The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show

The show's theme song:

ITS TIME TO RAZZLE DAZZLE,TIME TO GET DOWN RAZZLE,DAZZLE--TIME TO BOOGIE Y'ALL RAZZLE DAZZLE-GET UP ON YOUR FEET AND RAZZLE DAZZLE!!!!

Blye and Bearde Productions,the same production company that was behind the scenes of the successful 1970's prime-time CBS variety series "The Sonny and Cher Show"(CBS,1970-1974) and also did the prime-time variety series "The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show"(also was on CBS from 1972-76) were the producers for this short-lived variety series that was part of CBS' Saturday Morning Schedule for three seasons from its premiere telecast on September 7,1974 until the final episode in repeated episodes on April 3,1977. However,only the first season of "The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show" of the 1974-75 season were original episodes,while seasons two and three were repeated episodes from the first season. However,this show premiered after another short-lived that followed it also premiered the same time this show did as well,"The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine"-which was also a live-action variety series featuring the Harlem Globetrotters along with one of the hottest child stars of the 1970's--Rodney Allen Rippy.

Getting back to The Hudson Brothers Show from the mid-1970's......

The Hudson Brothers debuted as a summer nightmare series that ran in prime-time on CBS-TV from July 31,1974-August 28,1974. On the strength of that series,the show quickly made the jump from prime time to the overall abyss of Saturday Mornings. The show however,was taped in Toronto,Canada(and was produced there as well)then was transferred with much of the cast to the Saturday morning schedule that was due to the believed appeal of variety shows that were made especially for children,and the Hudson Brothers show was just that. It had basically the same comic writers that wrote for "Sonny and Cher" not to mention the same comic "bumpers" Sonny and Cher did between light songs by the Hudson trio,who were related to each other not to mention some of the goofy sketches(for example,Rod Hull had a hand-puppet emu,which attacked any cast member that made fun of it). The show itself was very quick pace since "The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show" was a mixture of "Laugh-In" by way of "Sonny and Cher" with a mixture of the mischief that came from The Marx Brothers movies of the 1930's. Speaking of the cast members which consists of the brothers themselves from oldest to youngest--Bill,Mark,and Brett)along with Stephanie Edwards,Ronny Graham,and Katie McClure. Not to mention getting former "Laugh-In" regular Gary Owens as the announcer and MC duties as part of the cast. Several guest stars did appear on this show including one episode that featured Sonny Bono in a musical number with the trio and another featuring Don Rickles and the one and only Carol Burnett(in a rare Saturday Morning appearance).

But despite the quick pace of the show which became confusing sometimes ended its run on the Saturday Morning schedule for CBS on August 30,1975. Because of this the network switched the show from Saturday Mornings to Sunday Mornings from September 12,1976-April 3,1977 in repeated episodes from the first season. After April 3,1977,the show and the trio were never heard from again. However,as a bit of trivia,one of the brothers,the middle one Mark went on to become one of the songwriters for the heavy metal rock group Aerosmith. The show was replaced for the 1977-1978 season,by one of the biggest colossal failures ever in the history of Saturday Mornings-Skatebirds!

This was one of those shows that stuck out in the 1970's. The Hudson's were pretty much promoted as a combination bubble gum act/Marx Brothers act. The brothers had a prime time summer variety series and it pretty much was decided to move the boys to Saturday mornings where their talents would be more in line with the audience they were trying to reach. However, this was a pretty good show. It was a combination of "Laugh In" and "American Bandstand". The brothers, Bill, Brett and Mark, showed off both their musical and comedic talents backed with a great ensemble cast. Also, this was one of the few shows that were on during that year that didn't try to be overly preachy and try to teach the kiddies how to be good little boys and girls. This is definite lost gem of the 1970's.

Sure I remember, I was about 8 when it aired, we loved it. Esp. the Emu, this was the best. Old 'Spaghetti legs' if I remember right, was his nickname. We used to argue as kids as to whether it was a Real bird or not, which goes to show you how long ago this was.

There was a fun skit parodying Buck Rogers stuff, 'Space Cadets SALUTE!' owowowowowowowowowowowowowow....Trust me, you hadda be there. It was goofy but harmless stuff.

One of these guys in the Hudson Bros wound up wirting a bunch of stuff for Aerosmith, I think it was Mark.

Anyways, dated kid stuff but not bad.

**1/2 outta ****

The cut away from Family Guy animated show lasted FOREVER so had to check!! Lol

This show, through the eyes of a 9-year old was a hoot. From the off-bear characters such as Chuckie Margolis,an 8-year-old who lived in his parents' basement, to guest-stars such as Sonny Bono, to series regulars like Bob "DON'T CALL ME MONKEY" Monkhouse.