The Andy Williams Show
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| The Andy Williams Show | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Variety Show |
| Written by | John Aylesworth, Frank Peppiatt |
| Presented by | Andy Williams |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | CBS, NBC |
| Original airing | 7 July 1959 |
| Status | Ended |
The Andy Williams Show was a television variety show which ran from 1959 to 1971 (alternating during the summer of 1970 with Andy Williams Presents Ray Stevens), and a short-lived run in syndication, beginning in the fall of 1976. It was hosted by crooner Andy Williams, with a number of regular performers, including, from time to time:
- Bobby Darin
- Dick Van Dyke
- The New Christy Minstrels
- The Osmond Brothers
- Jonathan Winters
- Professor Irwin Corey
- Ray Stevens
- The Lennon Sisters
- Charlie Callas
- Janos Prohaska ("The Cookie Bear")
The show began as a summer replacement series in 1959 on CBS. Later it was picked up by NBC in 1962, where it ran until 1967, then revived from 1969 through 1971.
When the show first started, it was tailored to Williams's pop music stylings, with "adult contemporary" style musicians. But in 1969 it was restaged, bringing in rock and roll acts and psychedelic staging. The audience sat on risers which moved around the stage, following Williams about as he moved.
Starting in 1971, Williams opted instead to produce seasonal specials (especially at Christmas) in lieu of a weekly series.
Many viewers had little interest in the musical numbers, but watched the show for its wacky comedy skits.[citation needed] Crazed acrobats The Flying Silverman Brothers would hurtle across the screen, a giant talking bee would offer snide comments, a suitcase (actually a performer in a suitcase costume) would walk into the shot. One recurring comedy sketch involved Williams' encounters with "The Cookie Bear" a tall, comical animal whose escapades (and begging for a cookie) would frustrate Williams to the point of his shouting at him, with increasingly high pitch, that he did not want to see him again, "Not Now... Not Ever... NEVER!!" This send-off, which became a popularly-used phrase at that time, was funny due to its contrast with the suave performing demeanor Williams was known for. The bear would then turn to the camera, utter some depressed line, and fall straight over onto his face.
Five years after his second weekly run at NBC had ended, Williams tried his hand at a half-hour weekly variety show, this time in syndication. But it lasted only one season (1976–1977).
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