| ::Judy on Television:: Judy Garland is a very special and unique star. She is one of the few to excel in all media of show business. She is a performer in addition to being an accomplished actress-singer-dancer, with a masterful flair for comedy. She possesses personality and warmth, the keys for television success. And the television specials in which Judy starred were very successful indeed. In 1955, she made her television debut with a spectacular for the Ford Motor Company, "The Ford Star Jubilee." After Judy's highly acclaimed return to concerts and films in the early 60's, CBS presented "The Judy Garland Show," a one-hour special teaming her with her friends Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. This highly rated and well-accepted program led to additional specials and a series for CBS in 1963. Her weekly one-hour musical-variety series,"The Judy Garland Show," premiered in September 1963. Judy was hostess to some of the top names in show business, including Lena Horne, Ethel Merman, Peggy Lee and of course Mickey Rooney. Barbara Streisand made a memorable appearance on one ofJudys shows. It was instrumental in Barbara's push to stardom, and soon after, she signed for a series of specials of her own for CBS. When the last few programs of her series, she took centre stage and spent the entire hour in concert, the show came alive and critics did an about-face. But it was too late. High production costs and low ratings led to Judy's announcement that she would not continue the show after the 26th episode. The network was bombarded with cards, letters and telegrams. Loyal Garland fans wanted the Rainbow Girl to continue on television. But never did. |