ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW

Show Type: Musical Variety

First Telecast: July 3, 1958

Last Telecast: July 17, 1971

Theme Music: "Moon River," by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer

Broadcast History:

July 1958-Septebmer 1958, Thursday 9:00-9:30 on ABC

July 1959-September 1959, Tuesday 10:00-11:00 on CBS

September 1962-June 1963, Thursday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

September 1963-May 1964, Tuesday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

October 1964-May 1966, Monday 9:00-10:00 on NBC

September 1966-May 1967, Sunday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

September 1969-July 1971, Saturday 7:30-8:30 on NBC

Regulars

Andy Williams

Dick Van Dyke (1958)

The Bob Hamilton Trio (1958)

The Mort Lindsey Orchestra (1958)

The Dick Williams Singers (1959)

The Peter Gennaro Dancers (1959)

The Jack Kane Orchestra (1959)

Randy Sparks and the New Christy Minstrels (1962-1963)

Jimmy Gaines (1962-1963)

Marian Mercer (1962-1963)

R.G. Brown (1962-1963)

The Osmond Brothers (1962-1971)

The Colin Romoff Orchestra (1962-1963)

The Dave Grusin Orchestra (1963-1966)

The Allyn Ferguson Orchestra (1966-1967)

The Mike Post Orchestra (1969-1971)

The Good Time Singers (1963-1966)

Jonathan Winters (1965-1967 / 1970-1971)

Irwin Corey (1969-1970)

Janos Prohaska (1969-1971)

Ray Stevens (1969-1971)

The Lennon Sisters (1970-1971)

Charlie Callas (1970-1971)

The Nick Castle Dancers (1963-1966)

The James Starbuck Dancers (1966-1967)

The Jaime Rogers Dancers (1969-1970)

The Andre Tayir Dancers (1970-1971)

SYNOPSIS

Smooth-voiced popular singer Andy Williams starred in a number of variety shows in the late 1950's and 1960's. The first two were summer shows, in 1958 and 1959, followed by his own regular series on NBC beginning in 1962. Big-name guest stars appeared, usually of the adult variety (rarely a rock act), and a large number of regulars were seen.

Originally the New Christy Minstrels were the chief backup act, but they were soon superseded by the quartet of talented youngsters discovered by Williams performing at Disneyland (they had also appeared once on a Disneyland TV special). The Osmond Brothers, billed as "youthful barbershop harmony group from Ogden, Utah) were first seen on December 20, 1962, singing "I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas" and "Side by Side." They stayed with Williams for the rest of the run. The original four were periodically augmented by brothers and sisters, with 6-year-old Donny Osmond making his debut on December 10, 1963.

In 1967, Andy cut back to a schedule of only three specials per year, in 1969 he returned with a regular weekly series once again. This time, the look was decidedly contemporary, including rock acts, psychedelic lighting, and a futuristic set that had the audience seated on movable platforms which followed Andy around through the show. Among the regular features were "The Informal Spot" and "The Williams Weirdos"  - Little General, Walking Suitcase, Big Bird, and The Bear.

Williams' 1958 summer show, which had filled in for vacationing Pat Boone, was titled The Chevy Showroom Starring Andy Williams. All of his subsequent series were simply titled The Andy Williams Show, including a syndicated half-hour musical variety series he hosted during the 1976-1977 season. The only featured regular on the syndicated show was comic/ventriloquist Wayland Flowers.

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