The Dodge Dancing Party

This show doesn't get the respect it deserves...sure it is known for it's tacky wardrobe and watered-down musical numbers critics say, but compared to the tripe on television today, the show is a gem. I have meet several members of Lawrence's musical family in recent live shows, and they are perhaps the most friendly, down to earth entertainers you'll ever meet...and that is something you rarely see today! Also, if you're into pop culture history, watching the show can teach you something....and learn about music too!

Having lived for some time in southwestern Missouri, and having had many occasions to be in Branson - personally and on business - I was there when the Welk Resort was constructed (by Lawrence Welk, Jr.). The facility is away from the cacophony of noise from Branson's "main drag," has one of the finer theaters, as well as entertainment in the dining area.

We stayed there one week with friends, and it's the only hotel I've ever seen where the registration card has a place to check "if you have heart problems."

Now living in Tulsa, our Oklahoma public television organization is the producer of the Welk Show programs regularly public TV.

People have criticized Welk's music as corny and unimaginative - but while the folksy manner of the host and most of the performers may have seemed a bit excessive at times, one must remember this orchestra spawned Pete Fountain, whom I have seen at Welk reunion shows, both on TV and live.

One of the finest albums I have has an eclectic group of numbers, all by Johnny Hodges with the Welk orchestra. Hodges, of course, before he went on his own, was simply Duke Ellington's lead sax player.

The shows provide a lot of nostalgia, whether one may have seen them originally, and whether or not the viewer is a great fan of Welk's music. The older ones are several decades old, and present a variety of music which was contemporary then and nostalgic now. The shows which, say, 30- or 40-years-ago were nostalgia pieces then, are even more so now. If you watch the originals and then view the periodic current/special event/reunion shows, it is interesting to view the aging process at work. {One caveat - sometimes watching "Champagne Lady" Norma Zimmer (and a few of others, occasionally) warrants diabetics ensuring an extra dosage of insulin is nearby.}

One also might pose the riddle: What television show - at the same time - had the most and fewest bald and/or gray-haired performers? The answer surely would be this show. It displays more comb-overs, dye jobs and toupees, per capita, than anywhere on the planet. It presents more examples than a "Hair Club" or "Sassoon" catalog ever could. It's fascinating to watch the camera pan the group, and imagine everyone sans the comb-overs, pieces, and Clairol. Just an amusing bonus to this entertaining show.

The programs overall fall within a 7* to 10* range, so 9* is appropriate.

FROM Hollywood....IT'S THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW!!!!

This was the second longest-running musical variety program in the history of television and righteously so. It began on ABC-TV in the fall of 1955,under the title "The Dodge Musical Hour Starring Lawrence Welk",which at the time ABC was just a up and coming network which in turn his show became the steppingstone for the American Broadcasting Company's prime success which Lawrence Welk help start for that network! However,the earlier episodes of The Lawrence Welk Show were in classic black and white from 1955 until 1966. The show made the transition to color in the fall of 1966 and that same formula that Lawrence Welk had would remain from 1966 until 1971. However,his show would remain on ABC-TV for an astounding seventeen years on the air until its final episode in 1971. Lawrence Welk's musical variety show during its 17 year-run on network television is right up there with "Lassie",and "Murder,She Wrote",for the duration of its longitivity.

After ABC-TV cancelled "The Lawrence Welk Show" in the spring of 1971,the series found a new life when it was picked up for syndication where it remained for another eleven years on the air from 1971 until 1982. It all "The Lawrence Welk Show" was a Saturday night fixture in the homes of America for an astounding 27 years on television(The years on ABC-TV from 1955 until 1971,and in syndication from 1971 until 1982). After an astounding 27 years on television,"The Lawrence Welk Show" was picked up again in 1982,only this time around went from syndication programming to public television,where repeats of the show which include episodes from the mid-1960's and some of the 1970's and early 1980's have been seen since. About the show itself,this was a brilliant variety indeed that sent its viewers back to a time when variety shows were solid family entertainment and that is what you got with this show. Lawrence Welk was the quintessential band-leader who preserved big band music which at a period in American History reflected a taste to what Middle America was like at that time. It may have fallen out of favor,but lets face it,this was a show where good musicians and dancers were very professional,especially with some of Lawrence Welk's polka tunes and big musical numbers. However,the show did everything from classic American ballads,and other musical numbers from different countries. It maybe known for some of the tacky wardrobe of its day(see some of the episodes from the 1970's if you really what to find out)and outlandish musical numbers and watered-down dance routines. But in all solid family entertainment every Saturday night,and that is what you got with Lawrence Welk's musical variety program,which lasted three decades on television and to this day it is still being shown on public television stations across the country.

I'm a mere 16 year old, however my best friend and I love this show. Almost in a freakish sense. There's something timeless about the show that makes it a pleasure to watch, week after week. If you don't watch it... well you should... it's entertaining, enjoyable, and the retro- ness of it all is truly magical. Many of my Saturday nights are spent watching this show with friends on our local public television station. The music is always cool, and the variety of music that is featured makes it a very different show each week. Lawrence Welk is very gifted in his role of band-leader. I am quite happy that PBS is still showing it, and you should check it out. You will always find something you know on the show, and if not, you will grow fond of what you do hear.

I first saw this show in my grandparents' house in Binghamton, NY in the 1960s, and enjoyed The Lennon Sisters. This show was so fun to watch! When I got hooked on the show again in Texas in 1996, I took a liking to the peppery singer Bob Lido.

Perhaps the show seemed like old hat in 1974. However, when it ran on ABC from 1955 to 1971, it really reflected the tastes of much of Middle America, to which I belonged to. The 1960s did not just belong to the Flower Children; it belonged just as much to those who liked the performers on this show (as well as other shows, such as The F.B.I.). And I condemn no side; I am a Green Party type who likes this sort of show. I especially like the older episodes, and am fond of Alice Lon.

This show should be praised for preserving big band music at a time when it had fallen out of favor. And so many of the performers should be recognized for their efforts. I am sorry Bob Lido is gone, but at least Dick Dale, Anacani, Ken Delo and--yes--Joe Feeney are still around to provide great performances. I also enjoy Bobby Burgess, Mary Lou Metzger and the others as well, too.

May this show keep running on PBS for many years to come!!