Sha Na Na (TV series)
Sha Na Na is a syndicated television variety series that ran from 1977 to 1981 for a total of 97 episodes,[1] hosted by the popular rock & roll/comedy group of the same name. The show was produced by Pierre Cossette and originally distributed by the Lexington Broadcast Services Company. Each episode ran for 22 minutes.
| Sha Na Na | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Variety |
| Written by | Gary Jacobs |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 97 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Pierre Cossette |
| Producer(s) | Bernard Rothman and Jack Wohl |
| Editor(s) | Darryl Sutton |
| Running time | 22 min |
| Production company(s) | Pierre Cossette Enterprises |
| Distributor | |
| Release | |
| Original network | Syndicated |
| Original release | 1977 – 1981 |
The show featured the group performing hits from the 1950s and 1960s along with comedy skits along the show's nostalgic theme but with a contemporary twist, with performances from that era's well-known acts as well as popular acts of the 1970s. Among the supporting cast members featured in the series were: Jane Dulo (she played the crabby Lady in the Window, who watched over the street scenes from the window of her apartment with undisguised disdain) and Pamela Myers; Avery Schreiber, Kenneth Mars and Phil Roth (Season 1); June Gable and Soupy Sales (Seasons 2 to 4); Michael Sklar (Season 2); and Karen Hartman (Season 4).
Cast
The members of Sha Na Na during the TV series were Jon "Bowzer" Bauman (vocals), Lennie Baker (sax/vocals), Johnny Contardo (vocals), Denny Greene (vocals), Danny "Dirty Dan" McBride (guitar/vocals) (left after third season), Jocko Marcellino (drums/vocals), Dave "Chico" Ryan (bass/vocals), "Screamin'" Scott Simon (piano/vocals), Scott "Santini" Powell (vocals), Donald "Donny" York (vocals). Every member was featured with a solo vocal spot during the course of the series. Each was introduced only by his nickname or his first name in a voice-over by Myers at the beginning of each show.
Quotes
During the shows' opening after the cast and guests are mentioned Myers kicks off the show by saying "And now, here they are, all greased up and ready to sing their brains out, Sha Na Na!" while Jon "Bowzer" Bauman would close out each show by saying "Good night, and grease for peace!" with Sha Na Na singing "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" as their closing theme song. Myers would announce as a disclaimer, "This show has been previously recorded," which was appended sarcastically, "so it could be destroyed in time!" and later shows would be appended with in an equally snarky tone, "Why? I dunno!"
See also
References
- The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 1058. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.