist Harry Shearer
. show on November 18, 2006. During the spring of 1980, Shearer had appeared as Carl Sagan
on Saturday Night Live
s spoof, "Pink Lady and Carl" with Gilda Radner
and Laraine Newman
playing the singing duo and Paul Shaffer
as special guest star Marvin Hamlisch
.
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
that aired for five weeks on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
in 1980, starring the musical duo of the same name
Pink Lady (band)
is a Japanese female pop music duo of the late 1970s and early 1980s, featuring Mitsuyo Nemoto and Keiko Masuda...
. The show is most commonly referred to by the title Pink Lady and Jeff, which refers to co-star Jeff Altman
Jeff Altman
Jeff Altman is an American stand-up comedian who has appeared as a guest on Late Show with David Letterman 40 times, most recently on October 7, 2011. He has also had numerous acting roles in movies and television such as Dr...
. The series ranked #35 on TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
s 50 Worst TV Shows of All Time list.
Synopsis
The series stars Japanese female singing duo Pink LadyPink Lady (band)
is a Japanese female pop music duo of the late 1970s and early 1980s, featuring Mitsuyo Nemoto and Keiko Masuda...
, which comprised two singers, Mitsuyo Nemoto
Mitsuyo Nemoto
Mitsuyo Nemoto is a pop and heavy metal singer and actress, better known by her stage name . She was a member of the popular 1970s idol group Pink Lady, known in the United States for their self-titled TV program.Nemoto has pursued a solo career following Pink Lady's 1981 breakup...
("Mie") and Keiko Masuda
Keiko Masuda
Keiko Masuda is a Japanese pop singer and actress. She is better known by her nickname Kei, and was one half of Pink Lady, the top idol group of Japan in the 1970s...
("Kei"), and American comedian Jeff Altman
Jeff Altman
Jeff Altman is an American stand-up comedian who has appeared as a guest on Late Show with David Letterman 40 times, most recently on October 7, 2011. He has also had numerous acting roles in movies and television such as Dr...
. The format of the show consisted of musical numbers alternating with sketch comedy
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
. The running gag
Running gag
A running gag, or running joke, is a literary device that takes the form of an amusing joke or a comical reference and appears repeatedly throughout a work of literature or other form of storytelling....
of the series was the girls' lack of understanding of American culture
Culture of the United States
The Culture of the United States is a Western culture originally influenced by European cultures. It has been developing since long before the United States became a country with its own unique social and cultural characteristics such as dialect, music, arts, social habits, cuisine, and folklore...
and the English language; in reality, Pink Lady did not speak fluent English. Jeff would then attempt to translate and explain the meaning of things which led to more confusion.
The series also featured Pink Lady performing various songs (usually English-language disco and pop songs such as "Boogie Wonderland
Boogie Wonderland
"Boogie Wonderland" is a 1979 hit single by Earth, Wind & Fire featuring The Emotions. Boogie Wonderland was written by Allee Willis and Jon Lind, and included on the album I Am...
" or "Yesterday
Yesterday (song)
"Yesterday" is a song originally recorded by The Beatles for their 1965 album Help!. The song first hit the United Kingdom top 10 three months after the release of Help!. The song remains popular today with more than 1,600 cover versions, one of the most covered songs in the history of recorded...
", which the duo sang in English) along with interaction with celebrity and musical guests. The group would end the show by jumping into a hot tub
Hot tub
A hot tub is a large tub or small pool full of heated water and used for soaking, relaxation, massage, or hydrotherapy. In most cases, they have jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are usually located outdoors, and are often sheltered for protection from the elements, as well as for privacy....
together. After the poorly rated series premiere, NBC moved Pink Lady to Friday nights
Friday night death slot
The Friday night death slot is a perceived graveyard slot in American television, referring to the concept that a television program in the United States scheduled on Friday evenings is destined for imminent cancellation....
and added Jim Varney
Jim Varney
James Albert "Jim" Varney, Jr. was an American stand-up comedian, actor, musician, writer, voice artist, and comedian, best known for his role as Ernest P...
, who achieved later fame as Ernest P. Worrell
Ernest P. Worrell
Ernest P. Worrell is a fictional character most principally portrayed by the late American actor Jim Varney in a series of television commercials, and later in a television series as well as a series of feature films. Ernest was created by the Nashville advertising agency Carden and Cherry and was...
in the Ernest series of movies and television shows, as a character actor. The move and retooling failed to help ratings and the series was canceled after five episodes.
After the series ended, Pink Lady returned to Japan where they performed their farewell concert in 1981. The duo reunited in 1996 and celebrated the 25th anniversary of their first hit in 2003 with a successful concert tour.
Jeff Altman went on to host Solid Gold
Solid Gold (TV series)
Solid Gold is an American syndicated music television series that debuted on September 13, 1980. Like many other shows of its genre, such as American Bandstand, Solid Gold featured musical performances and various other elements such as music videos...
and returned to stand-up comedy.
Production
The show was the brainchild of Fred SilvermanFred Silverman
Fred Silverman is an American television executive and producer. He worked as an executive at the CBS, ABC and NBC networks, and was responsible for bringing to television such programs as the series Scooby-Doo , All in the Family , The Waltons , and Charlie's Angels , as well as the...
, then President and CEO of NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, who was desperate to replicate the success he'd had at ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
and CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. After seeing a Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite
Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. was an American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years . During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll...
story about Pink Lady
Pink Lady (band)
is a Japanese female pop music duo of the late 1970s and early 1980s, featuring Mitsuyo Nemoto and Keiko Masuda...
on the CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. The network has broadcast this program since 1948, and has used the CBS Evening News title since 1963....
, Silverman thought their Japanese success could be translated to the American market, so he brought in Sid and Marty Krofft
Sid and Marty Krofft
Sid Krofft and Marty Krofft , are a sibling team of television producers who were influential in children's television and variety show programs in the USA, particularly throughout the 1970s and early 1980s....
to produce a variety show for them. The Krofft brothers were told that the ladies were fluent in English, but within moments of meeting them, it was apparent that they weren't. Unsure of how to stage the show, Sid Krofft developed the concept of making "the strangest thing that's ever been on television... The whole show was gonna come out of a little Japanese box." Silverman's response was, "No, that's just too different. Let's just do Donny & Marie
Donny & Marie (1976 TV series)
Donny & Marie was an American variety show which aired on ABC from January 1976 to January 1979. The show stars brother and sister pop duo Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond...
." (That show also moved to NBC the same year, though without Donny, and under the title Marie.) Sid bowed to Silverman's wishes, though the show ultimately became the strangest knockoff of Donny & Marie ever broadcast.
Comedian Jeff Altman had a contract with NBC so he was offered a gig hosting the show to compensate for the fact that the leads weren't versed in English. Writer Mark Evanier
Mark Evanier
Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of...
previously worked with Kroffts on The Krofft Superstar Hour
The Krofft Superstar Hour
The Krofft Superstar Hour is a Saturday morning children's variety show, produced by Sid and Marty Krofft. After eight episodes, the show was renamed The Bay City Rollers Show. It aired for one season from September 9, 1978 to November 28, 1979 on NBC.-Background:The show is essentially a...
and the pilot Bobby Vinton's Rock 'n' Rollers, so he was brought aboard as head writer and seasoned variety show director Art Fisher (The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour is an American variety show based on the married couple of American pop-singer Cher and her husband, Sonny Bono. The show ran on CBS in the United States, when it premiered in August 1971...
) was brought in to direct. According to Evanier, the late Fisher hated the show and only did it because he was contractually obligated, which resulted in many behind the scenes battles.
Meanwhile, the language barrier provided the biggest obstacle for everyone involved. Mie and Kei had to hold English conversations through an on-set translator. The writers, meanwhile, struggled because once dialogue had been written for and learned by the ladies, it was set in stone and could not be changed. This was particularly problematic when a guest star would be booked at the last minute, such as Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene , was the stage name of Lyon Himan Green, OC, a Canadian actor.His television roles include Ben Cartwright on the western Bonanza, and Commander Adama in the science fiction movie and subsequent TV Series Battlestar Galactica...
, who agreed to appear on the show a scant four hours before the episode was taped. Mie and Kei wanted to sing the songs that had made them famous on the other side of the globe, but the network insisted they sing songs in English, so they phonetically pre-recorded English songs
Phonetical singing
Phonetical singing is when a singer learns and performs, the lyrics of a song by the words' phonetic sounds without necessarily understanding of the content of the lyrics....
and performed lip synch at the show's live tapings. Lip synch was already a common practice on American variety shows, but it was especially noticeable since the ladies were performing in a language that was foreign to them. Additional problems were caused when the network insisted the writers develop separate identities for Mie and Kei. The established Pink Lady act was that they were so much in unison that they performed as one entity, so the ladies never felt comfortable having separate stage personalities.
Because Mie and Kei were commuting back and forth to Japan to appear in sold-out concerts, their time on the set was spent memorizing lines and routines, so the brunt of the comedy skits were carried by Altman and ensemble players Jim Varney
Jim Varney
James Albert "Jim" Varney, Jr. was an American stand-up comedian, actor, musician, writer, voice artist, and comedian, best known for his role as Ernest P...
, Cheri Steinkellner and Anna Mathias. On rare occasions when Mie and Kei appeared in a skit, their time (and dialogue) was minimal.
Booking guests for the show was also a huge problem. Variety shows were vanishing by 1980, and it didn't help matters that the series was headlined by an act that no one in America had heard of. Larry Hagman
Larry Hagman
Larry Martin Hagman is an American film and television actor, producer and director known for playing J.R. Ewing in the 1980s primetime television soap opera Dallas and Major Anthony "Tony" Nelson in the 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.-Early life and career:Hagman was born in Fort Worth, Texas...
and other big name stars were coerced into appearing with sizable paychecks. Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
was friends with the Krofft brothers and submitted an original performance both as a favor to them and to promote his upcoming album release. Other stars who'd previously worked with Kroffts were also brought in, including Florence Henderson
Florence Henderson
Florence Agnes Henderson is an American actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her role of Carol Brady on the ABC sitcom The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974...
(The Brady Bunch Hour
The Brady Bunch Hour
The Brady Bunch Hour is an American variety television series produced by Sid and Marty Krofft in association with CBS Television Distribution, which aired on ABC between 1976 to 1977....
), Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond
Donald Clark "Donny" Osmond is an American singer, musician, actor, dancer, radio personality, and former teen idol. Osmond has also been a talk and game show host, record producer and author. In the mid 1960s, he and four of his elder brothers gained fame as the Osmond Brothers on the long...
(Donny & Marie
Donny & Marie (1976 TV series)
Donny & Marie was an American variety show which aired on ABC from January 1976 to January 1979. The show stars brother and sister pop duo Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond...
), Red Buttons (Side Show) and Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
(Bobby Vinton's Rock 'n' Rollers). Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
and two-time guest Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
had no actual involvement with the show — Cheap Trick's music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Dream Police
Dream Police (song)
"Dream Police" is the title of a song written by Rick Nielsen and originally released in 1979 by the American rock band Cheap Trick. It was the opening track of Cheap Trick's album Dream Police. The single peaked #26 on the US single chart...
" was shown, as were Blondie's videos for "Shayla" and "Eat to the Beat", which were both shot for a then newly-released home video.
Each show closed with a tuxedo-clad Jeff getting lured, pushed or pulled into the on-set hot tub
Hot tub
A hot tub is a large tub or small pool full of heated water and used for soaking, relaxation, massage, or hydrotherapy. In most cases, they have jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are usually located outdoors, and are often sheltered for protection from the elements, as well as for privacy....
by Mie and Kei. This gag originated with Sid Krofft, who had used a similar device on The Brady Bunch Hour
The Brady Bunch Hour
The Brady Bunch Hour is an American variety television series produced by Sid and Marty Krofft in association with CBS Television Distribution, which aired on ABC between 1976 to 1977....
(on each episode, Greg would push Peter into the swimming pool). Altman felt it would have been an amusing one-time gag, but by employing it each week, it became contrived. Altman tried to convince the writing staff to do away with this segment, but he was vetoed, most probably because this segment afforded everyone the opportunity to see Mie and Kei in skimpy bikini
Bikini
The bikini is typically a women's two-piece swimsuit. One part of the attire covers the breasts and the other part covers the crotch and part of or the entire buttocks, leaving an uncovered area between the two. Merriam–Webster describes the bikini as "a woman's scanty two-piece bathing suit" or "a...
s.
The show's title has oft been the source of confusion. On-screen, the show was simply titled Pink Lady, but the series is most commonly referred to as Pink Lady and Jeff (even on the cover of the DVD release). Altman felt that since he carried the show, his name should appear in the title, and the network agreed, but Pink Lady's manager strongly protested and threatened a lawsuit if "and Jeff" appeared on the show's title. In NBC's on-air promos, sometimes the show was referred to as Pink Lady, other times the voice-over announcer referred to it as Pink Lady and Jeff. In print advertisements for TV Guide and the like, however, the show was always titled Pink Lady and Jeff, though it was cited merely as Pink Lady in the text TV listings.
Episodes
| Ep # | Airdate | Title | Director(s) | Writer(s) | Guest Stars(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 1, 1980 | Episode 1 | Art Fisher | Mark Evanier Mark Evanier Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of... , Rowby Goren Rowby Goren Rowby Goren is a writer specializing in comedy. He was a part of the writing team of the comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, created by George Schlatter. Goren's writing talents range from variety shows to situation comedy, game shows, cartoons, as well as directing Joe Roth and Neal Israel's... , Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman is a television comedy writer/producer. He created Pryor's Place starring Richard Pryor. He also created, wrote and produced the syndicated series D. C... , Jim Brochu Jim Brochu Jim Brochu is an American actor, writer, director, and playwright. Born in Brooklyn, he studied at Carnegie-Mellon University and received his B.A. from St. Francis College. His stage debut was in a production of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew... , Paul Pompian, Stephen Spears, Biff Manard |
Byron Allen Byron Allen Byron Allen is an American comedian. He is the head of Entertainment Studios, a broadcast syndication company responsible for producing and distributing several television shows pertaining to stand-up comedy and the entertainment industry. Allen also hosts some of the shows himself.-Early... , Sherman Hemsley Sherman Hemsley Sherman Alexander Hemsley is an American actor, most famous for his role as George Jefferson on the CBS television series All in the Family and The Jeffersons, and as Deacon Ernest Frye on the NBC series Amen. He also played Earl Sinclair's horrifying boss, a Triceratops named B.P... , and Blondie Blondie (band) Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s... |
Music
|
|||||
| 2 | March 14, 1980 | Episode 2 | Art Fisher | Mark Evanier Mark Evanier Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of... , Rowby Goren Rowby Goren Rowby Goren is a writer specializing in comedy. He was a part of the writing team of the comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, created by George Schlatter. Goren's writing talents range from variety shows to situation comedy, game shows, cartoons, as well as directing Joe Roth and Neal Israel's... , Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman is a television comedy writer/producer. He created Pryor's Place starring Richard Pryor. He also created, wrote and produced the syndicated series D. C... , Jim Brochu Jim Brochu Jim Brochu is an American actor, writer, director, and playwright. Born in Brooklyn, he studied at Carnegie-Mellon University and received his B.A. from St. Francis College. His stage debut was in a production of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew... , Paul Pompian, Stephen Spears, Biff Manard |
Larry Hagman Larry Hagman Larry Martin Hagman is an American film and television actor, producer and director known for playing J.R. Ewing in the 1980s primetime television soap opera Dallas and Major Anthony "Tony" Nelson in the 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.-Early life and career:Hagman was born in Fort Worth, Texas... , Sid Caesar Sid Caesar Isaac Sidney "Sid" Caesar is an Emmy award winning American comic actor and writer known as the leading man on the 1950s television series Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour, and to younger generations as Coach Calhoun in Grease and Grease 2.- Early life :Caesar was born in Yonkers, New York,... , Donny Osmond Donny Osmond Donald Clark "Donny" Osmond is an American singer, musician, actor, dancer, radio personality, and former teen idol. Osmond has also been a talk and game show host, record producer and author. In the mid 1960s, he and four of his elder brothers gained fame as the Osmond Brothers on the long... and Teddy Pendergrass Teddy Pendergrass Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass was an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Pendergrass first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s before a successful solo career at the end of the decade... |
| Music
Ease on Down the Road "Ease on Down the Road" is a song from the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz, performed in the original production by Stephanie Mills and Hinton Battle... " performed by Pink Lady I'll Never Love This Way Again "I'll Never Love This Way Again" is a 1979 hit recorded by American soul singer Dionne Warwick. The song was composed by Richard Kerr and Will Jennings and produced by Arista labelmate Barry Manilow.... " performed by Donny Osmond We Are Family (song) "We Are Family" is a 1979 dance hit song by Sister Sledge, composed by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. Rodgers and Edwards offered the song to Atlantic Records; although the record label initially declined, the track was released as a single from the album of the same name and quickly began to... " performed by Donny Osmond & Pink Lady Close the Door "Close the Door" was a hit song for Teddy Pendergrass in 1978 and written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. It spent two weeks at number one on the R&B chart and peaked at number twenty-five on the Billboard Hot 100. . It was released from his second solo album, Life Is a Song Worth Singing. In 2002... " performed by Teddy Pendergrass New York, New York (On The Town) "New York, New York" is a song from the 1944 musical On the Town and the 1949 MGM musical film of the same name. The music was written by Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The best known line of this song is, "New York, New York, a helluva town... " performed by the Chorus 42nd Street (film) -Cast:*Warner Baxter as Julian Marsh, director*Bebe Daniels as Dorothy Brock, star*George Brent as Pat Denning, Dorothy's old vaudeville partner*Ruby Keeler as Peggy Sawyer, the newcomer*Guy Kibbee as Abner Dillon, the show's backer... " performed by Donny Osmond & Pink Lady |
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| 3 | March 21, 1980 | Episode 3 | Art Fisher | Mark Evanier Mark Evanier Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of... , Rowby Goren Rowby Goren Rowby Goren is a writer specializing in comedy. He was a part of the writing team of the comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, created by George Schlatter. Goren's writing talents range from variety shows to situation comedy, game shows, cartoons, as well as directing Joe Roth and Neal Israel's... , Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman is a television comedy writer/producer. He created Pryor's Place starring Richard Pryor. He also created, wrote and produced the syndicated series D. C... , Jim Brochu Jim Brochu Jim Brochu is an American actor, writer, director, and playwright. Born in Brooklyn, he studied at Carnegie-Mellon University and received his B.A. from St. Francis College. His stage debut was in a production of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew... , Paul Pompian, Stephen Spears, Biff Manard |
Greg Evigan Greg Evigan Gregory Ralph "Greg" Evigan is an American actor best known for the TV series B.J. and the Bear, My Two Dads, P.S. I Luv U and TekWar.-Personal life:... , Hugh Hefner Hugh Hefner Hugh Marston "Hef" Hefner is an American magazine publisher, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises.-Early life:... , and Cheap Trick Cheap Trick Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E... |
| Music
UFO (Pink Lady song) "UFO" is Pink Lady's sixth single release, released on December 5, 1977. With a total of 1,950,000 sales, this single was their highest grossing ever , and spent ten weeks at the top of the Japanese singles chart... " performed by Pink Lady Dream Police (song) "Dream Police" is the title of a song written by Rick Nielsen and originally released in 1979 by the American rock band Cheap Trick. It was the opening track of Cheap Trick's album Dream Police. The single peaked #26 on the US single chart... " performed by Cheap Trick You Needed Me "You Needed Me" became the second single for Irish Boyband Boyzone from their album By Request. The single became number #1 on the UK Singles Chart, beating the debut solo single of Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, outselling her by just 700 copies... " performed by Pink Lady Don't Go Breaking My Heart "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" is a duet by Elton John and Kiki Dee. It was written by Elton John with Bernie Taupin under the pseudonym "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche" , and intended as an affectionate pastiche of the Tamla Motown style, notably the various duets recorded by Marvin Gaye and singers... " performed by Greg Evigan & Pink Lady Last Dance (song) "Last Dance" is a hit 1978 song by singer Donna Summer. The song appeared on the Thank God It's Friday movie soundtrack. It was written by Paul Jabara and was co-produced by Summer's regular collaborator Giorgio Moroder, along with Bob Esty... " performed by Greg Evigan & Pink Lady Chicago (That Toddlin' Town) "Chicago" is a popular song. It was written by Fred Fisher and was published in 1922. The song has been recorded by many artists, but the best-known version is by Frank Sinatra.... " performed by the Chorus My Kind of Town My Kind of Town is an American television game show that premiered on August 14, 2005 on ABC. Part variety show, part game show, the series brings 200 people from a small town in the United States to New York City to compete for prizes and participate in games and assorted gags... performed by Hugh Hefner |
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| 4 | March 28, 1980 | Episode 4 | Art Fisher | Mark Evanier Mark Evanier Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of... , Rowby Goren Rowby Goren Rowby Goren is a writer specializing in comedy. He was a part of the writing team of the comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, created by George Schlatter. Goren's writing talents range from variety shows to situation comedy, game shows, cartoons, as well as directing Joe Roth and Neal Israel's... , Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman is a television comedy writer/producer. He created Pryor's Place starring Richard Pryor. He also created, wrote and produced the syndicated series D. C... , Jim Brochu Jim Brochu Jim Brochu is an American actor, writer, director, and playwright. Born in Brooklyn, he studied at Carnegie-Mellon University and received his B.A. from St. Francis College. His stage debut was in a production of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew... , Paul Pompian, Stephen Spears, Biff Manard |
Lorne Greene Lorne Greene Lorne Greene , was the stage name of Lyon Himan Green, OC, a Canadian actor.His television roles include Ben Cartwright on the western Bonanza, and Commander Adama in the science fiction movie and subsequent TV Series Battlestar Galactica... , Sid Caesar Sid Caesar Isaac Sidney "Sid" Caesar is an Emmy award winning American comic actor and writer known as the leading man on the 1950s television series Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour, and to younger generations as Coach Calhoun in Grease and Grease 2.- Early life :Caesar was born in Yonkers, New York,... , Florence Henderson Florence Henderson Florence Agnes Henderson is an American actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her role of Carol Brady on the ABC sitcom The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974... and Blondie Blondie (band) Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s... |
| Music
You Keep Me Hangin' On Vanilla Fudge's 1967 psychedelic/hard rock remake of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" reached #6 on the Hot 100 chart two years after the release of the Supremes' recording. While the version released on 45 RPM single was under three minutes long, the album version was extended to six minutes and... " performed by Pink Lady Yesterday (song) "Yesterday" is a song originally recorded by The Beatles for their 1965 album Help!. The song first hit the United Kingdom top 10 three months after the release of Help!. The song remains popular today with more than 1,600 cover versions, one of the most covered songs in the history of recorded... " performed by Pink Lady My Old Kentucky Home "My Old Kentucky Home" is a minstrel song by Stephen Foster , probably composed in 1852. It was published as "My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night" in January 1853 by Firth, Pond, & Co. of New York... "/"Back Home Again in Indiana Back Home Again in Indiana " Indiana" is a song composed by Ballard MacDonald and James F. Hanley, first published in January of 1917. While it is not the official state song of the U.S... " performed by Florence Henderson America the Beautiful "America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates and the music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward.... " performed by Florence Henderson Eat to the Beat Eat to the Beat is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Blondie. It reached no.1 on the UK album charts in October 1979, no.9 in Australia and no.17 in the US.-History:... " performed by Blondie Shame (Evelyn King song) "Shame" is a 1978 hit single recorded by American singer Evelyn "Champagne" King. It reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, number eight on the U.S. Disco Chart, and number seven on the U.S. R&B Chart, earning a Gold certification by the RIAA that same year... " performed by Pink Lady Le Freak "Le Freak" is a successful 1978 disco song by the disco band Chic. It was the band's third single album and first Billboard Hot 100 and soul music number-one song. Along with the tracks, "I Want Your Love" and "Chic Cheer", "Le Freak" scored number one on the disco charts for seven weeks... " performed by Pink Lady |
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| 5 | April 4, 1980 | Episode 5 | Art Fisher | Mark Evanier Mark Evanier Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of... , Rowby Goren Rowby Goren Rowby Goren is a writer specializing in comedy. He was a part of the writing team of the comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, created by George Schlatter. Goren's writing talents range from variety shows to situation comedy, game shows, cartoons, as well as directing Joe Roth and Neal Israel's... , Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman is a television comedy writer/producer. He created Pryor's Place starring Richard Pryor. He also created, wrote and produced the syndicated series D. C... , Jim Brochu Jim Brochu Jim Brochu is an American actor, writer, director, and playwright. Born in Brooklyn, he studied at Carnegie-Mellon University and received his B.A. from St. Francis College. His stage debut was in a production of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew... , Paul Pompian, Stephen Spears, Biff Manard, Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis... |
Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis... , Red Buttons, and Alice Cooper Alice Cooper Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades... |
| Music
Camptown Races Gwine to Run All Night, or De Camptown Races is a minstrel song by Stephen Foster . It was probably composed in Cincinnati in 1849, according to Richard Jackson, and published by F. D. Benteen of Baltimore, Maryland, in February 1850... " performed by the Chorus MacArthur Park (song) "MacArthur Park" is a song by Jimmy Webb, originally composed as part of an intended cantata. The song was initially rejected by The Association. Richard Harris was the first to record it, in 1968; the song was subsequently covered by numerous artists. Among the best-known covers are Donna Summer's... " performed by Pink Lady Clones (We're All) "Clones " is a 1980 single by rock singer Alice Cooper taken from his 1980 album Flush the Fashion. It reached #40 in the US charts, his first top 40 single in two years. The song is about forced conformity. Cooper reports that he wanted to do the song because he was looking for a new sound... " performed by Alice Cooper Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" is a 1978 hit song for Rod Stewart. It was written by Stewart and Carmine Appice, and produced by Tom Dowd."Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" spent one week at the top of the British charts in December 1978 and four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, starting 10 February 1979... " performed by Pink Lady Dancing Queen "Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"... " performed by Pink Lady If My Friends Could See Me Now "If My Friends Could See Me Now", with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, is a number from the 1966 Broadway musical Sweet Charity. In the musical, the character of Charity, played in original New York cast by Gwen Verdon, reflects on her charmed life as she spends time with... " performed by Pink Lady |
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| 6 | unaired | Episode 6 | Art Fisher | Mark Evanier Mark Evanier Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of... , Rowby Goren Rowby Goren Rowby Goren is a writer specializing in comedy. He was a part of the writing team of the comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, created by George Schlatter. Goren's writing talents range from variety shows to situation comedy, game shows, cartoons, as well as directing Joe Roth and Neal Israel's... , Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman Lorne Frohman is a television comedy writer/producer. He created Pryor's Place starring Richard Pryor. He also created, wrote and produced the syndicated series D. C... , Jim Brochu Jim Brochu Jim Brochu is an American actor, writer, director, and playwright. Born in Brooklyn, he studied at Carnegie-Mellon University and received his B.A. from St. Francis College. His stage debut was in a production of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew... , Paul Pompian, Stephen Spears, Biff Manard |
Roy Orbison Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis... , Bobby Vinton Bobby Vinton Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:... , Sid Caesar Sid Caesar Isaac Sidney "Sid" Caesar is an Emmy award winning American comic actor and writer known as the leading man on the 1950s television series Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour, and to younger generations as Coach Calhoun in Grease and Grease 2.- Early life :Caesar was born in Yonkers, New York,... and Byron Allen Byron Allen Byron Allen is an American comedian. He is the head of Entertainment Studios, a broadcast syndication company responsible for producing and distributing several television shows pertaining to stand-up comedy and the entertainment industry. Allen also hosts some of the shows himself.-Early... |
| Music
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) "I Can't Help Myself " is a 1965 hit song recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song is one of the most well-known Motown tunes of the 1960s... " performed by Pink Lady Roses Are Red (My Love) "Roses Are Red " is a popular song composed by Al Byron and Paul Evans. It was recorded by Bobby Vinton and was a number-one song in the United States during the year 1962. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on July 15, 1962, and remained there for four weeks. The recording was his... " performed by Bobby Vinton I Love How You Love Me "I Love How You Love Me" was an American 1961 Top Ten hit for the Paris Sisters which inaugurated a string of elaborately produced classic hits by Phil Spector... " performed by Bobby Vinton Sealed with a Kiss "Sealed with a Kiss" is the title of a song written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld. It was first recorded by The Four Voices in 1960 as a single, but their recording was not a hit.... " performed by Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet (song) "Blue Velvet" is a 1950 popular song, written by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. It has been recorded by several artists, most notably Tony Bennett and Bobby Vinton, and has inspired a film of the same name.-History of recordings:... " performed by Bobby Vinton Mr. Lonely "Mr. Lonely" is a song co-written and recorded by Bobby Vinton. The song originally appeared on Vinton's album Roses Are Red in 1962. Later that year, Buddy Greco recorded a version of the song using a very similar musical arrangement as Vinton's version. Greco's single release reached #64 on the... " performed by Jeff Altman Oh, Pretty Woman "Oh, Pretty Woman" is a song, released in August 1964, which was a worldwide success for Roy Orbison. Recorded on the Monument Records label in Nashville, Tennessee, it was written by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees. The song spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100... " performed by Roy Orbison Crazy Little Thing Called Love "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is a song by the rock band Queen. Written by Freddie Mercury in 1979, the track featured on their 1980 album The Game, and also appears on the band's compilation album, Greatest Hits... " performed by Pink Lady Johnny B. Goode "Johnny B. Goode" is a 1958 rock and roll song written and originally performed by American musician Chuck Berry. The song was a major hit among both black and white audiences peaking at #2 on Billboard magazine's Hot R&B Sides chart and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.The song is one of Chuck Berry's... " performed by Bobby Vinton & Pink Lady |
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Syndication and DVD release
Pink Lady and Jeff reruns were seen on TrioTrio (TV network)
Trio was an American cable and satellite television network.Trio went on the air in 1997, then originally owned and operated jointly by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Power Broadcasting Inc. as a venue for airing the CBC's arts, culture and entertainment programming in the U.S...
for a brief period.
In 2001, Rhino Entertainment
Rhino Entertainment
Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company. It is owned by Warner Music Group.-History:Rhino was originally a novelty song and reissue company during the 1970s and 1980s, releasing compilation albums of pop, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues successes...
released the complete series on Region 1 DVD in the United States.
In popular culture
On National Public Radio's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! is an hour-long weekly radio news panel game show produced by Chicago Public Radio and National Public Radio. It is distributed by NPR in the United States, internationally on NPR Worldwide and on the Internet via podcast, and typically broadcast on weekends by member...
, the series was the subject of the "Not My Job" segment with actor and novelist Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer
Harry Julius Shearer is an American actor, comedian, writer, voice artist, musician, author, radio host and director. He is known for his long-running role on The Simpsons, his work on Saturday Night Live, the comedy band Spinal Tap and his radio program Le Show...
. show on November 18, 2006. During the spring of 1980, Shearer had appeared as Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan
Carl Edward Sagan was an American astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, science popularizer and science communicator in astronomy and natural sciences. He published more than 600 scientific papers and articles and was author, co-author or editor of more than 20 books...
on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
s spoof, "Pink Lady and Carl" with Gilda Radner
Gilda Radner
Gilda Susan Radner was an American comedian and actress, best known as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, for which she won an Emmy Award in 1978.-Early life:...
and Laraine Newman
Laraine Newman
Laraine Newman is an American comedienne, actress, and writer, and was part of the original Saturday Night Live cast.-Personal life:...
playing the singing duo and Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer
Paul Allen Wood Shaffer, CM is a Canadian musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian, and composer who has been David Letterman's sidekick since 1982.-Early years:...
as special guest star Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Frederick Hamlisch is an American composer. He is one of only thirteen people to have been awarded Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and a Tony . He is also one of only two people to EGOT and also win a Pulitzer Prize...
.